Sports round-up 08.03.24

Gymnastics

Huge congratulations to Claremont Student, Ethan G! In an exhilarating showdown at the English Gymnastics Championships in Telford, Ethan showcased his prowess against the country’s top 52 U16 male gymnasts!  Competing on six apparatuses – rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, floor, and pommel – Ethan delivered a stellar performance, landing 22nd in the overall standings.

His dedication and skill earned him two impressive top 10 finishes, securing 7th place on rings and a remarkable 4th place on vault!  As a triumphant result, Ethan has now clinched a well-deserved spot in the upcoming British Gymnastics Championship next week. Wishing Ethan the best of luck as he continues to soar to new heights!

Congratulations, Claremont pupil Mia B! We’re thrilled to announce that Mia has clinched the gold and earned the coveted trophy for achieving the highest score of the day in her recent gymnastics competition, the Bristol Acro Cup! Mia, alongside her acrobatic partner, trains and competes for Heathrow Gymnastics Club in Women’s Acrobatics. Their hard work and passion have clearly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder! With regional finals just around the corner in two weeks, the dynamic duo are gearing up for the challenge, aiming to secure a spot to represent London at the Nationals in May. Sending heaps of good luck and positive vibes to Mia and her partner as they continue to shine in their gymnastics journey.

Huge congratulations to our amazing gymnasts who took part in the 4-piece ISGA finals. The team finished as silver medalists overall. Notable individual performances from Sophie (Silver) and Ellie 6th. Absolutely amazing!!

1st XI Football

Rugby Sevens

A fun week of Sevens at St James, saw three squads travel, the U13 tournament on Thursday 22^nd February regrettably cancelled at the last minute, the hosts pitches finally succumbing to the deluge. Rumours of animals travelling two by two to the tournament have not been confirmed….As a general comment on all squads, well played for the most part. Don’t get isolated or seek contact, retain possession, don’t kick it away, make the ball do the work. Above all, enjoy days like these, they are sprinkled with stardust.

19^th Feb U14 Tournament

A second Sevens tournament for an improving U14 squad, following a successful first foray at Dunottar before half term. A bright, balmy afternoon was matched by the Claremont display in the two pool games, gathering clouds later in the afternoon a portent for the loss in the Final, against a well-structured Claires Court.

Hosts St James were well beaten, before a tighter affair against Weydon, who having lost to St James, proved more challenging than the Claremont boys anticipated. Sevens has a habit of punishing complacency, but indebted to both Josh H and Josh C, the tie turned Claremont’s way in the second period.

Several of the boys generously played in a combined Barbarian team in the 4th place Final, one school having withdrawn at late notice to leave a void in the schedule. The main Final proved a side-step to far, Claires Court proving well organised and swifter to close down promising Claremont attacks. Lessons learnt as the squad moves on to County and National tournaments in the coming weeks.

St James W 28-7

Weydon W 31-24

Claire Court L 7-26

Player of the Tournament – Josh C

20^th Feb U12 Tournament

An enjoyable and for the most part successful first tournament for the Under 12 squad saw two draws, a win and a loss at the St James Festival. Twyford proved a stubborn first opponent, holding a somewhat profligate Claremont 3-3. Weydon were better structured, the 1-1 result rescued by Elijah. The pool stages concluded with a straightforward victory over the host school 5-0.

Those drawn matches came back to stifle Claremont’s progress despite an unbeaten pool stage record, results elsewhere sending the team through as group runners up to a Bronze final against Claires Court, who proved too strong. Elijah deserves particular mention, scoring eight of Claremont’s eleven tries across the four matches. All contributed well and will have learnt valuable lessons on their maiden outing. Let the ball do the work, don’t run into contact…it’s a simple, but very tiring game!

Twyford 3-3

Weydon 1-1

St James 5-0

Plate Final (2nd place in group) Claires Court 2-5

Player of the Tournament- Elijah H

21^st Feb U15 Tournament

A mixed bag for the Claremont Under 15 squad, as the St James Sevens week took a decidedly grey and wet turn for the worse. Two wins from four games represents a reasonable return, with some decent rugby played, but all too often the squad reverted to fifteen a side tactics, which two better organised teams soon found out.

An end-to-end thriller in the opening game saw UCS defeated 31-26, before St James (A) gave Claremont something of a lesson in ball retention. Weydon were physical and structured, condemning the squad to the Vase Final, which Claremont duly won at a canter.

The slow start, tackles missed, passes going astray, gradually improved, Lucas well marshalled but carrying hard, Jensen offering pace, whilst Louie revelled in the open spaces, scoring several of the teams tries. Well battled lads; sustain focus, don’t feel compelled to run into the nearest tackler, look for mismatches and overlaps. This group can be so much better, evidenced by the commitment and fight shown against Weydon, the strongest team in the competition.

UCS W 31-26

St James (A) L 5-24

Weydon L 35-7

Vase Final (3^rd place in group) St James (B) W 36-7

Player of the Tournament – Louie F-B