Colfe's School - The Senior School - Senior School sports - South America Hockey Tour

Very tough first Match v Redland School against a much older side with the majority playing for the U21 Chile National side! Players fought hard throughout having to play a very defensive game. As the first match of the tour is was an eye-opener for the team and some valuable lessons learned about speed of the game and support play. A steadily improving team performance was seen in the second half.

Result: Lost

Player of the Match as selected by the opposition: Bethan Dixon

Tour members were looking a little dispondent having spent the night with their hosts knowing the age and standard already of many of the Chile U16 National Select side. Colfe's defense were under relentless pressure and as each minute passed their determination and confidence gradually ebded away. Kate Sheppard as GK made some remarkable saves despite being pumelled by the oppositions shots on goal.

Result: Lost

Player of the match: Bethan Dixon

After a rest day taking in the sights of Chile travellling from Santiago to Vina del Mar the team were in positive spirits. After a pre match classroom session before the warm-up the team were set for the match against St Margarets School with the school and pitch set high against the back drop of the sea and Vina del Mar. The team were making stronge attacking moves. By the second half it looked as if we had a new team on the pitch as the support of each other positionaly was crucial. Startling breaks at pace and play making opportunites were made by Leonie Turner, Aimee McCusker, and Hayley Bell. Defensive play was still strong with Portia Malik, Kat Woodall, Mollie Madden and Nicola Stiddard with Kate Sheppard in goal. The best performance of the tour so far and hopefully bodes well for our next stop Argentina.

Result: Lost

Player of the Match : Mollie Madden

Our first match in the exciting city of Buenos Aries was against our host school St Hilda´s College. After our earlier experiences of Santiago the team were in very positive spirits. Colfe´s team selection focussed on an attacking strategy having been forced to play a defensive game in our earlier matches. Colfe´s looked strong moving the ball around well with excellent support play of the team members. Play making opportunities were seen by Leonie Turner and Bethan Dixon working along side of Aimee McCusker. Kate Sheppard was fantastic in goal! She demonstrated her new found confidence, evident through blocking and clearing the ball which was faultless. The first half was amazing a true team performance. After 30 minutes the scorline reflected the teams hard work 0 - 0. In the second half the girls continued to fight hard but the physical toll of the earlier matches was beginning to play its part as the opposition broke down our attacking strategy which gradually became a more defensive second half.

Best team performance of the tour signifying the team's remarkable development in both the indiviual players skills supportive team play. Excellent!

Result: Lost

Player of the match as voted by the opposition : Kate Sheppard

Our last match of the tour against St Catherines School, a large all girls school. Colfe´s looked tired as they stepped on to pitch; perhaps feeling they had reached their pinnacle in yesterdays match the team had to focus hard. A quick break by the opposition caught Colfe´s off-guard and a goal quickly conceeded. Players heads dropped and as Colfe´s tried to find another gear to step up play it was clear this was perhaps one match too many. As legs tired and gave way numerous combinations were tried to instigate new vigour into the team performance and Vanessa Wright and Portia Malik created several opportunities pressurising the St Catherines defence. Despite the exciting play in the circle shots at goal went just wide must to the frustration of players and supporters.

Result: Lost

Player of the match: Vanessa Wight

Special Mention: Portia Malik for her creative play making.

As the hockey comes to an end on this tour the team now move on to the Igauzu Falls for their great water adventure and experience life on an Estancia.


			6 January 2009