Pupils riot stuns staff

An Indian summer coasted over the playing fields of HGS as the scene was set for the battle – Pupils Vs Teachers.

Matches between the deep ends of human life had been scarce of late due to the health and safety regulations surrounding the education system these days. However the lengthy period of time blended in with the resurgence of football at the school at a senior level, meant it was a push too far and therefore the battle could commence.

This match was dubbed as a ‘ Staff Vs Pupils Challenge’ match as this is expected to be the first of a number of matches contested in different sports. The variety of these it is hoped will also raise money for the School’s charity.

A late kick off time at 5:30pm meant the pupils were more than geared up for this match as they were kept waiting for their staff opponents to turn up from their offices. One pupil said, this was the “biggest match of the season”, which hardly anyone could argue with.

Dan Birch took on the role of player-manager for the Senior boys team with a strong 4-4-2 formation selected, thankfully including the big guns who were unavailable for Monday night.

Almost immediately, the Pupils capitalised on the shambolic Staff’s defending from corner kicks. Sam Reffitt hit a corner kick, which went right to James Taylor in the box who beautifully volleyed it home to give the Pupils an early lead. Worse was to come for the Staff when an almost identical ball from Reffitt on a corner kick, went straight to Taylor’s partner in defence, Louis Anderson, who slotted it home.

The pressure continued to be against the Staff with the pupils going through changes in personal to keep the tempo flowing. A third goal soon arrived from right back, Tom Joel who slotted home in the box after bursting forward from his area of the park to link up with the attackers. Already 3-0 up, and three of the back four had all scored!

The Staff tried to get back into the game and almost did from Andy Lee, the maths teacher whose quick shot was saved over the bar by Procter. The Staff were therefore happy to see out the half meaning a 3-0 scoreline at half time.

The start of the second half was almost like the first as the Pupils ripped into the teachers. Henry Weemes hit a good shot from the left to make it 4-0 and people thought this would be the start of something big. Despite the introduction of Roy and Andy Mackay for the staff, the assault from the pupils would not stop with Henry Weemes adding a fifth goal near identical to his first, The proactive change of taking Weemes on and off before putting him on the left side of the park worked wonders, as Weemes completed a deserved hat trick.

With the scoreline a massive 6-0, the Pupils then added insult to despair as Ed Holgate’s long effort somehow squandered under Steve Allan in the HGS goal to add more grief and humilation.

The Staff then produced a mini-comeback courtesy of a few cocky pupils who wanted to score more than what was required. Andy Lee hit a fine hat trick in this period of time
With no defending at the back as certain players wished to take the chance up front.

Comeback teacher turned plumber, Mehdi Bouttier then hit a fourth for the Staff at the near post with blame put on James Taylor who had gone in goal for the pupils. After a assured defensive display, it was hard done for Taylor to concede three goals in a short space of time not helped by his defence.

But an eighth goal for the pupils, courtesy of Dan Smith made it 8-4 and a thrilling game. The highest ever scoreline for many of these pupils at the school. The Staff made it a great game but we all know who was the better team don’t we?!

Under 18’s: Procter, Joel, Taylor, Anderson, Holgate, Smith, Shiel, Bainbridge, Dyason, Auckland, Reffitt
Subs – Collett, Auckland, Birch, Blackstone

Teachers: Bouttier, McKenzie, Horne, Hodgson, Robinson, Allan, Neil, Lee, McDonald, Stevenson, Ash
Subs: R.Mackay, A.Mackay