Although the score line was 2-0 to P&R it was a very exciting game as the ball was at both ends of the pitch many times, with several short corners each.

I had not seen the U14’s play for some weeks & was impressed with their development & how they played a very true team game.

We went with 13 players, which meant a fair amount of swapping about, but all players approached this maturely & just got on with the business.

Katie Hamilton in goal was very impressive with her strong determined clearance on the ball, management of her D working well with Bethan W, Mayah, Bethan R & Bryony keeping goals against 0.

Strength in midfield came from Josh, Toby, Bethan R, Erin, Thea, & Katie P

Our forward line comprised of Christian (who at one point drove from our defensive 25 into our attacking D manoeuvring around approx. 6 players.

Marcus whose work rate was excellent covering any gaps that appeared (on both sides of the pitch at times!)

Connor who was well placed on the right wing, picking up some very strategically placed balls that were outlet from midfield.

There were many moments of excellence, to many to name but this team have come a long way & are now using proper game play techniques using all the players & pitch, well done to Alex & Sally.

Henley did have some fantastic players who did battle hard at keeping our scoring boys out, but the lads were just a little too tricky for them on this occasion.

We did not have time to select a player’s player of the game, but my choice re coach’s player of the game goes to Toby Sherwood.

100% focused, work rate in mid field was excellent, never gave up in a tackle, foot work in facing the ball at all times was first class. Well done.

On a Sunday spring lunchtime, glowing from the great win last week, the U16 squad met to play against Newbury & Thatcham.  Having lost earlier in the season to N & T, the kids knew that this match was going to be a tough one.

Starting brightly and at pace, they were rewarded with a short corner 4 minutes into the match.  The push out could have been better however Alex’s response to pick the ball up and bring it out and pass square to Cleo worked, who struck beautifully into the right corner. One nil.  What a start.

Newbury and Thatcham equalised on 18 minutes.  One all.

Phoenix & Ranelagh pushed hard and kept their shape and their determination paid off with an open play goal from Bradley.

Goal 3 came from another short corner, following on from Beth’s determination to collect the ball pushing onto the post, Bradley followed up with his second and the team’s third of the match.

Some good defending towards the later part of the match kept Newbury and Thatcham at bay.

Final result – 3 - 1.  A fantastic result following on from last weeks win.

Coaches - Polar and Pete

Taking place - Friday 16th March - Juniors Presentation Evening

Team:-

Katie Hamilton (GK), Mayah Bentley-Holden, Christian Floyd, Bethan Rees, Marcus Hillman, Rhodri Parmenter, Connor Fahy, Toby Sherwood, Katherine Smith and Bailey with super subs Josh Hankins and Alex Hamilton.

With a number of players unavailable the 10 person squad had to borrow a player from Sonning.

The first half everyone played really well and moved the ball around, with some solid defending from Mayah, Rhodri, Bethan  and goalie Katie, Sonning were unable to covert the two penalty corners they were awarded.  P&R had opportunities but could not quite penetrate the Sonning defence. Katherine and Bailey coming into the team from the U12 squad worked well together as defending midfielders and assisted when the team attacked and were also solid in defence.

Sonning scored from open play on the break and had a goal disallowed.  Score 1-0 to Sonning at half time.

After the half time team talk all the P&R players stepped it up a gear despite the warm day and had several chances to draw level – great play from the attackers Christian helped by Marcus, Connor and Toby. The Calvary arrived hot foot from their game in Newbury with Josh Hankins and Alex Hamilton ensuring an all P&R team. The team played the ball around well again and at pace. P&R had some great breaks but the Sonning keeper was hard to beat on the day.

Sonning scored 3 goals form open play and again great work from the defence to keep out the only Sonning penalty corner.

Final score 4-0 win to Sonning.

A great team performance and a big thank you to Sonning for the loan of players, to Jackie Cobner for umpiring and all the parents and supporters for all their encouragement.  Also to Katherine and Bailey for stepping up a squad and to Josh and Alex for hot footing it to the game to help out.

Sally Smith – U14 Coach

On a Cold and Wet Sunday lunchtime and as I write this Beth confirms that it is “very” wet, Phoenix & Ranelagh U16 squad played Bracknell.

Bracknell took the early initiative with a short corner within 3 minutes of the game starting but P & R defended well pushing the ball out wide.

P & R then had an opportunity of taking the lead when Josh passed out wide to the wing where Dewi ran like the wind to collect the ball and pass into the D where Josh took the return pass and hit the post.  From there on in P & R were on top.

The first goal came from Cleo’s accurate strike into the left corner from a short corner.

The second goal and as coach my favourite as it was a team goal from back to front.  The ball came out of defence where Bradley picked the ball up on the wing driving into the D where he pulled it back to the P spot where David slotted it in.

The third goal came very quickly after the second with a solo effort from Bradley passing 3 players and slotting into the back post with a slap.

The fourth goal came from a well worked short corner where Lucy Plummer received the ball at the top of the goal and pushed it onto the post where Bradley slotted it in.

The fifth goal was again a short corner from a strike from Cleo, into the far right corner this time.

Goals 6, 7 and 8 came from open play.  6 again a well worked team goal finished off nicely by Mikey. Goal 7 and 8 from Bradley, giving Bradley top scorer.

A little complacency and lack of concentration meant Bracknell were able to get a consolation goal.

FINAL SCORE 8 to P & R , 1 to BRACKNELL.

8 goals scored all very different and it could have been more but for the amazing saves the young keeper from Bracknell made.  He will have a bright future.

What was the most pleasing thing of this result was the teamwork the kids showed.  They used the last few weeks of training to use the skills developed and supported one another, keeping their shape beautifully.

A big congratulation goes to all the children as it was a bitterly cold and wet day but they achieved a great result.

We took 2 under 10 teams to Newbury,

Amanda had seven children in her team and she said that Jack was strong at all times in defence. Colleen always took up good positions on the pitch.
Beth and Emily - It was their first time playing in a tournament both of them done really well. Sophie, once she had found her confidence she played really well.
Christopher stood in goal for all 5 games and never complained.Adam was outstanding taking up most of the positions.

My team only had 5 children,unfortunately 2 were unwell, so on 4 occasions Adam stepped in, where did he get the stamina from. Other hands went up when I asked for extra players
there was never a shortage, all very keen to play, great spirit at all times.
We had Charlie and Caitlyn in mid-field, they were on fire!!, going for everything, these are 2 gutsy little players.
Madeline and Phebe played well on the wing, Molly was outstanding scoring most of the goals.
We won 3 games and lost 2.

I would really like to thank the parents for their support to the children on this very wet and cold day, I don’t think we are going to forget that tournament in a hurry.

Myself as coach was very proud of all the children,I did not hear any of them complain, a fantastic group ,great effort by all!!

Bev Blackmore
(Coach)

From Left to Right: Colleen Delaney, Adam Smith, Jack Haynes, Caitlin Edgar, Christopher Brown (GK), Rory Parkes, Max Haynes, Charlie Page-Smith, Martha Crowland, Madeline Brown & Molly Edgar.

The Under 10s tournament was hosted by Phoenix & Ranelagh HC to give juniors from local clubs the opportunity to play real team matches, enhancing their skills and boosting their confidence.

P&R were fielding their new younger players and came up against some more tough competition. Our P&R juniors played well and with enthusiasm. Christopher Brown also did well on his first appearance as goalkeeper for P&R Under10s.

All of the local teams that attended played within the spirit of the game and fun was had by all, including those parents who proudly watched while braving the weather.

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