The Football (ahem... Christmas) Term at Pilgrims’

To some, it's the Christmas Term but for many of us at Pilgrims’, it's fondly known as the Football Term. And what a season it’s been! With 218 matches on the calendar - beating last year’s record of 198 - it’s safe to say football is thriving here.

We’ve expanded our fixture list to include more local schools, welcoming matches against Perins, Western, and Otterbourne, helping to create new connections and strong local competition.

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Team Highlights

1st XI (Mr Duncan)
An exciting season for the 1st XI saw a balanced record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses. Highlights included a thrilling extra-time win over Kingston Grammar and a strong home victory against Ryde. A special mention goes to top scorer Elliot, who netted 13 goals, with 10 of them in just five matches!

2nd XI (Mr Darlow)
The 2nd XI showed great spirit and skill throughout the term, with memorable wins against Elstree (1–0), Westbourne House (5–4), and Win Coll (1–0). Tommy, Theo and Inigo made standout contributions, helping to anchor a season of competitive play.

3rd XI (Mr Jennings)
Though the win-loss record might not reflect it, the 3rd XI had a season full of progress and close encounters. They turned an early 8–1 defeat to Twyford into a narrow 1–0 loss later in the term - a clear sign of development. Key players included Anton in central defence, Lucas in goal, and Yashk, who made a notable impact later in the season.

4th XI (Mr Reynolds)
This squad proved to be tough and resilient, notching victories over Westbourne House and Elstree. Their grit made them difficult opponents throughout the term.

5th & 6th XI (Mr Bruce & Mr Armstrong)
While most schools might stop at four teams, we kept going strong! Both the 5th and 6th XIs recorded impressive wins, particularly over Elstree and Farleigh. It was fantastic to see so many boys taking to the pitch.

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Colts and Foals

Colts A (Mr Greenwood)
A season full of hard work and determination, the Colts A team started with an 8–2 win over Walhampton and carried that momentum through a 7–0 victory against Boundary Oak and a gutsy 2–1 win over Yateley Manor. Charlie and Finlay formed an electric attacking pair, while Rio and Caspar were stalwarts in defence and leadership. Promising showings at the ISFA U11 tournament set a strong foundation for next term.

Foals A (Mr Buck)
Described by Mr Buck as “amazing,” this season was a story of remarkable team and individual growth. Bertie’s wonder goal in the Plate Final at the KES tournament was a real highlight, and he finished as the team’s top scorer. The Foals also secured a very respectable 3rd place finish out of 10 teams at the Winchester College Tournament.

Under 9s and Under 8s
Our youngest footballers have made great strides, showing promise and enthusiasm throughout the term. Their development bodes well for future seasons.

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Cross-Country
In October, 27 runners represented Pilgrims’ at the KES Prep cross-country meet. Our boys did brilliantly, with podium finishes from Franklin C, George I, Bertie L, Connor W, and Finlay N. The standout race came in the U9 Boys Gold event, where Tristan G and Edward W stormed to 1st and 2nd place, respectively. A proud day for the school!

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Swimming
Our swimmers also made waves this term. Daniel M swept 1st place in all his events - the individual medley, breaststroke, and butterfly. Daniel T made an impressive debut, particularly in the IM. At the senior level, Sasha G led the charge with strong performances, backed up by Alvin F (2nd in backstroke), Lucas J, and Nathan Z (both winning their breaststroke races).
Ike C captained with confidence, especially shining in the individual medley, and newcomer Tyler T showed great promise.

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Rugby, Races, Rackets and More – A Term of Sporting Triumphs at Pilgrims’
While rugby - both contact and touch - remains a central theme throughout the Lent Term, our sporting programme has truly showcased the depth and variety of what Pilgrims’ has to offer. From snowy slopes to swimming lanes, cross-country tracks to fives courts, it’s been a thrilling ride for our boys this term!

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Rugby: Tough Tackles and Team Spirit
Leading the U13s this season has been an absolute pleasure. Together, we’ve faced highs and lows, bonded over post-match chats, and built memories that will last far beyond the final whistle. Two home games stand out in particular - against Twyford and Cothill - both demanding physical grit and mental resilience. Moments like these shaped the team, helping them grow not just as players but as young men.

Whether it was those hard-fought battles or recent big wins where ambition took centre stage, every game brought its own value. The way the U13s responded throughout the season mirrors the determination and heart seen across all year groups.

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Foals Rugby – One to Watch!
The Foals had a season to remember: Played 12, Won 7, Drew 2, Lost 3 - scoring an impressive 405 points along the way. With standout performers like Bertie L and Patrick B lighting up the scoreboard, and Rufus W delivering Richie McCaw-esque performances in the contact areas, this group is full of promise. To put it another way: Rufus didn’t just play rugby, he charged into it like a Roman standard-bearer leaping off the boat into Britain. He led from the front, and the rest followed.

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Fives at Nationals
Our Fives players took on the best at the National tournament hosted by St Paul’s, London. Hugo C was a plate finalist, and alongside Jacob H, reached the quarter-finals in the doubles. A big thank you to Mr Cuyler for his guidance and support.

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Cross-Country Courage
Cross-country running took our boys to Farleigh this term, where runners from Years 3 to 8 competed. Special congratulations go to:

• Tristan G – U9, 2nd place
• Finlay N – U11, 3rd place
• Bobby M – U12, 3rd place

And a big shout-out to Leon S for his 4th place finish in U12.

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Water Polo Splash
Water polo matches against Twyford added a fun and competitive twist to the term. Our Year 7s earned a draw in the A team and a win in the Bs - impressive work all round.

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On the Slopes
Every Wednesday, our skiers trained hard in preparation for races, braving cold and snow with enthusiasm. Many thanks to Mr Reid and Miss Purcell for their efforts in keeping our boys sharp on the slopes.

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Touch Rugby – Fast, Fun and Fiercely Competitive
Touch rugby continues to grow in popularity. Although the inter-school fixtures are still evolving, our internal Inter-Set competition was a big success, with trophies awarded across multiple age groups:

• U9, U10, U11 Champions – Romans
• U13 Championship Winners – Wrens
• U13 Premiership Winners – Saxons

We hope to see even more schools join in the fun soon!

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Sporting Stars – Individual Achievements

• Ennis Z (Year 6) has been selected as Net Minder for the Team GB U12 Ice Hockey squad, and will compete in the SPARTA CUP International Tournament in Barcelona next month. Best of luck, Ennis!

• Ike C (Year 8) tackled the Winchester 10K, finishing in an impressive 52 minutes - well done, Ike!

• Daniel M, our IAPS U10 breaststroke champion, continues to shine with silver medals in the 50m, 100m, and 200m at the Hampshire County competition. He also retains a top 5 national ranking, and we’ve just learned he has qualified for the IAPS finals at the London Aquatic Centre in June. Outstanding news!

• Lucas L is not only a champion on court - winning gold and silver in U15 badminton tournaments this term - but he’s also begun coaching younger players. A fantastic way to give back to the local sporting community.

• Patrick B and Tristan G played for Winchester U10s in the Hampshire In2 Hockey final at Basingstoke. Their team beat Haslemere 2–0 in the final, claiming the Hampshire title for a second year running and qualifying for the regional finals in April. Go team!

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Looking Ahead
We’re grateful to Miss Wilkins and Mr Jennings for setting up exciting new links with Winchester Hockey, and we’re looking forward to seeing our Hockey Commoner progress to the next level during the Summer Term.

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Pilgrims’ sport this term has been a showcase of commitment, passion, and camaraderie - from team victories to individual brilliance. We can’t wait to see what next term brings!

Andrew Short
Director of Sport