Day 2 - First Matches

Arrived in All Seasons, Barbados, at around 18.30 yesterday all safe and well. We relaxed in rooms before going to the "Just Grillin'" restaurant down the road. Most of us were suffering from the jet lag this morning and were in the pool at 06.00. Water volleyball was a particular favourite.

Today the boys played the U21 Barbados national team and the girls played St. Barnabas School. Here are the match reports from the games:

HOCKEY - Barbados U21s 5 - 2 Adams' Grammar School

Today we played the U21 Barbados national team. We anticipated from the name alone this would be a tough match. However, we rose to the challenge well and despite the end score line it was a closely fought match. In the first half, we were out run and quickly found ourselves two goals down. By half time we had let two more slide but it could have been more without the valiant efforts of Oliver Bruce and Dan Scriven. It was clear to see that many of our players were struggling with the plus 30 degree temperatures.

After a brief rest and some motivational words we came out fighting in the second half. The Barbadians got the first goal after the break but then we quickly hit back thanks to a superb interception from James Boyd who teed up Nick Middleton who then finished brilliantly from a tight angle. Our determination and hard work paid dividends as Pete Grech picked up the ball in midfield, skillfully moved past two players. Moved the ball into the D, he then found Raj Sandhu who returned the ball across the face of goal for a simple finish for Grech.

Overall, a brilliant effort from all and we can only see ourselves improving as the tour progresses.

NETBALL -  St. Barnabas 15 - 3 Adams' Grammar School 2nds

The 2nds were first to play in the heat of the day. We went out fairly confident as our opposition were about half our height, however after the first 5 minutes that confidence disappeared when we realised how fit and fast they were. We were more optimistic going into the 2nd quarter as there was only a small difference in the scores. However as we started to feel the heat, fatigue set in and the opposition's fitness really started to show.

Although we were losing we still continued playing and everyone kept their heads up. the Barbs were very aggressive players and what they lacked in size, they made up for in speed and agility. as we went into the 3rd quarter we were really feeling the heat but we changed round our positions and this helped to make a difference to our game. Unfortunately we were unable to make a difference to the score. The team however continued playing to the best of their ability.

In the final quarter we went out with a fresh burst of energy as we knew it was our final quarter. we scored one goal which really lifted our spirits. Although we lost the game, we all put in our full effort and well done to everyone, especially Emily Grandfield who was Miss Jones' player of the match.

NETBALL St Barnabas 21-13 Adams' Grammar School 1sts


After watching the 2nds play a team half their size, the 1sts were more than apprehensive about their game against the older players. The first quarter however, proved fairly evenly matched with the score 5-5 going into the 2nd quarter. The Barbados girls were just as feisty and aggressive as we had imagined and we had to step up our game to compete.

Unfortunately fatigue began to set in during the 2nd quarter when the sun came out and the heat started to affect us. Although all players, particularly in centre court managed to cope with the conditions, we went into half time a few goals down. After a brief rest and a few words from Miss Jones the team fought back and some fantastic attacking play allowed us to score 4 consecutive goals and draw almost level. The remainder of the game was fairly evenly matched, although we were unable to take the lead with the score finishing 21-13.

The whole team put in maximum effort, as was obvious from 7 very red faces but in particular Hannah, Jess and Harriet who were outstanding in their debut match for the 1sts. Miss Jones' player of the match was Stephie Wood for her brilliant reading of the game and endless interceptions. Lucy Bratton was the oppositions player of the match.