Sports News

After some initial concerns about a possible cancellation due to a frozen pitch, Wednesday saw an exciting Year 10 match between Eggbuckland and Bonnies on a pitch perfectly suited to Bonnies' passing game.

With several new players in the squad following the opening match victory against Tavistock, the balance of the side could have been upset... but Adam Thompson, Josh Jewell, Harry King, AaronBevan and Andre Brimble all slotted straight into the team very smoothly.

Bonnies played down the slight slope in the first half and the midfield 4 of Stapleton, Charlick and the King brothers were on top against their opposite numbers. There was a nice mix of strength, aggression and skill to produce flowing football; the highlight of the game was a 12 pass move that tore the opposition to pieces; a shame that Will Stapleton's header hit the crossbar!

Bonnies defence were on great form in the first half and the one time Eggbuckland did break through, Thompson performed a goal saving challenge to stop an open goal. 

At half time Bonnies were 2-0 up and looking comfortable. 

The second half saw things change quickly as an Eggbuckland midfielder was allowed to run at goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards! A few harsh words from Kingdom in goal made sure this didn't happen again. 

Bonnies went 3-1 up with another good goal but a second for Eggbuckland ensured an exciting finish with both teams attacking till the end. 

Well done to the 10 boys who also turned up to training. Remember that all players who regularly attend training sessions will be included in the matches!

Eggbuckland 2
SBCC 3

Man of the Match: Adam Thompson
Played 2 Won 2

CHRIS MATHER

The College is very proud of the acheivement of our Year 11 football team who made it to the final 16 (out of 750 teams) in the England Schools' Football Association Cup.  The team travelled up to St Birinus School in Didcot, and played an amazing game - ending in a 0-0 result after extra-time.  This led to a penalty shootout, where unfortunately for us, St Birinus goalkeeper Kieran Beesley was in good form with two saves and a successful spot-kick in a 3-1 penalty shoot-out victory at home in the ESFA Under 16 Schools’ Cup seventh round.  The team only missed out on going through to the last 8 in the country after the heartbreak of penalties against a strong Oxford side containing several boys already offered professional contracts with Oxford FC.

With the last-16 tie finishing goalless after extra time, St Birinus came on top from the spot with Beesley being joined by Ollie Thomas and Lewis Wilcox in finding the back of the net as Aaron Bentley (11E) provided St Boniface’s lone reply.

The team were: Josh Bance, Aaron Bentley, James Bullen, Jeyon Cardinez, Ashley Clarke, Joe Cook, Curtis Damerell, Will Davis, Will Farrow, Carlos Felix, Oliver Price, Merveille Ramazani, Sam Rosevear, Lewis Robertson and Neil White (injured).

They have however beaten huge schools along the way such as Ivybridge and Exmouth to become the No 1 team in the whole of the South West.

Head of Phys Ed - Mr Mather said "[the team] have been wonderful ambassadors for our school community and can be extremely proud of their achievements.  The adventure hasn't finished yet though as they still need to play Devonport High School for Boys in the final of the Plymouth Schools Cup so hopefully they can finish on a high!"

St Birinus will go on to play at home to Mossbourne Community Academy (Hackney) or Shenfield High School in the quarter-finals.

Thank you to Joe Keogh for photographing the event, and to Mr Mather and Mr Greenway for accompanying and supporting the group.

For more information about the ESFA visit: www.esfa.co.uk

PAUL SCOTT

As a result of our success with Year 7 last year, we have been invited to attend the South West Championships of Carnegie's Champion Schools Competition again this year.  We have been asked to bring Years 7, 8 and 10 this year.

The tournament is at Filton College in Bristol.

The Year 10 tournament is on Tuesday 7th February and the following students have been selected: Brandon Andrews, Arthur Mbahin, Matthew Scott, Matthew Green (Capt), Joseph Ramsden, Harrison Reburn, Steven Colmer, Zak Smith, David Bramwell, Daniel Cork, Tom Turner, Samuel Cripps, James Jones, Kafula Simakoloyi and Taylor Smart.

These boys will do us proud and we hope that they will go far in this tournament.

If they were to win it, they would represent the South West of England in the national stages of the competition.

The boys will, of course, be expected to catch up any work that they miss on this day out of school.

Also... the Rugby League Teams from Years 7 & 8 will be taking part on Thursday 23rd February for the same competition.

For more information contact Mr MacCormick or visit: www.therfl.co.uk/championschools

DAVID MACCORMICK

Students can now pay a £3 deposit and they will receive a card that can then be exchanged for equipment.  If the equipment is not returned/lost, then the money will be used to buy a replacement item and a new card will need to be purchased. The equipment can be collected from the Fitness Suite or Lower PE Office.Please contact Mr Mather for more information! cmather@stbonifaces.com

CHRIS MATHER

Over 120 St. Boniface students took part in a learn to ride Bikeability event that took place at the school throughout the week beginning 16th May 2011.

Bikeability is a new cycle training scheme for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation of young people the skills and confidence to ride bikes safely on today’s roads. The award has been funded by the Sir John Hunt Sports Partnership and Plymouth City Council and was provided free of charge to all St. Boniface year 7 students.

Students took part in the cycling training as academic teaching group and were taught the fundamental skills & safety of cycling before being taken out on the roads of Plymouth to undergo road safety tutoring.

The Bikeabilty course covered:

Basic bike maintenance
Bike handling
Breaking safely
Signalling
Negotiating junctions & roundabouts
Road safety

All students involved achieved a minimum of a level 1 award and with most participating students gained the level 2 award.

PAUL SCOTT