It has been another busy and exciting period of sport at Clayesmore, with impressive performances across rugby, football and hockey, alongside some brilliant displays of house spirit.
Prep Sport
It was another busy week of Prep sport, with our mixed teams taking to the football pitch and the boys competing in football while the girls showcased their skills in hockey. Across the fixtures against Dumpton, there were some excellent individual performances, plenty of determination and lots of reasons to celebrate.
Mixed Football: Resilience Shines Through
Our U8/U9A and U8/U9B mixed teams showed fantastic resilience against challenging opposition. Delilah D was recognised for her commitment and perseverance throughout the U8/U9A fixture. In the U8/U9B match, Felix demonstrated a similarly determined attitude, continuing to work hard despite the opposition scoring regularly. He was rewarded with a goal of his own and produced some brilliant saves. Well done to both teams for their positive approach and never-give-up attitude!
Boys’ Football: Skills and Determination on Display
The boys enjoyed a competitive afternoon of football, with some excellent results and individual contributions across the age groups. The U13C team secured two wins, while the U13D team bounced back from a defeat to win their second match 4–0. The U11A team also impressed with a 3–1 victory, demonstrating great individual skill and intelligent passing.
There were plenty of standout performances. Thomas M was praised for his excellent communication and leadership in the U13C team, while Tony showed tremendous determination in the U13D fixtures, eventually scoring a hat-trick. Ralph M impressed for the U11A team with his ability to beat opponents before looking up to find a teammate. Meanwhile, Thomas P continued to demonstrate his developing goalkeeping skills for the U11B team.
Despite challenging results for the U13A and U13B teams, Will B-S and Carlos were recognised, with Jasper praised for his consistently positive attitude. Across all the teams, the boys showed great commitment and a willingness to keep learning.
Girls’ Hockey: Goals, Growth and Great Teamwork
The girls faced a competitive set of hockey fixtures against Dumpton, with the 3rd XI recording an exciting 3–2 win. The U11/10B team also battled hard to earn a 2–2 draw, while the other teams gained valuable match experience and opportunities to develop their skills.
There were some excellent individual contributions throughout the afternoon. Elena was praised for her work rate and determination to break through the opposition defence in the 1st XI, while Elsie stepped in at short notice as goalkeeper and made some fantastic saves. Lola impressed in the 2nd XI by listening to half-time advice and finding space to receive the ball, and Esme was recognised for leading an excellent warm-up and offering helpful advice to her teammates.
In the younger teams, Matilda showed how effectively she had applied goalkeeping advice, while Thea celebrated scoring on her first appearance for the U11/10A team. Imogen also stood out for the U11/10B team with her strength in attack, impressive stick skills and persistent effort throughout the match.
A huge well done to all our Prep pupils for their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and determination. Whether celebrating a win, battling for a draw or learning from a tough fixture, they continue to demonstrate the very best of Clayesmore sporting spirit!
Senior Sport
Saturday’s rugby fixtures against Sherborne and Kingswood provided plenty of excitement. The 16A and 15A teams were standouts, delivering confident performances that reflected their continued development. The 14A team also impressed, demonstrating growing game awareness and an increasingly strong understanding of senior rugby. Across all squads, commitment, teamwork and determination were evident, with the hard work on the training pitch translating into encouraging match-day performances.
Thursday’s mixed touch rugby competition brought pupils from Years 9–13 together for an afternoon of energy, skill and friendly competition. Excellent handling, creative attacking play and plenty of tries made for an entertaining event, while the mixed-year teams demonstrated fantastic teamwork and support for one another. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen connections across the school and build camaraderie ahead of House Music.
The 1st XI football team continued their excellent start to the season with a convincing 2–0 victory over Canford. Combining fluent passing and purposeful attacking play with a disciplined defensive display, the team secured another well-deserved win and a clean sheet.
Meanwhile, the U15 squad faced a physical challenge away at Wey Hill Academy. Despite trailing 2–0, Clayesmore responded superbly after half-time, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Hugo F converted a penalty after Max C was brought down in the box, but an equaliser proved elusive. Captain Yehor T was deservedly named Man of the Match for his leadership and determination. The squad now looks ahead to its National Vase Round 2 fixture against Ryde in November.
The annual Girls’ House Football competition delivered plenty of excitement as Kings and Wolverton battled it out in a 7-a-side showdown.
Kings made a flying start, winning both the Senior A and Senior B matches. Wolverton responded brilliantly in the Junior A fixture, showcasing creativity and individual flair to secure a well-deserved victory. However, Kings’ Junior B team showed resilience and determination to win their match and secure the overall result.
Congratulations to Kings, who reclaim the Girls’ House Football Trophy! Both houses displayed excellent skill, sportsmanship and competitive spirit throughout the competition.
It has been a strong couple of weeks for girls’ hockey, with impressive performances across several teams. The 1st XI secured wins against both Gillingham and Milton Abbey, while the U15A team also celebrated victory against Milton Abbey.
The U15/U14B team took an important step forward by playing their first competitive fixture against Canford, earning a hard-fought 1–1 draw. Several other teams faced Prior Park in a competitive block of fixtures, gaining valuable match experience and opportunities to develop their game.
Well done to all our players for their commitment, teamwork and continued progress across every sport. With so many positive performances and exciting fixtures ahead, we look forward to seeing what the next few weeks bring!
