Cross-country running in schools can divide opinion. For those who take easily to running, it is another string to their bow. For those who find running challenging, it can be purgatory. The weather or the dullness of the course can count against it, all of which is a shame given the enjoyment many adults derive from running. The success of Park Run, the demand for Couch to 5K programmes all demonstrate the positive benefits of running and physical exercise more generally. It raises the heart rate, releases feel good endorphins, boosts the metabolism, strengthens muscles and engages us with the outdoors. It is a means of socialising and provides a sense of achievement – whether you compete, or complete.
Adam Cleaver is our new Head of Athletics and Cross-Country. He has breathed fresh life into the cross-country programme since Geoffrey Hammond’s departure. Geoffrey was a great proponent of athletics and running in his time here – or ‘tolling’ as he called it. Adam has built on Geoffrey’s legacy, seeking competitions and events to enter on the prep and English schools' circuits. His running club has been a hit with those who have joined this term.
We enjoyed our recent Inter-Set Cross-Country races, in PE lessons following half-term. We appreciate that some boys are there to prove themselves and for a great many, the challenge of completing the distance is enough, aspects we outline to the boys before the races. Whilst many Park Run courses mirror our ‘round the field’ simplicity, we recognise that our course could do with a bit of innovation in trying to access the fantastic geographical environment in which we are located. Maybe that, along with a continued Set spirit, will keep running fun and help these boys see the value of going for a run into their adulthood.
The Football World Cup continues the chain of global tournaments lately...
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
The boys all enjoyed watching England’s opener with Iran and, amongst all the other games, are looking forward to England’s next match, against the USA on Friday evening.
Going one better than their male and female counterparts, the England Wheelchair Rugby League team narrowly beat France in the final last Friday to become world champions!
I managed to catch the second half – the skill on display was really impressive.
Rugby League World Cup 2021 (rlwc2021.com)
Tomorrow, we have all boys in Year 4 and up in Games sessions. Collection for all pupils is from 1530. Later, the Sport Staff have some rugby staff training as we prepare for next week.
The second and final round of the Inter-Set Football (and official end of the Football season) takes place on Saturday with Under U9s (Year 4) and Foals (Year 5) from 1300-1400 with a 1415 collection from the Yard and Seniors from 1415-1515 with collection from 1530 from the Yard. There will be refreshments for parents in the Halliday Pavilion from about 1345.
Just a reminder of… personal protection items needed until Easter.
- Mouthguards, as applicable below, will be needed from Monday 28th November.
- Shin pads for all pupils in Year 3 and up – please keep these in school for the hockey component of Alternative Invasion Games.
- Mouthguards for rugby for all pupils in Year 2 and up. Mouthguards are recommended by the RFU in all formats of the game including TAG rugby and other forms of non-contact rugby in case of accidental collisions. We also insist that boys in Year 4 and above have a mouthguard when playing contact rugby and for Year 3 and up when playing hockey as part of the PE programme.
- OPRO no longer visit the school to fit mouthguards, but information is included with this newsletter about their new instant custom fit mouthguards, should you wish to get one of these. Other mouthguards are widely available from sport shops or online.
Opro Poster here
Opro Information leaflet here.
- Please see my recent SchoolPost letter about rugby/hockey here.
Thursday 17 November
U9 A VII v Farleigh
Lost 3-0
The boys had a brilliant start to the match, dominating in all areas despite Farleigh bringing a tough physical side. We learnt their weaknesses quickly, but this was not enough, going 2-0 down at half-time. The boys knew they had a long second half ahead of them. Changing the formation slightly, aiming for more direct wing play in order to split their defence in the final third. All eyes turned to Rio, lifting the mood with an amazing halfway line effort, skewing just wide of the post and causing some discomfort within the Farleigh side. The match finished Pilgrims 0-3 Farleigh, a classic where the score line did not reflect on the overall determination and effort by all the boys. On to the rugby season! BC
U9 B VII v Farleigh
Lost 3-0
From the first whistle, Pilgrims seemed to be on top of the ball, moving forward at great pace. Long passes by keeper Marek G helped the boys to get good field position, Oscar E, upfront, had a few unlucky shots at goal. With ten minutes left of the first half, Farleigh were the first to break through, scoring first.
The second half was back and forth, Pilgrims’ letting two unlucky goals through. JU
U9 Wanderers VII v Farleigh
Lost
This was a good battle. Inigo S-G had a great game in goal, denying the opposition from converting many chances. Nevertheless, Farleigh were stronger on the day, and they managed to apply enough pressure to win the game. MDS
U8 A VII v Farleigh
Lost 5-1 (P Brooks)
The game was full of action from the very first whistle, no more than 40 seconds into the game, Patrick B rifled a shot in from the right-hand side, stunning the ‘keeper and crowd! Farleigh were rattled by this; they took a moment to compose themselves and started to apply pressure. Goalkeeper, Edward N had a great game, stopping a number of close-range shots. Farleigh started to assert their dominance and exploited the space afforded to them on the pitch. Our positional play un-did us slight today; but, to the boy's credit they kept going until the end, showing great determination. Well done. MTG
U8 B VII v Farleigh
Lost 6-1 (Baxter N-B)
This was a challenge – Farleigh turned our defenders to get in behind and shoot. There’s a lesson to be learnt here in shepherding the attacker, remaining between them and goal with good footwork, staying on feet and forcing the attacking error. Nevertheless, the boys battled well, enjoyed the match and got a good consolation goal – which had been coming for a while – through Baxter. Well played all. AJS
U8 United VII v Farleigh
Won 3-0 (Tommy P 3)
The Pilgrims’ boys got on top early and never really looked under pressure. Tommy scored a fantastic hat-trick, Zachary P marshalled defence, but all played well and demonstrated a good developing understanding of positional play. AJS
U8 United VII v Farleigh
Lost 6-2 (Rupert B, Wilfred E)
Playing at Farleigh, The Pilgrim’s team fought valiantly. All boys tried to the best of their abilities and were unlucky not to score in the first half, conceding four goals whilst still looking like a fair match. They went out hard in second half and managed to draw 2-2 for the half. An excellent effort and well deserved with Rupert and Wilfred firing home two well-crafted chances. WB
Andrew Short
Director of Sport