1st XI County Champions
The 1st XI football team became Hertfordshire County Champions last night, winning a thrilling penalty shoot out against Sir John Lawes School, Harpenden. Played at Harpenden Town FC, the match started with St Clement Danes going 2-0 down in the opening 20 minutes. A resilient team fought back through the rest of normal time with captain, Callum Woodcock, pulling one back. Goalkeeper, Matthew Sandys made a crucial one-handed save at 2-1 in the second half, before Will Holian scored the equaliser minutes before the whistle to take the game into extra time. With the game still deadlocked, Sandys saved Sir John Lawes’ first penalty before the team went on to score all theirs, winning the shoot-out 5-4.
Head of PE, Mr Birkett, praised the hard work and resilience of the team: “They had to battle hard, but it was great to win the cup for the first time since 2007, against a well-organised Sir John Lawes side. They could not have achieved this without the consistent, high quality training they have had from Mr Brown, their manager, who has put a great deal of energy into preparing the 1st XI since September. All the boys who played were a credit to their schools.” Tom Parry was Player of the Match. Graham Brown also praised the captain, Callum Woodcock: “He showed great leadership on the pitch; to fight back from 2-0 down typified the fighting spirit the team has shown all season. We are incredibly proud of them all.”
This success comes on the back of a very successful season for St Clement Danes sport. Year 7 became only the second St Clement Danes team to win the Rugby County Cup; Year 7, 9 and 10 rugby teams were all District Cup finalists, with Year 7 sharing the trophy after a 19-19 draw. Year 11 footballers were also County Cup finalists, narrowly losing 1-0 to Queens School. Year 8 girls won the District Netball League whilst the Year 9 and 10 girls’ football team won the District Cup. Year 10 boys won the District Cup in football and also secured the District League title in basketball.
