On Friday 7th May, our first and last Hockey games of this academic year were played at the School against Cranbrook School, who brought both their senior Boys and Girls teams for a match each.

The games made for an excellent final hoorah and goodbye to some of our Upper Sixth leavers, some of whom have played Hockey for the School since First Form.

The boys faced a compact and hardworking Cranbrook side and despite winning three short corners, came in at halftime 1-0 down, with Cranbrook scoring with their only shot on goal – a well-worked short corner. Clearly aggrieved, the boys came out fighting in the second half, but to little avail, as they struggled to break down a resilient wall of Cranbrook defenders. With SVS unable to find a breakthrough, the game finished 1-0 to Cranbrook.

The second game saw the girls enter the Astroturf. Having watched the boys game, they knew Cranbrook would come out fighting. The SVS girls were more than prepared for this and, like the boys, dominated possession. But unlike the boys, they were able to create and exploit gaps in the Cranbrook defence and soon found themselves leading 2-0, following goals from Holly Clark (Lower Sixth) and Rose Price (Fifth Form). The second half told a similar story and a goal from Katherine Sawyer (Lower Sixth) meant the game finished 3-0 to Sutton Valence School. The girls played some excellent Hockey, controlling the entire game and the result was much deserved, a fantastic result for a young side that included just two Upper Sixth students.

Well done and thanks to all involved, especially the leavers, who will be sorely missed.