After the SVPS annual Parent’s Football match 2020 registered a ‘No Result’, it was with great relief and anticipation that the 2021 game could go ahead! On a glorious Friday evening, we had the best turnout ever, with 19 enthusiastic Prep and Pre-Prep dads sporting football boots and shirts as they competed for the coveted Parents’ Football trophy.

Mr Davey, Head of Boys’ Sport, reports, “On the day, there was a greater than usual SVPS community feel as the SVPSPA were also hosting the Macmillan charity event, along with after-School Football and Golf clubs flooding our playing fields with pupils and adults alike. 

As ever, the match itself was hotly contested and despite an end-to-end start, no real clear cut chances were created in the first ten minutes. The deadlock was broken soon after with Mr Plummer lashing the ball home from inside the box, sending the Prep team 1-0 up. A few openings presented themselves for the Pre-Prep team (playing a man light) but Mr Routley was able to keep them at bay between the sticks. Just before halftime, the lead was doubled; in a tactic normally accustomed to NFL, a long-range punt from Mr Quiller carried the full length of the field, where Mr Plummer deathly guided the ball with his head into the bottom corner.

As refreshments were taken at halftime, I decided to leave my refereeing duties (much to the delight of some) and switch allegiances onto the Pre-Prep team for the second half. The even numbers made for a much more even game and the Pre-Prep team went in search of goals to draw level. Mr Goodwin-Sword began to propel his team forward through some ‘Rory Delap’ style throw-ins, culminating in a siege style invasion of the Prep teams box for a number of minutes.

In amongst it all, and quite unbelievably, we had a pitch invader, of the feathered variety which nearly made it onto Monday’s lunch menu when two players came within inches of kicking the wrong moving object on the field of play. Luckily Callum B from Year 3 was on hand to chase it 300 metres up the field and into the Apple Orchards! 

Now to the champagne moment of the game, as midway through the second half, a cross from the left was half-cleared to the edge of the box, where Mr Melia (new to the School in 2021) came forward and met the ball with precision and power; sending it rocketing into the top corner. A superb strike that gained appreciation from all the players and spectators!

With a final score of 2-1 to the Prep team, we would like to give a huge thank you to everyone that came to support and play, it was a great final match to be a part of and it’s been a pleasure organising this event over the years!”