REVIEW OF 2013

2013: Another Successful and Memorable Year

On Friday Congleton High School’s bell rang for the last time in 2013 and that drew to a close an incredibly successful and memorable year for CHS’ PE department.

Stand-Out Moments of 2013

Over the past 12 months I have covered and seen many great things but my most memorable moment has to be going to Anfield (which is very hard to say with me being a big Everton fan) and witnessing the under 15 girls being crowned Premier League champions in May. I never expected the girls’ to win and nor did the girls but they played very well and thoroughly deserved the title of ‘Premier League Champions’. Since they were crowned champions the girls have experienced lots of different things including being featured on Match of the Day Kickabout, sitting in the VIP seats at Wembley to see England play and they even got to parade their trophy to the Stoke fans at the Britannia. So I think it is fair to say 2013 is not going to be a year that these girls or the school are going forget quickly!

The one thing in 2013 which I know many at CHS would say is their favourite moment of the year was the recent Tour of Malta which saw CHS’ football and netball teams change from a UK storm to 30 degree heat. However, the lovely weather isn’t the only reason why many would choose the tour as their most memorable moment as the students endured a whole new life experience and on their return there was a certain ‘buzz’ around the school which to me demonstrates just how much all the students enjoyed it. Mrs Salt, Head of PE, perfectly summarised why Malta was so memorable “The Tour of Malta was a real hit with students with some fantastic results and sporting moments along with some really funny stories both on and off the pitch.  This has been demonstrated since they have returned to school as there has been quite a buzz around the school.”

Other Highlights

2013 saw CHS lift three league titles plus a cup along with the Premier League title. What stood out to me was how CHS battled on despite whatever the British weather threw at them, which some schools’ didn’t do. The under 15 girls and the year 10 boys are still going strong in the national cup and are into the latter rounds of the competition something both teams want to continue in 2014.

More success in 2013 came in Netball when CHS were triple South Cheshire Champions with years 7, 8 and 10 victorious. Years 7 and 8 went on to do the double also winning their respective leagues.

In Athletics CHS became South Cheshire Athletic Champions for the 6^th time in 10 years after winning the junior, minor and inter competitions at the South Cheshire Athletic Championships. Let’s make it 7 in 11 years next year!

England’s cricketers may have bloomed in the summer Ashes series but wilted down under.  CHS’ All Star XI won their own version of the Ashes when they beat Haileybury College, who were on tour here from Australia. It’s always nice to get one over the Aussies!

In Rounders, Year 11 were South Cheshire runners up but year 8 went one better when they won the South Cheshire Rounder’s Championships.

2013 saw the interest in table tennis increase so much so the first whole school table tennis tournament was set up. Over 50 students signed up and played in the first round. But the final two standing were Mr de Souza and James Garside. Mr de Souza was crowned CHS’ table tennis champion after winning 11-8 and 12-10. The tournament returns after Christmas with even more competitors signed up this year and the competition will be fiercer with Mr de Souza hoping to retain his title. Will he do it?

2013 will be a year that many Brit’s remember as the year that Andy Murray was the first British male winner of Wimbledon in 77 years but 2013 will also be remembered as the year when year 7 and 8 girls won the South Cheshire Tennis Championships.

Like every year, 2013’s Sports Day was a huge success with 15 records being broken.

CHS’ 6th annual Sports Awards Evening saw Nathan Stirk win the The Lynda Arnold Award, for outstanding contribution to school sport throughout his time at CHS. The Daniel Sturridge Rising Star Award went to Manchester United and England Under 15 midfielder Hollie Massey who has been a permanent member in the national squad this year. The under 15 girls won the Team of the Year following there Premier League triumph. In attendance was Manchester United footballer, Nick Powell, who presented some of the awards and did a question and answer session which included advising students on how to juggle school work and sporting activities. It also gave students and guests an insight into his journey as a footballer. 

2014 is going to have to be very good if it is going to be as successful and memorable as 2013 but I have every faith in the PE department and the students that it will. For updates in 2014 keep checking the sports blog for match reports, interviews and articles and follow @PhysEdCHS for news and results straight from the PE department.

All that is left for to me to say is I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

Written by Adam Bailey



YEAR 9 FUTSAL- 17th December

Year 9 Futsal Tournament

Tonight (Tuesday 17^th December) the year 9 forms competed in a whole year futsal tournament. It was hosted/organised by Sixth Form students and the well organised event was a real success.

Like any inter-tutor tournament the competition was fierce. The tournament consisted of flair, skills and the odd comedy moment or two!

GDS 0-0 AB- Neither team could break the deadlock with Bradley Oliver’s thunderbolt shot needing the safe hands from the GDS goalkeeper’s to keep the only real chance from going in.

FWJ 0-2 TP- Amy Rodgers fired TP in front from close range. Then James Reed doubled TP’s lead after a surging run down the left before finishing it with a cool shot between the FWJ goalkeeper and the near post.

LJF 1-0 GDS- LJF’s goalkeeper scored the only goal of the game, which reminded me of Begovic’s goal against Southampton, although there was no wind assistance his goal kick  beat the players from both sides before catching the GDS goalkeeper out. GDS’ Evan Corless then rattled the post from close range.

AB 2-0 FWJ- AB took the lead through Ramtin Musah. His initial shot was cleared off the line with the FWJ goalkeeper rooted to the spot. However, Ramtin showed off his ‘teckers’ with an Imbravoic style back-heel which put the ball into the back of the net. Ramtin then added his and AB’s second with a powerful strike.

TP 5-0 LJF- TP took an early lead after Morgan Harop’s looping header beat the LJF goalkeeper. James Reed then quickly doubled their lead after LJF goalkeeper’s sliding tackle was avoided by Reed who put the ball into the net. Amy Rodger’s ensured that LJW couldn’t get back into the game when the LJW goalkeeper could not get to her powerful shot for TP’s third. Morgan Harop then extended TP’s lead further before Hollie Massey completed the rout with TP’s fifth.

GDS 3–0 FWJ- Moments after missing a real chance GDS’ Evan Corless played in Ben Oakley who scored from close range. Oakley then claimed the ball off Max Hill’s goal kick and after a few-kick ups to keep the ball alive on the twist he volleyed the ball home. Evan Corless then made it 3 for GDS.

TP 1-0 AB- After Jake Rowley’s pass back to AB’s goalkeeper was not dealt with by Johnny Adderley, the goalkeeper, Morgan Harop fought with AB’s Bradley Oliver but it was Harop who managed to put the ball across the line, somehow!

LJF 2-0 FWJ- The LJF forward beat the FWJ defender to the ball before prodding it past the FWJ keeper. Lee French then doubled LJF’s lead.

TP 0-1 GDS- Evan Corless scored the only goal of the game which saw GDS win with his half-volley from close range. Max Hill was solid in net and didn’t allow any of TP’s shots to get past him.

AB 2-0 LJF- Jake Rowley, AB’s goalkeeper, then did the exact same that LJF did to GDS scoring from the goal kick with the LJF keeper knowing nothing about it, as I don’t think he expected it! James Holland then added another for AB with a close range rebound.

Tie Break- After the round robin matches, both GDS and AB finished on 7 points which meant a tie-break was played to decide who would meet TP in the final and what better way to decide then a sudden-death penalty shoot-out. The hearts were pounding. First up was Ben Oakley for GDS who smashed the ball into the top of the net, Bradley Oliver did the same for AB. Ramtin Musah then saved GDS’ second attempt which meant that Jake Rowley stepped up knowing that if he scored he would see his side through to the final and Rowley did successfully convert the penalty.

Grand Final- It was a close fought conclusion of the tournament with both teams having chances to take the lead but it was TP who clinched the winner in the dying minutes thanks to James Reed. His screamer was dropped into the net by AB’s goalkeeper, Ramtin Musah. The final score was TP 1-0 AB.

Team of the Tournament- I was impressed by all the teams competing and what was really pleasing was seeing so many girl’s taking part but if I had to choose a ‘Team of the Tournament’ it would have to be TP. Not only because they were winners but because they played the most attractive football throughout the competition. With the whole team linking up well in a pleasant passing style as well as nearly the whole team adding a goal or two.

Written by Adam Bailey

ESFA PLAYSTATION SCHOOLS' CUP- CUP HOPES STILL GOING STRONG

Under 15 Girls and Year 10 Boys Still Going Strong in Cup

This week saw the next round of the ESFA cup with both the under 15 girls and the year 10 boys hoping to continue their cup run with only a few rounds left until the final.

On Monday 9^th December the under 15 girls footballer’s travelled along the M60 and M62 to Mirfield Free Grammar School near Huddersfield in the ESFA Playstation Cup. It is already a massive achievement in getting into the last 32 in the country but CHS were hoping for a place in the last 16.

CHS have been scoring for fun in the competition with 16 goals in just 3 matches and only conceding 2 in the process. But Mirfield were going to have to be respected scoring 10 goals in 3 games conceding only 2 also.

It was CHS’ two Premier League club footballer’s who made the difference as within half-an-hour, Everton midfielder Amy Rodger’s put CHS 2-0 up thanks to her brace. Before, Mirfield pulled one back but England and Manchester United Midfielder Hollie Massey restored CHS’ two goal lead before the break.

Rodgers ensured she would be taking the match ball back to CHS after securing her hatrick, straight from the kick-off for the second half.  Mirfield then shortened CHS’ lead but Massey ensured that a late comeback wasn’t on the cards, when she made it 5-2 which secured CHS’ place in the last 16.

CHS will now face either Hayfield School (Doncaster) or South Hansley High School (East Riding) in the last 16 in a fifth straight away tie and are yet to play at home. However, who needs home advantage when you are Premier League School Champions!

The other cup hope for CHS are the year 10 boys, under Mr Donnelly, who travelled to Eckington School in Derbyshire on Friday. At half-time the scores were level at 1-1 with George Archer scoring for CHS. CHS found themselves trailing 2-1 soon after the break but a spirited comeback with goals from Morgan Bratt and Matt Gillham sealed CHS’ place in the next round, where Range High School from Sefton will travel to CHS.

We wish both teams all the best in the next round.

Written by Adam Bailey

RUGBY (WEEK 2)- 4th December

CHS Victorious Again in Second Double Header

Last week the year 7 and 8 rugby team’s returned from Woodhouse School, three weeks after both years comfortably beat the school from Biddulph, with another two emphatic wins.

Both years were hoping for a repeat of the first double-header which saw year 7 win 11 tries to 1 and year 8 winning 17-5.

 

After a few training sessions in between the games the boys were raring to go and this certainly showed in the scorelines at the end of both matches, with neither CHS team conceding one try.

Adam Smith writes- "On the 4^th of December, Congleton High School played Woodhouse Middle School in rugby. Congleton (year 7) beat Woodhouse 35-0. Tom Vale captained the team with Harper scoring 3 tries, Adam 2 tries, Elliot 1 try and Tom Vale 1 try. It was a great game, everyone tried their hardest. It was a well deserved victory for Congleton".

The final results

Year 7 won 35-0

Year 8 won 29-0

Written by Adam Bailey and Adam Smith