It is understood that was there was a
problem with the arrangements for the
printing of 1969-70 1st XI photo and that the one shown is
probably incorrect.
If you can help to resolve this, please contact the editor.
Soham Grammar School Summer 1970
Football First XI
The 1969-70 season was a disappointing one in some ways. When the School re-assembled in September we had the nucleus of a strong team, but unavailability on account of injury, employment or sometimes apathy meant that the School rarely fielded a full strength team.
Very few players should be satisfied with their season's performance. Only Ritson, Yeomans, Walker and Walton consistently showed the thoughtful determination expected of First XI players. Brown - after a bad patch - played well towards the end of the season.
The results reflected the above comments - the First XI lost more matches than they won and only rarely fulfilled its true potential, for example against Cambridge GS. If another disappointing season is not to follow, much hard work will be required in September.
Second XI
This season the School Second XI have played 20 matches, winning 11 and losing 9, scoring 64 goals and conceding 56. It is traditional to talk about the team spirit of the Second XI and this season has not seen a lack of this. Mr. Wood, who has managed the team splendidly, has injected all his enthusiasm for the game into the side.
As usual, we have suffered losses in playing strength as boys move on to higher things or are lost through injury: this season over 25 different boys have appeared, at some time, in the ranks of the Second XI.
Highlights of the season are not hard to find. There was the fine team effort against Kimbolton - a game we thoroughly enjoyed although losing by three goals; also the two fine victories over Cambridge Grammar School - always a difficult side to beat.
As for individual performances: Ashman has missed only one game during the season and, also in defence, S Murfitt has played extremely well; in midfield Harper and R Brown led a revival. Our two "demon" wingers deserve a mention: Blake and Barrett came into the side late in the season yet scored eleven goals between them, Barrett getting a hat-trick on his debut.
In conclusion, we can look back on a season of moderate success - after all we did win more games than we lost.
PJ Easy
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last update 1 Dec 2007