Hampton

Sports Chronicle 2015 Winter Will Power Overcomes Watford Nick Powell Watford 0-34 Hampton Will Attfi eld scored aseemed a turning point for the pack, whose set piece became more refi ned clinical hat-trick of tries and clinical from then on and eventually as Hampton eased past Hampton broke through. Watford in their Second Offl oads Round Natwest Cup victory An impressive sequence of offl oads saw Hampton move into the 22. The over Watford Grammar ball was knocked on into touch but School for boys. after a botched line-out from Watford, it landed in the hands of Fraser Deans. After tight early exchanges, Attfi eld The ball was impressively worked wide sped over in the corner, in one of into the hands of Will Attfi eld who Hampton’s fi rst visits into the Watford scored his fi rst try in the corner. 22 to open the scoring. He then added Hampton had their tails up now, and his second and third tries either side of a line-out steal from a clearance on half-time to give Hampton a sizeable halfway led to the ball going wide lead heading into the last half hour. and Hampton breaking into Watford Rory Cariss, Mike Woollatt and Ryan territory. After they won a penalty, Ben Henshall scored further tries to give Harrison quick tapped and fed Attfi eld Hampton an impressive margin of who crashed over for his second. victory. As Hampton headed for the break, Team Rowan Grundy earned a brilliant turnover which gave them the chance Fielding a team that included seven to have one more attack in the 22 but it changes from their 20-9 victory over lasting hopes of a comeback. As they Sixth) came on at blindside fl anker and broke down and they had to settle for a St. Benedict’s, Hampton were made to eventually cleared their lines, a penalty full-back respectively, with their father, 12-0 lead at the break. fi ght as they attempted to break down for off -feet at the ruck helped Hampton and former Hampton coach, Richard move deep into enemy territory once looking on. a resilient and courageous Watford in a Error physical fi rst twenty minutes. again. The second half started brightly for From the line-out the ball went out Action Hampton had their moments with some Hampton. A Watford handling error to the backs before coming back to Max was straight in the action. As impressive moves coming off in the gave them a scrum in the Watford half. backs, and turnovers in the forwards,. Off the scrum, Roman Malin- the blindside, where Will Verdan fed Greiogair Hogg made a stunning break But an inability to get on the right side Hiscock ran up to the Watford defensive Cariss to give Hampton their fourth into the Watford half, he found Ben of the referee meant they were pinned line before offl oading to Woollatt who try and all-but seal victory. The kick Seddon, who passed to Henshall, who back in their half on several occasions. passed to Attfi eld, who straightened drifted wide, but Hampton were now shifted the ball outside to Vyvyan. In On the break, Watford had their and ran through a hole to ease over for completely in control. attempting to offl oad to Conor Larkin, moments too, but solid Hampton his third. The subs came onto the fi eld as the ball was spilt and Watford survived. defence managed to quell any threat Hampton continued to press Watford, Hampton searched for try number They wouldn’t survive for much longer before it really amounted to anything. now dominant in possession and fi ve. There were three debuts - for prop though; the scrum went against the head Eventually, Hampton began to fi nd territory. The hosts however defended Noah Russell and the Vyvyan brothers. their rhythm. A 30 metre driving maul valiantly, attempting to keep alive any James (Fiftth Year) and Max (Lower Continued on Page 2

The Journalist: The All- The Coaches: The Stars: Interview with rounders Zafar Hampton’s Social League Patrick Barclay Ansari and International Exposed Toby Roland- Connection Jones Page 3 Page 5 Pages 6 & 7 Back Page

The Sports Chronicle is written and edited by Hampton boys from across the year groups. Editor Autumn 2015: Karim Henide News Unlucky Hampton Exit ISFA Hampton 0-1 Manchester Grammar AET Adam Khan, 5H Following the 1st XI’s recent victory against Bedford Modern School in round one of the ISFA cup, Hampton took to the fi eld on a cold and damp Wednesday afternoon looking to breeze past Manchester Grammar School. Sponsored The fi rst fi fteen minutes were evenly Row to Henley Joe Trevor, 3F

On the 22nd of September, 90 rowers from Hampton and Lady Eleanor Holles set off at 6:30am. Over the course of two days they completed their 80 mile charity row from Oxford to the Hampton & LEH Boat House. On the fi rst day, the rowers went through 40 miles of water before reaching Henley. contested, with the only real attempt The following morning they got into at goal fl ying just over the bar from 20 their boats in the fog, and rowed yards - credit to Connor Selwood. another 40 miles - by the time the fi nal However, the slippery conditions boats were coming in, the sun had gone seemed to favour the home side down and the fi nal boats approaching (Top left) The rowers wait at a lock as Hampton enjoyed a stretch of the fi nishing point enjoyed some possession ending in multiple chances torchlit rowing. The boys and girls had (Top right) Sunset rowing at Henley for Matt Wisdom. Hampton headed rowed 80 miles, through 33 locks and (Above) A crew sets off on day two into the break looking strong. have raised over £46,000. The home team started the second half with a bang, pressurising the Manchester defence. A spectacular run by Will Davy capped Hampton Beat Watford in Natwest Cup off a great start, as he glided past three continued From Front Page defenders and swung in a low cross, resulting in a corner for the home and it was not a place Watford wanted defence from Hampton would see them second half as he ran the ball back in. side. to lose the ball. It was worked into the fi nish the game scoreless. As the ninety minutes drew to a close, blindside where Woollatt showed good Rowan Grundy’s Thoughts: it was still a stalemate between the two strength and made it fi ve for Hampton. Man of the Match “It’s good, we should won that match and sides. He could have had another as Harrison There were some fi ne performances from so the happiness isn’t from playing well Manchester Grammar’s fi rst shot chipped over the top, but the ball just didn’t certain individuals. In the forwards, Rory but from doing what we had to do and on target came within the fi rst fi ve bounce up for him as he attempted to bring Cariss was very strong in the tackles he progressing.” minutes of extra time, proving that it in to his grasp, denying him a brace. made and was in control at scrum-time. Will “Personally, I didn’t do anything exceptional. Hampton were on top for the fi rst Hampton would not be denied their sixth Verdan made a number of big carries and No-one’s going to be talking about me after ninety minutes. try however. Watford were continually his offl oads created opportunities. a performance like that but I didn’t make Chances ebbed away from Hampton pegged back into their own half and were In the backs, Rowan Grundy’s calm head any mistakes and sometimes that’s what as free-kicks proved to be redundant struggling to move out. They eventually meant the ball was well distributed in you need from a ten.” against the charging defence of kicked clear but the ball landed straight in his fi rst full 70 minutes, and Ben Harrison “Winning 34-0 defi nitely gives us more Manchester Grammar. the hands of M. Vyvyan who found Larkin. provided an attacking spark throughout. confi dence heading into our next However the tables turned in the second half of extra time, as a It took a good tackle from his opposite The man of the match has to be Attfi eld challenge. There are lots of positives we can clearance from the away side assisted a winger to stop him, but after the ball went for his hat-trick however. He had a lot to take from it after drawing them wide and Manchester Grammar breakaway goal, wide, a calm, composed fi nish from do with all three tries that came at crucial then fi nding holes through the middle in two minutes before the fi nal whistle. Henshall rounded off a fi ne victory. times and prevented Watford from properly attack and showing great commitment in Time was too short for the 1st XI, as the Watford attacked late on, but committed clearing their lines in the early part of the defence.” game ended 0-1 to the away side. 2 Patrick Barclay Interview

Unlucky Hampton outlet with material while also trying Exit ISFA “I thought I would never to get some kind of a qualifi cation at the same time – I wish I had because, achieve my ambition to be a my word, I have struggled throughout my career - not knowing how to type football journalist” properly among other things. I had to Lourenço Anunciação, L6 learn on the hoof about a lot of things such as the laws of the game etc. – it Patrick Barclay: Who is he? was a steep learning curve. Patrick Barclay is one of the most How has it changed in your successful sport writers the United lifetime? Kingdom has seen; in between The biggest change is computerisation writing football articles he has written – I was in right at the beginning of biographies on Jose Mourinho, Alex that in 1986 when the fi rst colour Ferguson and Herbert Chapman (the computerised newspaper, Today, famous 1930s Arsenal manager). was released. It was released by an Barclay’s glittering career has included entrepreneur from Warrington called stints at all the major newspapers Eddy Shah who invited me to join his – remarkably he is the only football new project, launched at the same time journalist to work for all four major as a battle between the old print trade British newspaper groups (Guardian/ unions and Rupert Murdoch’s News Observer, Independent, Times and International. Telegraph) Now he writes columns for Also, at the same time an electric the Evening Standard and still enjoys car was being attempted by Sir Clive writing books. He lives in Barnes and Sinclair. The electric car idea coupled I went to meet him to fi nd out more I eventually ended up at a diff erent was in Anfi eld one week, Old Traff ord with the colour paper were part of about his fascinating life. newspaper, the Guardian, where I the next – it was action packed. I went Thatcherisation but they both failed. How did you fi rst get into sports became chief sub editor. right in and it was quite diffi cult as I However I did manage to get out journalism? didn’t know how to type on a computer after six months to move to another Living in the North of , in or report properly from matches – there newly formed colour computerised It was a long and roundabout route; I Manchester, I was married with two kids was an element paper, The Independent. Then, they went straight from the school gates and I thought of bluffi ng it. were producing a world class product into my local newspaper! I lived in I would never - today’s Independent is a far cry from Dundee and I was at Dundee High “I was in Anfi eld one week, achieve my Everything I that. School and immediately opposite ambition to Old Traff ord the next - it was am telling you there was the local newspaper offi ce. be a football action packed” shows how By then my career was well underway. My mum worked for another part of journalist. When diff erent it I was living in London at the time and this small newspaper’s empire, EC the newspaper was to today. I stayed at the Independent until 1990, Thomson, doing some writing and she relocated London after a technological Now it is much more structured – you when I joined the Observer preceding got me a chance to visit the offi ce. change in 1976 I was off ered many go to Journalism College. In my time a long list of many other papers in the I didn’t go into further education; as diff erent positions but once I realised only a minority of serious academics following three decades. soon as I got a few O-levels and my all the football writers were being went into further education, but now The main diff erence between when one A-level in English I went straight made redundant I asked if I could be qualifi cations are almost always needed I started in 1976 and now, is that in into this newspaper’s offi ce to do their new football writer. to get a job. It would be impossible to those early days I had to dictate my a profi ciency test and I must have get a job on the staff of a paper at 29 I had never even so much as reported copy. The relationship you had with the passed it because I got handed a job nowadays without further education or on a wedding or a village fête in my telephonist who took your copy was as a trainee at the local paper – the any experience, as I did. life – I was 29 - and there I was within the most frightening thing. There were Dundee Evening Telegraph. There, I two weeks in Turin covering Juventus In today’s world you have to do it in a ended up subediting in an offi ce but Continued on Page 8 against Manchester City in Europe. I more orthodox way – bombard every with help from my father and his friend

Five Short Questions for my excuse is that the Estadio Azteca’s made no attempt to get it before perhaps the best team ever. Patrick Barclay press box is a long way from the pitch. suddenly diving forward, hooking up How many World cups have you Best player? his legs and kicking it up to the halfway been to? Most memorable match/goal? line, 40 yards. I’ll never get tired of Diego Maradona, easiest question you seeing that – it livened up an otherwise Nine in a row, and France will be Hand of God 1986, Argentina vs. could ever ask! forgettable friendly. my tenth consecutive European England. Not just because of the championship but I won’t get into goal that was punched into the net Strangest thing you have seen at Who is the best manager of all a match? time and currently? double fi gures for world cups – I am not by Diego Maradona, but also for the going to Russia or Qatar. world famous ‘goal of the century’ that England vs. Colombia, a scorpion kick It is diffi cult because you have to judge followed. That goal with the hand is by Rene Higuita - an outrageously them against their club. All time has to Interview: Sean Thomson, Hampton’s my most memorable goal although audacious keeper. There was a shot be Herbert Chapman, but currently Pep New Director of Rugby I remember it with shame because I from Jamie Redknapp that was drifting Guardiola – his Barca team from 2008 to See page 11 missed it – I thought it was a header – behind the keeper – the keeper had 2010 was superb, they won everything - 3 Rugby Rugby - Reckless or Rewarding? Toby Booker, 3D The glory of winning and the thrill of the crowd. Flags beating back and forth Tackling, running, passing: Hampton’s furiously and a sudden huge cheer. U14A team in action Not everyone gets the opportunity Photos by Toby Booker to play in front of 82,000 people at Twickenham or even 100 fans on their local pitch. So what is it that keeps people passionate about rugby and prepared to play in the muddy freezing fi elds of England? Following the local excitement of hosting the Rugby World Cup, I decided to investigate what draws people to this sport. What better way to do this than to catch up with the under 14A Captain, Tommy Nagle and scrum-half, Louis Goodwin? In rugby you can break bones; you can damage ligaments and you can get concussion. So why play when the risks are great and playing at Twickenham is an unlikely dream? Some would argue that rugby is dangerous, exposing players to severe physical injury. Over the last 10 years there have been several deaths and serious spinal fractures in rugby matches. Most injuries happen because of tackles and more recently the issue of concussion has become a growing concern. Welsh winger, George North, has had serious concussion three times in the last season, leaving his safety and career at risk. Skill, coordination and elegance Rugby is a game of skill, coordination and elegance. It is 15 people on a pitch fi ghting to come out on top. However, to win you must have the whole team working together in tandem, creating a framework for individual brilliance to shine and form an almost unbeatable team. In rugby you must have a captain who is willing to lead the charge and to organize his men. You need “strength, skill and sportsmanship to play rugby”, says Louis Goodwin. These are crucial to the game and it is these that make a great rugby player. playing mini tag rugby at the age of fi ve. the best international rugby team in for your team. You support each other, He also found that watching his older history.” Tommy suggests that Kieran you celebrate with each other and you Accessible to all? brother Josh (currently Upper Sixth) Read “performs on the pitch only as a lose with each other”. Furthermore you One only has to look at the All Blacks a great infl uence and help. Having a result of his extreme training routine need to have trust in one another which (of course, the winners of the recent sport that everyone can play makes it which spans the whole week. This builds camaraderie. inclusive and fun - and you only have to would be something to aspire to.” Rugby World Cup) who, since the start Ultimately the benefi ts seem to far experience a match to appreciate that. of Test rugby, have a win percentage Teamwork, confi dence and trust outweigh the risks of playing rugby. of almost 75%. What makes them so Tommy also looks to the All Blacks Surely most Hampton parents would Another benefi t of rugby is that it dominant? The Kiwis would argue that players as a source of inspiration. He want their son playing rugby rather fosters teamwork and helps to build they start children playing non-contact says that if he could be any player for than sitting inside texting? Contact confi dence on and off the pitch. Louis rugby early, which leads to a love and a week he would chose to be All Black sport can be an epic battle of courage, Goodwin thinks “it is good fun and once skill in the game that they hold onto number eight, Kieran Read: “he is an teamwork and heroism. Reckless or you start it is hard to stop.” Tommy adds, for life (a point that Tommy Nagle integral part of what is believed to be rewarding? You choose… would agree with). Tommy started “You do not only play for yourself but

4 OH Cricketers Old Hamptonians Roaring in all Aspects of the Game Adam Khan, 5H Inspired by Old Hamptonian success, we compare two of the best cricketers to have come out of the School: Zafar Ansari (Surrey) and Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex). Zafar Ansari left Hampton in 2010 and went to study at Cambridge University. He made his Surrey debut against Sussex in September 2010 in a List A match, before making his fi rst-class debut for Cambridge MCCU against Essex in April 2011. Zafar has shone this year for Surrey County Club. He started off his Surrey experience as a lower-order batsman, showing his class through his slow-orthodox . However, as of late Zafar has moved up the order and opens the batting in fi rst-class cricket. Last season he averaged 32.6 runs in fi rst class cricket and 28.8 in Twenty20 and his highest score was 112. He also put up amazing numbers in the bowling categories, with an economy rate of 3.1 runs in fi rst-class cricket and 7.5 in twenty 20 and took over 50 last season. He shone in a standout performance against Gloucestershire taking six wickets for 30 runs, and over the course of the season scored two fi rst class tons and eight half-centuries. Ansari passed 1,000 runs in the 2014 campaign and broke 2,000 this year, so there are high hopes for him. 2007 to study at Leeds University. Northamptonshire, giving him match (Top) Zafar Ansari playing for His club captain Gareth Batty says that He joined Middlesex Cricket Club fi gures of 12-105 and a stellar 60 off 30 Surrey “Zafar is the best young slow bowler in on a summer contract in 2010 and balls with the bat. (Above Left) Toby Roland- the country and knows exactly where has impressed ever since. 2015 has 2015 also shone light on Toby’s batting Jones had a successful season he wants to go”. He certainly did well arguably been Toby’s standout season capabilities when he scored his maiden for Middlesex in 2009, saying in an interview with in fi rst-class cricket, averaging 21.72 hundred in . the HSC that his ambition was to play runs with an economy rate of 3.12 with (Above Right) Zafar in professionally and earn a professional the ball. Overall, 2015 has been a great year England’s ODI Training contract during university. for both Old Hamptonians, topped off Squad Over the course of his career, Toby has by a fi rst England cap for Ansari early As of late, Zafar is still under contract taken 248 wickets in all forms of the in the season in the one-day match The future’s bright: read Rahul with Surrey but is writing a 40,000 word game and has scored over 1500 runs. in Dublin, together with, despite the Desai’s report on his season of dissertation on the 1960s American During the latter stages of the 2015 disappointment of his injured hand, Junior County Cricket civil rights movement at Cambridge. season, Toby carried Middlesex to the selection for England’s winter tour of top of the after Page 10 Toby Roland-Jones left Hampton in Pakistan. back-to-back six hauls versus 5 Coaching England: The Hampton Connection English sport is in good hands. While OH trains the England Sevens rugby team, former teacher Paul Farbrace coached England’s cricketers to Ashes success. HSC investigates. Interview with Simon Amor, England Sevens Coach Paul Wilkinson 3C Simon Amor is one of the most talented rugby players that Hampton has produced. He has had an illustrious life in the game, and has achieved a lot in both his playing and coaching careers. He played for Cambridge University as well as for a range of top clubs, and was captain of England . In 2004, Amor was the inaugural IRB Sevens Player of the Year. Simon is now the Head Coach of England Rugby Sevens. It is amazing to think that arguably one of England’s best ever Sevens players went to Hampton School. Despite the Sevens season fast approaching, with the fi rst round in Dubai starting in December, the Old Hamptonian still found time to be interviewed by a current Hamptonian.

Interview between PW and SA PW: ‘So, Mr Amor, my fi rst question is: what is your most vivid memory of (Above) Simon Amor, England Sevens Head Coach Hampton?’ (Above right) Members of the England Sevens squad training at Hampton SA: ‘Oh! That’s a great question. I have so (Far right) Former Hampton teacher and England Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace many good memories of Hampton. I am trying to think of what is my most vivid what has stuck with me and is what I still Mr Timbs. He would not let us kick the and tackle well and you cannot get any memory of Hampton. I remember when try to do now. Work hard, and to be a ball so when we were playing in our of them wrong. So they are probably the I was playing for the rugby team and my good person.’ fi fteen-a-side games we initially lost a three main things’. coach at the time was Steve Timbs (Mr PW: ‘Yeah that’s good to hear. My next couple of matches, but we all became PW: ‘What has been your most enjoyable Timbs). He was a great coach and is still question is: obviously you have a big better rugby players as we were much coaching experience so far, because a good friend of mine. position with the England Sevens Team more comfortable running and passing. there must be some standouts?’ Anyway, we had a pre-season tour and right now, but what do you like to do My love for Sevens grew from there . I am SA: ‘There are a few. When I was just we went up to Aberdeen where we when you are not working and coaching very fortunate to be in a job that I love. stepping into full-time coaching, I played a team called Gordonstoun. We the team?’ Therefore I am slightly more passionate really enjoyed getting to work with the lost by 80 points. Then they came to SA: ‘Yeah you about Sevens.’ England Women’s Sevens team at the us to play the return fi xture in January are right, I am ‘My love for Sevens fi rst came PW: ‘Knowing 2009 World Cup where I got to learn and we narrowly beat them by three in a very big both forms of my trade. It was a great experience for points, because up until then we had position and I from Hampton when our coach the game very me coaching the girls. Another brilliant been training hard on how we played am very lucky was Mr Timbs.” well, what do feeling was coaching London Scottish as a team. I remember that feeling of to have the job. you think are and getting them promoted into the beating them to this day.’ I have a very young family - an eight, the main diff erences between a Union Championship. Then, taking the Great PW: ‘Yes, that must have been great. So six and a four year old so any time player and a Sevens player?’ Britain Sevens team to Glasgow for the my second question is: what have you that I have free I will spend with them, SA: ‘Well there is not an awful lot of last year, and learnt from Hampton that remains with because I always maximise the time that diff erence between the players. There qualifying for Rio next year. They were all you still today? I have with my family.’ are probably fewer diff erences than great experiences.’ SA: ‘There are a number of things. I feel PW: ‘So what do you prefer: people think. Possibly you need to be PW: ‘Who is the most talented player very lucky to have attended the school. or Sevens - because when you were at fi tter because with only seven players on that you have worked with as there have What I love most about Hampton was Hampton I presume that you played the pitch you need to be fully engaged. been many? Don’t worry, I will not tell not only was the strong focus on the both?’ You have to be quick as the guys at the them!’ academic side, but also the good people SA: ‘My love for Sevens fi rst came from top are very quick and your basics need SA: (laughing) ‘I get asked this question and in working hard. That is probably Hampton School when our coach was to be brilliant. You have to pass, catch quite frequently but it is a very diffi cult

6 Coaching England: The Hampton Connection U15 football during the winter months and helped to pioneer the Hampton passing-style of football. Upon leaving Hampton Farbrace worked for the ECB as a regional development coach. Following a spell running the Kent Academy, he was the assistant coach to for Sri Lanka. Farbrace was present when the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in March 2009.

At that time the Head of Cricket was Mr Cook, Hampton’s current Head of History. “The first time I saw Paul was in 1991 in the NatWest Cup,” he recalls. “A left hander was facing and Paul, who was keeping wicket, took a stunning catch down the leg side tumbling to his right.” one. As a coach you want to maximise has to be Hong Kong because when the When I was set the task by Mr Smith “With regards to coaching he was brilliant the potential of your players, just like tournament starts the city comes alive to try and get an interview with Simon - he would be able to demonstrate teachers try to maximise their students’ and it has a lot of history and prestige, Amor I thought that it would be spinning it both ways hitting the right potential so that they can do their best. so that is a special place for everyone to impossible. ‘How on earth can I get an line each time.” That is what we do in England Sevens - go to.’ interview with him?’ I thought to myself. Mr Cook told me that Farbrace was very we try and get the guys to be the best PW: ‘Now for my final question. I have So I would like to thank Mr Knibbs, Mr “subtle” when coaching 1st XI Cricket that they can be. already asked you who is the most Smith, Kelly van der Berg (Simon Amor’s but could also teach the basics to the So often, the players that you might get talented player you have worked with, secretary) and of course Mr Amor for juniors. He also pioneered “coaching the most joy out of might not be the but who is the most talented player that letting me interview him. weekends;” a trip to Lilleshall in February 1993 particularly sticks in Mr Cook’s most talented ones, but the ones that you have played against? Or if you had mind. “Paul gave cricket a status in the fulfil their potential. We have been very to choose any foreign player to have in winter which was quite an unusual lucky to have players like your team now who would it be?’ England’s thing to do”. who is very quick and Tom Mitchell who SA: ‘Woah, another good question! Assistant Coach, From what Mr Cook tells me Paul is a brilliant captain. There are too many Growing up when I was at Hampton Farbrace’s time at Hampton was, whilst to mention I think!’ and when I fell in love with Sevens, it Paul Farbrace short, very important. He turned cricket PW: (laughing) ‘Fair Enough! When the was Serevi (Waisale Serevi) who was the Mikey Godsmark, L6 at Hampton into a sport that was season starts you get to go to many standout and a king of the game. I was practised and enjoyed all year round, different and spectacular countries. But very fortunate that when we played in When people talk about former Hamptonians in the sporting world which has since lead to the development for you and the players, which one is Hong Kong for the first time and I was of two first-class cricketers at the school. your favourite?’ captain, I got to do the coin toss with many former pupils spring to mind. However there are a number of former Despite having “no experience of SA: ‘When the season starts you do him and he was an idol of mine. So I coaching boys,” Farbrace’s “instinct for not get to see your family very often would say that he is the best player to teachers who grace the sporting world and when I found out that England communication” and “love of the game” whereas the 15-a-side teams get to have ever played Sevens’. are what have made him into “the world Cricket Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace play in front of their home fans every PW: ‘Thank you very much Mr Amor class coach he is today.” To finish, Mr was once a teacher at Hampton, I felt other weekend. So Twickenham is for talking to me today, it was a real Cook told me how he is still in regular compelled to investigate. always a special, special tournament pleasure.’ texting contact and how Paul “20 years Paul joined Hampton School in 1993 as as your family gets to see you play live. SA: ‘No problem at all, anytime. I wish on remembers the people at Hampton a cricket coach and became a PE teacher Although other than Twickenham, it you the best of luck with everything’. with great affection” in the same way as before he left in 1997. He also coached cricket at Hampton remembers him. 7 Extra Time country for my age group. At 13 I was Interview with Joss Connell, told I needed to reach the top 100 but Hampton Tennis Champion unfortunately by the end of the year that didn’t happen. Oliver Kerr, 4H When did you fi rst get involved Sadly my coach left so I moved clubs and “In the Independent in tennis? joined a tennis centre called Riverside Schools tournament of Chiswick. I settled in well and played that year we reached I started playing tennis when I was eight three times a week. Eventually at age 11 the semi-fi nals, a major years old for fun. I really enjoyed tennis I was able to play hardball tournaments improvement” and wanted to become really good so I and I aimed to improve my national started having private lessons as well as ranking within the UK. The next year I left my squad shortly afterwards and joining squads at a small tennis centre was just routine which included having since then I have moved from club to in West Hampshire. lessons, playing in squads and playing club - until recently, when I became I then started to play mini-tennis tournaments. settled at the Dukes Meadows club, matches over the next few years and I which neighbours Riverside! By the time I was 12 I had nearly reached started playing softball tournaments the top 100 for under 12s in the UK and I when I was 10. By then I was playing Joss (Left) Hampton Tennis managed in the end to reach 98 in the three times a week. Champion

football to a pair of sports shoes. I have Zimbands three diff erent pairs of sports shoes, and many footballs myself whilst their whole Lourenço Anunciação, L6 village had none of either so I thought About a year ago I went to Zimbabwe that I should try to make a diff erence. because my mum, a foreign That’s when I created ZimBand, a correspondent, was writing an article charity to raise money to buy footballs about the brutal dictator, Robert Mugabe, for the village of Bezha, and hopefully who was spending millions of dollars on all of Zimbabwe. I have been selling his 90th birthday party while leaving his wristbands and I have already raised country to starve and struggle. well over two hundred pounds. I was surprised with the generosity of lots of Unsurprisingly, we weren’t allowed into my friends who have helped enormously Mugabe’s compound so we went to visit (Left) Some of the Zimbands which can be bought to start this charity and maybe one day some of the poor villages around the we can buy footballs for all of Africa. city. One village particularly struck me as (Right) People in Zimbabwe who beneft from the sports equipment I had never seen such poverty in my life. My form is in IT4 so if you want to change a school - which Mugabe charged $50 a to the makeshift balls they make out of The inhabitants of Bezha had absolutely little boy’s life by buying a cool wristband term for, despite spending over a million plastic bags. It made me think what a nothing. please come by. Also, thanks go to Zaki dollars on his birthday party alone. diff erent world we live in at Hampton Rehman who has been wearing his band Eating meat, which we do almost every where footballs come and go on the 3G The headmaster of the school, Ntemeli since day one - and please remember to meal in England, is an annual thing for incredibly quickly. Jetro, also talked to me while we were “like” our Facebook page to help spread them if they’re lucky. Very few could there. He said that the kids have always He wrote me a list of all the things that the word! aff ord to send their kids to the local wanted one proper football as opposed they would like to have, from a mere

Sami Mokbel from the Daily Mail combine studies and journalism – it is a Patrick Barclay Interview football staff , was with me for a TV job good fi t actually. My own daughter was Continued from Page 3 and he brought out his packed lunch at Oxford University and there she edited during our lunch breaks and it looked an arts magazine and, despite going into inevitably some comical mishearings. you rely on is Wi-Fi signal! like that of a jockey or athlete in training. publishing afterwards (not journalism) The fi rst that comes to mind is when However, the football writer’s life has It contained no carbohydrates, and lots she interviewed many famous people - I wrote about the Irish football team changed totally in that it is 24/7 and it of meat and vegetables. My training, like the great novelist Iris Murdoch and Crusaders - their name came out in is much more diffi cult to balance doing being of an older generation, consisted the dramatist Keith Waterhouse. the paper as Crewe Sailors as if there mainly of overeating and drinking beer! this kind of job with the kind of family Those individuals were keen to was some sort of maritime team in this You can’t go out and have late nights like life that people in their 30s or 40s want. cooperate, as were all the people inland town in Cheshire. we often did. It is much more diffi cult now – you she interviewed so it shows that it is We also used to always dread hearing might have to do 3 or 4 pieces on the Do you think that someone can worth your while as it can be valuable the phrase “Is there much more of this?” same match which is very challenging as learn to be a sports journalist at experience. Students can also write Now of course it is much easier with sometimes you only have one thought university? about sport when they are at university - quick and light laptops – they are much on a match. studies are hard but you should learn to better than the original laptops known Yes, I think that it is one advantage – the I think that it has defi nitely become do journalistic things at the same time or as “tandies”. The worries nowadays are ease of publication means that there tougher. One young journalist I met, even before. much smaller and fewer – the only thing is a greater variety and opportunity to

8 Extra Time What are your memories of getting involved in tennis at Hampton? Well, the first year tennis team Desert Island Sports Books consisted of Fraser Barclay, a German Outstanding Books Recommended by Hampton School teachers guy called Ben (who has now left the school), Luke Darlison and me. From what I remember, my first year at Hampton was particularly unsuccessful as far as tennis went. We lost most of our games. In the second year Ben left, but then Gustav Durlind joined the school. Gustav was probably a bit better than Ben and as such the tennis team became instantly stronger. In the Independent Schools tennis tournament of that year we reached the semi-finals, a major improvement from the previous year. Who is your favourite tennis player and why? It has got to be Andy Murray because he is a fantastic player and I think he

Playing the Enemy tells the story behind My desert island sports book would Jim Thorpe was born in 1888, a member South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup be “A Will to Win - A Manager’s Diary” of the Native American Sac and Fox victory in Johannesburg, when Nelson by Sir Alex Ferguson. It is a book tribe based in Oklahoma, USA. A natural Mandela stepped onto a rugby pitch which chronicles the 1996-97 Premier sportsman who excelled in every sport and used a sporting event to unite a League season from the viewpoint he tried, Thorpe won Olympic Gold in nation divided by history and politics. of the former Manchester United both pentathlon and decathlon in 1912 manager. while wearing a pair of shoes he had The story traces Mandela’s history found in a rubbish bin, his performance from Robben Island where he was I read this when I was 14 years old - and earning him the accolade ‘the world’s imprisoned for decades, to that famous for the first time it gave me an insight greatest athlete’. day at Ellis Park, portraying his instinct into the team that I supported. In it to show respect, friendliness, and Ferguson goes into details of transfer Thorpe was later discovered to have represents Britain when he plays and I common purpose with those who saw deals that didn’t happen, Ferguson’s played two seasons of semi-professional am always glad when he wins. him as an enemy. thoughts on the key victories that baseball, therefore violating his Olympic propelled him and his charges to their wins and he was stripped of his awards. Mandela’s improbable campaign to fourth premier league title, and the Thorpe played professional sport for the European Champions League run to rest of his life but fell into alcoholism and the Semi-Finals. poverty, dying at the age of 64. For me it was also an insight into Thorpe’s was an incredible life and I Ferguson, the man and human being, Do you prefer writing books or and showed me that behind the steely articles? and single-minded exterior lay a man I definitely prefer writing books as deeply passionate about his sport, you set your own long deadline. All and about guiding young people to deadlines are frightening - I don’t know their dreams through thick and thin. any writer that can work other than Although this book has had its time with a deadline. I bet you anything that and is now out of date, it holds much anyone that writes for a living - whether reconcile resentful black people and sentimental value for me, so were I to he or she is an author or a journalist – if fearful whites through a game of rugby, be on a desert island this would be the you ask him which day of their holidays traditionally the sport of the white first book I would read to remind me they send their postcards I bet that it South African oppressor, has been would recommend this book to anyone of home! is in the last two days. It is just natural, made famous through the film Invictus, - a true tale of sporting prowess and and I am certainly in that category. I which is based on this book. Mr R. Trivedi, Maths humanity at its best, and at its worst. have come to prefer writing the books; maybe just because I am older, it’s nice Mrs T. Bartholomew, Engligh Miss S. Smith, English to be able to put some texture into writing. If you’d like to write for the HSC, Take photos or edit the paper, see Mr P Smith in the English Department 9 Young Cricketer A Season of County Cricket Rahul Desai, 3C

(Below) Rahul (front row, third from right) with his county team

Third form student Rahul a very convincing start. We beat RGS reputation for beating us. However, this received an invitation from the Surrey comfortably and I managed to score time we were determined to win. director, inviting me to have a session Desai played for Surrey a respectable 46 . This was, on one of the pitches at the Kia Oval They batted fi rst, posting a respectable undoubtedly, a huge confi dence booster with Graham Thorpe who was a prolifi c Under 13 cricket team last total of 201 off 50 overs. I opened the for me and prepared me for the rest of the batsman for England, having scored over batting once again, only this time I got off season. The Hampton Sports season. 8,000 test runs. to a terrible start. For at least fi ve overs, Chronicle asked him to On the other hand, my start with Surrey neither my partner nor I was able to get Coincidentally, James Anderson was also write about his experience was not ideal. I was dismissed for only off strike, and I breathed a sigh of relief there, inspecting the pitches before The of playing in junior county nine after being bowled, losing the off when I fi nally got my fi rst run after 15 Ashes series. This gave me a wonderful stump. However, it wasn’t a match full of balls. When, at drinks I went over to my opportunity to meet him, and very cricket. disappointments as we pulled off our fi rst coach, I was rather surprised by what he surprisingly he decided to bowl two win of the season. said to me. “Hang in there mate, and we deliveries at me. This was probably for me I have been an opening batsman for might just win this.” the highlight of my season. Surrey since the age of nine. Throughout After a few more games without really these years I have experienced a lot. I having got off to a decent start, I was Having heard this, once again I was fi lled had the responsibility of being captain fi nally back in form against rivals Kent. with confi dence and knew exactly what I for a large number of the matches, Unsurprisingly, I went into that match had to do. Finally, after 40 tough overs out during which I also had the privilege of feeling very nervous. It was after I hit my in the middle, I reached my 50 in classical captaining the U12 team at the Kia Oval. It fi rst boundary, a cracking cut shot past style, timing the ball past mid on for a was an experience that I’ll never forget! point, that I started to gain confi dence. boundary. As I raised my bat, I felt a surge Annoyingly, just as I thought I could push of excitement wash over me, because I Last season was great for me, scoring over myself towards 50, I found myself walking knew that we were on course to win the 1100 runs in total and gaining a pleasing back to the pavilion, out on 49. match. average of 36. I went into the season only recently having recovered from an injury Nevertheless, it was the fi ve day My stumps were fi nally rattled on 54, which had thrown me out of action for tournament in Taunton that really but my peers’ weren’t. They fi nished the over two months. brought the best out of me. On the match off in exquisite style against a very second day, we came face to face with strong Lancashire side. My fi rst match was for the school, in a ferocious Lancashire side with a which both Hampton and I got off to Rahul with Graham Thorpe I was absolutely honoured, when I (Left) and James Anderson

10 Young Cricketer Rugby Interview Mr Sean Thomson, Director of Rugby Nick Powell, L6

In 2015 after 10 years in mistakes. You have to respect what’s been there before, the school, and its ethos and charge of Hampton Rugby, aims. The boys who I have been working coach Mr Zoran Higgins left with this year had an idea of how things were done in the past so it’s taking that and the school to join Oakham adapting it to how I want them to play as a School. His replacement Mr team overall. I think as a coach it’s important to stick to your ideas, your philosophy of Sean Thomson has made how you want the game to be played as well a brilliant start, including a as the environment around the games. This is how the boys interact with each other in victory at the prestigious training and how talent is developed lower St. Joseph’s National Rugby down the school. You want to leave your Festival. Nick Powell has been mark on it speaking to the new man. It’s always going to be difficult to turn that around straight away. If you try and do Tell us a bit about yourself and your too much too soon you can end up losing life before Hampton. everybody and you have to do it a bit at a time. Not only that but rugby’s rugby - at the I grew up in Berkshire, playing for London end of the day you can’t really change too Irish as a kid. Then went to Exeter University much. You can change lineout calls but the and continued my rugby there. After that I systems don’t tend to change that much and stayed in the area and became a teacher in for defensive systems there’s only a limited Devon before I went to my previous school, amount of alternatives. Eltham. I started out as an assistant there but then after 18 months I became Head of The team goes through a lot of Rugby. I had some decent successes. It was a pre-season training. Many schools much smaller school than Hampton and yet also accept pupils on scholarships we had some pretty good years, some good to the point where they’ve been players came through. suspended from the National Tournament. Where do you draw How much did you benefit from and the line of how seriously we should learn about your new team on the treat school rugby? In terms of scholarships, that’s just an beaten by a better team, we get beaten by summer tour to South America? individual school philosophy. A lot of schools a better team. We’ll have to wait and see. I guess school rugby look into bringing people in at sixth form level South America was Finally, have you been tracking the needs to be taken as because they may not have the development fantastic for me. It so-far successful progress lower seriously as you’re programme in the lower years. If that’s what’s would have been down the School? aiming for it to be important to them, that’s their philosophy very easy for Zoran successful. In a lot of and that’s great. Yes, I work with every age group. The skills [Higgins] to just do it the bigger schools, curriculum we have in place with Mr Mobb- as his swansong, and At the same time it can be a worthwhile thing including ours, you Smith and Mr Hicks is available to all years in many ways it still to do. A lot of boys will be at schools where have someone to from First Year all the way through and makes was, but it was a great they don’t have the chance to play at that come in and do sure those core skills are taught to them. I’ve opportunity for me to level and so you’re helping them with their the strength and now watched every age group play and get to know the boys development. conditioning. In some refereed some age groups just to make sure outside of the training bigger schools they Are you confident about your side I’m involved in that. It’s good because if you environment. Seeing even have a full time coach in that area. this season achieving success? can start to get the ideas and the way you them play gave me ideas of the kind of want to play, as well as the core skills you squad I’d want. Watching the Development Video analysis and other advanced training I take it one game at a time. I know that’s a bit want ingrained in your 1st team, it makes it XV indicated which future players would be techniques have got a lot bigger in schools, of a cliché but that’s what we have to do really. so much easier in the future. coming through. It was a great opportunity and can be great tools. But you need to In terms of the Natwest Cup, we potentially for the team to play rugby in such wonderful remember we’re not a professional team, so have a really tricky run but if you’re going to The U13s are a very good side, the U14s the to see that part of the world. you have to make sure the balance is there win it you’ve got to beat the best teams. same and combine that with the U15s who between rugby and school. have some seriously talented individuals, As a coach, how important is it to do But I’m not looking at the tournament as a I think it’s really promising. The U12s who it your own way rather than keeping You have to put the time in though. You’re whole. We need to win our next game and have just joined as well have had a solid start, the structures of a former coach? not going to beat the best sides if you don’t then worry about the next one after that. I and we can build on that it the next few years and you don’t put the work in to it, it has to like to think it will come down to the way the I think it’s very easy for any coach to try for the future. be taken relatively seriously. boys perform and if, on any given day we get and do it their own way but you can make 11 Full time Whistle

Social League Stereotypes: The Key Figures in Every Team Chris Searle, L6 “Messi in disguise” “The Rock” These individuals are far too common in the social league. Every time they get the ball their eyes light up, they see Central Defensive Midfielders (CDMs) in social their name on the back of the Hampton Sports Chronicle, league are almost exclusively centre backs that they put their head down and go, hold your breath.... Past think they should play in midfield. Instead of the one, past two and tackled. Fortunately, however, these ‘breakdown the play and build attacks’ role that players have the hearts of lions so next time they get the ball Makelele, Busquets and co have filled in the last they go again; with the same result. Time and time again decade or so, these social league CDMs are nearly this happens. Your team mates are getting increasingly all from the ‘if in doubt, hack it out’ philosophy. frustrated with you, but in your head you are having a Safety first, hey lads? blinder; your fantasy points have gone through the roof. For some reason, the ball seems to evade you as the game goes If they were a pro, they’d be: on. Can’t understand it. Mark van Bommel If they were a pro, they’d be: Nani “The Sprinter” “The Predator” Every opposition’s worst nightmare, somebody To have a successful social league campaign you need with almost no footballing skill at all but with the one of these rare commodities in your line up. Despite irreplaceable attribute of sheer pace. The heavy having not much technical ability they always seem to put touch and chase is their only skill but it consistently themselves in the right position where the ball always falls perplexes defenders and works almost every time. and somehow it always seems to fly in, left, right and centre. Safe to say you don’t see many defences playing a Infuriating to defend against but crucial to have on your high line against these rare specimens! team since if you don’t score goals it’s tough to get points. If they were a pro, they’d be: If they were a pro, they’d be: Theo Walcott Harry Kane “The Unrealistic Tactician” “The brick wall” These people are what makes social league so special. The detail in which they break down formations and substitutes The vast majority of keepers you’ll find in social league on a Tuesday evening is something to be admired. However, are merely the nicest and most persuadable player on these flamboyant tactics are regrettably not put in to play the team. They are allergic to using their hands, and 99 times out of 100 due to the simple lack of ability of the coming off their line into no man’s land to claim crosses players not being on par with these tactical geniuses. These or to close down the angle is the ultimate no go. Instead trainee gaffers are often captains of their teams and that they love to just use their feet whenever possible. The makes them tick off the pitch. After a game on a Wednesday best thing about social league keepers, however, is when most of the team go home and relax, these heroes are their unrivalled ability to make simple, run of the mill frantically planning for the next game. Shout out to them! saves look like absolute worldies. This phenomenon is commonly known as ‘Hollywood Keeping’ and is admired If they were a pro, they’d be: by all. Jose Mouriniho If they were a pro, they’d be: “The Master” Wojciech Szczęsny After gaining years of experience he has quite uniquely formed himself into a player who seems a class apart from everyone else. This is embodied by his distance from the “Making up the numbers” action, he seems almost detached, playing his own game Prior to a social league campaign you must name a in his head. We can only assume that this is because the squad of 16. This is relatively large compared to how tireless work rate and back-breaking endeavour of us mere many people appear week in, week out. However having mortals on the football pitch simply bores him. Occasionally backup and squad depth is very important for any social however, he will suddenly snap into action; left shin pad league team as you are bound to have certain weeks slipping out of his short grey sock, and then lie resignedly where availability is low. These are the weeks when on the turf, alongside the defenders he has skinned, with these unassuming, unsung heroes make their impact the ball now left behind. It seems that this breed of player is filling in admirably and often far better than the regulars now becoming a more common sight on the social league themselves manage. They are the real pillars on which pitch, as players seek to emulate the success of The Master social league is built and will one day perhaps rise to the himself. distinct average ability reached by some of their peers. If they were a pro they’d be: If they were a pro, they’d be: They wouldn’t Javier Hernandez