PREVIEW: OCTOBER-DECEMBER HALF-TERM

Preview to Next Half-Term (October to December)

This half-term sees the beginning of the basketball and rugby season alongside the hockey season continuing.

Basketball

This time last year the high interest in basketball led to the creation of CHS’ basketball team. CHS started the season well but suffered their first defeat of their season after back to back wins. CHS begin their season on Friday 8^th November at home to King’s School a team which they beat 38:21 last season. There are high expectations for the basketball side this season.

Rugby

After the announcement before half-term by the RFU regarding the participation of state schools in rugby union I am pleased to say that CHS is one of the 750 state schools who play rugby competitively in the UK and in recent years they have been successful. Including last year where Year 7 and Year 10 won the Cheshire Inter School Championships. Can they do the same this year? The PE department certainly hope so and if they continue where they left off last year than I can see why they are so confident.

Hockey

CHS will hoping for more results like the opening day of the hockey season, this half-term and I am sure that if they continue to play like they did last half-term then CHS will come out on top more often.

One thing’s for sure we are in for another action-packed and potentially successful half-term before we break for Christmas.

Written by Adam Bailey

 

REVIEW: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER HALF-TERM

Review: September – October Half-Term

Last week brought a close to the first half-term of the year with good results and performances needed in the opening half-term to create a solid building block for the rest of the year. Here is a round-up of what has happened over the last 6 weeks.

Football

Year 7 have already created a great impression after a solid start to the season in both the league and cup. The PE department are expecting big things from the youngest year.

After year 8 were held 2-2 on the opening day of their season they have since been back on the winning ways they showed throughout last season, including a 7-0 victory over Shavington.

Year 9 or the “Year 9 Dream Team” as manager Mr French called them after he saw his side come out as emphatic victors in an 8-2 win over Alsager have started brilliantly with two great wins with notable performances by Evan Corless, Brad Oliver and Jake Rowley.

Year 10, under experienced coach Mr Donnelly, have also started the season well including an inspired 6-2 win over Shavington after finding themselves 2-1 down at half-time.

Year 11 started life with new manager Mr Cross and after perhaps under achieving in the league and cup they are still going strong in the English League’s Cup after a penalty-shootout win before half-term. It has taken year 11 time to adapt to Mr Cross’ vision for the side but it seems to be paying off even when the results aren’t showing it with CHS dominating in matches and creating chances.

Following the remarkable achievement of the under-14’s becoming Premier League Champions last May it has inspired many girls to don their football boots. The under-15’s, which included several of the Premier League winning side, began their season last Friday with a 2-0 victory after a great performance from the girls. Could this team bring even more silverware to CHS’ trophy cabinet?

 Former student Daniel Sturridge helped England to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil with two goals in their qualification campaign and will be hoping that he can be making headlines at next year’s World Cup. He isn’t the only past or present student representing England as year 9 student and Manchester United midfielder Hollie Massey has been selected for the England under-15’s squad to face Wales.

Hockey

Following a positive start to CHS’ hockey season which saw CHS return from playing Sandbach with two wins and a draw, they hit a stumbling block before half-term against Holmes Chapel with only year 11 getting anything from the matches with a 0-0 draw.

Netball

The Tuesday before half-term the year 11 netball team competed at the South Cheshire Netball Tournament and despite putting in a great performance and dealing with a spate of injuries CHS managed to reach the semi-finals and were inches short of reaching the final (quite literally)!

Year 9 have had a good start to the season despite a surprise defeat to Sandbach after they easily strode to victory in their first match but the girls came back in style with a fantastic 26-0 win over Holmes Chapel.

Other

There was a phenomenal turnout at the year 8 badminton and table tennis lunchtime club last week with over 56 students joining in both playing and officiating. We will need a bigger sports hall soon!

Half-Term Not Over Yet For Some

For some of the sports teams at CHS the first half-term has not finished yet as Wednesday saw the football and netball teams fly to Malta for a 5 day tour (I am very jealous!) All teams were very excited and what should be an extremely successful few days if there form from this half-term prevails. After half-term I will have a full round-up of all the results from Malta plus a player’s/coaches diary!

Written by Adam Bailey

FOOTBALL- PAST AND PRESENT REPRESENT ENGLAND

Past and Present Represent England

Former student Daniel Sturridge has helped England qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil after being heavily involved in the qualification campaign scoring 2 goals including coolly slotting home an injury time penalty in England’s comfortable 4-1 win against Montenegro last Friday. I am sure he is hoping to continue his fantastic start to the season as well as remaining fit so he can do his upmost to book his ticket on the flight to Rio! Everybody at CHS wishes him all the best for the rest of the season.

Year 9 student Hollie Massey has yet again been selected for the national side, in a select squad of 24, after impressing for her club, Manchester United. She will attend a 2 week training camp at St. George’s Park before taking on Wales. St George’s Park is fast becoming her second home! As a reward for the call-up she got to meet Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic where she received tips about playing football at the highest level, something that Massey is very capable of achieving. Hollie admitted she felt inspired to emulate the Old Trafford hero. “It was great meeting Vidic. He made us realise how important it is to make the most out of this opportunity and to put everything into it.” She is also very excited about pulling on the famous Three Lions shirt. We wish her all the best!

Written by Adam Bailey (Interview courtesy of Manchester United Foundation)

FOOTBALL- 15TH OCTOBER

Year 11 win their “Biggest Game of the Season” with a Superb Performance

England may have had a crucial match which they had to win tonight (Tuesday 15^th October) but year 11 had an even bigger one when they travelled to St. Monica’s, Bury in the English School’s Cup Round 3.

CHS came into the match after two consecutive defeats and they were determined not to make it 3. Max Berkeley put CHS in front from a superb Adam McHale cross.  CHS were unfortunate to see their lead disappear when St. Monica’s were given a penalty for a soft challenge from Captain Dunn who led from the front for the whole match and was superb throughout. St. Monica’s successfully converted the penalty and it wasn’t the last of the match! CHS restored their lead following powerful play from Brian Barton which led to the goalkeeper spilling his shot but George Hooper followed it up with a rebound from close range. 2-1 CHS. With 6 minutes remaining it looked like CHS had enough to see the game out but a good shot from an un-marked player at the back post struck the roof of Hallam Carslake’s net. 2-2. Undeservingly CHS were forced into extra-time. Strength in both body and character ensued so penalties were to decide the victor.

Carslake's outstanding save from St Monica's 'penalty taker' subdued the crowd to the delight of the travelling CHS faithful (Mr Cross). With CHS’ first 3 penalty takers scoring the match was in the hands of CHS’ 4^th penalty taker who unfortunately missed which set up sudden death. Next on the list was Danny Iyhoa who knew that if he scored it would see CHS through and if he didn’t well it is not worth thinking about! He stepped up to take CHS’ first penalty in sudden death with the whole of the school’s hopes on his shoulders, he scored and sent the team very deservedly through to the next round.

Mr Cross said “that the response from the year 11s was superb after 2 defeats. Their strength, technique, skill, decision making and determination were demonstrated to the full against a good St Monica's side. The system we discussed and implemented worked very well, all players adding their contribution to the game with such a strong focus on succeeding in this competition.  In some respects we have really under performed in other competitions such as the league and the Cheshire Cup, however this is the biggest competition in the country and we have played 2 good sides so far, winning both convincingly overall.”

The man of the match was awarded to Liam Evans for another commanding display in midfield, taking both the physical and technical game to the home team.

Written by Adam Bailey and Mr Cross (Crossinio)

GIRLS FOOTBALL- 11TH OCTOBER (Gameweek 1)

Premier League Champions play like the Champions they are

Over recent months women’s football has received a lot of negative press mainly due to England’s poor performance at the European Championships in July and there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel due to a decline in girls wanting to play football.

However it seems that the remarkable achievement of the under-14’s becoming Premier League Champions last May has inspired many girls to don their football boots.

The under-15 side started their season on Friday, which included several of the Premier League winning side who have stepped up to the next age group. The entire team played like Premier League champions with their heads held high, they put in a great performance and could have easily scored eight. Instead they settled for two which saw them start their season brightly with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Hollie Massey and Zoe Tweats.

Keep up the good work girls!

Staying with women’s football, I was very pleased to hear that Manchester United midfielder Hollie Massey has yet again been selected in a select squad of 24 for the national side, after impressing for the Reds. She will attend a 2 week training camp at St. George’s Park before taking on Wales. St George’s Park is fast becoming her second home! As a reward for the call-up she got to meet Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic where she received tips about playing football at the highest level, something that Massey is very capable of achieving. Hollie admitted she felt inspired to emulate the Old Trafford hero. “It was great meeting Vidic. He made us realise how important it is to make the most out of this opportunity and to put everything into it.” She is also very excited about pulling on the famous Three Lions shirt. We wish her all the best!

Written by Adam Bailey (Interview courtesy of Manchester United Foundation)

FOOTBALL- 10TH OCTOBER

Year 7 Continue to Impress

Tonight (Thursday 10^th October) year 7 continued their great start to the season with another solid performance in a 3-1 win against Sir Thomas Boughey. This sees them through to the next round of the cup. Will Mr Hermitt have to buy a bigger trophy cabinet?

*Other match results to follow*

Written by Adam Bailey

HOCKEY- 10TH OCTOBER (Gameweek 2)

Holmes Chapel get the better of CHS

Tonight (Thursday 10^th October) saw CHS’ hockey teams battle it out with Holmes Chapel at CHS. The fixture against Holmes Chapel is one that the player’s most look forward to due to the close encounters, the return of former players and the rivalry (if there is any!).

Year 11 were hoping to set the record straight having lost to Holmes Chapel 3-1 last year but they were without two of their key players Louise Forster and Hannah Tatton who perhaps would have given CHS more of an attacking threat. Instead CHS were forced to call up year 10 Mia Hopkins and year 9 Rebecca Barlow. CHS could have done with Forster and Tatton in the opening 5 minutes as it was that time that CHS took to venture into Holmes Chapel’s half. There were no real chances for either side in the 1^st half. Robyn Houston had the first shot of the game and one of the few shots that CHS managed in the course of the match when her on-target shot was deflected behind and nothing came of the long corner that followed. Holmes Chapel’s best chance saw CHS’ goalkeeper, Emily Hockenhull’s foot come to the rescue in a scramble by the near post. At half-time, the CHS coach told the team to exploit the space on the wings more as CHS became squashed in the middle of the pitch and were not able to trouble Holmes Chapel’s defence. The game finished 0-0. CHS did improve in the second half and showed determination especially captain Emily Hammand who led from the front and despite being only in year 9 Rebecca Barlow put in a great performance and as a result was awarded player of the match, the same award she won last time she played for the year 11 side.

Barlow then joined her usual teammates in the year 9 side but saw her team concede a goal in the opening minute of each half. After only a few touches of the ball CHS found themselves behind following the normally reliable Hollie Massey losing the ball inside CHS’ half and Charlotte, the CHS sweeper, couldn’t stop the ball from rolling beyond the line. 1-0 Holmes Chapel. Their second goal came seconds after the restart after un-organised defending by CHS, Holmes Chapel found a breakthrough in the defence their attacker’s shot was on-target and the only thing that could have stopped it was CHS’ sweeper but she jumped over the ball before turning around to see CHS two behind. 2-0 Holmes Chapel. CHS had the chance to pull a goal back in the second half when Massey surged down the left wing before cutting in on the end line, the referee, may I add from Holmes Chapel, said that ball had crossed the line but from my position (similar to the referee) it appeared the wrong decision. There were no appeals/complainants from CHS perhaps because they are good sports. CHS dominated for the majority of the match with Holmes Chapel only entering CHS’ arc on a few occasions. Barlow and Massey had several chances on target but the difference being that Holmes Chapel had a fixed goalkeeper with pads compared to CHS’ rush goalkeeper which meant that the goalkeeper always stood in their way and it may have given CHS some confidence in defence if they had a fixed goalkeeper behind them.

The year 7 and 8 team were also in action but it was Holmes Chapel who came out on top in a 5-3 thriller with CHS’ goals coming from Lydia Bennett, Charlotte and Megan as well as a stand out performance from player of the match, Paige Tingle.

Written by Adam Bailey

FOOTBALL- 8TH OCTOBER

Start to a tough week for CHS

Tonight (Tuesday 8^th October) saw the start of a tough week for CHS’ footballers with both league and cup matches being played over the next 3 days.

Despite dominating the game in terms of passing, creating opportunities and possession year 11 lost 3-1 away to Poynton with George Hooper adding to his goal from the opening match of their season by scoring CHS’ only goal. CHS could not compete with Poynton’s physicality losing the physical battles that led to Poynton’s goals.  Following the game manager Mr Cross said “We will reform, discuss what we did well to form a better plan for the next game.  One thing we do have is a talented group of players, so with some more direction and a clear desire to contest with the opposition fully, our results will improve.” Too add to the loss Vice Captain Sam Spooner was forced off with a broken collarbone. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he gets well soon.

Mr Cross added his thoughts on the team and his vision for the side, “the first thing is we have a fantastic, skilful, fit side.  All the way through the squad we have quality.  Changing the way the boys play and understand football is my main goal, which is very hard as their obviously products of a typical footballing generation simple in a 4-4-2, boring and without significant size and strength we will be left wanting.  You can see these things on a Sunday, right through to our national side... But football has changed... We are in the process of improving this, but for year 11, that's a tough, ask. They seem up for it, but with 3 games played, the results haven't yet come up for us. After Sam’s injury most things are put into perspective regarding the result today.” Year 11 face a massive game next Tuesday at St Monica's we wish the boys luck and all the best.

In another tough game, year 8 had to fight hard to come out on top in a 1-0 win thanks to a well taken goal by Logan Clowes. The victory sees them through to the 3rd round of the English Schools Cup.

Written by Adam Bailey and Mr Cross

HOCKEY- 3RD OCTOBER (Gameweek 1)

Hockey Season Begins

This week saw a positive start to the hockey season when CHS’ teams travelled to Sandbach where they returned with two wins and a draw. All the teams are hoping for more wins and if they continue to perform like they did this week then there will be more success in hockey than last season.  

There will be regular match reports from all of CHS’ home games posted on here. So look out for them!

Written by Adam Bailey

FOOTBALL- 1ST OCTOBER

An Inspired Comeback and an Amazing Masterclass

Today (Tuesday 1^st October) saw year 10 take on Shavington. Having drawn their opening match at Alsager CHS were looking to take all three points in this match. The first few minutes were encouraging for CHS with them launching several attacks but they couldn’t capitalise on any. Instead CHS found themselves behind after a shot from close range was not dealt with by Morgan Buckley, in the CHS net. 1-0 Shavington. CHS then created several chances including a Reece Carbutt header which didn’t require anything other than a routine save for the Shavington goalkeeper then Morgan Bratt put his half-volley just over when he got underneath the airborne ball. However, the equaliser was well worth the wait as Connor Docherty scored a beauty from 35 yards out. On the half-volley, Docherty twisted and struck it beautifully it soared through the air before dipping under the cross-bar and the back pedalling goalkeeper had no chance. 1-1. CHS weren’t level for long after another lack of concentration and communication from the CHS defence led to Shavington scoring again.

CHS’ defence was exposed throughout the first half and they were out played by Shavington so Mr Donnelly, CHS manager, had a right to be frustrated with the side so much so he gave the team a softer version of the famous ‘hair dryer treatment’ and made tactical changes. These worked superbly as 5 minutes into the second half CHS were back level when Jack O’Gara scored a screamer which nearly ripped the net. Two brilliant goals from CHS. 2-2. CHS then had the opportunity to take the lead for the first time when a through ball from midfield split the defence and Connor Docherty was one on one with the keeper but went for the cool, relaxed finish instead of the more clinical approach as a result the keeper kept it out with his stretched leg. It was soon 3-2 when Connor Dougherty squared the ball and Marcus and a Shavington defender both got a touch on the ball which will bring some debate about whose goal it was. CHS then doubled their lead when Morgan Bratt scored directly from his free-kick despite the acute angle. The ball finished in the far corner after his low free kick skimmed past the huddle of legs with only one needed to deflect it off-target. 4-2. CHS could have had seven and so could Connor Dougherty. The first of Dougherty’s chances came when he burst into the box but the Shavington’s goalkeeper’s legs at the near post prevented CHS extending their lead further. Then Dougherty put his shot straight into the keeper’s stomach before pulling another shot straight across the front of the goal. It just looked like it wasn’t his day but then something clicked when he clinically put his half volley past the keeper into the far bottom corner.  5-2 CHS. Marcus then made it 6-2 from close range from Reece Carbutt’s squared ball. The game finished 6-2 much to the delight of year 10 head of year, number one fan and team cheerleader, Miss Heys who was watching from the sidelines. CHS looked much improved following Mr Donnelly’s ‘hair dryer treatment’ and inspired tactical changes. What have CHS and Mr Donnelly got in store for us next time?

On the other side of the field, year 8 didn’t do it the hard way unlike year 10 when they showed Shavington a footballing masterclass during their 7-0 thrashing. Captain Matt Needham led from the front with 4 goals, which earned him the well deserved man of the match award. George Johnson scored a brace and Finlay Jackson used his height advantage to add a headed goal.

Written by Adam Bailey