Sports Report: The Return of Fixtures!

After nearly 14 months, competitive, inter-school fixtures have returned at Leighton Park. Since schools returned after the first lockdown last September, fixtures in any sport against other schools have unfortunately been unable to happen.

Huge credit has to go to all the PE and Games staff, who have been tasked for many months with keeping sport engaging and competitive for students, without the draw of fixtures. The status and meaning of inter-house competition has grown, with an increase in team cohesion and belonging between students.

A genius idea by the Games staff to get students their competitive fix, was to switch the senior sports between the boys and girls. The boys changed from Rugby to Hockey, and the girls from Hockey to Rugby. After a couple weeks of training, mixed-gender teams were formed and Rugby and Hockey tournaments were played. This received great feedback from students.

Tennis

Under the guidance of Acting Head of Tennis, Andy ‘Murray’ Gallacher, the seniors have had a brilliant restart to fixtures. The first opponents were Pangbourne College in a doubles fixture. Kushal and Markel were put on the back foot by Pangbourne’s strong server, but managed to fightback with Markel winning the match with an ace.

The following Wednesday saw LP host a tournament between Shiplake College, The Oratory and Pangbourne College. LP won all four singles games against Pangbourne and The Oratory. Unfortunately, due to the rain the final matches against Shiplake had to be called off. We send our best wishes to Graham Smith, Geography Teacher and long standing member of the Sport, PE and Wellness Department, and hope to see him in the near future on the sidelines watching his talented tennis players.

Netball

Despite missing out on the main Netball term, Head of Netball, Zoë Macpherson, has managed to organize some fixtures for the seniors this term. This has been great for the Upper Sixth, who can have their last hurrah representing Leighton Park in Netball, after playing for so many years.

The seniors first game was against Shiplake College. Whilst they narrowly lost this match, the team which consisted of girls playing their first game for seniors, gelled really well. The ever reliable Tabby, put in an exceptional display.

The following week the 1st and 2nd team travelled to Salesian College. The 1st team battled to a hard-fought draw, with Bisi and Tiger putting in a brilliant defensive display. The 2nd’s managed to get the win. Lorna worked so hard in centre court and Hannah deserves huge praise for her shooting display.

Cricket

The mighty Fryer cricket team had their cup game against Reading Boys washed out after 10 overs due to rain. Reading were 99-0 after 10 overs. It was so important for the Fryers to get game time under their belt, and now they look to put in the hard graft on the training field and lift off their season.

Written by Duncan Jones, PE & Games Teacher