U8/9 Rugby vs KCP
A really positive week of rugby for our mixed teams, with the children continuing to make excellent progress as they develop their understanding, confidence and enjoyment of the game. It was fantastic to see improvements in passing, support play, tackling and decision-making, with many children showing greater confidence in applying their skills within a match environment. The Year 3 children in particular are continuing to build a strong foundation and are becoming increasingly comfortable with the demands of the game. Alongside this, the Year 4 children are beginning to demonstrate an exceptional level of understanding and ability, with their skill, decision-making and physicality showing that they are ready to take the next step in their rugby development. Overall, there were plenty of encouraging performances across the teams and it is exciting to see the continued progress being made.
U8/9 Hockey vs Kings Mrs L Gardner
In our second fixture of the season at home against Kings, the girls delivered a performance packed with improved determination and a growing understanding of the game. Facing a strong Kings side with a larger proportion of Year 4 players presented a clear physical challenge across many of the matches, but our own Year 4s stepped up brilliantly to lead the way. Katie, Elowyn, and Ava provided fantastic attacking momentum, driving forward courageously with the ball, while Zara, Eisley, and Eleanore put in relentless work off the ball. Beyond the strong play on the pitch, it was fantastic to see an increased enthusiasm from the whole group throughout the afternoon, rounded off perfectly with everyone enjoying the post-match flapjacks together at the end.
U10A Boys Rugby vs Perrott Hill
A very impressive performance against Perrott Hill, with the children demonstrating excellent attitudes towards the game and a real willingness to take on different roles within the team. Using our new performance language, the children identified themselves as providers, supporters, movers and disruptors, and it was fantastic to see them confidently demonstrating these qualities throughout the match. Jonty and Ralph showed clear communication throughout, while Rupert, Clement and Vivien provided excellent organisation and helped keep the team focused. Kento, Alex, Harry and Maxime displayed excellent agility, using quick changes of direction to create space and evade defenders, while Anil and Freddie impressed with some quick and accurate passing. The rugby was exciting and purposeful, with quick passing, positive movement forward and excellent support play creating plenty of opportunities in attack. Defensively, the children showed a strong understanding of how to disrupt the opposition, preventing them from progressing and working hard to regain possession. The introduction of this shared language around performance is already having a positive impact, giving the children a clearer understanding of their roles and how they can contribute to the team. Overall, a highly enjoyable and very impressive performance from the children.
U11B V Taunton u11C Mrs Foster
The Under 11 B Girls had a great outing at Taunton School. Our opponents did not have a Goal Keeper so we opted to match their formation with 7 on the pitch and the challenge of shooting into a small goal.
We kept possession well, and won the ball back quickly when play got crowded. Our ability to look up to find space by dribbling or moving the ball wide with stronger passes helped us dominate the game.
The benefit of going backwards to move the ball to the other side gave us some great attacks. Every player contributed brilliantly on the pitch, together we created a lot of chances and twice we scored to win 2-0. Eleanor scored both and took attacking player of the match while our captain Meyline won defensive player of the match.
U11A v Perott Hill U13/12/11
The U11s had a tough but valuable run-out against Perrott Hill, who fielded a mixed team that initially featured an U13 goalkeeper alongside their U11 girls, later introducing additional U13 outfield players. While our squad initially found it tricky to pass the ball effectively against such strong opposition, they adapted well once they identified the key threat players, applying effective pressure during set plays. Nora was solid at the back, executing fierce tackles and cutting out opposition attacks, while Matilda led the charge up front with some great attacking runs. The team experimented with a high-press defense; though executing it consistently remains a key focus for future sessions, the effort was clear. A standout highlight of the match was a brilliant, three-player short-corner routine that finished neatly into the corner of the goal.
U10A V Perott U11B
The U10 team faced a similarly tough match, coming up against several Year 6 players who showed a strong tactical understanding of the game. However, the girls really stepped up in the second half following a few positional changes, showing great progress as they began to stretch the play and send the ball wide. Pushing up with the defensive line and continuing to work on passing into space will be key focus areas for our next sessions, but it was a resilient and encouraging performance overall.
U10B V Taunton U10B/C Mrs Foster
A closely fought couple of mini-matches that provided an opportunity to work on positions and develop safe defensive strategies. Well done to Maina for her first attempt as a Goalkeeper. What a fantastic kick!
1st XI Vs Wellington by Jack Knight
A closely contested affair saw Queen’s narrowly beaten 2–1 by Wellington.
Queen’s created plenty of chances and threatened throughout, but couldn’t quite convert their opportunities. There was some excellent link-up play through the midfield, with plenty of positive attacking moments.
Mabel provided the highlight with a stunning finish that could well be a Goal of the Season contender!
U14/15 Rugby v Sidcot by Mr Smith
On Tuesday, the U14/15 rugby squad travelled to Sidcot for their second match of the season. Both teams were well-matched and produced a close, hard-fought game with just two points separating the teams at the end.
Queen’s had the better of the first half, moving the ball wide into space and offloading well out of the tackle – Hunter was particularly effective at this – to threaten the Sidcot line. Harry W, who tackled ferociously throughout the game, opened the scoring with a powerful run into the opposition’s 22, brushing off attempted tackles as he surged over the line. Queen’s scored again after some great support play, although Ollie B unfortunately hit the post with his conversion attempt. Sidcot scored just before half time so Queen’s went into the break 10-5 ahead.
The Queen’s boys lost their way a little in the second half and Sidcot came more into the match. Rather than moving the ball wide the team played rather too narrow and seeked contact when passing to a team mate would have been the better option. Nevertheless, there was still plenty to be pleased with. Ollie R made a big impact when he came on at half-time, with several eye-catching runs and a crunching tackle on the Sidcot winger. Defensively the team tackled well, with their determination to keep the opposition from crossing the try line typified by big Mo who flew across the pitch and flattened a Sidcot player who was about two metres from the line – a great example of a try-saving tackle! Despite the team’s efforts, Sidcot did manage to get another try, which was converted, so the game finished 12-10 to our opponents.
An enjoyable encounter for both teams and it was pleasing to see some of the things we have been practising in training evident in the match and also highlighting areas we need to work on.
U12/13 Rugby v St Peter’s by Mr Smith
Queen’s took a squad of U12 and some U13s to St Peter’s on Wednesday. Unfortunately, much like us, St Peter’s pitches are not yet suitable for contact rugby so we adapted to play some 9-a-side touch games and it proved to be a great workout for the players in the hot sun. Emphasis has been on our passing and catching in training and the Queen’s boys demonstrated their improvement in this key skill in the matches. Passes were put in front of team mates at chest high, enabling the players to run purposefully onto the ball and move the ball effectively to team mates in space. Great footwork and evasive running from several individuals also led to many line breaks and the Queen’s boys efforts were rewarded with some well-taken tries.