1st XI

Friday 7 September: 1st XI V Robert Gordon’s  Lost 0-4

Saturday 8 September: 1st XI V Aberdeen Grammar  Lost 2-3

Sat 15th September: 1st XI v Stewarts Melville Lost 1-2

Sat 22^nd September: 1^st XI v Grove Academy lost 0-6

Sat 29th September: 1^st XI v Balerno Lost 0-4

Saturday 3 November: 1st XI v Dundee High School Won 11-0

Saturday 10th November: 1st XI v Watson’s (a) Lost 0-8

Saturday 17th November: 1st XI v Stewart’s Melville Drew 1-1

Saturday 24th November: 1st XI v Hutcheson’s Lost 0-1

Saturday 1 December v Beaconhurst: 1st XI  Won 2-1

Saturday 19th January: 1st XI v Hutcheson’s (a): Lost 0-6

Saturday 9 February: 1st XI v Loretto (a) Lost 3-6

Saturday 1st March: 1st XI v Glasgow Academy: Lost 1-0

Tuesday 4th March 1st Round U18 Plate. 1st XI v Penicuik HS: Won 6-4

At full time the score was 3-3. The highlight was a fine team goal from Jamie Francis. In the event of a draw the result is decided by penalty strokes (best of 5). Chris Duncan, Hector Macneal and Johnny Arthur all scored to secure a win and Quarter Final against Grove Academy or Boroughmuir HS.

March 1st XI v Beaconhurst: Won 1-0

Gavin Morecroft and Johnny Arthur combined to score an outstanding opening goal in the 37th second of the game. Once again the 1st XI played some fine hockey, opening up the opposition and creating many good scoring opportunities. With a scoreline of 1-0 the losing side tend to work harder, apply more pressure and give the opposition less time on the ball. The 1st XI thought at 1-0 up they would have (or deserved) more time on the ball; this led to a very scrappy game dominated by tackling rather than passing. Unlike last week, this was not a delight to watch.

April: Scottish Schools Plate competition semi final

1st XI v Boroughmuir HS: Drew 2-2 (EA won 8-7 on penalties) This is the first time that we have reached the final.

2008 Plate Competition of the Scottish Schools Cup

Final Score: Fettes College 5 Edinburgh Academy 2

The 1st XI were 3-0 down within 25 minutes. The opposition were given too much space in the last third. As attacks progress up the pitch it is crucial that defenders mark players tightly and deny the opposition pass options into scoring positions. The 1st XI improved as the game progressed and arguably finished the game the stronger side. Chris Duncan marked his last game, having represented the 1st XI for three years, with an outstanding game and a goal. Nicholas Aspinall, who has led by example, scored a deserved goal. Special mention must go to Jamie Thornton who was exceptional in goal. This was the last game for many of the 1st XI; they have been extremely enjoyable players to coach and I wish them every success with their future in the game.

James Pillinger

2006-7

During the off-season the year ahead looked as though it would be the toughest I had faced in my school hockey career: however I am pleased to report that these fears, after being realised initially, were quickly put to bed. There were two slightly disappointing performances on the mini-tour to Aberdeen, but then the team began to gel and a good teamwork mentality burst through. However, following a good start to the season the team was dealt two huge blows: losing our coach of three years, Ed Parker, and our star performer, Javier Turull, over the Christmas holidays. These set backs proved not to be disastrous as the new coach turned out to be excellent. This further boosted our team and led to a thoroughly enjoyable end to the season. Our goalie Iain Oliphant was introduced to the team at the end of last season, and had another excellent year. After insisting throughout the season that he could in fact do better than most of the attacking players in our team he was given the chance to prove this against St George’s and found it impossible to score, even when a rugby player who had never played hockey before managed to. Our rock at the back, Nick Aspinall, is going through a thorough training regime in an attempt to make it into the London Olympics. This hard work seams to be paying off, as he was the fittest member of the squad by the end of the season. We had three very different options at half-back. Will Brown with his physical presence and pink stick, Calum Munro with his less aggressive but no less effective defending, and Robbie Gray, the most polite hockey player I have ever met. Chris Duncan, possibly the most talented player in the squad, finally got his call up for Scotland and made sure that not only our team but every other team found out. The remaining players were shuffled somewhat throughout the season. Renzo Pedreschi played throughout with typical Italian flair; Phoebe Cottam worked hard and proved beyond doubt that a girl can keep up with the speed of guys’ hockey; Harry Campbell worked throughout the season and — slowly, it seems — is learning the art of tackling; Gavin Morecroft, Jonny Arthur, Ali Colam and Tom Baker were the attacking outfit throughout the season, and by its end the goals seemed to be flowing in. We eventually ended up with a season’s total of twenty-eight goals, which is a remarkable effort. Good luck for next season, everyone. I am sure it will be a successful, as the majority of players are remaining for at least one further season. Don’t miss me too much.
James Christie