Boys’ ISA U14 & U16 National Football Tournament
Boys from Year 9 and Year 11 had an early start on Thursday morning travelling to Nottingham for the ISA National 6-a-side football tournament. It started with both teams competing in the group stage with 4 other teams. The U14s won their first game, drew their next 2 and won their last. The U16s won 2, drew 1 and narrowly lost 1. This meant the U14s would compete in the cup for top 4 finish and the U16s went into the plate competition.
The U14s came up against a very strong side, the eventual winners, in their semi-final and narrowly lost in the 3rd and 4th play off. The U16s won their semi-final on penalties after drawing 0-0. They drew the final 1-1, thanks to Leo H with a thunderous volley and won 8-7 on penalties. A great day out in Nottingham with all the boys that played giving their very best for Duke of Kent School. Well done to all those who took part.
Mr Green
Year 9 Boys' House Basketball
On Tuesday, the Year 9 Boys played the 2023 House Basketball. Each team played 3 group stage matches, followed by a 3rd and 4th playoff and Final for the two teams that finished at the top of the group stage table. During the group stages each team showed their competitiveness with their play, always working hard to try and win the ball back for their team. Shooting had a few highs and lows, with the boys scoring from more of harder to make shots that they took. After the group stage was complete this left Kestrel vs Hawk in the 3rd and 4th playoff and Peregrine and Buzzard in the final. Both games kept the competitive spirit from the group stage with Kestrel vs Hawk ending in a draw and Buzzard beating peregrine by just one score to win the final. Well played to everyone involved and congratulations to Buzzard on winning the Year 9 Boys House Basketball.
1st - Buzzard
2nd - Peregrine
3rd - Kestrel
4th - Hawk
Mr Orme
Rugby U10 v. Belmont.
The pitches thawed enough to play some touch but not enough for contact. Though this was disappointing for the boys, they took full advantage with some lovely running and passing. This was reflected with the score line, winning 8 tries to 1. Well done to all those boys who took part and hopefully the pitches will have thawed out for next week.
Mr Green
Netball: U14-16 B v. Downsend
On Tuesday the U14-16 B team took part in a netball game against Downsend. It was a very cold day, but the girls were determined to have a good game. There was a great standard of netball and the girls gave it their all. After an amazing first quarter the girls were in the lead!
The determination from the girls was admirable especially as many of them were playing in unfamiliar positions. Bella S and Phoebe P switched between GD and C with neither of them having played GD before, the determination from them led to many interceptions and turnovers which allowed us to stay in the lead. Ella S and Isla B switched between WA and WD and both played amazingly in these positions providing opportunities for passes and being in great space.
Jess I and Esme P had a great conversion rate in shooting with almost every shot on target! In GK Helana K made interception after interception to reduce the opportunities Downsend created. In the final quarter we had an opportunity to really mix up the positions with everyone playing something unfamiliar. The girls really took this in their stride and there was some great shooting from Ella S! A great performance from the whole team, well done!
Miss Arnold
Netball: U14/15 C and D v. Downsend
On a chilly but sunny Tuesday afternoon, two teams of Year 9 & 10 girls travelled to Downsend to play some netball matches. After a good warm up, both matches got underway. The C team were on fire in the first quarter with Sydney R and Daisy R quickly getting into their shooting stride even from some very tricky angles! The quality play kept on coming with Sophie R, Annabelle R and Josie B all working hard in the mid-court to build the play. Most importantly, the effort from every member of the team (10 in total!) was fantastic and the girls came away with a brilliant win! Meanwhile, the D team were also having a great game. They were kindly lending players to Downsend as they were a few players short, this kindness shows great sportsmanship so a huge well done to all the girls who played for the Downsend throughout the afternoon! The team also had a good start with Rose S scoring some great goals to get the team off the mark. There was some solid defending from Belles H and Daisy N with some great interceptions being made. It was a close game with a thrilling end as Downsend had gone 7-8 up but in the final quarter the Duke of Kent School team remained focused and managed to win 12-8! What a wonderful afternoon of matches, a huge well done to all the girls who took part! A big thank you also to Mr Seeley for coming with us and doing some excellent supporting and epic team talks!
Miss Vickers
Netball: U13 A v. Pennthorpe
On Wednesday the U13 A team had a match against Pennthorpe. The girls had a strong team and were eager to get another win after last week's success against Farlington. Tildy C worked hard with Alice B and Clara H-S to create opportunities for shots on goal and their success rate was high and went from strength to strength throughout the game. Every player on the team worked hard around the court making interceptions, closing down options for Pennthorpe and creating opportunities to score from. The girls should all be really proud of their efforts and how the worked as a team. The final score was 27-21 to Duke of Kent School. Well done girls, it was a great match, and you are improving every week as you grow and find your flow as a team.
Mrs Woolgar
Netball: U12 C v. Moon Hall
On Wednesday 25th the U12C netball team headed out into the fog to play Moon Hall. The girls started the game with great pace and teamwork, and Willow D and Holly R were quick to find their feet in the circle, putting us 3-0 up quarter time. Sascha H and Esme W played a prominent role in defence to prevent them from scoring by intercepting numerous passes. Willow D and Holly R continued to impress in the second quarter, increasing our goals to 8. They were ably assisted by Alma E and Poppy F at C and WA who kept a great pace throughout the match, providing great links to bring the ball to our D.
The second half of the match was much more tense as Moon Hall found their feet and put away a few more goals to make it 8-5, however Molly F played with great determination to help keep possession, and special mention to Isla W for making some great interceptions and passes after only just returning from injury. The match culminated in a well fought win and a team full of pride!
Mrs Vermeulen
Mixed Netball: Year 2 v. Belmont
First lesson on Monday morning for Year 2, their first sports fixture for Duke of Kent School. Year 2 was split into three teams for the matches (Blue, Green and Yellow team), with each team playing two matches. With some great teamwork and netball on show from all involved. Lots of goals were scored, even a couple in the highest netball hoops in Ness Hall by Jack M and George D. Before the matches we had a team talk with the Year 2's about working as hard as they can and trying their best for their teams. This was on full display throughout which was fantastic to see, especially from Elsie S who was a great team player always making herself available.
Well played to everyone involved and I hope you all enjoyed Year 2's first sports fixture for Duke of Kent school.
Mr Orme, Miss Arnold and Miss Vickers