Hockey Report 03 (1969-70)

Undoubtedly, last season was the most successful for some years for the School's 1st XI. It was a team notable for a fine blend of aggression in attack and strength in defence. Although only six inter school matches were possible because of the weather conditions, the school won half of them quite an achievement when one remembers that in the season before last, not a single match was won against the same list of opponents. For the first time ever St. Nicholas beat Owens School, London, and did it quite decisively at that.

One of the outstanding features of the season was the number of goals scored by the team - another record. A. Lott was a tough proposition for opposing defences, as was his goal-scoring partner P. Knight, both of whom relied to a great extent on the ball distribution of brothers R. Lott and K. Knight in midfield. R. Lott was especially skilful in his dribbling of the ball and if special praise be singled out to one player it would be for K. Knight, the team's centre-half, who, considering his inexperience, played with great confidence and skill. He looks a very good prospect for the new season's team as indeed do the two young wingers, S. Gowers and T. Smith. The defence was strong and determined with N. Saunders (captain), A. Mullens, Bowie, G. Walton and the team's goalkeeper J. Evans successfully fighting off many a dangerous attack.

The school occasionally fielded a 2nd XI and although it enjoyed little success it nevertheless gave some match experience to younger players, many of whom had taken up the game only last year as an option in the fourth form.

Although most of last season's team members will have left before the 1970-71 season starts, the future looks bright as we look forward to building up a team from a few old hands and many promising newcomers.

Hockey is becoming a very popular games option in the senior school and only a lack of staff keeps the number of players down to its present level. (There were nearly 60 boys from forms 4, 5 and 6 this season).