On a bright and sunny autumn morning these two teams met in Romsey for what ended up being a fierce competition with both sides displaying good skills, control and determination.
Romsey appeared to have the edge but could not turn their dominance into goals. Jack S, Jack M, Luke W and Harry G all going close. However, Hamble always looked dangerous on the counter attack requiring Will R, Owen S, Freddie O, Thomas C and Thomas H to defend well together with Joe W in goal who made a series of excellent saves and interceptions.
It was Hamble who took the lead late in the first half following a goal mouth tussle which ended in a Romsey player taking the final touch as the ball just crossed the line. It was soon 2 to Hamble with an excellent strike from 5 metres.
Romsey came out in the second half with a renewed determination. The defence stood strong with the midfield of Luke W, Jack S, Will R and Daniel B creating a series of attacks, the pressure told and the rewards came. Luke W picking the ball up on the half way line, dribbling stylishly through five Hamble players before striking home to the right of the keeper. Soon it was 2-2, Luke W again collecting the ball in mid-field, dribbling into the D and passing to Jack M on the left side of goal. Jack M struck it home first time. Ellison B and Rupert W continued to create chances which were well defended by Hamble until the final few minutes when the ball was played down the right to Henry A who crossed to Jack M 4 metres from the centre of goal, he controlled before playing a reverse hit high into the net.
Romsey never eased up until the final whistle for a well-deserved win.
An energetic and determined performance from a strong team of Under 14 Romsey boys!
Another Gr….. eight win for U14 Boys!
Romsey 8 – Winchester 1
A wet and soggy morning in Winchester did not dampen the spirit of this energetic team of Romsey boys!
They were rewarded early on when Ollie attacked into the D from the right neatly tucking the ball into corner. Winchester continued to counter attack in numbers but were frustrated with an in form defence of Ellison, Owen, Freddie, Jack J and Daniel who frequently stole the ball and turned defence into attack.
Romsey soon scored again when Harry found Jack M in the D and he made no mistake from 5 metres. Romsey kept up the pressure with Thomas, Rupert and Henry combining before playing the ball forward to Jack M who saw his effort brilliantly saved by an in form keeper and then coolly lifted the rebound over the outstretched keeper and into the net.
The second half saw Romsey dominate the early exchanges with Thomas, Jack J and Will all having good efforts saved by the keeper before Jack M smashed the loose ball into the net. The pressure led to a number of short corners and finally Lorne, passing to Luke who had advanced to the left of the goal, firmly striking into the bottom left corner.
Lorne then dribbled past 3 players to the goal line before setting up number 4 for Jack M. Goal number 8 followed a burst through midfield by Jack S who found Luke just outside the D on the left who neatly placed the ball into the bottom right corner.
A sharp and focussed performance by a group of hungry players who were fully on form!
U14 Boys Fantastic Start to the Season!
U14 Boys vs Southampton
Sunday, 22nd September 2019
Romsey Boy’s (U14) 8
Southampton 1
On a wet morning, the U14 Romsey Boy’s made an outstanding start to the new season. With 80% possession throughout the whole game, the boys shone brightly even if the morning weather resembled more of a wintery wet feel.
Romsey dominated from the outset with and early goal from a Jack M. following a superb through ball from Jack S. Romsey continued to dominate and the goals flowed, Jack M. scoring number 2 quickly followed with firm strikes from the edge of the D from Will and Jack S. It continued to be an exciting and quick-paced game. There was no stopping the boys in yellow and blue with all members of the team pulling together in what was an excellent display of teamwork and communication. Romsey continued to create chances with new members Oliver, Toby and Daniel in control supported well by Freddie. Another fantastic strike from Owen made it number 5. Southampton tried to turn the game towards them but Daniel, Jack J. and Lorne held them off. The Romsey goalkeeper, Joe stood solid with some excellent saves, although his skills were not fully on show as most of the play was at the Southampton goal end.
The second half started with as much energy on show from Romsey with an excellent goal from Harry created by a clever dribble and a neat cross by Lorne bringing the score to 6-1. Rupert raced into the D and neatly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. Romsey continued to have several excellent chances before they finally got the rewards they deserved, first with another excellent goal from Lorne quickly followed by a superb finish from Will.
This was an outstanding display from Romsey with every player being fully involved and invested in a superb and entertaining effort. Lots of hope for the season ahead.
Junior Awards, Fun Day and BBQ 2019
Almost 100 junior members, their families, coaches and managers enjoyed a great celebration of the season on Saturday afternoon at Romsey School.
Everyone, parents included, were divided into team and they played a fun round robin tournament with a few special rules. No one could tackle a mini unless you were a mini yourself and extra points were given to each team by the umpires for sportsmanship at the end of each game.
In the end Rufus’s team pipped Noah’s side to the title and the winners enjoyed a box of chocolates to celebrate!
After the games came the BBQ, chef’s Simeon and Jo Field, Rex and Linda Taylor, Pete O’Hara and Clare Cooper coped brilliantly with demand and much food and drink was consumed. Thank you to everyone else that assisted and those that brought along the cakes.
To finish the season awards were given to each age group for their Player of the Season and their Most Improved Player. The winners were as follows:
| 2019 Player of the Season | 2019 Most Improved Player | |
| U8 Boys | Zach Woodgate-Jones | Hamish Nicholson |
| U8 Girls | Cherry Cadge | Grace Gomarsall |
| U10 Boys | Jake Attfield | Ben Gladstone |
| U10 Girls | Caitlin Jupp | Clara Fuller |
| U12 Boys | Rupert Willes | Tom Westmore |
| U12 Girls | Katie Butson | Eliza Herbert |
| U14 Boys | Lorne Thomson | Harry Garton |
| U14 Girls | Hannah Procter | Sadie Franklin |
| U16 Boys | Rob Budden | Rufus Taylor |
| U16 Girls | Alex Orak | Jess Grout |
The Bonham Cup for the Most Improved Junior Player was awarded to Alex Orak who has excellent both in the junior section and playing for the ladies – she has gone from ladies 4s to end the season playing for the ladies 1s.
The Junior Club Person of the Year was awarded to Noah Cooper who, despite not doing Duke Of Edinburgh, still turned up to assist in coaching the minis every Sunday morning during the season. Well done, and thank you Noah.