Soham Grammar School Summer 1968
FOOTBALL
Generally speaking 1967-68 was a better season than 1966-67. The highlight of the season was the success of the Under 14 side who won nineteen of their twenty matches, drawing the remaining one.
The 1st XI had a fine beginning to the season winning the first nine matches. Staleness then crept in, the play was sluggish and Newport took away the unbeaten record. The highlights of the second half of the season were, firstly, the annihilation of Kimbolton by 8-2, and secondly the two keenly contested matches with Cambridge GS which provided the best football of the season. Cambridge were undoubtedly the most competent side the School met and deserved their double over the School.
Neate captained the side well setting an inspirational example both on and off the field of play, and his enforced lay-off probably cost the School two victories. Barnett, Serjeant and Symonds only rarely showed their true form and consequently goals were lacking when most needed. The defence improved throughout the season. Various permutations of players - always competently marshalled by Hiner - were tried and nobody let the side down. At the end of the season Colours were awarded to Ritson - undoubtedly the most improved player in the side - bringing the total number of colours awarded to seven - Neate, Hiner, Barnett, Serjeant, Symonds, Campbell and Ritson.
The 2nd XI had an enjoyable season, if not totally successful. First Eleven calls, inavailability and loss of form meant that the personnel was constantly changing and as a result, form was unpredictable. With a large number of the team available again next year and a strong U15 side coming up, next year's 2nd XI should be of stronger than the '67-68 side. Salmon captained the side and did much of the organisational work. Myson and Bent both played for the 1st XI and played well.
The U15 XI provided - for me - the two outstanding matches of the season, namely their two encounters with Forest School. Both of these matches were drawn, 2-2 at Soham and 4-4 at Snaresbrook. Forest were a well-drilled and competent side - as one might expect of a side coached by the England Youth Team Manager - and it was the contrast between Forest's organisation and Soham's forceful, more spontaneous play that brought about two intriguing contests. In the Fordham Trophy Competition the School lost their section on goal average alone to Soham VC who subsequently won the title. Brown was undoubtedly the outstanding player, strong on the ground and in the air, and capable of scoring with a high percentage of chances offered. King and Hatley both played well throughout the season and only the lack of a sense of urgency prevents Walker from becoming an outstanding player. Perhaps the most important facts in the U15 successful season was the emergence of new faces (it was general policy to play a 4th year only team). Fleet and Thornhill emerged as two players who will undoubtedly serve the School well in the future.
The bare facts are significant in the case of the U14 XI. Of approximately twenty matches played all but one ended in victory and that one was drawn. To go through a season unbeaten and score close to one hundred goals is a magnificent effort of which the team and RSGB, their coach, can justly be proud. They have set a high standard for themselves and others to aim at. Next year we hope they will win the Fordham Trophy.
A number of matches were played by the U-13 and U12 XI's and the majority were won. Curtis and Bayes, although only second year age played regularly for the U14 XI. Finally may I express my thanks to all those staff who helped in so many ways to make an enjoyable season and, in particular, to RGW, CJW, RSGB and RAT, who were responsible for the various School Teams.
BJB
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last update 1 Dec 2007