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Rowing News

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Chiswick Regatta

The first regatta of the season proved rather more hard work than anticipated. Charterhouse had two J15 coxed quads, a novice coxed four, a novice double and Sufyan Saleem, in a J18 single, at the start of the day.

Racing took place three abreast with the winner proceeding into the final. Both of the quads and Sufyan finished second in their heat. The novice double probably had the best chance but slight steering issues and hitting a buoy meant that they too were not able proceed into the Final.

The Charterhouse novice four were also not fast enough on the day. Their start was slow, which put them behind despite every effort from the crew.

Chiswick Regatta was a good warm up and the crews are now looking forward to the Ball Cup on 12 May 2013 where Charterhouse hope to find their stride.

Crews	Composition
	1	2	3	4	COX
J15 4x+ A	Malmstrom	Pavoncelli	Puckett	Chaldecott	Rami
J15 4x+ B	Payne	Silva	Hochschild	Burnell	Petitgas

Nov 2x	Bonacina	Petitgas
Nov 4+	Murrell	Hall	Mahalski	Ashworth	Rami
IM3 1x	Saleem

Athletics

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Win at Radley

The athletics season has been a mixed affair this Quarter, both in terms of results and with the weather.

The highlight of the season, so far, was certainly in the first competition at Radley, where the senior quartet of George Lawson, Patrick Baatz, and Jack Olsen (Year 13) and Freddie Knottenbelt (Year 11) defeated all the opposition to win the 4 x 100m relay – a totally unexpected but brilliant performance. The Waverley trials were held in ideal conditions, warm and still, and twelve athletes have been selected to represent the District at the Surrey Schools Athletics Championships in June 2013.

The athletics team have had successes over Lord Wandsworth, Ardingly and Seaford College. Disappointingly the match against Tonbridge was abandoned after 45 minutes of heavy and persistent rain.

The last main fixture of the season is the Lord Burghley Trophy at Eton on Saturday 18 May 2013. Charterhouse are hoping to improve on last year when they came sixth.

By Suzanne Allen –Housemaster Saunderites

Charterhouse v Tonbridge

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse let things slip

Tonbridge	268-8 (50 overs)
Charterhouse	186
Tonbridge won by 82 runs

On the face of it this looks like a routine victory for Tonbridge and, indeed, so it turned out to be, but things might have been so different if Charterhouse had clung on to their catches early in the day or bowled with any degree of control after lunch on Saturday 4 May.

In a morning session interrupted by rain, Tonbridge were the architects of their own downfall and went into lunch on 134-6 and staring at a heavy defeat. Sean Brennan and Marwan Mohammad collected two wickets apiece during an extraordinary session which saw the home team lose six wickets while keeping up a scoring rate of almost five an over.

Charterhouse came out after the break assuming that things would continue to go their way and all they had to do was turn up. O’Reardon and Fitzgerald for the home team had other ideas and they put on a priceless stand of 103 in the next 17 overs which took the game right away from Charterhouse. They batted in contrasting styles with O’Reardon looking very compact and in control of what he was doing, while Fitzgerald was more cavalier in his approach and enjoyed hitting the ball to unexpected parts of the ground. Certainly, Charterhouse had no answer to them and, while both perished before the close for 85 and 60 respectively, the damage was done and Charterhouse were left with a mountain to climb.

In chasing such a large total it was imperative that someone took the responsibility of making a big score but batsman after batsman got a start but was unable to convert a 20 or 30 into something more substantial. Wickets fell in clusters and it was only some lusty hitting from Hector Don, who top-scored with 37, that gave the margin of defeat some degree of respectability.

Tonbridge may have felt that they got off the hook after their poor start, but they deserve much credit not only for their seventh wicket partnership, but also for bowling neatly, fielding with great energy and enthusiasm and never letting the Charterhouse innings gain any momentum.

For Charterhouse it was a salutary lesson in how quickly a game can change and they will be looking to recover some of their own élan before Eton come visiting on Thursday.

ESSA Water Polo Finals

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse in the Final

The English Schools' Swimming Association (ESSA) Water Polo Finals for the Boys Intermediate and Senior Plate were held at Oundle School on Sunday 17 March 2013.

Charterhouse competed in round robin matches against Bradford Grammar School, Cheltenham College, City of London School and Bedford Modern School.

The top 5 teams went through to the final round. Charterhouse took third place, Bedford Modern School came second, with City Of London School the overall winners of the Intermediate Plate.

The Charterhouse Water Polo team

Charterhouse v Westminster

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse      196-9 dec. (Clinton 74)

Westminster      121 all out                 Charterhouse won by 75 runs

Charterhouse leave it late

Charterhouse travelled to Westminster on Thursday 25 April full of expectation that they would record their second victory of the season. Recent history of this fixture which dates back to 1850 would indicate that Charterhouse are generally the stronger team but this Westminster vintage had no intention of conforming to type and they gave the visitors an excellent game on the first really sunny day of the year.

Clinton was then joined by the in-form Marwan Mohammad and the pair shared an impressive stand of 93 either side of lunch. The demise of Clinton for a well-constructed 74 brought about a now customary collapse of the lower middle order as Charterhouse tumbled from 171-4 to 182-8. Most of the damage was done by Nelson-Jones who finished with impressive figures of 4-70 off 21.2 overs as Charterhouse declared at the fall of Brennan’s wicket.

The general feeling in the Charterhouse camp was that 196 would be plenty on a wicket which had a little variable bounce and which was offering some turn to the spinners. That view had changed radically by tea when Westminster were 64-1 and could anticipate another 35 overs or so. The only Charterhouse success had come from an extraordinary one handed catch by Charlie Thomas and, for the rest, Johnson and Stewart had looked very comfortable.

With still four overs to bowl before the start of the last twenty the game looked to be up, but Charterhouse had reckoned without the steely resistance of Amin and Grylls. This pair were to stick together for the next hour and ten minutes offering no shots, but a dogged determination not to be the one to let the side down. Charterhouse bowled maiden after maiden but could not break down their resistance. In one seven over spell the only runs accrued came as penalty runs when the ball struck a helmet parked behind wicketkeeper Batchelor.

ISFA Girls' U18 National Squad

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Pupil nominated to attend Development Camp

Following Kidist Haile-Michael's performances playing for the ISFA South East girls' team, she has been nominated to attend the ISFA Girls' U18 National Squad Development Camp in August at Oakham School.

Kidist impressed the ISFA scouts so much that she now potentially has the chance to play for the Independent Schools National Team in international fixtures and tournaments. This would put Kidist at the very top level of UK girls' football.

We wish her all the best for August with an update to follow in September.

Charterhouse v Whitgift

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Sibley makes the difference

Charterhouse 180-8 (50 overs) (Batchelor 58)
Whitgift 184-8 (Sibley 107) Whitgift won by 2 wkts

Charterhouse travelled to Croydon on Saturday 20 April knowing that they had a stiff task ahead of them. The Whitgift team bristled with quality players and Charterhouse knew they would have to be at their best to compete.

The task looked even tougher when the outstanding Winslade bowled Ashley Beddows with a magical delivery in only the second over and Charterhouse were looking down the barrel at 8-1. Cometh the hour, however, cometh the man and Henry Clinton and Olly Batchelor played extremely sensibly to blunt the Whitgift attack and make steady if unspectacular progress.

They had put on 80 runs by the time Clinton was adjudged lbw to the off-spin of Erasmus and, at 89-2 off 31 overs Charterhouse began to anticipate a very respectable total on what was a quite slow wicket. Robbie Hughes joined Batchelor and they took the score into three figures before the batting power play became the undoing of much hard work. The openers returned to the fray for the power play and Patel immediately had Hughes caught behind. In the next over Winslade removed Batchelor for a very composed 58 and then bowled Alex Gilbert two balls later.

At 102-5 the innings was teetering but Marwan Mohammad again rose to the occasion as he had against Radley and this time found a companion in his captain, Tom Gordon-Martin. The pair saw off the dangers of the power play and then batted very sensibly to take the score to 156 before Gordon-Martin fell trying to push the rate along. Hector Don scored ten in as many balls and Marwan progressed to a very tidy 29 before Winslade had the last word finishing with figures of 5-25 off his ten overs.

Would 180 be enough? Hopes were lifted when Sean Brennan bowled Lloyd in the second over but thereafter it became the Dominic Sibley show. It was as if he were playing on a different wicket to everyone else. In the next twelve overs he and Erasmus put on 75 of which Erasmus contributed exactly 10. Winslade and Dann gave peripheral support as Sibley tore into the Charterhouse bowling helping himself to nine fours and six towering sixes on his way to a chanceless hundred. Only after he had passed that landmark did he play any injudicious shots and he might have perished immediately had Hector Don’s hands been stronger than wet lettuce leaves.

In the end the cost of that drop was minimal for he was caught in the deep by Henry Clinton in the very next over. The score then stood at 162-4 and all Whitgift had to do was stay standing and a comfortable victory would be theirs. This they palpably filed to do. With Sibley gone the spin of Marwan and Tom Hurley took on the aspect of spitting cobras and the home batsmen, tentative in the extreme began to fall in quick succession. 162-4 soon became 169-7 and, when Marwan picked up his fourth wicket trapping Page lbw, Whitgift still needed three runs to win and the nerves were jangling. Whitgift managed one scoring shot in the next four overs and it came as a great source of relief when Patel eased Hurley through the covers to secure a hard-earned victory.

Had Sibley gone cheaply it might have been a very different story – but he didn’t. Charterhouse have an immediate chance to re-write the story when they take on Whitgift again in the U17 Cup on Tuesday 23 April.

The Arthur Dunn Cup

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

OCs win the Cup for the 24th time

On Saturday, 20 April at the Imperial College Sports Ground in Teddington, Old Carthusians (OCs) won it for the 24th time, beating Old Wykehamists 4-0 in front of more than 200 spectators.

Skipper Matt Bailey, playing in his seventh Final, received the trophy from Jane Sawyer, who was said to be Arthur Dunn’s granddaughter but looked far too young to be that. An earlier match had started at 1pm on another pitch, featuring Old Carthusians’ third team and Lancing Old Boys in the Arthurian League Cup Final. It was three minutes away from going to extra time.

The Arthur Dunn Cup is a competition for Old Boys teams and has been played since 1902-03. Arthur Tempest Blakiston Dunn was capped four times for England, scoring twice on his debut against Ireland in 1883, and played in two FA Cup Finals for Old Etonians. He was described as, “a good centre, rather light, but has plenty of pluck and is a sure shot at goal.” He was a schoolmaster, founding Ludgrove School, and passed away unexpectedly at the early age of 41 in 1902. Cunliffe Gosling, another Old Etonian and England international, donated the ‘Arthur Dunn Cup’ in his memory.

Cricket - the First Game of the Season

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 167 Radley 150 Charterhouse won by 17 runs

The first game of the season is always a step into the unknown and the outcome of the match against Radley on Tuesday 16 April 2013 was made even less predictable by some profligate batting and a wicket which got steadily easier through the day.

Radley won the toss and, with a damp wicket and a very slow outfield on Green, did not hesitate to ask Charterhouse to bat first. The home team got off to a respectable start with Olly Batchelor and Ashley Beddows looking solid and wides scoring freely. The Charterhouse confidence did not last long, however, as Beddows nicked one to the wicketkeeper with the score on 36 and, when Batchelor was adjudged lbw shouldering arms with the score on 53, the momentum swung inexorably towards the visitors.

Rory Peplow and Robbie Hughes seemed to be keeping things on an even keel but, when Peplow looped a catch to cover, the wheels came well and truly off. Charterhouse lost five wickets in ten sorry overs before lunch and at 87-7 the modest repast will have tasted much better to the opposition than it did to the hosts.

After the break Hector Don struck a couple of lusty blows before holing out with a third and Tom Hurley joined Marwan Mohammad in what turned out to be a vital and, indeed, match-winning partnership. Their stand of 54 took 15 overs and was a model of patience and good sense. Marwan was eventually out for 34 in the penultimate over trying to push the rate along and the innings closed with four balls unused.

It had certainly been an important stand but the fear was that the two of them had made batting look quite easy and, if Radley followed their lead, they would not have much trouble chasing down a mere 167. For the first hour or so of their innings this looked to be exactly what they were doing. And at tea they were 68-2 with fully thirty overs of their allotment left.

There was a sense, however, that it was not going to be easy. Marwan had already bowled seven overs for just 16 runs at this stage and Alex Gilbert had produced one outstanding delivery to shift the Radley Captain in a spell of six overs 1-12. After tea Hurley and Hughes took over, though it would be stretching a point to say they took control. Radley eased their way to 104-3 before Charterhouse were able to apply any real pressure. The return of Marwan and Gilbert to the attack brought instant rewards and Radley slumped to 114-6 and victory suddenly began to look a distant prospect.

Token resistance from the wicketkeeper, Buckley, could not prevent the inevitable as Charterhouse squeezed their victims to a slow and painful death. Hurley mopped up the tail and Radley finished 17 short with an over and a half still to go.

It had not been an easy victory and Charterhouse know they have sterner tests to come but they had showed character and the stomach for a fight and can look forward to the rest of the season with some optimism.

LQ Sport Highlights

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

A summary of the Sports news for LQ13

The 1st Hockey XI had an excellent season, losing only to Cranleigh and RGS Guildford. Their victory against Tonbridge was especially impressive, and they reached the final of the Boarding Schools Cup. The 2nd XI won 5 and drew 1 of their 8 matches, and the 3rd XI finished with 5 consecutive victories. The U16B and C teams lost only 1 match each, and the U15A team was perhaps the most successful of all, with 7 wins and a draw out of their 8 matches. These excellent results make a very fitting tribute to Mr Bogdan, who steps down as master in charge after a remarkable 38 years.

The Girls’ Football team won a regional tournament against Westminster, Bedales and King Edward’s. Their Lacrosse team gave an excellent account of themselves in the national championships, coming 3rd in their group; and the Netballers were runners-up in the Seaford ‘Fastnet’ Tournament.

In Judo, Artem Izmaylov (V) won a gold medal in the Independent Schools Championships, and Florian Schaffner (G) a silver.

The Golfers reached the regional finals of the ISGA Cup, and the semi-finals of the Gerald Micklem trophy.

In Rowing, the U15 coxed quad came 2nd out of 9 at the Kingston Head of the River Race, and 19th out of 39 in the Junior Sculling Head.

The junior Cross-Country runners gave a promising performance in the Wellington Relays, and the team came 3rd in the prestigious and competitive Judge Cup.

The U19 Badminton team won most of their matches, and finished 3rd in the Public Schools Tournament.

The 1st Squash V gave an excellent performance in the Roehampton Tournament, beating Harrow and Wellington and the Fives Seniors beat Oxford University, captained by OC Fergus Imrie.

The U19 Basketball team reached the semi-finals of the Wellington Basketball Tournament.

The Water-Polo team reached the National Plate Finals, coming a creditable 3rd.

In Fencing, James Russell (W) came a very impressive 1st in the Mount Haes épée at the Public Schools’ Championships, Clemente Theotokis (W) won the foil, and Charlotte Homan (V) came 3rd in the girls’ senior épée.

And in Shooting, Lucas Figi (G) scored 100/100 in the 4th round of the British Schools Small-Bore Rifle Association Spring League Shoot.

Public Schools' Championships

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Tuesday, 19 March at Crystal Palace

James Russell (W) came a very impressive 1st in the Mount-Haes Epée at the Public Schools' Fencing Championships, Clemente Theotokis (W) won the foil, and Charlotte Homan (V) came 3rd in the Girls' Senior Epée.

Boarding Schools’ Cup Final

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Canford too strong

Canford 3 Charterhouse 1

Charterhouse suffered only their third defeat of the season on Monday 18 March in the final of the Boarding Schools’ Cup and all three have been to teams which have reached the quarter final stages of the national championships.

Canford came into the match full of confidence having been unbeaten all season and having won the Wessex League and defeated the mighty Millfield on their way to winning their regional championship but, on a night of incessant rain, Charterhouse remained undaunted by the task facing them and gave an excellent account of themselves.

Indeed, it was Charterhouse who had the bulk of possession in the opening exchanges and might have opened the scoring when Ashley Beddows created a half chance for himself but his shot flew over the bar. Gradually, however, Canford began to assert themselves and scored from almost their first attack when a reverse stick shot from the edge of the circle took a deflection and flew into the roof of Pavel Degtiarev’s net leaving the goalkeeper no chance at all.
Charterhouse have come from behind several times this season, twice famously recovering a three-goal deficit, but they were aware that they could not allow Canford such a lead and pressed desperately for an equaliser. Ed Iley won three tackles in arrow to set up a chance in the Canford D, but it came to nothing. Then Harry Coe broke into the opponent’s circle and won a short corner. Charterhouse does not have a high conversion rate from short corners this year but Rory Peplow made no mistake from this one equalising with a powerful drag flick.

It was Canford’s turn to respond now and they launched wave after wave of attack, most of which foundered on the sure tackling of Peplow or his captain Euan McDougall. There was a sense that this pressure could not go unrewarded, however and, when Charterhouse for once failed to clear their lines another fierce reverse stick shot found the bottom corner of Degtiarev’s goal. It was all Canford for the rest of the half with Charterhouse defending desperately and Degtiarev making one excellent save just before the whistle went for half-time.
Charterhouse came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second period and immediately won a short corner. They worked an opening for Iley but his shot was well saved. Great work by Huw Reynolds then set up Ed Worrall but his shot shaved the post.

Canford, meanwhile were reduced to trying to hit Charterhouse on the break, but they had such pace and skill that every break threatened to end in a goal. Degtiarev pulled off a couple of fine saves and other shots flew past the post before the clinching moment of the game arrived. Charterhouse were attacking and there was a clear ‘feet’ in the Canford circle. Unfortunately for Charterhouse the umpire was unsighted and the boys from Dorset were able to bring the ball away. They hurtled to the other end and crossed only for a ball which seemed to be sailing harmlessly out of the D, to hit the umpire’s leg and bounce back right into the danger zone. A short corner ensued and Canford dispatched it with a neat move to give them a 3-1 lead and some breathing space.

For the rest of the match Charterhouse gave their all but it was in vain and it was Canford who had the best chances to extend their lead, not least when they were awarded a penalty stroke for a foul by Degtiarev, but their attempt missed the target. Charterhouse created one last chance from a short corner and Peplow beat three would-be tacklers but could not quite get the ball past the opposing ‘keeper.

Though naturally disappointed with the result, Charterhouse had to acknowledge that they had lost to the better side and could stand proud that they had put up a great fight. The match had been an exciting spectacle in filthy conditions and played in an excellent spirit in front of a crowd of some hundred spectators.

In a short but very memorable closing ceremony, Lord Coe presented both teams and the umpires with medals and the Canford captain made a very gracious speech as he accepted the trophy. Charterhouse can look back with pride on an excellent season and Canford can look forward with some optimism to the national finals in April.

Fives National Schools’ Tournament

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Reviewed by Tom Barley (First Year Specialist)

This year’s Championship was surrounded in controversy before it started. The tournament was meant to be played at Shrewsbury but many schools were unable to participate as it was scheduled during their holiday period. The schools that were unable to go to Shrewsbury played at Eton on Friday 22 March.

Charterhouse entered 4 senior pairs:

1st Pair: Sam Harvey (B) and Tom Barley (g),
2nd Pair: Christian Crowson Berney (V) and Harry Criswell (V),
3rd Pair: Ned Cobb (V) and Sam Simmons (V) and our
4th Pair: Will Matthews (G) and Matthew Buffoni (B).

The Championship got off to a slow start for Charterhouse as we arrived late due to traffic on the way to Eton. This meant we did not have time to warm up sufficiently and resulted in Charterhouse losing all of its first set of games.

The competition was organized in groups with three pairs going through to the next round, which meant that Charterhouse could still recover from its bad start.

As the day went on, two of the Charterhouse pairs went through to ‘The Cup’ section and two went into ‘The Plate’ section. The 1st Pair was drawn against Highgate 2 and it turned out to be a spectacular match. The beak in charge of the Eton Fives team said, “It is the best match I have seen in a long, long time.” This match was played at the highest possible level with a thrilling finale. Charterhouse was on the brink of losing when they had a five point winning streak and won on a sudden death point. Sadly, the 1st Pair went out in the next round in a match they should have won.

Charterhouse 2nd Pair went out in the first round of The Cup but this did mean they were under less pressure and they began to play their best Fives in The Plate, winning a very energetic game in their last match.

The two other Pairs weren’t as lucky as they were in a tough group, but did play their best Fives later in the day.

All Pairs won a match and showed great commitment in all their matches.

Boarding Schools' Cup

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Finally a Final

Dauntsey’s 2 Charterhouse 4 in the Semi-Final

Charterhouse travelled to Dauntsey’s on a balmy Tuesday (5 March) knowing that history was against them. Charterhouse had lost at the semi-final stage of the Boarding Schools Cup two years in succession and their only other meetings with Dauntsey’s, at the Oxford Festival, had all three games ending in defeat. However, there is something about this team which relishes a challenge, as they demonstrated by their remarkable comebacks against Reed’s and Tonbridge earlier in the Quarter.

Both sides began somewhat edgily and were guilty of giving the ball away much too easily but, as the game settled down, it became clear that this would be a very even contest. Dauntsey’s had several players with excellent stick skills while Charterhouse could rely on the flawless tackling of Rory Peplow and Ewan McDougall and the spirited running of Harry Coe, Huw Reynolds and Ashley Beddows.

Dauntsey’s won the first short corner and a slick routine seemed to take everyone by surprise including their own attackers. Charterhouse had more luck at the other end. Their short corner was only half cleared and, when Ed Iley fired the ball back into the circle it bounced up off a defender’s stick and Beddows was on hand to swat the ball home.

This success gave Charterhouse more belief and created even more anxiety in the home team and there was a strong feeling that another goal now might well break Dauntsey’s resolve. Chances came but the home goalkeeper was a match for anything Charterhouse had to offer and steadily the hosts regained their composure and began to assert some pressure. They won a series of short corners but could not convert any because of the excellence of Pavel Degtiarev in the Charterhouse goal as well as their own tendency to try to be over elaborate.

Charterhouse continued to create chances on the break and might have scored just before the end of the first half but they were again thwarted by good goalkeeping and it was Dauntsey’s who ended the half in the ascendancy with yet another short corner after the whistle had blown to end the half. Like those before it, it came to nothing as Tom Gordon-Martin scrambled the ball clear.

The second half began as the first had ended with Dauntsey’s pressing and Charterhouse calling all hands to the pumps and looking to strike on the break. They survived the first ten minutes but made mistakes as the pressure mounted until the ball was given away needlessly for the umpteenth time and then the Dauntsey’s forward was given all the time in the world to turn in the circle and fire home giving Degtiarev no chance.

The crowd of about a hundred spectators roared their approval and, when Ed Worrall was yellow-carded for a nasty foul in his own 22, Dauntsey’s must have felt that the game was theirs for the taking. That short corner also came to nothing and Charterhouse, bristling with an unfounded sense of injustice, cranked up their work-rate and created some pressure of their own. Only minutes after conceding, Beddows found Reynolds in the circle and the striker did the rest to restore Charterhouse’s lead and return Dauntsey’s to square one.

With fifteen minutes still to play there was a sense that this would not be the final score and so it proved. Unexpectedly, however, it was Charterhouse who scored next. A long through ball found Worrall free in the opposing circle and his finish was as exquisite as it was skilful. Almost immediately afterwards Peplow played a neat one-two with Reynolds and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make victory almost a certainty.

Dauntsey’s continued to attack and gained a consolation goal from a short corner – at last – with two minutes to go but there simply wasn’t time for them to do any more. It had been an excellent match full of skill and endeavour, as well as quite a lot of errors, between two well-matched sides. Dauntsey’s can certainly take much credit from their performance and can look back and think that on another day things might have been very different. Charterhouse, meanwhile, can look forward to a final at Southgate Hockey Club on 18 March and anticipate an exciting climax to their season.

Tonbridge v Charterhouse

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Tonbridge 3 Charterhouse 4

Charterhouse showed both sides of their Jekyll and Hide character at Tonbridge on Saturday 2 March 2013. For the first half of their match against their old rivals they were simply awful. They were lethargic, disjointed and flaccid and only some excellent goalkeeping from Pavel Degtiarev kept the score to a respectable 0-2 at the break.

This should take nothing away from Tonbridge who were skillful, spirited and organized as they launched wave after wave of attack. Ironically, the hosts took the lead just as Charterhouse were beginning to find a foothold in the game. A reverse stick shot flew across Degtiarev’s goal and was going wide until a Tonbridge forward arrived in the nick of time to turn it in. One soon became two as the beleaguered Degtiarev made his only mistake of a long day allowing a Tonbridge drag flick from a short corner to slip between his legs and into the net.

Half-time could not come soon enough and stern words were exchanged at the break. Throughout the first half Charterhouse had been unable to string two passes together and had gifted the ball to the opposition on countless occasions and often in dangerous areas.

The second half began with Charterhouse showing greater determination and intensity, but this was certainly matched by their opponents who scented a comprehensive victory. After ten minutes of attrition, Tonbridge scored again when their striker weaved a mazy run into the Charterhouse circle and fired a reverse stick shot into the top corner. This should surely have been enough to break what little resolve Charterhouse had shown and there had certainly been little in the match up to tat point to indicate that the visitors would do any more than surrender meekly. This they may well have done had they not scored almost immediately. Rory Peplow slipped the ball to Ed Iley at a short corner and the latter found the bottom corner of the goal.

An extraordinary transformation came over the Charterhouse team at this point as they suddenly seemed to realise that they could make a game of it after all. At the same time that dreadful element of doubt crept into the previously self-assured minds of the home team. Could they really lose from this position? There was a consequent change in the style of play of both teams with Charterhouse suddenly taking the initiative and Tonbridge seeking to cling on to what they had won so easily.

Shortly afterwards Ashley Beddows pulled the ball across the Tonbridge circle and there was Gus Giddins to strike his first ever goal for the school at any level. The momentum was truly with Charterhouse now and from their next attack harry Coe won the ball in the left forward pocket and dragged it across goal where Augustin Wauters was on hand to lift the ball into the roof of the net.
After such a comeback one would have been forgiven for believing that there could only be one winner now, but Tonbridge are made of stern stuff and the game flowed from end to end wit both sides creating and missing chances. It became increasingly clear that whoever could score the next goal would almost certainly win the match.

And so it transpired. With less than five minutes left Coe robbed a defender and slipped the ball to Peplow on the right side of the circle. The Charterhouse midfielder transferred the ball immediately to Huw Reynolds who fired home from the top of the circle. There was still time for Degtiarev to pull off another fine save before the final whistle confirmed that Charterhouse had brought of a remarkable comeback. As the visitors left the field reveling in their great escape, the poor home side were left stunned and with the uncomfortable sensation of having been robbed.

It had been a game riddled with errors but certainly not short on drama and both sides will look back on it and wonder how it had all actually come about.

Boarding Schools Cup

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Rugby 1 Charterhouse 2

Charterhouse travelled to a snowbound Rugby School on Tuesday 12 February 2013 brimming with confidence after three consecutive victories and determined to progress to the Quarter Final stages of the Boarding Schools Cup. Having worked hard to clear the pitch, Rugby had other ideas, however, and the two sides produced a feisty encounter which could have gone either way.

Certainly, Charterhouse started the sharper, moving the ball about with speed and precision and the visitors were camped in the Rugby half for the first fifteen minutes of the match. Nothing came from their pressure, though, and gradually Rugby grew in confidence and began to show that they too offered a significant threat. Indeed, they were the first to put the ball in the net but the goal from a short corner was disallowed.

Ultimately it was Charterhouse who drew first blood ten minutes before half-time. The ubiquitous Ashley Beddows drilled the ball into the Rugby circle and found Harry Coe. Coe still had much to do but dribbled mazily and eased the ball over the advancing keeper. As the ball rolled towards the goal Ed Worrall won the race with a home defender to squeeze it home and give his side a deserved lead.

Charterhouse continued to have the better of things up to half-time but could not find a second goal and Rugby were certainly not out of it as they won a series of short corners. Pavel Degtiarev in the Charterhouse goal was on good form, however, and none of their shots were able to beat him.

In the second half it was Rugby who began the brighter. Indeed, so much were they in the ascendancy now that one began to wonder whether there was a significant slope on the pitch. Charterhouse defended resolutely but could got manage to escape their own half for lengthy periods and only a last ditch tackle from Nick Lee prevented a clear shot on goal.

The pressure seemed sure to tell at some point as Rugby won yet another short corner and this time an intricate move saw Degtiarev beaten. Augustin Wauters was having an excellent game and Sweeper in place of the injured Tom Gordon-Martin, cleared the ball off the line but the umpires consulted and agreed that Wauters had used the back of his stick. Much to the Sweeper’s disgust a penalty stroke was awarded and Degtiarev was given no chance as the ball was dispatched into the top corner.

Naturally Rugby were buoyed by this success and there were fears in the visiting camp that Charterhouse might not recover from this setback. The team of 2013 is made of spirited stuff, however, and they responded well to a perceived injustice.

The game became very stretched and, with chances at both ends, it became clear that the next goal might well settle matters. In the end it fell to Charterhouse. Coe chased a ball which was drifting out of play and pulled it back across goal to the waiting Worrall who finished off powerfully.

With just under ten minutes to go, the game was by no means in the bag and Rugby threw everything at their opponents now. As they became more frenzied in their efforts Charterhouse retained their composure and weathered the storm. Gus Giddins made a fine saving tackle at one stage and two half chances were missed the first being mishit and the second flying over the bar, before the final whistle brought relief to the besieged visitors and despair to the home team.

It had been an excellent game full of passion and desire and graced with no little skill. Either side could have won had they taken their chances but Charterhouse perhaps just edged it on the balance of play. They play another Midlands side, Bloxham, in the Quarter Final and can expect more of the same from them immediately after half term.

Hockey v Hurstpierpoint

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 6 Hurstpierpoint 4

On Wednesday 6 February Charterhouse progressed to the semi-finals of the Surrey Cup with convincing victories over St George’s (3-1) and Reed’s (5-3) so they came into their match with Hurstpierpoint on Saturday 9 February brimming with confidence.

This confidence seemed fully justified after just ten minutes when Harry Coe had given his side a two-goal lead which might even have been more. Matters changed thereafter, however, as the dangerous Hurstpierpoint forwards repeatedly got to the Charterhouse by-line and seemed sure to score on more than one occasion. Score they did from their first short corner when Pav Degtiarev couldn’t stop a fierce low drag flick. They secured a second short corner soon afterwards and, while Degtariev was up to the task this time they were quickest to the rebound and the score was 2-2.

Charterhouse raised their game again and Coe completed his hat-trick shortly before half-time when he put away a good cross from Rory Wyatt. Indeed, they might have had another before the break when Augustin Wauters put Ashley Beddows clear but the latter’s strike went just wide.
Charterhouse may have thought they had steadied the ship, but it was the visitors who came out the quicker after half-time and twice only a sloppy final pass prevented them from equalising. Then, under severe pressure, Charterhouse conceded another short corner. This time Tom Gordon-Martin was out very quickly, but he took a horrid blow to the knee in the process and had to be carried from the field.

Charterhouse reorganized their defence, moving Wauters to sweeper and introducing Hector Don onto the right side of midfield and they managed to retain their rhythm in doing so. Twice they were denied by goal-line saves from short corners and there was the growing feeling that a one-goal lead would not be enough. Huw Reynolds restored the two-goal advantage latching onto a pass from the tireless Beddows, but the home celebrations were short-lived as Hurstpierpoint responded immediately with a well taken goal at the far post.

The game became end-to-end in the final quarter. Wauters cleared a goalbound drag flick off theline at one end while Reynolds drew a fine save from the keeper at the other. With ten minutes stillon the clock, Beddows drove into the opposing D and shot. Again the keeper made a good save but the ball fell to Coe who beat a man and fired home. Surely at 5-3 the game was safe now?
So the home supporters might have hoped but Hurstpierpoint would not lie down and struck again with another drag flick from a short corner. Charterhouse came back again and Rory Peplow saw a drag flick of his own cleared off the line. Another short corner resulted and this time Ed Iley coolly improvised a clever move to bring up the half dozen.

The final whistle blew shortly afterwards leaving all exhausted. It had been an excellent game played in a good spirit and, while the visitors had shown themselves to be dangerous throughout, Charterhouse deserved their victory thanks to the magnificent play of Peplow who broke up countless opposition attacks in midfield before they could get started, Beddows whose energy and drive galvanized the Charterhouse attack and, of course, the deadly finishing of Coe who looked dangerous every time he was on the ball.

With 14 goals in their last three matches Charterhouse will be hoping to carry this form into their Boarding Schools Cup match at Rugby on Tuesday.

Hockey: Surrey Cup

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0100

On Wednesday the 1st XI travelled up to St Georges in Weybridge for the first phase of the U-18 Surrey Cup. In our first match we were up against the hosts. In the initial forays the match was fairly even with us enjoying slightly better chances and territorial advantage. Then just before half time Ashley Beddows found Harry Coe with a decisive pass and Coe’s finish was impeccable.

St Georges were enervated by their half time talk and had equalised within a minute of the restart. The defence withstood the pressure and we earned a couple of short corners. Eventually Harry Coe managed to deflect the ball neatly into the net to re-establish our lead. The match was then sealed in the final minute when Huw Reynolds was on the end of a quick break: at the second attempt he managed to bounce the ball into their net

(St Georges 1, Charterhouse 3)

In the second match we had another local rival. Reeds have re-emerged as a successful hockey School and over the last few years honours have been fairly even. For ten minutes the match was an even contest then we lapsed into a phase of retreat with poor possession. Reeds took advantage and the lead which was increased at half time from a short corner which was saved but not cleared.

Again we were slow out of the blocks in the second half and Reeds extended their lead. Then there was a change in formation and a change in attitude. Huw Reynolds scored two goals on the break in as many minutes and missed a clear chance for his hatrick. But the momentum was with us and Ashley Beddows was on the receiving end of fine passes to take us into the lead. In the final moments of the match a shell-shocked Reed’s defence conceded a fifth goal when Angelo Filarmonico tapped in the final play of the match. This was a spectacularly fine recovery from 0-3 in a twenty minute half! In the other group RGS Guildford beat Cranleigh to head their group.

(Reeds 3, Charterhouse 5)

The Surrey Finals will be played at Charterhouse in the afternoon of Wednesday 27 February 2013. The London section of the draw will be at 2.00pm. The semi-finals are Kingston GS v Merchant Taylors and Whitgift v Trinity. At 3.00pm are the Surrey semi-finals: Charterhouse v Cranleigh and RGS Guildford v Reeds. The two finals will then follow at 4.00pm & 5.00pm.

Hockey News

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0100

1st XI v Radley (Won 2-1)

After the disruption caused by the latest bout of snow, followed by a Leave weekend the visit of Radley was inevitably a challenge.

The match was a lively affair and a timely overhead save on the line by Euan McDougall the skipper saved the moment. Pavel Degtiarev had already made several fine, confidence boosting saves. Then with a touch of class we managed to finish off a sweet move from a free hit with a stunning reverse stick shot by Ed Worrall into the far corner of their net.

Early in the second half Radley pressure pinned down our defence and they won a short corner. We broke with alacrity from this set piece and the ball was moved out to the left and a perfect pass from Harry Coe allowed Ashley Beddows to slot it past their keeper.

In driving rain Radley mounted increasing pressure and eventually were rewarded when their forward flicked it over our keeper after he had made another solid save. With great determination we managed to hang on for the remaining 8 minutes to earn our first win of the season.

1st XI v Cranleigh (Lost 3-6)

In recent years our trips across to Cranleigh have been memorable challenges. They are winning National finals and currently have three Internationals in their team.

Early in the match we proved that we had no intention of being overwhelmed and took the game to them with several quick breaks. Cranleigh took the lead from a mazy, high quality run up the right base line, committing the defence and allowing for an easy tap in on the far post. However Harry Coe combined with Huw Reynolds to catch the Cranleigh defence square. This was Huw’s first goal for the senior team. After 20 minutes Cranleigh retook the lead but were still wary of our quick breaks and organised defence with Rory Peplow playing an outstanding holding role.

In the second half the Cranleighians’ skill and experience began to tell and a couple of errors were dutifully punished though one spectacular goal was deflected into the net from a reverse stick cross. Spirits were lifted when they conceded an own goal – a result of the new rule this season. Then we salvaged a bit of pride when a short corner was converted on the post by Nick Lee.

This was a tough match against a side that will surely be contending for National honours again this season.

Girls' Football Mini Tournament

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0100

The girls' football team competed in a mini tournament at Bedales School on Thurs 31 January 2013. In what we hope will become a regular fixture in the football calendar, Charterhouse, Bedales, King Edward's Witley and Westminster came together to play in this inaugural friendly competition. All four teams were evenly matched and a series close scorelines reflected some highly competitive games.

We faced King Edward's in our first game and won 1-0 with a wonderful strike from Kidist Haile-Michael. In the second game we battled to a 1-1 draw against Bedales after going behind in the first half. Near the start of the second half, Cosima Berger made an aggressive run and fired the ball past the the Bedales' keeper to even the score. In our third game we faced Westminster (having won 5-0 earlier in the season). However, the game was much closer this time and we were held 0-0.

With the other schools involved in equally close matches there wasn't much in it when the final positions were announced.

With a win and two draws Charterhouse were declared the winners with KES in second, Westminster in third and Bedales in fourth place.

ISFA South East Trials

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Three members of the Charterhouse girls' football squad attended trials at Hampton School on Sunday 20 January 2013 for selection to the ISFA South East England Team.

Fran Hine (Year 13), Nathalie Soo (Year 12) and Kidist Haile-Michael (Year 12) were put through their paces during a series of drills and small-sided games against the best players from around the region. The three girls gained valuable experience and enjoyed a fantastic day of football.

Kidist made it through to the trials and was selected for the final team. She will represent ISFA South East against the rest of the UK regions at Marlborough College in March. This follows Fran Hine's success last year in representing the South East in the same tournament.

Photograph: Kidist Haile-Michael (Year 12)

Malcolm Bailey on Sky

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0100

On 16 January, Malcolm Bailey, Charterhouse Master in Charge of Football, was a guest on Sky News Sunrise, the morning programme with Eamonn Holmes and Charlotte Hawkins.

They were celebrating the first day of the Football Association’s (FA) 150th Anniversary year. Malcolm, recent winner of the Aviva/Telegraph School Sport Matters Award, was invited onto the Show as a football historian and answered questions about the part that Charterhouse played in the formation of the FA Laws in 1863 and subsequently.

Rowing

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Whitgift Race Report

13 October 2013 (Walton reach)

Result: Charterhouse beat Whitgift 9 : 4

Report by George Webb, Captain:

It was an overcast day on Saturday 13 October. Conditions were mild for Charterhouse to embark on a fourth encounter of the coveted Whitgift vs Charterhouse Rowing Cup. Whitgift arrived with the intention of claiming victory for the first time ever in the competition on Charterhouse’s home stretch of river at Walton-on-Thames, but Charterhouse Boat Club had other ideas and they did not include losing the Cup for the first time in its four year history.

The first race between the two first fours of each club began and unfortunately for Charterhouse ended in defeat as the Charterhouse boat collided with a kayaker because the cox took a ‘tactical’ line. However Charterhouse were not going to let that diminish their desire to win and so the Junior quads and doubles began their rampant spree of victories against the opposition cheered on by a capacity crowd of Charterhouse parents. There were debuts for many new rowers to the club, most notably a Junior Eight under the guidance of Arun Silva as stroke. They made a very respectable start to their rowing careers and show a lot of promise for what is to come. This concluded the first division of the day.

Throughout the course of the afternoon events were becoming increasingly hectic as people began to realise the result could be a lot closer than they thought it would be. Under the command of David Hosking drawing on his naval skill, precision and experience, he made sure everyone was in the right boat at the right time whilst also keeping track of the points for either side. Dr Choroba was cycling on the towpath and could be heard at all times shouting encouragement to the crews whilst offering them some choice advice. Mr Nash and Miss Clarkson were as reliable as ever on the start line.

By the end of the day everyone was eagerly awaiting the final scores and hoping for the best. Through a complex system of grading, which had to be explained to the boys more than a few times, the results finally showed that Charterhouse had managed to sustain their undefeated run in the competition and they retain the trophy for another year. Charterhouse were modest in victory and Whitgift dignified in defeat and all competition was set aside as the afternoon tea arrived.

Charterhouse showed themselves to be a strong squad. There is an excellent base to work from and improve their performance in the races to come.

Kingston Race Report

17 November 2012

4.8km KGS RC to Kingston RC

Report by George Webb, Captain:

On Saturday 17 November 2012 Charterhouse arrived at Kingston to begin the first proper head competition of the season, a gruelling 5 kilometre timed race. Charterhouse were aiming to continue their success from the Whitgift meeting into the wider rowing community and prove themselves to be a force to be reckoned with. Having been suitably drilled in the gym by the infamous Ralph, the boys were fully prepared for the task that lay ahead of them.

After a quick briefing from David Hosking the crews began to boat up and join the throng on the river. The first boat away was a double - Jamie Day and Axel Leyson. Intriguingly they were sent off with the quads rather than the other doubles, however they proved themselves more than ready for the challenge as they held off numerous boats and secured an excellent position in the end. This trend continued throughout the day as boat after boat from Charterhouse set off down the river, overtaking the competition in front and holding off the challengers from behind. The 1st IV encountered an old enemy in their division - Whitgift - and this time set the record straight beating them outright and with ease. The toughest challenge of the day though fell to Harry Malmstrom who faced the lonely task in a single which was by all accounts slightly malfunctioning. However, he showed proper character and forged on with an injury and achieved a very good result.

All Charterhouse boats showed their best side during the day and showed appropriate support for other crews once they had completed their race. The ever present support from the bank of Mr Hosking, Miss Clarkson and Dr Choroba. encouraged the crews who pushed through to secure some of the best results ever achieved by Charterhouse, winning three out of the four classes they had entered.

At the end of the day Charterhouse boat club had left no one in any doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with and should not be underestimated.

Results:

Event	Crew	Position	Time
Nov 4+	Giles MacDougall (cox), Oliver Ashworth (stroke), George Webb (3), Sufyan Saleem (2), John Figi, (bow)	won (of 8)	17:17.5
Nov 2x	Charles Mahalski (stroke), Jonathan Hall (bow)	won (of 4)	18:19.1
Nov 2x	Axel Leysen (stroke), Jamie Day (bow),	4 of 4	19:22.3
Nov 2x	William Stevens-Harris (stroke), Edoardo Bonacina (bow)	3 of 4	19:19.6 (inc penalty)
J15 2x	Victor Petitgas (stroke), Jack Chaldecott (bow)	won (of 19)	17:39.5
J15 2x	Lucas Figi (stroke), Nicolas Pavoncelli (bow)	16 of 19	20:22.8
J16 1x	Harry Malmstrom	10 of 11	20:19.1 (rowed in higher division)

Charterhouse v Highgate

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 2 Highgate 1

Charterhouse recovered much of their previous form when they played their last game of the season against Highgate on Saturday 1 December 2012. Some of their passing and movement was of the highest quality and at times they tore a very good Highgate side to shreds, but they simply could not finish off their good approach work and were very nearly punished for their profligacy.

Chance after chance went begging in a goalless first half with the Highgate goalkeeper in good form and the Charterhouse forwards not having their shooting boots on. The major culprit was Victor Raber: fresh from a hat-trick on Wednesday he might have been expected to gobble up a series of opportunities which fell to him but twice, when put through, he shot straight at the goalkeeper, and a third time his shot squirmed under the keeper’s body but dribbled agonisingly just wide of the post. In fact, despite Charterhouse’s domination, it was Highgate who squandered the best chance of the half when a cross ran right across the Charterhouse goal and, with the goal gaping, the Highgate winger stabbed the ball wide from just four yards out.

Fears that the second half would follow a similar pattern were dispelled five minutes into the half, when Jeremy West picked up the ball inside the Highgate half, ran at the defence and then, when all were screaming for him to pass, calmly beat the ‘keeper to give his side a deserved lead.

Highgate responded well and Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal had to be alert to cut out a series of dangerous crosses. Indeed, Charterhouse seemed to take their collective foot off the pedal during this phase of the game and Highgate should have done better when attacking two-on-one, but the striker scuffed his shot. With a quarter of an hour left the visitors felt that they had equalised. Cadzow came out to claim a free-kick which was launched into his box but dropped the ball amid a crowd of players and an alert Highgate striker hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the net. Angus best was awake to the danger and booted the ball away. Had it crossed the line? Linesman and referee agreed that it had not though the visitors thought otherwise.

The Highgate morale seemed to flag at this point and Fraser Payne gave Tom Green a wonderful chance to seal the game with a perfectly weighted through ball. Green did little more than pass the ball into the goalkeeper’s grateful arms. The striker atoned three minutes later when put through by Sam Evans: he drew the ‘keeper and, while his shot did not go into the net it rebounded into the path of Harry Coe who simply could not miss. Payne might have scored a third, minutes later, when a fierce shot was well saved and then, in keeping with the way of things this season, Highgate scored direct from a 30 yard free-kick and the home supporters had to endure another anxious two minutes, not made any easier when Green, through on the keeper again, stroked the ball gently into his arms.

Charterhouse v Victoria College

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 5 Victoria College 2

Charterhouse welcomed Victoria College, Jersey on a chilly Wednesday 28 November but their hospitality did not extend as far as Big Ground as Victor Raber finally found some form to give his side a convincing victory.

The early indications were that the visitors would prove difficult to beat as they passed the ball around fluently and created a couple of half-chances in the early minutes. The whole complexion of the match changed, however, in a six minute period starting in the ninth minute.

First, Tom Green flicked on an Ashley Beddows throw-in and Raber was on hand to head home from close range (albeit at the second attempt); then Raber pounced onto another Green flick-on, this time from an Angus Best free-kick and drove the ball home with his right foot; two minutes later Sam Evans beat his full-back down the left flank and produced the perfect cross which Green headed home joyfully.

Fifteen minutes gone and, at 3-0, the game was already almost out of reach. To their great credit Victoria College continued to try to play football and were unlucky to hit the post with a snap shot following a poor punched clearance from Alex Cadzow. Charterhouse had their chances, too, however and when, with one minute of the half remaining, Harry Coe fed Jeremy West with an exquisite pass down the right flank, the full-back’s cross met Sam Evans’s head and the hosts were four up.

Six minutes into the second half Fraser Payne played a perfectly weighted ball to Huw Reynolds on the left flank and his cross fell to the unmarked Raber who completed his hat-trick. Two minutes later raber was in the thick of the action again, this time at the wrong end of the field. His mis-placed pass fell to a grateful Victoria College forward inside the Charterhouse penalty box and the striker scored before Cadzow had time to react.

The game thereafter was restricted to long-range efforts by both teams until Victoria College worked an opening with the last move of the match and scored a second goal. It was little more than consolation but no less than the visitors deserved for refusing to lie down and keeping on battling right to the end. For Charterhouse it was a welcome victory which sees their unbeaten run stretch to four games now. Highgate will be the visitors on Saturday and Charterhouse can expect another stern test.

Shrewsbury v Charterhouse

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Shrewsbury 1 Charterhouse 1

Football matches between Charterhouse and Shrewsbury date back to the 1920s and links between the two schools are very strong. Two Old Salopians, Brutus Lee and Dick Crawford, went on to be Master in Charge of Football at Charterhouse and this year’s match on Friday 23 November was made all the more poignant in that it was the first since the death of the latter.
Over the years away victories for either side have proved very elusive perhaps because of the wildly different nature of the two pitches. Since both schools have recently benefitted from extensive work on their pitches, they are now remarkably similar and certainly Charterhouse could not use unfamiliarity with the surface as an excuse.

For much of the first half it did not look as though they would need any excuses as they had the better of possession and created the better chances. Most of these chances came from corners. The first in the 13th minute saw a neat move involving Angus best and Fraser Payne end with Ashley Beddows challenging the home goalkeeper in the air and the ball was only just forced away.

Then, in the 32nd minute, another best corner created havoc in the Shrewsbury penalty area. Beddows and Sam Evans both had shots blocked before he ball fell to Payne on the edge of the penalty area and his shot found its way through a crowd of players into the corner of the goal. Encouraged by this success, Charterhouse pushed for a second and Payne and Evans both brought good saves from the Shrewsbury ‘keeper.

Then as the half neared its end the home centre forward ran between the Charterhouse centre backs and only smart work from Robbie Hughes, playing his first match fro the team, prevented him from scoring. Charterhouse did not heed the warning, however, and deep into injury time of the first half, the same move got saw the striker go clear and this time he made no mistake.
Feeling somewhat hard done by, Charterhouse had the better of a rather scrappy second half but, despite the urgent promptings of Best, had only a couple of rasping shots from Evans and Payne – both blocked – to show for it. Indeed, as Charterhouse pressed for a winner, it was Shrewsbury who had the last word when their right winger shaved the far upright with a shot right on the final whistle.

In the end a draw was probably a fair result as both sides had worked hard but lacked the control or the wit to break down two stubborn defences. Dick Crawford would have praised both teams for their endeavour but might have been a little disappointed that his great mantra – ‘make it simple, make it quick’ – was prominent more in the breach than the observance.

Charterhouse v Lancing College

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 0 Lancing College 0

The 94th match between Lancing and Charterhouse on Tuesday 20 November had all the makings of an entirely forgettable encounter: Charterhouse did not arrive until 2.35pm on a drab, drizzly late November afternoon with a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch. A 3.00pm kick-off guaranteed that the match would finish in darkness and there was very little on the pitch to lift the general gloom.
Certainly both teams tried hard and the early signs were that the match might be a lively one. In the first five minutes Charterhouse headed narrowly wide, had another shot deflected and a third blocked. Lancing, meanwhile, had brought a regulation save out of Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal and had grazed the bar with a cross cum shot.

Sadly for the game as a spectacle, that was the last save Cadzow had to make and, while the Lancing goalkeeper was kept a little busier, Charterhouse only came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. The first of these chances fell to Tom Green after Victor Raber had beaten his man on the outside and pulled the ball back, but Green’s shot was tepid to say the least. Five minutes before half-time Fraser Payne delivered a good free-kick into the box and Sam Evans’s header was goalbound until the ‘keeper made a fine save down by his right-hand post.

Lancing had the better of the first part of the second half but could not find the target with a number of long-range shots and gradually Charterhouse began to dominate possession. The best chance of the game came when Ashley Beddows won the ball midway into the Lancing half and burst through the defence. As the goalkeeper advanced Beddows tried to chip it over him but the ‘keeper made himself big and was able to parry the ball to safety. From the resultant corner the ball fell again to Beddows whose shot struck the bar.

While both sides continued to huff and puff, a sterile draw always looked the most likely outcome and so it transpired as the referee mercifully called time a minute or two early in the encroaching darkness. Charterhouse face a difficult and historic trip to Shrewsbury next and will have to find more zip and élan if they are to improve on this performance.

Boodles ISFA Cup Round 3

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Grammar School at Leeds 2 Charterhouse 1

It was perhaps fitting that Malcolm Bailey’s long love-affair with the Boodles ISFA Cup should come to an end a stone’s throw from where he will spend his retirement. Charterhouse travelled to Leeds on Thursday 15 November still shaken from two defeats post half term and desperate to redress the balance. They met a Leeds side who were rugged, determined and who possessed in their striker, Tom Wilcox, a forward with pace and skill.

Nevertheless, it was the visitors who made the early running. Fraser Payne and Tom Gordon-Martin both went close before Ashley Beddows gave his side the lead with a powerful header, a carbon-copy of his goal at Hampton only a few days earlier. Charterhouse held the lead until the 20th minute when Leeds were finally able to get Wilcox away with a free run on goal. His well-struck shot from the edge of the penalty area was brilliantly turned wide by the advancing Alex Cadzow. Charterhouse relief soon turned to despair, however, as Drew Walker thundered a header into the net from the resultant corner.

It was Charterhouse who had the better of the rest of the half with the Leeds goalkeeper making a string of saves from Sam Evans, Tom Green and Victor Raber. Leeds had the ball in the net a second time with a close range header from a deep free kick but were adjudged offside. Tom Green suffered the same fate as his well struck shot was parried onto the crossbar. It would not have counted.

The game became more frenetic in the second half as both teams searched for a second goal. Evans spurned a gilt-edged chance on 48 minutes when the ball fell to his foot eight yards out but he missed the target. Four minutes later Wilcox was much more clinical as he gathered the ball on the half-way line and ran into the Charterhouse penalty box before beating Cadzow from close range. Charterhouse responded immediately and when Raber beat the left back and crossed into Payne’s path, it looked a certainty that the Charterhouse captain would score. Inexplicably the ball slid off his foot across goal and, though Evans and Paul McClean both had subsequent shots blocked, the chance had gone begging. To their credit Charterhouse battled to the end but were unable to produce any clear cut openings and, as the heavy pitch took its toll, Leeds were able to play out the final minutes largely untroubled.

So as the sun set over the Yorkshire moors, so it also set on a career which has seen MJB coax his teams to five finals and a semi-final, putting Charterhouse’s name on the trophy. None of the ‘traditional’ football schools can come close to that record and Malcolm’s legacy is to leave Charterhouse with a reputation that inspires fear in any opponent. It will be up to the new guard to carry that on with pride.

Charterhouse v Ardingly

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 2 Ardingly 1

Saturday 17 November looked like being the culmination of a dreadful fortnight for Charterhouse. Having lost three matches in a row they went out to face Ardingly without captain and talisman, Fraser Payne, and also without Harry Frearson and Patrick Harrison, both injured. Bereft of substitutes and with morale at floor level, how could they be expected to cope with the challenge of a young but very gifted Ardingly side.

The answer was very quickly apparent. Charterhouse came out fighting and the Ardingly goalkeeper had already made two good saves and seen the ball cleared off the line before Sam Evans put Charterhouse ahead with a firm header from a Henry Clinton corner in the fourth minute.

Charterhouse continued to press and the goalkeeper did well to hook another Clinton corner away from goal and to save a point blank header from Tom Green. It was the poor ‘keeper who was at fault in the twelfth minute, however, when he scuffed a goal kick straight to Tom Green who needed no second invitation to prod the ball home before the custodian had chance to recover.

At this point a landslide victory looked on the cards but with Charterhouse’s fervor abated, gradually Ardingly began to work themselves back into the game. Indeed, it was the visitors who did the most of he attacking in the second period of the first half and they created and squandered a number of good chances. They did put the ball in the net at one point only to be judged offside.

The second half became more scrappy as both sides tired and quality passing was at a premium. Charterhouse defended their lead stoutly and Ardingly probed ineffectively down the flanks. A moment of aberration from Charterhouse goalkeeper, Alex Cadzow, shifted the momentum of the game significantly: he collected a weak cross and then promptly bowled the ball out to the Ardingly centre forward who could not believe his luck and struck it home.

Ardingly sniffed a chance of recovery now and threw themselves into the game with real gusto. Charterhouse resisted and looked most vulnerable when their own attacks broke down. As time ticked away, however, the victory looked secure until, with the very last kick of the match, a swift move down the left and a tidy cross found an Ardingly player free on the edge of the penalty box. He struck his shot firm and true and must have believed he had equalized only to see Cadzow redeem his earlier error with a splendid one-handed save to give Charterhouse a victory which they deserved on the balance of play and which they certainly needed.

Girls v St Catherines

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 2 St Catherine's 1

The girls' football team continued its impressive run of results with a tough win on 14 November against St Catherine's, Bramley. After going behind early the Charterhouse team battled back in the first half scoring through Nathalie Soo (Year 12) with a shot from distance on the right wing. In the second half Charterhouse controlled the game much better and scored again. The goalscorer was the prolific Kidist Haile-Michael (Year 12) who dribbled past 3 players before scoring.

This was a tough game against an athletic team, but again demonstrated the team's impressive mix of skill and determination.

Charterhouse v Hampton

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Hampton 5

Saturday 10 November 2012 was a black day for Charterhouse as they were taught a lesson by a most impressive Hampton School. In the corresponding fixture last year the two teams had shared six goals and Charterhouse had felt aggrieved that Hampton had snatched a late equalizer deep into injury time and then went on to knock Charterhouse out of the Boodles ISFA Cup on penalties.

The two teams shared six goals again this year but neither the share nor the quality on display was equal on this occasion and Charterhouse could have no complaint about the outcome this time.

Hampton are in the process of replacing their former 1st XI pitch with a 3G surface and so the match was played on a pitch which showed signs of wear and was by turns muddy and slippery after the recent rains. Nevertheless, while Charterhouse floundered, the home team made light of the conditions and produced a scintillating display of passing which left their visitors chasing shadows for much of the afternoon.

It could all have been so different, however, if Charterhouse had managed to convert either of two gilt-edged chances that fell to them in the first five minutes. First, Victor Raber was wildly off target with a header from a Tom Green flick-on and then Tom Gordon-Martin was unlucky to see a deft near post header hit the defending ‘keeper who didn’t seem to know much about it.

One minute later, Charterhouse were behind as a ball in behind Angus Best at left back found the Hampton right-winger who cut in and scored with ease. Hampton were in complete control for the next quarter of an hour as their pace, movement and the quality of their passing cut Charterhouse apart time and again. The inevitable second goal came after 17 minutes when the right full back was allowed to dribble into the penalty box following a short corner and struck the ball home unopposed with his left foot.

This finally spurred Charterhouse into action and for the rest of the first half they gave as good as they got. Ashley Beddows scored a fine headed goal from a Fraser Payne free-kick on 23 minutes and excellent crosses from Jeremy West and Beddows after a sweeping move involving three wonderful first-time passes came close to creating an equalizer.
Certainly at half-time Charterhouse thought they were in the game, but their optimism was short lived as a weak header from Gordon-Martin fell to the feet of a Hampton forward who dispatched it with aplomb. With the wind taken out of the Charterhouse sails, it was all Hampton from then on. Alex Cadzow made a series of good saves and West cleared off the line with Cadzow beaten but they were really only staving off the inevitable. It came after 54 minutes when Cadzow made probably his best save of the game only to see the ball fall to another Hampton player who crashed it home. Another goal followed from a sweet move from a free kick and Charterhouse had little to offer in reply, a Payne free kick which was saved at the foot of the post being their best attempt.

This was a salutary lesson for Charterhouse who have made a very sluggish start to the second half of term. It is unlikely that they will come up against another team as accomplished as Hampton, but they will need to rediscover their form of October if they are to get past the Grammar School at Leeds and make further progress in the Boodles ISFA Cup on Thursday.

Girls v Westminster

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 5 Westminster 0

On Tuesday 6 November the girls' football team continued its impressive run of performances with a 5-0 home win over Westminster. The game was part of a block fixture against Westminster so both boys' and girls' teams arrived to play against Charterhouse.

This was the first time the girls had played alongside the boys in a block fixture so the game marked another significant moment in the short history of Carthusian girls' football. After losing last year's fixture 1-0 we comprehensively outplayed Westminster this year scoring 4 goals in the first half. While the boys 1st XI was losing 1-2 at Westminster the girls were a potent attacking force and defended well throughout. Westminster came back into the game in the second half, though our defenders managed to prevent them having any shots on target. Kidist Haile Michael (Year 12) scored 4 with Cosima Berger (Year 12) scoring our other goal.

It was a convincing performance and demonstrated how far the players have progressed since the start of the term.

Boys v Westminster

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Westminster 2

It was 149 years since the first match between these two schools. Westminster hosted Charterhouse at Vincent Square on Tuesday 6 November 2012.

Charterhouse had gone into the half-term break on a run of four successive victories and with morale high, but Westminster brought them down to earth with a bump by outplaying them at their own game. They were sharper in mind and body and a number of the Charterhouse team took far too long to get the holiday mood out of their system.

The portents were not good from the off: Charterhouse left without one of their key players, who simply missed the bus; on arriving at the ground it was discovered that another had forgotten his kit and a third had no shin-pads. As the saying goes: poor preparation and planning leads to poor performance and never was the phrase more apt.

For fifteen minutes or so, however, it was the visitors who were on the front foot and if a snap-shot from Harry Frearson or a good header from Sam Evans had found their way into the net then it might have been a different story. Instead Westminster stood firm and responded with vigour. They took the lead in the 15th minute with a simple, unchallenged header from a corner and then doubled their advantage two minutes later with almost a carbon copy, Patrick Harrison’s despairing lunge not quite preventing the ball from crossing the line.
Charterhouse huffed and puffed, and Evans did make some inroads down the left flank, but in Oliver Iselin, Wesminster had the best player on the pitch and he dealt calmly and efficiently with everything Charterhouse could throw at the Westminster defence.

The Charterhouse team heard a few home truths at half-time and came out into the second half more determined to show their true worth. It was Westminster who might have extended their lead, however, their centre forward took the ball round Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal only to see Harry Frearson make a desperate goal-line clearance. Charterhouse pressed still harder and won a series of corners and free kicks but were unable to convert any and then, with 15 minutes left on the clock, the game looked over as Westminster beat Cadzow again. To their relief the ball came back off the crossbar and Charterhouse went straight up the other end of the field and scored, Evans feeding the ball to Harry Coe who made no mistake.

Could Charterhouse complete the comeback and steal an undeserved draw? They certainly tried, but the closest they came was when the Westminster ‘keeper had to turn another header from Evans over the crossbar. Nothing came from the resultant corner and the hosts were able to celebrate a rare but fully merited victory – only their 17th in this contest. Charterhouse were sent home to lick their wounds and ponder on what has to be done if they are to recover their form of pre-half-term.

Aviva/Telegraph Awards

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Malcolm Bailey, Head of Football at Charterhouse, has won the award for ‘Contribution to School Sport’ in the Aviva/Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards 2012. His award was presented by Robbie Grabarz, Olympic bronze medal-winning high jumper, and Ian MacGregor, editor of The Sunday Telegraph, for dedicating 37 years of his life with passion and enthusiasm to Charterhouse sport.

This was the eighth year of the Aviva/Telegraph Awards which highlight the outstanding practice of sport in schools across the country. The shortlisted nominees met at a ceremony held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 14 November where the winners were announced during a gala luncheon. The ceremony was attended by guests including British sports personalities Jessica Ennis (heptathlon gold medal winner at the London 2012 Olympic Games), Richard Whitehead (200m gold medal winner in the 2012 Paralympics) and Zoe Smith (weightlifter, holds the British clean and jerk record).

Malcolm Bailey qualified as a preliminary FA coach whilst at school. He began teaching at Charterhouse in 1974 and joined Sutton United in the Isthmian league under Ted Powell, playing in the 1st round of the FA Cup 1975-6. He took over coaching the School's 1st XI in 1980. In the same year he was elected to the Independent Schools' FA committee. Malcolm has taken the school XI to five Boodles ISFA Cup Finals appearing in the first ever in 1993, 2000, and in 2007, winning the cup in 2008 and then in Charterhouse's 400th year, 2011.

He continues to coach local sides and schools as well as the Old Carthusian FC in the non-pyramid Arthurian league weekly. In 2011 he was awarded the AFA Regional Coach of the Year award.

Charterhouse v Bradfield

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 4 Bradfield 3

Charterhouse had been looking forward to the fixture with Bradfield with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The last Thursday before half-term, 18 October, was always going to be a stern test of how far Charterhouse had come since their first faltering steps in early September. Bradfield are always strong and this year came with the reputation of being an outstanding passing side. Just to add a little more spice to the mix, Bradfield had beaten Charterhouse with the last kick of the match in the ISFA Sixes competition and the School wanted revenge.

The early signs were not good for the hosts as Bradfield passed the ball with assurance and confidence and the School team was left chasing shadows. Nevertheless, ten minutes into the game it was Charterhouse who took the lead. Harry Coe tried to feed the ball through to Victor Raber. The Bradfield centre back got a foot in the way but then promptly fell to ground leaving Raber with the ball and a clear shot on goal. The Charterhouse striker needed no second invitation and found the net from 20 yards.

Undaunted, Bradfield continued to play their way and just two minutes later, they were rewarded when Tom Gordon-Martin upended the Bradfield winger on the edge of the penalty box and the referee pointed to the spot. Charterhouse felt hard done by and were convinced that justice had been served when Alex Cadzow guessed right and made a fine diving save. Still Bradfield pressed and were awarded a second penalty five minutes later when Gordon-Martin made a second clumsy challenge. There was no doubt about the award this time, nor about the Bradfield captain’s finish from the spot.

Bradfield continued to play pretty football for the rest of the half, but it was Charterhouse who were the more effective. First, Raber pounced on a defensive mix-up and scored a carbon copy of his first goal; then Fraser Payne pounced on a loose ball on the right wing, slipped between two defenders and found Harry Frearson ten yards out. Frearson gleefully converted for his first goal at this level.

With a 3-1 half-time lead, it was clear that the first ten minutes of the second period would be very important. Charterhouse had the better of it with a Tom Green header being cleared off the line – those closest to the ball were sure it was over but the referee was in no position to give a verdict. Spurred on Charterhouse scored from their next attack: Ashley Beddows picked up the clearance from one of his own throw-ins, dribbled past two defenders and slotted neatly home.
Bradfield pulled a goal back immediately when Angus Best’s goal-line stop rebounded straight to an attacker who could not miss from close range.

Having regained the momentum, Bradfield pressed even harder. Another foul on the edge of the penalty box, this time by Best, looked to have given Bradfield a third penalty but the referee, changed his mind and gave the kick right on the edge of the box. Meanwhile, Alex Cadzow was called on to make a series of saves as the opposition pressure became irresistible. Resist Charterhouse did, however, and had a couple of chances of their own to make the game safe – Sam Evans went close with a header and Tom Green had another headed effort well saved.

As the clock ticked down Bradfield became ever more desperate and Charterhouse ever more courageous in their defending. Eventually, the defence was breached a third time with a smart run down the left flank and a simple tap-in from the cross, but only two minutes remained on the clock and the goal was ultimately nothing more than a consolation.

It had been a wonderful match of contrasting styles: Bradfield were smooth, cultured and confident in their passing; Charterhouse less accurate but more determined and willing to put their bodies on the line for the team. In the end that extra desire won the day for the home team, but it could well be a different story if the teams were to meet again.

National ISFA Cup

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

On Sunday 14 October, Charterhouse hosted the National ISFA Cup girls' 7-a-side Tournament with 20 schools and over 200 players from across the UK taking part.

Charterhouse, fielding an U18 team for the first time, started really well against Wycombe Abbey going ahead by two goals early on. Unfortunately, during periods of the next three games we let in some easy goals and lost focus. Against George Heriot's (all the way from Scotland) and St Clare's we conceded goals too easily especially at the beginning of our games. Both games remained close throughout and with more concentration we could have won both. In our fourth game against Stamford High we came up against a very classy side with two players who represent the ISFA national team. This was the only game of the day where we were second best for most of the match.

In our final two games we really came to life and were consistently excellent. The girls played as a well-coordinated unit and with Kidist Haile-Michael (P) up-front we were always likely to score goals. We dominated Godolphin and Latymer and were very unlucky not to score several goals against Malvern College.

Indeed, the goalless draw against Malvern cost us a place in the Plate semi-final as they went through from our group just ahead of us on goal difference. Although this was a great pity, our performances during the day and the commitment the girls showed give great cause for optimism going into our next two games (against Westminster and St Catherine's).

At the end of a long and physically exhausting day, the Charterhouse girls could be proud of their success at their first ever competition.

The results were:

Results
Charterhouse v Wycombe Abbey	WON 2-1
Charterhouse v George Heriot's	LOST 2-0
Charterhouse v St Clare's	LOST 1-0
Charterhouse v Stamford High	LOST 3-0
Charterhouse v Godolphin & Latymer	WON 3-0
Charterhouse v Malvern College	DREW 0-0

Charterhouse v Bede’s

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 6 Bede’s 0

Charterhouse and Bede’s are traditionally two of the powerhouses of the Southern Independent Schools league and between them they have won the title five times out of the six years of existence. Furthermore, Bede’s won the ISFA Six-a-side competition earlier this term and so Charterhouse welcomed them to Big Ground on Saturday 13 October expecting a tough challenge.

In terms of possession in a very competitive first half they were not disappointed. Bede’s competed for every ball and displayed great composure on the ball. For all that, however, it was Charterhouse who created the greater number and the better chances. After just seven minutes Tom Gordon-Martin found himself free on the edge of the six-yard box at a corner but his powerful header was directed straight at the grateful Bede’s goalkeeper. After 27 minutes some neat interplay put Fraser Payne through one-on-one with the ‘keeper, but the Bede’s custodian made himself big and Payne was unable to pass him. The best chance for Bede’s in this time came when Alex Cadzow misjudged a through ball and was caught out of position but Harry Frearson was on hand to clear the danger.

Then, just as the first half looked as though it was destined to end goalless, Payne struck. Angus Best burst down to the by-line and pulled the ball back into Payne’s stride and the Charterhouse captain struck a beautiful right foot shot into the top corner. The lead was nothing more than Charterhouse deserved and they doubled it on the stroke of half-time when Gordon-Martin deftly flicked home a header at the near post from a Payne corner.

Charterhouse emerged in the second half expecting a Bede’s fight-back and one was forthcoming as first Cadzow made a good save from a fierce shot and then Frearson was on hand again to cut out a dangerous cross when a goal looked inevitable. With this disappointment the Bede’s resistance seemed to fizzle out, however, and Charterhouse had the run of the field for the last fifteen minutes. Tom Green headed a third from a Payne free kick after 65 minutes and then bagged a second from close range after the hapless ‘keeper had made a series of desperate saves. He might have had a third, too minutes later but was caught offside with the goal at his mercy.
As all Bede’s resistance evaporated in the final minutes Henry Clinton stabbed home from close range after another corner won by the attack and Payne completed the rout with a well struck shot following a neat through ball from Ashley Beddows.

In the end this was a resounding victory and one which Malcolm Bailey, the Charterhouse coach, will treasure in his final season in charge. His team has now scored thirteen goals in the last three games and conceded none. He will hope that they can continue this form into the match against a strongly fancied Bradfield on Thursday.

Boodles ISFA Cup

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 4 Hurstpierpoint 0

On a wet and blustery Sussex afternoon Charterhouse progressed through to the third round of the Boodles ISFA Cup at the expense of their hosts Hurstpierpoint.

Thursday 11 October did not begin auspiciously for Charterhouse as they raced against time through constant rain in order to get to Hurstpierpoint in time for a 3.00pm kick-off. They made it with 25 minutes to spare which gave them precious little time to warm up against a team who were chomping at the bit to get going and the first quarter of the match reflected this. Charterhouse were unable to find any sort of rhythm against opponents who fought for every ball and did everything they could to turn the game into a battle on a small and quite bumpy pitch.

The game changed in character after twenty minutes when Tom Green took advantage of a muddle between goalkeeper and defenders to stab the ball home. Eight minutes later he scored a second with a deft header, thrown in by Ashley Beddows, the home team were finally subdued.

From then on there was only ever going to be one winner as Charterhouse relaxed into a more free-flowing passing game and Hurstpierpoint found themselves largely on the defensive and aiming at damage limitation. Fraser Payne scored right on half-time with a fierce strike which was deflected past the hapless goalkeeper to give the visitors a comfortable three goal cushion at the break.

In the second period it was all Charterhouse as they created a series of chances but were unable to take any until the 71st minute when Harry Coe put a little extra gloss on the result, blasting home from close range after a Beddows shot had been deflected into his path.

To Hurstpierpoint’s credit, they battled throughout and Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal had to make two or three saves from accurate free kicks, but overall Charterhouse deserved a comfortable victory and can look forward to the long trip to Leeds for the next round.

Charterhouse v Winchester

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 3 Winchester 0

Charterhouse won their annual encounter with Winchester on a sunny Saturday 6 October thanks to a fine second half hat-trick from striker Sam Evans.

Neither side is having the best of seasons and this was apparent in a goalless first half. Charterhouse had the majority of possession and Harry Frearson, Ashley Beddows, Sam Evans and Fraser Payne all brought good saves out of the visiting goalkeeper. Nevertheless, their 4-5-1 formation seemed designed more to control the game than to put pressure on the Winchester defence. Winchester for their part employed a very deep lying sweeper and appeared intent on damage limitation rather than on putting Charterhouse under any real pressure.

Charterhouse changed their formation after half-time and immediately looked more dangerous. Payne, Beddows and Evans all went close before the deadlock was broken in the fiftieth minute. Tom Green, who was at the heart of every Charterhouse attack, collected the ball in the penalty box, turned and shot. A defender’s boot deflected the ball up into the air and Evans was first to react heading home from eight yards.

All tension seemed to be lifted from the Charterhouse shoulders at this point and they began to play some of the best football they have played all season. The Winchester goalkeeper was called on to make a number of good saves and it was only a matter of time before Charterhouse extended their lead. A last ditch tackle prevented Henry Clinton from opening his account for the School but, from the resulting throw in the Winchester defence, now under increasing pressure, failed to clear the ball and Evans pounced to strike home from 12 yards.

Still Charterhouse continued to press and, with two minutes remaining, Green chased the ball down to the by-line and pulled it back to Clinton. The latter’s cross found Evans perfectly and the striker gleefully headed home to complete his hat-trick.

This was a pleasing result for Charterhouse. It had been a ruggedly competitive match and they have succumbed a couple of times already this season in such encounters. This time, however, they remained true to their principles and gained their reward. They will surely draw much confidence from this in preparation for their Boodles ISFA Cup match at Hurstpierpoint on Thursday.

Charterhouse v Repton

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Repton 2

The fixture between Charterhouse and Repton has been going since 1907 and is always an eagerly awaited encounter and seen as one of the highlights of the season. This year a strong Repton side came to Charterhouse on Tuesday 2 October determined to avenge a run of defeats in recent years and confident that they could do so.

Certainly it was the visitors who played the better football in a somewhat sterile first half but, try as they might, they could not penetrate a resolute Charterhouse defence, which conceded several corners but restricted the opposition to very few shots indeed. Going forward Charterhouse had very little to offer with one run along the bye-line from Victor Raber and a couple of long range efforts from Fraser Payne, the sum total of their efforts in the first period.

Two minutes into the second half an uncharacteristic fumble from Alex Cadzow from a free kick saw the ball dribble tantalizingly past the post with collective Charterhouse hearts in mouths. From that point on, however, the School gathered some momentum and began to put pressure on the Repton midfield with some success. Certainly, it was Charterhouse who began to create the better chances with Sam Evans grazing the bar with one effort from the edge of the penalty box and then heading narrowly wide a few moments later.

The deadlock was eventually broken by a Carthusian but, sadly for him, into his own net. On what had become something of a rare sortie, Repton broke down the left and fired the ball low across the six yard box. Jeremy West slid in to try to clear the danger but succeeded only in prodding the ball past a helpless Cadzow.

Spurred to greater efforts Charterhouse were not long in striking back. Five minutes later, Paul McClean swept a ball across the penalty box to Gameliel Chynne Mylliem, the diminutive striker pulled the ball back to Evans and the latter beat one man and struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Charterhouse might even have taken the lead shortly afterwards when Tom Green headed over from close range with the goal at his mercy, but then, with time running out, Charterhouse fell for the sucker punch. Repton ran the ball into the right corner and their winger delivered a teasing cross despite the close attentions of three Charterhouse defenders. The ball evaded the despairing clutches of Cadzow and the Repton striker had the simplest of tasks to head home unchallenged at the far post.

It was a sickening blow. There is no doubt that Repton had been the more skilful side and, certainly in the first half, they had been stronger on the ball and more inventive with it. The second half saw a different Charterhouse, however, and, for their grit and resilience alone, they deserved some reward from a game in which they had assuredly played their part.

Charterhouse v Forest

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 0 Forest 2

Charterhouse travelled to Forest on Saturday 22 September full of confidence after two good performances in the previous seven days, but they were brought back down to earth with a bump by a rugged and very capable Forest side.

It was Charterhouse who showed first in the early exchanges with Ashley Beddows going close with a long range effort, but Forest soon began to establish a degree of control and had a series of efforts the best of which was cleared off the line by Angus Best. As Charterhouse struggled to find their customary passing range, Forest continued to press and they were rewarded after half an hour when a deep cross was collected beyond the far post and then chipped back across goal and in via the woodwork. The visitors’ response was fairly muted and half-time was reached with the home team one goal to the good.

Charterhouse changed their system and their personnel for the second half and certainly seemed to have more energy and desire. Nevertheless, they were stunned a second time after just three minutes of the half, when a missed header allowed the Forest forwards to play a neat one-two between the static Charterhouse defence and finish it off coolly to double their lead.

This seemed to spur Charterhouse to greater endeavours and for the next twenty minutes they attacked with verve and skill and were unlucky not to pull at least one goal back. Forest owed much to their goalkeeper who had a fine match and whose saves from Jeremy West, from just six yards, and Henry Clinton from a little further out were instrumental in resisting the Charterhouse pressure. Charterhouse mustered nine attempts on goal in the first twenty minutes of the second half but failed to find the net with any of them.
Forest weathered the storm well and, when Sam Evans was injured after 65 minutes, it looked as though Charterhouse’s momentum was on the wane. Tom Green, a willing runner all afternoon, spurned a couple of half chances, but that was the best the visitors could muster in the final ten minutes and Forest ran out comfortable winners in the end.

With Evans injured, Victor Raber already missing and Fraser Payne and Ashley Beddows both carrying knocks, the portents do not look good for the first round of the Boodles ISFA Cup on Wednesday and Charterhouse will need to show all their famed resilience and grit if they are to stave off the challenge of St Bede’s, Manchester.

Charterhouse v Eton College

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Eton College 1

After a disappointing result the previous Wednesday, Charterhouse restored a great deal of pride with a spirited performance away to Eton College on Saturday 15 September.

The beautiful late summer sun was more suited to cricket than football and it was a credit to both sides that they managed to play at a very high tempo throughout, despite the unseasonable heat.

Charterhouse stunned their hosts by taking the lead in the very first minute of the game. Sam Evans struck a vicious left-foot shot from just outside the home penalty box and the ball rebounded off the crossbar. While Eton wiped a collective brow at a narrow escape and Charterhouse cursed their bad luck, Paul McClean swung a hopeful right boot at the ball and deposited it into the net to the great glee of his team-mates.

Eton responded with passion and no little skill winning a series of corners but the Charterhouse defence stood firm and Eton were limited to only a few half-chances and the occasional skirmish down the flanks which came to nothing. Then, just as it seemed that Charterhouse might get to half-time with their lead intact, Tom Green was caught flat-footed on the right side of the defence, lunged into a tackle and conceded a penalty. Eton duly converted and parity was restored.

At half-time Charterhouse were probably the happier despite conceding just before the break. Collectively they had managed to nullify the challenge of their much-fancied opponents and, in the midfield battle, Ashley Beddows and Fraser Payne were having slightly the better of things against Wayne Davis and his teammates. The question was: could they keep it up?

In fact, it was Charterhouse who came out the faster just after half-time and only some athletic efforts from the home goalkeeper kept the scores level. The gave ebbed and flowed throughout the second stanza: Eton forced a number of corners but, despite often winning the first header, they were unable to trouble Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal; Charterhouse, on the other hand, relied more on swift counter-attacks and the Eton goalkeeper had to be alert to save from both Payne and Evans.

The key moment of the game came with just ten minutes left: Victor Raber appeared to be offside as he picked the ball up on the right flank. No decision was forthcoming, however, and the striker beat one defender then cut inside another to leave him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He elected to shoot early but struck the ball agonizingly wide from 15 yards.

As the clock ticked down Eton gave their all to find a winner but Charterhouse were equally determined in their defence and would not let them pass. Indeed, it was Charterhouse who had the last word when a Sam Evans header from a corner struck the crossbar with just two minutes remaining.

This had been an unyielding battle between two of the south’s heavyweights and, while Eton might claim to have had more possession, Charterhouse would certainly counter that it was they who had created the more clear-cut chances. In all, then, a draw was a fair result and, on this showing, both teams can look forward to successful seasons.

Six-a-Side Football Tournament

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Thirty one prep schools took part in the 28th anniversary of the Under Thirteen's Six-a-Side Football Tournament on Sunday 16 September. Carthusians from the School’s 1st XI refereed the matches.

The teams played in groups of four with every team going on to play in the knockout rounds. The G.O Smith Trophy went to Lambrook who beat Hoe Bridge School, St Andrew’s Horsell won 3rd place beating Cranleigh Prep.

The tournament was first held in 1985. The Trophy was designed by the Charterhouse Design and Technology Department, using a piece of ash tree that fell during the 1987 storm. G.O.Smith was a Carthusian who played for the famous Old Carthusians just after they won the F.A.Cup in 1881. He was the best centre forward of his time in the country and he played in the Carthusians‘ winning Amateur Cup Final team in 1894 and for England 21 times.

Charterhouse v Alleyn's

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 0 Alleyn’s School 2

Charterhouse made a disappointing start to their defence of the Elgin Capital League title on Wednesday 12 September when they lost at home to a very tidy and organised Alleyn’s outfit.

The two teams had fought out a 0-0 draw in the ISFA six-a-side competition on the previous Sunday and they knew that the game would probably hinge on one or two mistakes. In a game of few clear-cut chances this proved to be exactly the case. Mid-way through the first half a weak clearance from Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal fell to an Alleyn’s player on half-way. Unchallenged he threaded a simple ball through a static Charterhouse back four and the Alleyn’s striker had all the time in the world to pick his spot and finish off.

Even this set-back did not really stir the Carthusians into nay greater efforts and, while they were able to keep the ball relatively well across the back four and in midfield they produced nothing penetrative at all in a sterile first half. It is true that the loss of Patrick Harrison through injury after 25 minutes upset the balance of the side and the redeployment of the forces did not sit well with the personnel available, but more was expected.

Charterhouse began the second half with much more determination and conviction. Victor Raber had a good low shot saved in the first minute and, on 48 minutes, Tom Gordon-Martin, who had missed with a header early in the first half, found his range and fired a header towards the top corner only to see the Alleyn’s keeper bring off a fine save.

Charterhouse seemed to lose their momentum after this and their spirits were further deflated after 65 minutes when a long throw was allowed to bounce in the Charterhouse six yard box and the Alleyn’s substitute had the simplest of headers to double their lead. Four minutes later Henry Clinton produced an exquisite chip to find Sam Evans in the Alleyn’s penalty box but the striker could not control a difficult volley and the ball and Charterhouse’s hopes of a revival sailed over the bar.

This was not the start to the season which Charterhouse had been hoping for but they had certainly proved second best to an Alleyn’s side who stuck to their task well and took their chances with aplomb. With Eton to come at the week-end, Charterhouse need to improve their passing, their commitment and their conviction very quickly if they are to turn things around.

Charterhouse v OCs

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Old Carthusians 2

The traditional season curtain-raiser between the School and the Old Carthusians was played out on a magnificently manicured pitch and in bright sunlight on Saturday 8 September. As ever the Old Boys produced a side brimming with former captains and talent and all reason and logic pointed to a comfortable landslide victory.

The portents were not good even before the match started, for key defender Tom Gordon-Martin fell down stairs in House and had to be whipped off to the Health Centre for treatment. Nevertheless, the School, playing together for the first time had no intention of letting this distract them from the task in hand and gave their seniors a real fright in a gripping and competitive encounter.

The School certainly had the better of the first half with Will Young in the visitors’ goal having to make outstanding saves from Sam Evans, Ashley Beddows and Fraser Payne, while all the Old Boys could muster in this time was a couple of fairly tame headers and a shot from range which struck the crossbar.

Just as it looked as though half-time would be reached goalless, the School struck: Payne fed Evans down the left channel and the striker chipped the ball to the far post where Victor Raber was able to bring it under control and lay it back into the path of the advancing Payne. The captain made no mistake from ten yards.

The second half was a very different affair. The boys tired in the heat and the Old Boys, who were able to call on a larger number of substitutes, were determined to get back into the game. This they did in the 49th minute when Hugo Rubinstein’s right-footed cross from the left flank deceived everyone including himself and floated into the far top corner. This was particularly hard luck on Alex Cadzow in the School goal, for he had had an outstanding afternoon proving a match for everything the Old Carthusians could throw at him.

As the game drew to a close the superior strength and fitness of the Old Boys began to tell and they launched a succession of attacks. Cadzow refused to be beaten a second time, however, and it looked as though the School might hold on for a richly deserved draw. Then, with ten minutes left on the clock disaster struck: Gordon-Martin played a routine back-pass to his ‘keeper, Cadzow swung a leg at it but miskicked and the ball fell directly at the feet of veteran Henry Nash who made no mistake.

It was a most disappointing way to concede and all the harder on a man who had played so well, but the School can take many positives from the game and must be looking forward to the regular season with some optimism.

Summer Coaching

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0100

During the last week of the summer holidays, 60 Charterhouse new boys enjoyed a football course run by Malcolm Bailey (Master in Charge of Football), David Howells (ex-Tottenham Hotspur FC) and other coaches included boys from the School’s 1st XI Squad.

The course was run over three days from 10.00am to 12.30pm, the weather held and the boys were able to prepare for the coming season and make new friends from their new Year Group.

50 Mile Walk 2012

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

'The 50 Mile Walk' is an annual event for First Year Specialists (Year 13) held at the end of Cricket Quarter. It consists of walking a 50-mile (80 km) stretch from Brighton to the Brooke Hall arch and continuing with lessons the next day. The Walk originates from the 1950s when the American Navy SEALs challenged the School, saying that only they could walk 50 miles (80 km) and go to work the next day.

Pupils who complete the walk in less than 24 hours are awarded a special '50' tie, thickly striped in Pink (for the School), Green (for the countryside) and Blue (for the night).

50 Mile Walk Results | PDF (158KB)

You can view more photographs on the following link:

50 mile walk photographs

Schools’ Athletics

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse took 11 athletes to the Surrey Schools’ Athletics Championships at Kingsmeadow Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, 16 June 2012.

Four Charterhouse athletes, representing Waverley, won their events against tough opposition to become Surrey Schools’ Champions.

The four pupils are:
Patrick Baatz (P) – senior boys 400m (53.53s),
Ben Jobson (S) – senior boys HJ (1.90m),
Jack Olsen (W) – senior boys 200m (24.04s),
Carole Date-Chong (S) – senior girls javelin (32.08m).

Football Coaching

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse Pupil Embarks on FA Coach Scholarship Scheme

Seb Chan, (Year 13) has been accepted on to the FA’s National Coach Scholarship Scheme. He will receive a coaching mentor from the FA as well as a bursary to complete his FA Level 2 Coaching Qualification. Seb had this to say about the scheme:-

“I got into coaching through the ISFA Next Generation programme after my GCSEs because I felt it would be an opportunity to learn new skills. I gained a basic knowledge of coaching through the Age Appropriate Introductory Module and approached my teacher about putting it into practice and began working with the U14 ‘G’s and helping to prepare the U15 ‘A’s for the Gothia Cup. I now coach the U16 ‘C’s at school and which is great because there is less pressure to succeed. I find the biggest challenge is trying to look after each player’s individual development and work on their teamwork. I am excited to be part of the scheme as I will have the chance to develop further through working with a mentor. I would love to eventually work with a semi-professional club or a university team and my coaching idol is Andre Villas-Boas because unlike many, he came into the world of coaching without having played football professionally."

Next generation of Charterhouse Pupils Give Back to Surrey FA

Five students were coaching alongside Oliver Selfe, Surrey County FA’s experienced disability football coach as part of the Next Generation Leadership Skill Development Week. The Disability Football event was run by Surrey County FA. The students found the experience exciting and challenging.
http://www.charterhouse.org.uk/football-coaching-week-1

Football Coaching Week

Eighteen Year 11 pupils from Charterhouse took part in a Football Coaching Week at the end of the Summer Term. They all qualified with Junior Football Leadership Awards after four days of coaching and practicals delivered by the Surrey FA educators.

The event was organised by Malcolm Bailey, Charterhouse Master of Football, through the Independent Schools FA Focus School Scheme. The boys from Charterhouse worked through the week with an incentive to help with the English Schools FA Football Festival for years 3 and 4 from the local primary schools, which was held on the last day of the event. Twelve local schools played and were coached as part of a Tesco Skills Festival, administered by Surrey Schools’ FA.

Boys being coached by Shannon Ruth from Reading FC.

Charterhouse boys receive their awards from Phil Harding ESFA after the festival

Tesco Skills coaches provided coaching sessions to local youngsters

By Malcolm Bailey

Charterhouse v Wellington

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 189
Wellington 151 Charterhouse won by 38 runs

Charterhouse travelled to Wellington on Saturday 23 June having lost three matches in a row and fully aware that a victory for Wellington would see their hosts top the Cowdrey Cup table.

Wellington won the toss and invited Charterhouse to bat on a slow wicket which had seen the home side skittle several opponents for modest totals. Determined to get their season back on track, Charterhouse dug in and Olly Batchelor and the in-form Ashley Beddows put on over 50 for the first wicket before Batchelor was caught. Captain, Tom Gallyer followed soon afterwards, bowled by Dewes and a repetition of the Ardingly collapse looked to be on the cards.

Robbie Hughes, promoted up the order and Beddows made sure that it didn’t and, when Beddows was out for a fine 60 just before lunch the score stood at 109-3. With 18 overs still to go, Charterhouse might have hoped to pass the 200 mark, but tight bowling on a slow pitch restricted them to 189 when Chris Drakeford-Lewis was out off the first ball of the 50th over.

Would this be enough? The key lay in how well Charterhouse could bowl at Wellington’s top order. The early signs were good: Charlie Kimmins bowled the dangerous Nurse in his third over and, when Gallyer had Dewes caught behind, Wellington were 23-2 and had already used up ten overs.

Thereafter Wood and Hersh set about regaining the momentum. They put on 75 runs but at a somewhat sedate rate and, when Rob Carnegie-Brown was introduced into the attack in the 31st over something had to give. Wellington pressed the accelerator but the engine stalled as Carnegie-Brown removed first Wood and then Hersh in a tidy spell of bowling which saw him take 2-6 off four overs.

Already behind the clock, Wellington were now also behind the eight ball and they could find no way out. Carnegie-Brown took two wickets in two balls; Kimmins and Gallyer joined in to mop up the tail and the end came swiftly.

This was a very good win for Charterhouse who had beaten a strong side on their own patch and should set them up nicely to receive all the visiting teams next week.

Ardingly v Charterhouse

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 204-7 [50 overs]
Ardingly 208-8 Ardingly won by 2 wickets

Charterhouse fought out a thrilling match on a beautifully warm 19 May at Ardingly. This was the first time the schools had met on the cricket pitch, though their rivalry at football goes back a long way, and both sides were aware that the other was strong this year.

Charterhouse won the toss, elected to bat and got off to a good start with Ashley Beddows and Oliver Batchelor playing very well to blunt the opening attack which included Sakande, a member of the England squad. The pair put on 60 for the first wicket before Batchelor was run out for the fifth time this season. His demise heralded a collapse of seismic proportions as the engine room of the team, Tom Gallyer, Charlie Kimmins and Jonny Gonszor managed just seven runs between them.

Robbie Hughes joined Beddows and, as he has done before this term, helped to put the innings back on an even keel. Beddows eased his way to a well-constructed century, Hughes made a solid 35 and a total in excess of 225 looked to be on the cards with five overs left. Unfortunately, as Charterhouse pressed the accelerator they found they were in the wrong ear and the innings stalled dramatically with only a handful of runs coming as wickets tumbled.
The final total of 204 looked to be a little short of the mark, especially when the home openers put on fifty in the first nine overs, but Tom Hurley got a wicket in his first over, hector Don picked up the dangerous Howard with the last ball of his spell and the teams went to tea with the score 82-2 from 20 overs.

The introduction of Gonszor into the attack to partner Hurley, just before tea had the desired effect. Ardingly put on just two runs for the third wicket and took up the best part of six overs in doing so. Suddenly the momentum of the match had changed, runs were hard to come by and wickets began to fall. After 36 overs the score stood at 128-6 and Charterhouse were favourites to carry off the victory.

They had reckoned without the Australian John Dalton. Supported first by Sakande and, ultimately by the U15 Deme, he wrested the initiative away from the visitors striking a six and two fours in consecutive balls and eventually led his team to victory with four overs to spare.

It had been a fine game played in a good spirit, a game of two innings and, while Beddows had accumulated more runs, Dalton was the one who injected pace into the run-chase and eventually carried the day.

Charterhouse v Dulwich College

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 91
Dulwich College 92-4 Dulwich won by 6 wickets

There can be few games in which the toss of a coin can play such a crucial part as it does at times in cricket. Charterhouse travelled to Dulwich on a blustery Saturday 16 June full of anticipation of a tight match against very good opposition.

The home side won the toss, invited Charterhouse to bat and, within 45 minutes the match as a contest was as good as over. On a wicket which was almost unplayable and against some very disciplined bowling, Charterhouse found themselves 14-5 after 13 overs with all their star players back in the pavilion. Robbie Hughes and Tom Gordon-Martin played an outstanding rear-guard action for the next half an hour to muster another 29 runs, but Gordon-Martin fell to Alleyne’s quicker ball and When Rob Carnegie-Brown and Hughes were out in successive overs from the opener Stuff, Charterhouse were 63-8 and the game was up.

To their credit, Marwan Mohammad and Hector Don tried hard either side of lunch to restore a degree of respectability, but both departed with the score on 91 just as three figures looked a possibility. The fact that Charterhouse had managed to add 77 runs for just 3 wickets before those last two wickets fell, was an indication that the wicket was beginning to behave, and judicious use of the heavy roller between innings meant that Dulwich came out to bat on a much more benign track altogether.

Charterhouse gave their best and did beat the bat on a few occasions, but there was by no means the danger to life and limb endured (albeit briefly) by the Charterhouse top order. Don was the pick of the Charterhouse bowlers with two wickets including the prodigious Alleyne who has scored a century against Charterhouse in each of the last two seasons. On a relatively calm pitch, however, the meagre total was simply too small to defend and the hosts ran out easy winners.

It would be easy to blame fate for this defeat and there is no doubt that the home team had much the better of the conditions. It should be acknowledged, however, that they took full advantage of them by bowling with discipline and purpose and there is no reason to suppose that Charterhouse would have won had the contest taken place on a more level playing field. It is just a pity in this rain-wrecked season that fate played such a part in what might have been a very good contest.

Walton and Weybridge Regatta

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The J14 crews (Year 9) wiped the field by winning the three sections in their class. The single scull race was won by Harry Malmstrom, the double sculls winning crew was Victor Petitgas and Jack Chaldecott and the coxed quadruple sculls crew were Ben Zarabafi, Jack Chaldecott, Victor Petitgas, Nicolas Pavoncelli and Lucas Figi.

George Webb (Year 12) only lost in the final by half a length in intermediate single sculls (a senior category). Both the J17 and J16 double sculls raced well, only narrowly missing the final.

Div 1 (am)
Nov 4+	Webb, Saleem, Culverwell, Foulston, MacDougall	lost first round
Nov 1x	Sharpe	lost first round
J16 1x	Figi J	lost semi final
J14 4x+	Zarbafi, Chaldecott, Petitgas, Pavoncelli, Figi L	won event
J14 1x	Malmstrom	won event

Div 2 (pm)
Nov 2x	Culverwell, Foulston	lost semi final
Nov 1x	Saleem, Sharpe	lost first round
IM3 1x	Webb	lost final
J16 2x	Ashworth, Figi	lost final
J15 1x	Giles MacDougall	lost first round
J14 2x	Chaldecott, Petitgas won event Figi L, Pavoncelli	lost semi final
J14 2x	Zarbafi, Malmstrom	lost first round

Charterhouse versus Bradfield

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Bradfield 230-9 (50 overs) (Hurley 5-43)
Charterhouse 233-2 (Gallyer 85, Kimmins 55)
Charterhouse won by 8 wickets

Charterhouse confirmed that they are a difficult team to beat this season when they overpowered a talented but somewhat petulant Bradfield team on Saturday 26th May.
The day started badly for the visitors when trouble on the A3 delayed their arrival and meant that the start had to be put back until 12.00 pm. Things improved immediately they arrived, however, for they won the toss and chose to bat on a gloriously hot summer day. The dangerous Zimbabwean, Ryan Higgins got them off to a flying start with 15 runs in the first three overs by which time the score stood at 19-0. The Charterhouse captain, Tom Gallyer, reacted quickly and replaced his opening bowler, Charlie Kimmins, with Rob Carnegie-Brown and the two of them began to gain a little control.

Nevertheless, the visitors were 46-0 off 11 overs and looking at setting a formidable total. Gallyer struck twice in his next two overs to remove first Higgins and then the number 3, Darby. At this point Gaur joined the opener Glover and they steadily rebuilt the innings either side of lunch. Gaur was the more aggressive and the more impressive and he looked sure to reach three figures. Glover was solid but was becalmed for long periods of his innings.
Helped by some sloppy fielding and a couple of spilled catches the two put on 147 for the third wicket and, when Glover was finally out for a patient 67, Bradfield were 197-3 and still had more than six overs to bat.

What followed was tantamount to suicide. Carnegie-Brown and Tom Hurley bowled with great control and composure and the visitors panicked, tried to play too many big shots and followed each other in and out of the pavilion in quick succession. Even Gaur, who had batted with such control, fell to an ungainly slog into the deep. Hurley finished with 5 his first 1st XI five-wicket haul as the Bradfield challenge wilted.

230 was a respectable target, but Bradfield must surely have felt that it should have been more. Ben Phillips and Olly Batchelor got Charterhouse off to a very solid start either side of tea in a period of play which saw Bradfield lose their discipline in not one but a series of unseemly protests about umpiring decisions which did not go their way. Not surprisingly, the umpires were not swayed, but the game definitely drifted away from Bradfield as they got progressively hotter under the collar.

To Charterhouse’s credit, their batsmen refused to be drawn and continued to go about their business. Phillips and Batchelor had put on 85 runs, their fifth partnership of over fifty in eight starts, when there was a muddle over the calling and Batchelor was run out by a distance. When Phillips fell in similar fashion eleven runs later, there was still a long way to go and the visitors’ tails were up. Had they clung on to any of three or four sharp chances that were offered in the next few overs, it might well have been a different story. Instead Gallyer and Kimmins took the game away from their opponents with a powerful display of aggressive batting. Both players passed fifty as they reached the target with more than six overs to spare.
It was a fine display of batting and a most impressive victory over a very strong visiting team and established Charterhouse, lest there be any doubt, as a formidable outfit this term.

Charterhouse v Butterflies

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 251-4 (40 overs) (Gallyer 87, Thomas 63, Clinton 56)
Butterflies 222-4 Charterhouse won by 29 runs

The weather returned to form on Sunday 20 May with a bitter north wind making fielding (and scoring) a most unpleasant experience. Charterhouse won the toss and decided to bat, helping themselves to 36 runs off the first four overs as the Butterflies, for many of whom this was their first game of the season, found their range.

While the bowling became much tighter after this point (the fifth over was a maiden) the tone had been set and Tom Gallyer and Jack Thomas plundered 118 runs off the first 20 overs before Thomas was adjudged leg before wicket by a somewhat hasty umpire. There was no reduction in run-rate when Henry Clinton joined his captain and the pair put on fifty in just seven overs before Gallyer holed out 13 short of what had appeared a certain century. Clinton went past fifty in even time and, with Tom Gordon-Martin delivering some lusty blows the home team set an seemingly unassailable target of 252 off just forty overs.

As the previous day, Sean Brennan and Hector Don bowled with great control and by the time they ended their spells ten overs had gone and the visitors had amassed a meagre 23-1. Things were not about to improve and when Tom Hurly caught the dangerous Weaving off his own bowling, the Butterflies were 40-2 and 14 overs had gone. At this point the opener, Bomford, had scored a modest 4 runs and appeared to be in no hurry. He quickened the pace as the innings progressed and finished with a splendid unbeaten hundred which included nine fours and six sixes.

Despite vigorous flurries from him, Judd, Butler and Robson, however, the School were always in control of events and even managed to spill a plethora of catches as they coasted to a comfortable victory.

Charterhouse v Winchester

Sun, 20 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 173-9 (Gallyer 57)
Winchester 114 all out Charterhouse won by 59 runs

On the first respectably warm day of the summer Charterhouse travelled to Winchester hoping to continue their recent run of good form. They were without two of their regular stars, Charlie Kimmins and Rob Carnegie-Brown, both stricken with exam fever, and there were reasonable concerns about how the ‘novices’ might fill their shoes.

Certainly the batting should not have been too badly affected and, after the early loss of the prolific Olly Batchelor and his opening partner, Ben Phillips, the captain, Tom Gallyer, and his first lieutenant, Jonny Gonszor, set about recovering control by batting with great sense and circumspection on a wicket and against an attack which was proving extremely parsimonious.

They put on 57 runs and took the total into three figures before Gonszor was caught in the deep in a rash attempt to increase the run-rate. Thereafter the innings dissolved into something of a procession with all the Charterhouse batsmen getting in but then perishing the minute they tried anything adventurous. It was left to Marwan Mohammad and Sean Brennan to show what could be achieved as they nudged the total up to some semblance of respectability.

The question now was whether Winchester would fare any better given that they had the advantage of batting on their home wicket. The early signs were quite good for the Wykehamists as a couple of dropped catches helped them put on 34 for the first wicket in just nine overs. When Escott fell to a fine catch by Gonszor in the next over, however, the writing was on the wall and the Winchester number 3, Mills, was left to fight alone as the remaining eight Winchester batsmen could not manage twenty runs between them.

Much credit for this must go to a fine spell of bowling from Brennan making his 1st XI debut. He bowled with great control and picked up a wicket with only his third ball and another subsequently to finish with figures of 2-12 off seven overs of gentle away-swing. Gonszor, who has taken over the role of miser this season, took 2-22 in his allotted ten overs and the game was up.

This was a good win for Charterhouse, who traditionally find it difficult by the Itchen, and continues their momentum going into some tough fixtures in the coming weeks.

Charterhouse v MCC

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 170-6

MCC 230-9 dec

Match drawn

On Thursday 17 May, for the first time since April, Cricket finally came to Green with a visit from the MCC. The day presented itself as overcast and anything but warm but still represented the most pleasant day for cricket so far this Quarter.

The MCC won the toss and opted to bat but, if they thought they were going to find easy pickings, the Charterhouse bowlers had other ideas. Charlie Kimmins and Hector Don, playing his first game for the XI as a replacement for the captain, Tom Gallyer, who was facing the examiners, bowled a parsimonious opening spell which saw them beat the bat regularly and the visitors crept to a meagre 16-0 off the first twelve overs. The run-rate barely improved when they were replaced by Robbie Hughes and Tom Hurley and, when the first wicket fell after almost an hour’s play, the MCC were 30-1 off 18 overs.

In retrospect this could be considered the period during which the game was lost as a contest. The MCC had to set a respectable target but, by the time they had done so, they had used up far too much of the playing time to give the School a reasonable chance of chasing it down. Paget and, in particular, the South African, Snymans, struck some lusty blows, but Kimmins returned to the attack to snap up three wickets and captain for the day, Jonny Gonszor, bowled a canny spell which saw him take 2-23 in nine overs, so that the visitors’ innings never really gained the necessary momentum and they declared just after half past three, having faced sixty overs.

This left the School an hour and twenty-five minutes plus twenty overs to amass the same number of runs. In the event this translated into 44 overs in total and the MCC openers were in no mood to give runs away wantonly. Ben Phillips and Olly Batchelor set about the task with positive intent either side of tea and had put on 82 (their fourth opening stand of over 50 in six matches) when Batchelor was caught down the leg side.

At this stage there were just 22 overs left and still the best part of 150 runs to get. An injection of pace was required and Kimmins was sent in up the order to provide it. This he did, briefly, but he was out in the first of the final 20 overs and, when Phillips and Gonszor both perished in the next over, the task was clearly going to be too much for a very young and inexperienced side.

Hughes, Henry Clinton, also on debut, and Tom Gordon-Martin tried to push things along but it was really too much to ask and, when rain brought a premature end to the game four overs early, there was a general sense of relief that the last rites would not be required.

Nevertheless, there was much for the School to take from the game: they had bowled and fielded well; their batsmen had appeared comfortable against a high quality attack; and, in Don, they had found another seamer who showed real promise. Most of all, they had had a game of cricket, something of which they have been horribly deprived in this miserable summer.

Tonbridge v Charterhouse

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 244-5 (50 overs) (Hughes 75*, Gonszor 63)
Tonbridge 157
Charterhouse won by 87 runs

For the second time in three days Charterhouse made an hour’s journey through unremitting rain on May 5th unable to believe that they would bowl a ball leave alone play a full game. For the second time, a full day’s play was possible despite the bitterly cold conditions and this time Charterhouse came out on top.

The result was by no means a foregone conclusion, however, and when Charterhouse found themselves 64-4 after an hour’s play the future looked as bleak as the battleship grey clouds on the horizon. Thereafter, Jonny Gonszor, continuing his splendid form from the Harrow match, and Robbie Hughes steadied the ship and established a strong base from which to attack the final few overs. They put on 94 runs in 25 overs with a minimum of fuss and without taking any risks.

When Gonszor was run out for a well-made 63, there were still nine overs to go and a score in the region of 200 looked on the cards as long as Charterhouse did not collapse. In fact nothing could have been further from the truth as Tom Gordon-Martin’s arrival at the crease heralded a real change of pace. Hughes rushed past a maiden 1st XI fifty, but it was Gordon-Martin who caught the eye as he dispatched the ball to all parts in a whirlwind innings which saw him score 38 off just 24 balls. With 34 runs coming off the last two overs Charterhouse almost reached 250 and Tonbridge were facing a major task.

The home team needed a solid start but things could scarcely have gone worse. Charlie Kimmins had O’Neill caught at slip in the first over and then Tom Gallyer produced two ‘jaffas’ in consecutive overs to leave Tonbridge teetering at 19-3 after 8 overs.

At this point Ward joined the solid-looking King and they set about repairing the damage. This they did to great effect, running sharply and batting with great circumspection and good shot-selection. At tea, after 20 overs, they had put on 70 runs and, at 89-3, they were very much back in the hunt and had the momentum on their side. Two overs after tea they were 90-5 and had a mountain to climb.

Brandt and Withers tried to keep the rate up but, when Brandt slipped while pulling Tom Hurley into the deep and was out hit wicket and Withers was caught in the covers off Hurley’s next over, the game was up. Hurley and Gonszor bowled 20 overs in the middle of the innings during which time five wickets fell for just 55 runs and they game swung unerringly towards the visitors.

It was all over four overs later and Charterhouse had a deserved victory. The day belonged to Gonszor who must relish playing on The Head. He scored 80 in a lost cause last year and this year added bowling figures of 1-27 in ten overs to a run out and 63 more runs. He was not the only Charterhouse hero, however, and the contributions of Hughes, Gordon-Martin and Hurley were all very important.

Charterhouse v Harrow

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse  220-7    (50 overs) (Gonszor 61 not out)
Harrow           226-2
Harrow won by eight wickets

On a dank, drizzly May 3rd when any thought of play at Charterhouse was out of the question, the 1st XI travelled to Harrow hoping to repeat their success of last year. Play was held up by a shower at the start but got under way just after 12.00 and continued right through to 7.20 in some of the least cricket-friendly weather imaginable.

Harrow won the toss and invited the visitors to bat and Charterhouse set about the task with relish. Olly Batchelor and Ben Phillips put on their third 50 partnership in four starts before Phillips was deceived by a ball from Boyd and was bowled. This brought the captain, tom Gallyer, to the crease and the pair took the score to 73-1 off just 21 overs before lunch.
Immediately after lunch disaster struck when Batchelor called for a quick single, changed his mind and was run out by half a pitch. Charlie Kimmins joined Gallyer and increased the scoring rate but both fell to turner and, when Robbie Hughes was bowled first ball, Charterhouse were teetering at 130-5.

Jonny Gonszor took control at this point and steered the Charterhouse innings towards a healthy total helped by cameos from Tom Gordon-Martin and Ashley Beddows and a swashbuckling 17 off ten balls from Rob Carnegie-Brown.

220 looked like a very good total on a slow outfield and a wicket which played well given the conditions but was never easy. It looked an even better total when Gallyer removed Boyd in the second over of the Harrow innings, but White and Cousens steadied the ship and then proceeded to take control as the ball and the Charterhouse fielding disintegrated.

They rode their luck a little as a couple of catches went down and another loud appeal for caught behind was turned down but they gradually asserted themselves more and more as Charterhouse morale sagged in the cold drizzle. By the time Gonszor dropped a simple chance off Cousens in the deep the score was already past 150 and the game as good as over. Cousens went on to make an excellent hundred. His innings began quite slowly but steadily accelerated and for the second part of it he was able to score off almost every ball. White had deserved to reach three figures too but, just as that feat looked inevitable he skied Carnegie-Brown into the deep and Hughes took an easy catch. Castleman joined Cousens for the last rites and finished the game off in style by lofting Gonszor for six.

This was a good game in which both sides had batted extremely well in difficult conditions. The difference between the two teams lay in the much greater intensity of Harrow in the field and this should be a lesson to the Carthusians if they are to realise their evident potential.

ISFA Coach Development

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Pavel Degtiarev, a Charterhouse Pupil (Year12), has been invited to be part of the first ever Independent Schools FA (ISFA) Coach Development Programme for the 2012-13. Pavel’s all-round performance at the ISFA Leadership Camp and the commitment to volunteering earned him this unique opportunity.

Being part of the ISFA Coach Development Programme involves volunteering at three camps and coaching regularly, either at Charterhouse, with a nearby prep or primary school or with a Charter Standard Club. ISFA provides Pavel with a bursary to complete the FA Level One Coaching Certificate and the opportunity to volunteer with ISFA’s National U11-15 Player Development Programme. Pavel will also be given the opportunity to join the FA’s Coach Scholarship Scheme which will support him to achieve his FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate or FA Youth Award Module One, as well as providing him with a coaching mentor.

Charterhouse v Whitgift

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 167-5 (50 overs) (Batchelor 50)
Whitgift 157
Charterhouse won by 10 runs

After a week of almost constant rain, it was a remarkable testament to the draining qualities of Green that this match was able to go ahead. It is even more surprising that it reached a conclusion without the weather causing any interruptions.

On Saturday 21st April Charterhouse entertained Whitgift, one of the real powerhouses of school cricket. The match turned into a thriller but there was little indication that this would be the case at 11.30 am when Ben Phillips and Olly Batchelor went to the crease having been invited to bat by the visitors. They began the innings against the lively Whitgift attack, led by the Surrey 2nd XI player Shanwari, with great patience and caution, but their partnership proved unbreakable for an hour and a half and, when Phillips was finally out trying to force the pace, they had put on 86 invaluable runs and had established a very strong position for their team.

At this stage there were still 22 of the allotted 50 overs remaining but, apart from a characteristic flurry from Charlie Kimmins, Charterhouse were unable to accelerate and could only manage to double the score in this time. Batchelor fell for his third consecutive half century, Tom Gallyer made a steady 30 not out and Jonny Gonszor and Robbie Hughes both chipped in but 167-5 did not look like being enough against their much vaunted opponents.

It was an indication of how well Whitgift had bowled and fielded that only six boundaries were scored in the entire innings. When it came to their turn to bat, however, the boys from Croydon did not find things any easier. Gallyer bowled Sibley in his second over and then had Dann well caught at slip in his third. When Kimmins joined in by having Lloyd caught off a skier, Whitgift were 17-3 off seven overs and in some disarray. The situation called for calm heads and resolute application but the Whitgift batsmen were capable of neither and wickets tumbled at an alarming rate before tea as a result of poor shot selection and some bizarre running.

At tea, Whitgift were 52-7 off 20 overs and, when Patel was run out by Hughes shortly afterwards, the game was as good as over and only the threatening clouds looked like being able to save them from the ignominy of a heavy defeat. Certainly this appeared to be the feeling amongst the Charterhouse players who dropped their intensity and a series of catches as they simply waited for their opponents to throw in the towel.

Unfortunately for them, Walters and Murtagh had not read the script. They came together with the score 71-8 and appeared at the outset to be looking for some valuable middle practice and the chance to irritate their hosts by hanging around. Slowly the score began to mount and it seemed that they may be able to save face to a degree for their school. As the Charterhouse team became more frustrated and their fielding became more ragged, the Whitgift pair warmed to their task and suddenly the game began to look a lot easier.

By this time Charterhouse’s attack had lost much of its potency and, as Gallyer in disbelief rotated his bowlers with increasing desperation, the victory which had seemed impossible an hour before, became first possible and then really quite likely. When Walters pushed Kimmins for a single to reach a thoroughly well deserved 50, there were just 12 runs required with almost three and a half overs left. Murtagh took a single at the end of the 47th over and was then bowled by the first ball of Hughes’s over. Finally the momentum was stalled. Whitgift’s number 11, Bray, played out the rest of the over and fatally took a single off the last ball keeping Walters away from the strike. Kimmins bowled him neck and crop with the first ball of the penultimate over to give Charterhouse a victory which their fine play up to tea had merited but which had begun to seem increasingly less assured thereafter.

Charterhouse v I Zingari

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I Zingari 194-8 dec

Charterhouse 197-2 (Batchelor 84, Kimmins 64)

Charterhouse won by 8 wickets

This was a bitter-sweet season-opener for Charterhouse. The I Zingari team was due to be managed by Ed How, a dynamic teacher from the school who was tragically killed in a skiing accident over the Easter holidays. Both the school and the club felt that Ed would have wanted the game to go ahead and, after a minute’s silence on the boundary before the start, the game was played in the sporting but highly competitive spirit which Ed had embodied throughout his playing career with Cambridge University, I Zingari, the Quidnuncs and a host of other top quality sides.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, but by no means had things their own way in the first hour. Charlie Kimmins, bowling sharp away-swing, had Eckersley caught at first slip in his second over and he and captain, Tom Gallyer, backed up by Marwan Mohammad and Dan Federer, kept things so tight that the visitors were 38-2 off 19 overs in the first hour. Playing in his first game for the 1st XI Federer had claimed the other opener, the dangerous Bruce, brilliantly caught by Chris Drakeford-Lewis behind the stumps.

Phillips and Gubbins set about building a respectable total but they were made to work for every run and the forty overs before lunch yielded only 92 runs for three wickets – Gubbins had fallen to a sharp stumping by Drakeford-Lewis which had given Tom Hurley a deserved reward for a tight spell of off-spin.

After lunch I Zingari picked up the pace and Phillips completed a watchful half-century, but wicket continued to fall and the school team never let their more experienced opponents get away from them. Robbie Hughes picked up three wicket in a tidy spell and Kimmins came back into the attack to claim two more as I Zingari tried to press the accelerator. Eventually they declared just past the half-way mark when Baker hoisted Kimmins into the deep and was well caught by Hurley.

Olly Batchelor and Ben Phillips began the Charterhouse innings in very watchful fashion and had only managed 18 runs in 12 overs by tea. Crucially, however, they had not lost a wicket and after the break they steadily grew in confidence and picked up the rate. They put on 60 before Phillips was run out attempting one sharp single too many. Gallyer joined Batchelor and showed positive intent before being trapped lbw by the persistent Baker

This brought Charlie Kimmins to the crease and he brought with him a significant change in momentum. He struck his first ball to the boundary to signal his intent and raced to 50 off just 32 balls. Batchelor, who had been on 48 when Kimmins came to the crease, seemed content to play second fiddle for a while but then began to take the hint and joined in the fun. Kimmins’s innings had been a joy to watch and no doubt brought the game to a premature end, but it was the maturity and patience of Batchelor’s knock which had laid the foundations of victory and it was only fitting that he should strike the winning blow.

Charterhouse v Radley College

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 245-7 (55 overs) (Batchelor 54)

Radley College 246-5 (53.5 overs) Radley won by 5 wickets

Charterhouse travelled to Oxfordshire on a bitterly cold April 17 apprehensive about both the weather and the strength of their opponents’ batting. A squall at 11.00am failed to delay the start and Charterhouse, having won the toss, chose to bat first.

Radley made an early breakthrough when Ben Phillips was harshly adjudged caught down the leg-side, but with Olly Batchelor continuing his impressive form from the previous Sunday and Tom Gallyer anxious to make a point Charterhouse steadily began to build a solid platform. When Gallyer was caught behind a ball that lifted sharply, Charlie Kimmins came in to give the innings some impetus. In his determination not to go at the ball too hard Kimmins held back on a drive and fell to an excellent caught and bowled when he looked sure to make a significant score.

Jonny Gonszor joined the doughty Batchelor and the two put on 96 either side of lunch to put their side in a strong position with ten overs to go. They fell within two runs of each other but Robbie Hughes, Tom Gordon-Martin and Chris Drakeford-Lewis maintained the momentum and the visitors closed their innings on a very respectable 245-7.
Radley knew that they would need to bat well to overhaul this score and when Kimmins grabbed the prize wicket of the prolific Gubbins in his first over and then had Alex Hearne dropped at second slip in his second, Charterhouse were confident that the game was within their grasp.

Over the next two hours Hearne and Wilf Mariott steadily took the game away from the visitors with an exhibition of batting. They took no risks, ran well and punished the bad ball and, when Hearne was out for 79 in the 42nd over they had put on 175 runs and all but settled the match. Marriott went on to complete a fine century before being bowled by the tidy Tom Hurley.

To their credit, Charterhouse continued to battle right to the end but in truth they were really only playing for the margin. Fairhead and Heinrich saw their team home with seven balls to spare and with a minimum of panic.

It had been an excellent match played to a very high standard especially given the raw temperature and the early stage of the season. Charterhouse were left to wonder what might have been while Radley could look forward to the prospect of another impressive season knowing that they had overcome a very strong side.

OC Football Events

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A truly great OCFC weekend potentially approaches.

Firstly a point for the 1st XI at home to Lancing will secure the Premier League title. In addition, however, the 3rd XI have an opportunity to win the Junior League Cup against Harrow at the Imperial College Sports Ground in Teddington.

The game will kick off at 1.00 pm on 21 April 2012. Only twice before has a 3rd XI won the Junior League Cup. In 1992 Chigwell achieved it and our 3rd XI also achieved it in 2004. The difference between then and now though is that the 3rd XI go into this game comfortably top of Division Two and on course for a possible 3rd XI double triumph in 2nd XI competitions. Further evidence of our dominance of Arthurian League football.

1st V Squash Team

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The squash team at Roehampton Club with their runners-up trophies. Left to right: A. Wright, T. Gallyer (capt.), B. Vigneau-Singh, A. Hussain, T. Williams.

The Charterhouse 1st V Squash Team reached the Final of the prestigious Schools Invitation Tournament at Roehampton Club for the first time on Sunday 18 March 2012. Eight of the strongest schools in the region competed first in groups and then on a knock-out basis. Matches were timed for 22 minutes and play was continuous with no breaks allowed. Games were played to up to 15 points with a point won for every rally. Team points were scored for every game won with extra bonus points for three outright wins.

The daunting group of four included St. Paul’s, Harrow, this year’s National Quarter-Finalists and Wellington, last year’s National Finalists and holders of the Roehampton Trophy. The other group consisted of Lancing, this year’s National Finalists, Eton, Winchester and Radley.

Charterhouse went into the match against St. Paul’s knowing that a strong performance would set them up well for the rest of the day and stave off potential relegation to Division 2. All five players played extremely well against a strong St. Paul’s side to ensure a maximum points win (22 points to 4 points).

The match against Harrow was extremely close but wins by Ali Wright at no.3 and Asad Hussain at no.5 gave Charterhouse a chance of overall victory. Benji Vigneau-Singh was unable to close out his match but was leading 13-12 at the end to ensure a win over Harrow by the closest of margins (11 points to 10 points).

The final match in the group against Wellington would decide whether Charterhouse reached the Semi-Final: the boys played bold and decisive squash, winning three matches outright and preventing victories in the other two to ensure a comfortable points win and first position in the group, against a team which boasted four players who played in last year’s National Finals (16 points to 8 points).

The Semi-Final against Eton was very tense and exciting with both sides by now nearing the point of exhaustion: a captain’s performance by T. Gallyer at no.2 and a decisive win by B. Vigneau-Singh at no.4 meant that only one more game was required. In an extremely close match T. Williams at no.1 clinched an overall team victory with a 15-13 win in the first game (12 points to 9 points).

In the showcase Final against Lancing, a repeat of the Division 2 Final from 2011, the boys gave their last ounces of energy to compete against high quality opponents. Lancing deservedly won the trophy but players from both sides won playing rights at Roehampton Club until the end of their full time education as well as a glass trophy and a book recently published by present world number one Englishman, C. Willstrop.

It was a proud day for Charterhouse Squash and there was no doubting that the squad’s 10-day tour to the USA in December had helped inculcate the skills, fitness and strength of character to succeed in the cauldron of intense squash that they had faced at Roehampton.

Senior House Futsal

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Weekites 5 Verites 2

The first ever House Futsal Cup Final in Charterhouse was contested between Weekites and Verites in the Queen's Sport Centre on 21 March 2012.

Weekites were the favourites of the tournament with a side consisting of 1st or 2nd XI players, they showed their quality as they swept aside Saunderites in the semi-finals 4-0.

Verites came into the final in a less convincing fashion. They had lost their opening fixture to Pageites 3-6 and required penalties to overcome a resilient Girdlestoneites' side. Nonetheless, they were a side of flair and boasted a noisy support. The match was poised to be a tight contest.

The match started with quick tempo and Weekites were soon in the lead, courtesy to a long range effort from Mendenhall. The lead was short lived, however, as Verites hit back immediately with Linnebank, much to the delight of their fans. Then came the Weekites blitz as Gilbey (2), Mallin (1) scored in quick succession to give Weekites a 4-1 lead after five minutes of play.

The match was effectively over when Weekites decided to keep control of the ball from then on. The sixth goal eventually came through a corner where Mallin poked home after finding space inside the arc. It was Valaydon-Pyke who had the last say as he wiggled his way through the Weekites defence to grab a second for Verites. Verites had further opportunities to close the score but failed to take their chances as Weekites saw off the game and lifted the Futsal Cup.

The Senior House Plate was won by Fletcherites after they finished top in a final three which also consisted of Verites 2 and Weekites 2. Fletcherites beat Verites 2-1 and Weekites 3-2 to secure their first ever football title.

Photograph: Will Mallin receives the Cup from Seb Chan who organised the competition

National ISFA Championship

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Francesca Hine (Year 12) from Charterhouse was part of the winning football team representing the South East of England in the National ISFA Championship. The competition was held on 18 March at Marlborough College.

In the first round the South East won against the Home Counties by 3 goals to 1. Scotland, the Midlands and the South East came together in the final round where Scotland took the lead and looked set to win but in the final 5 minutes of the competition a strike from the left corner of the penalty area meant that the South East finished with a 1-1 draw and won the tournament. The South–East retained their position of the ISFA U18 Girls Regional Representative Champions.

Each girl was presented with Representative Honours in the form of a pin badge.

Photograph: Francesca Hine - far left

Primary School Nine-a-Side Tournament

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Primary School nine-a-side tournament was hosted at Charterhouse on Monday 19 March 2012.

School Teams from Godalming Junior, Boxgrove, The Chandler Junior, Witley and Queen Eleanor’s, Guildford met in a friendly tournament which was played with considerable style and plenty of goals were scored.

Carthusian coaches refereed and helped coach, Surrey University sports’ students helped with the administration and David Howells (ex-Spurs) helped organise the event.

Rowing News

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Charterhouse Rowing crews have worked hard this term and achieved good results in the recent Head of River events.

A Head of River race is a time-trial competition held during the winter season. Rowers race against the clock and the crew or rower completing the course in the shortest time in their age, ability and boat-class category is the winner. Boats are started at 10 to 15 second intervals and are usually seeded so that the fastest start first. The crews will typically race on two to six miles of river.

In the Kingston Head (ca. 5k) on the 10 March Charterhouse entered a J17 (junior) coxless quad rowing in the J18 division and achieved a credible 13 out of 17. The J14 4x+ (coxed boat) did extremely well and came 3rd out of eight crews.

The National Schools’ Sculling Head on 19 March was held on the Olympic rowing lake at Dorney. This was a chance to compete on the national stage and put into practice all the hours of work over the winter months. The J17 4- (coxless) came 10th out of 12 in their category and again the J14 4x+ did themselves and the Club proud and came 7th out of 44 crews.

The final Head was the Schools’ Head of the River on the Tideway, 20 March where the 1st VIII, Charterhouse’s J16s, came 28th of 28. Their maiden race of this gruelling 4½ mile course which will inspire them for much greater things in the future.

All the crews have done extremely well this season and look forward to the up and coming Regatta season.

Swimming News

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Crystal Palace was the venue for the 2012 Bath Cup and Otter Medley at the National Public Schools Team Championships on Friday 9 March. This year 66 teams competed in the boys events.

The Charterhouse Swimming Team encompassed pupils from years 9 to 13. The first races for the Freestyle Relay were held in the morning where Charterhouse finished in a creditable 39th place competing in the 4 x100m race. In the afternoon the Medley Event took place over 4 x 50m, the team competed well coming 28th overall.

The Charterhouse Team swam competently in this highly competitive event.

The Charterhouse Team (left to right):
Oliver Norton, Adam Bagley, Rob Law, Kirill Baev-Stokmayer, Tim Almazov,
Sam Delaney, Alex McIntyre

Charterhouse v Epsom

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 2 Epsom College 2

Charterhouse finished their season of inter-school matches on Saturday 17th March with a hard-fought draw at Epsom College. The two schools had met earlier in the term in the Surrey Cup and had battled out a 0-0 draw and so this was clearly going to be a close match.

Charterhouse began the brighter and might have scored in the first minute when a quick break from Tim Downes almost caught the home defence napping. It was Epsom who took the lead, however, after ten minutes when a shot from the top of the circle was taken off Josh Doble’s gloves by the Epsom left wing and turned into the net leaving the visiting keeper no chance.

Spurred into action, Charterhouse responded with passion and eventually found a way through, Ashley Beddows slipping the ball to Downes who scored into an unguarded net after a sweeping move. Encouraged by this they kept up the pressure and Downes missed a gilt-edged chance from ten yards before giving the visitors the lead from a rebound.

With Charterhouse leading 2-1 at the break, they might have thought that Epsom would surrender in the second half, but the home side, despite missing several regulars, were made of sterner stuff and soon found an equaliser. Thereafter the visitors laid siege to the Epsom goal but, despite forcing a series of short corners, they were unable to break the deadlock and the game ended even.

In some ways it was a disappointing end to a season which had promised so much. Charterhouse played for much of the match with their hearts rather than their heads and simply could not find the clinical finishing needed at the end of their moves. On the other hand, Epsom were doughty opponents and produced several quality moves of their own. While neither side was probably satisfied with the result, it was probably a fair representation of the ebb and flow of a game which had been rather more exciting than it was skilful.

The AFA Intermediate Cup 2012

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The 2nd OCFC XI has now reached the final of the AFA Intermediate Cup, a competition entered by open clubs. It is very difficult to describe how immense that achievement is and some would say represents the Club's finest achievement in this golden era. Hopefully as many supporters as possible will be able to attend the final at Winchmore Hill FC on 24th March at 3.00 pm. As far as we are aware no Arthurian League club has ever reached the AFA Intermediate Cup Final - that describes as well as anything what the 2nd XI have achieved.

Congratulations to Captain Chris Jenner and the 2nd XI, who until the weekend when they narrowly lost their London Old Boys Cup Semi-Final, remained unbeaten for the season. It is unusual for our 1st XI to be put in the shade. However the 1st XI and 3rd XI continue to top their respective league divisions. Every year we seem to take it to another level.

But there is plenty of football still to be played this season - all support for the teams in the remaining games will be very welcome.

Charterhouse Girls v Westminster

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A Team Charterhouse 0 Westminster 1

B Team Charterhouse 2 Westminster 2

For the first time in its 400 year history Charterhouse has established a thriving girls' football team this term.

Following away games against St Catherine's and KES Witley, 18 girls played in two seven-a-side home games against Westminster on Tuesday 6th March. Both games were finely balanced throughout and the Charterhouse girls showed grit, determination and a good deal of skill. For most girls football is brand new and many have had just a handful of training sessions. Nevertheless, in the 'A' team game the girls played impressively against a skilful Westminster side. For much of the game the girls defended valiantly and eventually lost narrowly 1-0. In the 'B' team game we went up 2-0 in the first half and looked comfortably in control.

Unfortunately, Westminster pulled a goal back and then scored with (literally) the last kick of the game. As frustrating as this was, the girls played extremely well and were well worth the draw.

Boarding Schools Cup

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 3 Uppingham 6

The Charterhouse dream of contesting the Boarding Schools Cup final faltered at the semi-final stage for the second consecutive year on Monday 12th March.

Uppingham arrived fresh from an excellent result against Repton and were ready for the contest from the off. Charterhouse, on the other hand, had a Saturday off, through no fault of their own, and took a little time to get into their stride. This proved costly as the visitors raced into a three goal lead in the first fifteen minutes. Charterhouse were left reeling. They had probably had as much of the play as their opponents at this stage but had been guilty of giving the ball away at vital moments and Uppingham had pounced.

To their great credit the home team rallied and laid siege to the Uppingham goal in a determined effort to get back into the match. They scored from a short corner as James Robin deflected a Tom Gallyer strike into the roof of the net. Then, with the first half drawing to a close, Charterhouse broke at pace and Tim Downes bore down on goal with Ashley Beddows in support. A second goal looked a certainty as Downes drew the goalkeeper and slipped the ball to his left. Sadly, his pass eluded the onrushing Beddows and the chance went begging. Before Charterhouse had time to rue their miss, Uppingham broke away and scored a fourth goal to put the game out of reach. A score-line which might well have read 2-3 at half-time was transformed to 1-4 and the home morale was sagging.

The first goal after half-time was sure to prove critical and it was Uppingham who snatched it again after Charterhouse had been caught in possession. The visitors were able to relax into their natural rhythm and Charterhouse were left chasing the game. They pulled one goal back when Downes rounded the ‘keeper and stroked the ball into an empty net, but home hopes were dashed when Uppingham scored again this time from a fierce drag flick.

With time running out Rory Peplow pulled another goal back but it was little more than consolation and the final whistle blew soon afterwards. Uppingham had fully deserved their victory for they had played with greater passion, pace and control right from the off and Charterhouse were left to regret the fact that so many of them had chosen this occasion to have an off day.

Quarter Final

Charterhouse dominated their re-arranged Boarding Schools Cup match with Marlborough from start to finish and ran out worthy winners by six goals to one. The match had originally been scheduled for February 7th, but the snow had put paid to that and it was not until a month later on March 6th that the fixture was finally played.

The two sides had met at this stage of the competition last season when Charterhouse won a pulsating encounter 6-3. With both sides enjoying relatively successful seasons a similarly close match was anticipated and the skills displayed by the Marlburians during the warm-up were enough to set the home team on their guard.

Charterhouse started the faster, however, and turned territorial domination into something more tangible on ten minutes when the in-form Ashley Beddows seized on a mistake on the edge of the Marlborough circle, drove in and scored before the visiting defence had time to recover. Ten minutes later, Tom Gallyer doubled the lead from a short corner and, five minutes from half-time captain, Charlie Kimmins, scored a third from close range after an exquisite drag-back by James Robin.

With a 3-0 lead just before half-time, Charterhouse might have been excused for thinking that the job was done, but it was not that sort of match and Marlborough served notice that they had not given up the fight just before the break when Josh Doble in the Charterhouse goal was called on to make a sharp save.

Had Marlborough scored at this stage it might have been a different story, but it was Charterhouse who went into the interval in happy mood and they continued to assert themselves after the break. Tim Downes scored twice in quick succession to put the game beyond doubt. First, he picked up a powerful cross from Beddows to flick home and them he was on hand to convert a rebound from a reverse stick shot from the outstanding Matt Powell.

Marlborough did pull a goal back ten minutes from time, but it was little more than compensation and, with Kimmins hitting the post and Charterhouse failing to convert a couple of short corners, the home team might well have ended with more than a fine goal from James Robin to show for their efforts.

This was an excellent team performance against a very competent side and it augurs well for Charterhouse’s chances in the forthcoming semi-final against Uppingham.

Charterhouse v Tonbridge

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 5 Tonbridge 4

Charterhouse went into their home match against Tonbridge without their captain and talisman, Charlie Kimmins, but determined to compensate for his loss with effort and desire.

After barely five minutes it appeared that will alone may not be enough as the Tonbridge star striker struck a reverse-stick shot into the roof of the home net leaving Josh Doble in the Charterhouse goal gaping in surprise. Tonbridge had the better of the early exchanges but Charterhouse slowly worked their way into the game and then they struck dramatically three times in ten minutes.

First Ashley Beddows drove into the Tonbridge circle and shot goalwards. The ball struck a defender’s foot en route but as the umpire was preparing to award a penalty stroke the ball broke to Tim Downes who lashed it home. As Tonbridge struggled to come to terms with this setback a poor clearance reached Matt Powell. The midfield stalwart found Downes with a sharp pass and the striker drew the goalkeeper and then slipped the ball to James Robin for a simple tap-in. Charterhouse’s passing and movement was ripping the visiting defence apart at this stage and soon after it was Beddows’s turn to convert another electric move.

At 3-1 Charterhouse might have thought that they had the game in the bag, but Tonbridge had other ideas and, as the home team paused to draw breath, the visitors scored twice from sharp short corner routines and the game reached the interval poised at 3-3 and with the healthy crowd of spectators wondering just what to expect in the second half.

The coaches went to work in their half-time talks and both sides played with greater discipline and control after the break. Nevertheless, chances continued to come and go. Ten minutes into the half, Beddows drove into the circle and fired a fierce but rather speculative shot which the hapless Tonbridge sweeper deflected into his own goal to give Charterhouse the lead again.

Tonbridge were still not finished. They launched a series of attacks and eventually their pressure told and they found an equaliser. The game continued to swing from end to end but, as the clock ticked down, it began to look as though the honours would be shared. Beddows had other ideas, however, and it was he who finished off another sweeping Charterhouse move to complete a well-deserved hat-trick and give Charterhouse a remarkable victory.

Charterhouse v Eton College

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Eton College 1 Charterhouse 4

For the third time in five years Charterhouse carried off the Elgin Capital Southern Independent Schools League title, when they defeated Eton College 4-1 at Corinthian-Casuals FC ground on Monday 23 January.

In front of a sparse but vocal crowd, Eton settled into their rhythm the quicker and went ahead in the seventh minute when a deep free-kick was headed goal ward and deflected off Alec McClean’s shoulder to leave Alex Cadzow stranded in the Charterhouse goal.

This spurred Charterhouse into action and they were soon level when a sweeping move begun by Cadzow saw Rob Carnegie-Brown feed the ball to Tim Downes who struck a fierce shot. The Eton goalkeeper managed to parry the shot but then watched in horror as it looped over his head and into the goal.

Charterhouse continued to press and after 22 minutes an exquisite piece of interplay between Tom Gilbey and Charlie Kimmins saw the former released on goal and his shot from 12 yards was unerring.

Once they had taken the lead, Charterhouse seemed to relax a little and Eton had the better of the rest of the half. Certainly, Cadzow had to be alert in the Charterhouse goal, twice making good saves and handling the barrage of crosses with increasing assurance.

After half-time Charterhouse took command. They pressed further up the pitch allowing Eton no time on the ball and the light blues were restricted to one long range effort on goal in the entire half. Charterhouse, meanwhile, laid siege to the Eton goal and it seemed that more goals were inevitable.

After a number of efforts were thwarted, the rewards for Charterhouse’s persistence finally arrived. Firstly, the quick thinking of Fraser Payne brought a third goal after 64 minutes. He ran into space to receive a short corner from Tom Gilbey and had the time to pick out his man. That man was Tim Downes who headed firmly home at the far post. The celebrations for the goal had barely died down when Charterhouse scored again. This time Downes was the provider, slipping a beautifully weighted pass through to Charlie Kimmins. Kimmins, who had led the line splendidly all night, was quick to take advantage and the game was out of sight.

In the dying minutes Payne drew a magnificent save from the beleaguered Eton goalkeeper from a rasping free-kick and also hit the bar with another effort, but any further scoring would have been very hard on Eton who had played their part in a fine match and, certainly on their first half performance, did not deserve to suffer so convincing a defeat.

Charterhouse v Radley

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 4 Radley 1

The 1st XI Hockey Team made the ideal start to a match. Tom Gilbey won the ball in midfield and his pass found the skipper, Charlie Kimmins, wide on the right, he turned the defender inside out and his cross found James Robin. His first time strike looped up off a defender’s stick and dipped just under the bar. Less than a minute on the clock and we had the lead. We remained in ascendancy for the next spell but Robin squandered another clear chance. Nerves were calmed when Charlie Kimmins burst across their D and was tripped by the keeper. He duly converted the penalty.

Radley began to respond with a pacey attack down their left. Several cricketer’s strikes from the left caught our defence hopping but they failed to convert their shorts. After the break Radley were definitely in the ascendancy and managed to convert a short corner with the aid of a deflection from our defence, after Josh Doble had made several commanding saves. The match continued at a frantic pace but eventually we strung a couple of passes together. The forwards combined neatly to create a quick break down the right and Harry Coe reached the by-line and cheekily scored with a reverse stick flick over the advancing goalie. Radley responded with verve but in the final minute we won a short corner and Gallyer’s sweep was deflected into the roof of the net by Robin.

Hockey v Kingston GS

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 2 Kingston GS 6

The 1st XI travelled up to Hampton Court for their annual encounter with Kingston GS. KGS opened with their customary confidence and skill and forced Josh Doble into making a couple of dramatic saves especially at short corners. Our team did look a bit lethargic since 6 of the players had been involved in the Football final on Monday evening. However Tim Downes refound his pace and made a spectacular run down the left beating their defence but he then missed the tap in, and a chance to take the lead. Our defence was slow to clear after a triple save by Doble and they took the lead with a reverse stick shot. Three minutes later they converted after a quick break. This seemed to galvanise our team and led by the skipper we raised the tempo and Charlie Kimmins earned a short corner. Tom Gallyer’s strike was stopped on the line and James Robin was the first to react and put us back in the match on the stroke of half time.

In the second half our forwards really began to show their pace and skill whilst Doble performed valiantly in goal. They increased their lead when a cross was deflected in on the far post. However we still looked dangerous and won several more short corners. Another vicious Gallyer strike was deflected by Robin high into their net and the match was still in contention. The pace of the match began to take its toll and in the final 10 minutes we conceded 3 more goals to allow a fine Kingston side a comfortable victory.

Charlie Kimmins led the forwards most effectively with many darting runs into their D and though we created plenty of clear chances our final shot was just not sharp enough. In defence we looked less secure with one of the key players absent on ‘UN duty’.

Elgin Capital Independent Schools Final

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Eton College 1 Charterhouse 4

Charterhouse continued to press and after 22 minutes an exquisite piece of interplay between Tom Gilbey and Charlie Kimmins saw the former released on goal and his shot from 12 yards was unerring.

Opening of Hockey Pitches

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 0 Old Carthusians 0

The School was delighted to celebrate the opening of its newly completed all-weather hockey pitches on Saturday 14 January 2012, marking the completion of the very first element of the School’s ambitious strategic plans, which aim to ensure that we can continue to provide the very best facilities and educational opportunities to our pupils.

To mark the occasion, over one hundred Old Carthusians, parents and friends, who have been associated with hockey through the years, joined the Headmaster for a celebratory lunch. The School was pleased to be able to thank a number of OC donors.

Following lunch a short inauguration ceremony was held at the pitch side, after which the playing of two fiercely contested opening matches which pitted two Old Boys teams against the current School 1st XI and U16A teams, showcasing these fantastic new facilities for the first time.

The principal match saw a team composed of members of the School’s recent successful XIs including five past captains take on a 1st XI which had played four pre-season matches in the previous week. The superior strength of the Old Boys was offset, then, by the extra edge of fitness in the youngsters and the result was a compelling match of considerable skill.

Both teams moved the ball at pace and the match swung from end to end at breakneck speed. Both defences held firm, however, in a pulsating first half which saw the School earn a series of short corners none of which they were able to convert. At the other end, Tom Gallyer was quite outstanding at the heart of the School’s defence and they Old Boys found it difficult to create any clear-cut openings.

The best chance of the match came towards the end of the first half when Tim Downes broke clear and fired the ball through to Harry Coe who was free just a couple of yards out. With the goal at his mercy, however, Coe was too hasty in his attempt and the chance went begging. On the half time whistle Josh Doble had to be sharp in the home goal to keep out a snapshot from Richard Rudden.

The half-finished goalless but was certainly not short of incident and the second half continued in a similar vein. The Old Boys showed real skill and composure on the ball while the School attacked with pace and purpose. Again they won a rash of short corners, again they were unable to convert any. Still the Old Carthusians presented a threat at the other end but Gallyer was resilient and Doble was in no mood to be beaten.

So the first match on the new pitch ended goalless but both sides had contributed to a fine match and all were able to leave the field with their pride intact. The real hero of the day had been the pitch itself which played beautifully and looked superb. It is a real asset and one which is in keeping with Charterhouse’s reputation as a premier hockey school.

Charterhouse v Reed's Hockey

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Reed’s 2

Charterhouse suffered their first set-back of this Quarter’s hockey season on Saturday 21st January. The visiting Reed’s team were well drilled and skilful and the two sides produced a high quality contest.

Reed’s began as the quicker side and Josh Doble in the Charterhouse goal was soon called into action to make the first in a number of fine saves that he made throughout the afternoon. Reed’s were sharp all over the field, however, and would not allow the Charterhouse team time to settle on the ball, and they took the lead just three minutes into the game when an attacker found himself free on the penalty spot and gave Doble no chance.

This seemed to spur the home team to increase their levels of effort and commitment and Charterhouse certainly took command of the game for the remainder of the first half. First, Tom Gallyer’s sweetly struck short corner was saved by a defender on the goal-line with the ‘keeper beaten; then Tim Downes dispossessed a somewhat sluggish defender, drove into the D and slipped the ball to James Robin who simply could not miss.

At 1-1, Charterhouse were in the ascendency and hungry to press home their advantage. As they rampaged forward, the ball was stopped on the line by a Reed’s foot, but the umpire made a split-second decision to allow advantage to Downes who had the goal at his mercy. Sadly, his hastily taken shot slid wide and the chance was gone.

After half-time, the gamer became rather more balanced as two evenly-matched teams strove for an opening. Both goalkeepers were on good form, however, and it became more and more apparent to those watching that whoever could score the next goal would be likely to take the match.

So it transpired as Charterhouse conceded a careless free hit in their own 25, which quickly became a short corner as the defence was unable to readjust in time. From the corner, Reed’s produced a slick move and a fierce shot which found its way into the net.

There was still time for Charterhouse to mount a series of attacks on the opposition goal but, despite winning a series of short corners, they could not find an equaliser. Perhaps the visiting goalkeeper’s best save in quite a number was from Charlie Kimmins who scooped the ball goalwards from close range only to be thwarted yet again.

It had been an excellent game between two very good sides. It was played at an electric pace and with no little skill on display. Neither side deserved to lose, but credit to Reed’s for taking their chances when they came along. For Charterhouse there will be other occasions when they play less well and win, but for now they must pick themselves up before visiting the hockey giants of Kingston GS on Wednesday.

Charterhouse v Lancing

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Boarding Schools Cup First Round

Charterhouse 7 Lancing 0

Charterhouse’s first school match on the new artificial pitch was the first round of the Boarding Schools Cup against Lancing College on Tuesday 17 January. Old rivals at football, this was the first time the two schools had ever met on the hockey pitch and Charterhouse were keen to stamp their authority on the game.

Nevertheless, Lancing proved resilient and determined opposition and, with the Charterhouse attack still miss-firing, it looked like being a tough afternoon. As on Saturday Charterhouse were unable to take advantage of a number of short corners until finally Charlie Kimmins managed to put one home midway through the first half. As the clock ran down it looked as though that would be the only score before half-time until Kimmins found Tim Downes with a sweet pass and the striker doubled the home side’s advantage.

After half-time, Charterhouse settled into a comfortable rhythm, moving the ball around with pace and assurance. Downes scored a third for his team, again assisted by Kimmins and then the flood-gates opened as Lancing tired. Kimmins scored three more - one an absolute delight at the end of a move which saw the ball transferred from one end of the pitch to the other at lightning speed, with Kimmins eventually flicking in a fierce pass from Downes.

With the final whistle blown and victory in the bag, there was still time for Tom Gallyer to drill home a short corner and show what can be done when the timing is right. This was a comprehensive victory with Josh Doble in the Charterhouse goal barely touching the ball all afternoon, but the score-line was hard on Lancing who had battled resolutely throughout and certainly played their part in an entertaining spectacle.

The win sees Charterhouse through to the Quarter finals of this competition and, perhaps more importantly, will give the team a considerable boost in confidence as they prepare for their first league match of the season against Reed’s on Saturday.

Shooting in OQ 2011

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Old Carthusian Shooting Match

The Old Carthusian Shooting Match took place on Saturday 3 December. The competition was Old Carthusians against the Charterhouse Shooting Team.

The Old Carthusians had eleven against the Charterhouse eight which meant the teams shot a ‘Team 8' and a Pair with an extra for ‘honours' only. The Old Carthusians won the match by three points.

House Shooting

The House Team led by Cadet C/Sgt - Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie (Royal Marine section) (Year 13) has been an outstanding Shooting Team Captain.

During Practice this term Recruit Lucas Figi (will join CCF next Term) (Year9), L/Cpl Sebastian Fomin (Army Section) (Year 11) and C/Sgt Wilberforce-Ritchie (Year 13) (RM Section) scored 100/100 on Cadets and Schools five Bull targets, several Cadets have regularly scored 90 on 10 Bull Targets.

The team is now looking forward to competing in the ‘Country Life Competition’ and starting to train for the ‘Ashburton’ Competition at Bisley next term. There are also new shotguns and a clay trap to offer ‘clay target’ shooting in 2012.

Sawday Cup for the lowest overall team grouping score:
Gonne Cup for the best individual shot: Gownboys won the 2011 House shooting competition.

1st: Gownboys
1st: Wilberforce-Ritchie (1.7cm group) (R)
2nd: Robinites
2nd: Gilligan-Court (2.1cm group) (R)
3rd: Pageites
3rd: Tyler (2.2cm group) (P)

The results are below:

POSITION	HOUSE					OVERALL SCORE
1st	G	Peattie 3.2	Register 2.7	Figi 2.7	Kim 2.4	11
2nd	R	Wilberforce 1.7	Fisk 5.1	G-Court 2.1	Jones 3.5	12.4
3rd	P	Fomin S 3.3	Fomin A 3.3	Oaks 4.8	Tyler 2.2	13.6
4th	S	Jobson 3.1	Browne 2.7	Stokmayer 2.8	Bray 6.0	14.6
5th	BH	Stimpson 3.0	Tully 2.8	S-Main 6.3	Barker 3.9	16.0
6th	V	Rogers 4.7	Coste 8.9	W-Brown 4.1	Izmailov 4.9	22.6
7th	D	Rabinovich 9.0	Coleshill 6.3	Woods 4.5	Kitching 4.3	24.1
8th	B	Baron 3.9	Mack 16.4	Auterac 5.1	Timms T 3.2	28.6
9th	L	Chan 6.3	Smith A 10	Webb G 3.9	Ciran 9.7	29.9
10th	g	Hui 16.4	MacFarlane 4.8	Lawson 7.7	P-Lawal 5.5	34.4

Charterhouse V Witley

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 3 KES Witley 0

Charterhouse’s season ended in a somewhat subdued fashion at KES Witley on Wednesday 7 December. The visitors dominated the game from start to finish but found it difficult to penetrate a stubborn and well-organised King Edward’s defence. Certainly they created enough chances to score a hatful but a combination of good goalkeeping, woeful finishing and simple bad luck meant that they only had three goals to show for it at the end of a bright but chilly afternoon.

It all began so well when Tom Gallyer headed home Fraser Payne’s corner after just three minutes. In the rest of the half Charterhouse had ten more headers at the goal, almost all of them unopposed, but only managed to score with one more – Gallyer again just before the break from a Tom Gilbey corner.

In between these two successes the home goalkeeper made half a dozen good saves, the woodwork was struck twice and the ball was cleared off the line twice more. Add to this another five attempts which shaved the post and Charterhouse’s frustration becomes quite understandable.

At the other end, Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal was a virtual spectator. Nor did things change in the second half. Sam Evans had a tap-in from very close range cleared off the line after an excellent run and pass by Tim Downes. In yet another scramble Ashley Beddows and Evans both saw goal bound efforts cleared away and then after forty-seven minutes, Evans fed Downes who lashed the ball home with his left foot.

At 3-0 Charterhouse were comfortable and could never quite reach the level of intensity which had seen them score seven at Highgate on the previous Saturday. King Edward’s, meanwhile, stuck tenaciously to their task and continued to try to play football, passing and moving with purpose and desire. Try as they might Charterhouse could not create another chance and it was the home team who came closest to scoring in the dying minutes, Cadzow having to come out smartly to save at the feet of an advancing forward.

So Charterhouse’s season ended on a winning note. They have scored more goals in the Oration Quarter than any previous 1st XI and have won more regular season matches. Only the disappointment of a defeat on penalty kicks, in the Boodles ISFA Cup, mars an otherwise quite outstanding season whose culmination is still to come in the Elgin Capital Southern Independent Schools league play-off final at Corinthian-Casuals ground on January 23.

Charterhouse V Westminster

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 1 Westminster 0

The first match between Charterhouse and Westminster was played in 1863 and hostilities have been renewed almost every year since. This year’s match had been scheduled for early November but a good run in the Boodles ISFA Cup by both sides caused a postponement until Tuesday 1 December.

The portents for a close encounter were good, since both teams are enjoying successful seasons, but fears that a delayed start might affect the outcome were well grounded. On a gloomy day of incessant rain even a timely start might have finished in fading light. In the event, an overturned lorry on the A3 meant that Westminster did not arrive at Charterhouse until 2.45pm and the game did not kick off until 3.15pm.

Despite reducing the match to thirty minutes each way, the tie still finished in almost complete darkness and it was a testament to the goodwill of the players and the great common sense of the referee that no-one was hurt and both sides tried and were allowed to play football right to the end.

In such strained circumstances, the first goal was always likely to prove decisive and Charterhouse were very quickly out of the blocks in search of an early lead. Playing their high-tempo slick-passing game, they created a series of chances in the first fifteen minutes but found the Westminster goalkeeper in fine form and their defence well-organised and unyielding. Twice in the first ten minutes Charterhouse looked sure to score: first, Rob Carnegie-Brown wriggled through to create a real chance for himself but the ‘keeper blocked his powerful shot; then Charlie Rogers clipped a beautifully floated shot from the edge of the penalty box. His effort was destined for the top corner of the goal until the ‘keeper managed to touch it onto the crossbar and away to safety.
Other chances came: Alec McClean headed wide from a very good position at a corner and Charlie Kimmins grazed the bar with another effort, but Westminster weathered the storm and it was McClean who had to produce the best piece of defending of the half to keep the first half goalless, robbing an advancing forward and playing the ball away to safety.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first wit Charterhouse pressing and Westminster resisting all attacks and looking to strike on the break. The Westminster goalkeeper made a series of saves and McClean had a header cleared off the line before the critical moment of the game arrived. Tom Gilbey beat his man down the left flank for the umpteenth time and played the ball into Kimmins in the penalty box. The striker turned sharply and as the defender attempted to tackle him he fell to the ground. The referee, who was well placed, did not hesitate in awarding a penalty and Gilbey duly obliged from the spot crashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Sam Evans might have double the lead a couple of minutes later when he controlled a through ball beautifully but stabbed his shot just wide of the post. Thereafter it was the visitors who were on the front foot – perhaps they were finding it easier to see each other in their pink shirts, while Charterhouse’s maroon slowly disappeared into the dusk.

Westminster huffed and puffed but the Charterhouse defence stood firm to continue their winning run. Success in their last two fixtures away to Highgate and KES Witley will see them finish the regular season with 13 victories, the most ever achieved in the Oration Quarter.

Charterhouse V Highgate

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 7 Highgate 0

Charterhouse made the long trip round the North Circular on Saturday 3 December confident that they could continue their excellent run of form and they did so emphatically.

From the very first move of the match a teasing cross from Tom Gilbey only just missed Charlie Rogers run at the far post, and for the Highgate defence this was to be a disturbing presage of what was to come. Gilbey tormented a series of markers throughout the afternoon without any of them being able to stop him supplying an endless stream of dangerous balls into the penalty area.

The first goal came from just such a move after nine minutes. Gilbey skipped down the left flank and pulled the ball back to Tim Downes who unleashed an unstoppable finish. Charterhouse continued to press and, although the home defence battled hard, they could not resist for long.

After twenty-five minutes Tom Randolph overlapped Gilbey down the left side and his cross was dropped by the Highgate keeper under pressure from Sam Evans. A defender was first to the ball but his hasty clearance was blocked by Charlie Rogers and flew into the net. A minute later things went from bad to worse in the Highgate defence as a weak, attempted clearance fell to Fraser Payne twenty yards from goal, and the midfielder dispatched it with his left foot before anyone had time to react.

Still the Charterhouse attack would not relent and a series of chances were missed, with Rogers the chief culprit, until Gilbey took matters into his own hands. He dribbled into the Highgate penalty area and two defenders combined to wrestle him to the ground. The winger got up to score from the spot himself and give the visitors a 4-0 half-time lead.
After the break things did not get any better for Highgate. Another exquisite Gilbey cross was driven into the goal from close range by Downes on 49 minutes. Then Ashley Beddows found Downes unmarked in the penalty box with a quick long throw-in. The striker turned smartly and fired the ball into the net with a sublime left-foot volley to complete his hat-trick. Three became four a few minutes later when Downes drove powerfully down the left side and fired in a sharp shot. The home keeper managed to block the shot but it flew straight back to Downes who made no mistake the second time.
This was as comprehensive a victory as could be hoped for at this level and, though they kept trying, the hapless hosts were little more than spectators for much of the game. Malcolm Bailey, the Charterhouse coach, must be thrilled with his charges and regretting only the fact that the season is fast drawing to an end.

Charterhouse V Shrewsbury

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 5 Shrewsbury 0

The Shrewsbury fixture is one of the highlights of the Charterhouse football season and always proves to be a tight struggle. So, as the rest of the School departed for a Short Leave on Friday 25th November, Charterhouse hosted Shrewsbury on Big Ground.
Charterhouse are going through an excellent season in which they seem to be able to score for fun. Shrewsbury, in contrast, are having a rather ordinary season by their standards so there were high hopes in the home camp of a first victory at Charterhouse since 2001.

Hopes do not win matches, however, and Shrewsbury entered this match determined to maintain their dominance in a series of matches which dates back to 1922. For half an hour Charterhouse knocked on the door but found it bolted closed, even when a left-foot strike from Charlie Kimmins beat the visiting ‘keeper only to be headed off the line.
After 30 minutes, Rob Carnegie-Brown wriggled down the right touch line and crossed fiercely for Kimmins to turn the ball in at the far post. The striker was on fire now and, despite being denied by a good save two minutes later, he was not to be kept out for long. With his third shot in as many minutes, Kimmins floated a left-foot drive beyond the flailing ‘keeper and doubled his side’s lead.

At the break it was clear that Shrewsbury had a mountain to climb, while Charterhouse emerged after the break determined to press home their advantage. Tim Downes contrived to fire wide from just three yards when it seemed impossible to miss and then, from a long through from the ubiquitous Kimmins, captain, Alec McClean, turned the ball into the net from close range.

Shots continued to rain in on the beleaguered Shrewsbury goal and further scores seemed inevitable.

On the hour mark Tom Gilbey’s strike from the left proved too hot for the hapless keeper to hold and, inevitably, Kimmins was on hand to complete his hat-trick. As if that were not enough, a minute later the same player headed home a perfectly flighted Gilbey free-kick to take his personal tally to four. Further chances came and went, some of which came into the ‘sitter’ category, but there were to be no more goals.

Nevertheless, the day had belonged to Charterhouse and, in particular, to Charlie Kimmins. He became the first Carthusian ever to score four goals in the 87 matches between the two schools. This was Charterhouse highest winning margin since 1951and their third highest ever. What’s more it takes the School’s goal tally for the season to 58. With four matches still to play Charterhouse are within sight of the highest number of 1st XI goals scored in OQ ever.

Charterhouse V Ardingly

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 2 Ardingly 1

It is often the case that the most important matches are not always the best and so it proved on Saturday November 19th. Charterhouse visited Ardingly on a warm, sunny late autumn day knowing that the winners were highly likely to qualify for the Elgin Southern League play-off final.

The knowledge seemed to affect both teams and Charterhouse in particular found it very difficult to establish their usual high tempo passing game. Ardingly were sharper to the ball and Charterhouse found themselves fighting a rear-guard action for much of the first half. To their credit they held out until a couple of minutes before the break, though this was as much a result of the failure of the Ardingly forwards to find the final pass as through any particularly outstanding defending from the visitors.

Just as it looked as though the first half may remain goalless, Ardingly were awarded a free-kick on their left flank some thirty yards from goal. An exquisite delivery to the far post was very difficult to defend and the Ardingly striker popped up to head his team ahead. It was no less than they deserved and Charterhouse shoulders appeared to sag momentarily.

They are nothing if not resilient, however, and within a minute they were level. Tim Downes robbed a home defender of the ball some twenty-five yards from goal, drove into the penalty box and, shrugging of a pair of would-be tacklers, he buried the ball in the far corner.
Even at this late stage in the half the drama was not over: Ardinlgy won another free kick in an almost identical spot from which they had scored. A similar delivery followed and it appeared for all the world that the hosts had regained the lead. Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal had other ideas, however, and he managed to claw the ball onto the post from where the Charterhouse defence were able to clear.

Charterhouse made a change of personnel and a change of heart during the half-time break and came out with all guns blazing. After four minutes a snap-shot from close range from Sam Evans was blocked, the ball fell to Tom Gallyer and his instinctive shot was saved on the line. Shortly afterwards, Tom Gilbey crossed the ball into Downes. The burly midfielder tried to create an opening for himself but was thwarted and the ball fell to Evans who coolly chipped the advancing keeper to give his side the lead.

It was the visitors who were in complete command as the Ardingly play became ever more ragged. A brilliant diving header from Downes brought an extraordinary save from the home keeper as Charterhouse continued to pile pressure on the Ardingly defence.

As time ticked away Charterhouse seemed to be in control but, with only five minutes left, a great chance fell to the Ardingly centre forward. He was put through one-on-one with Cadzow by an excellent through ball, but the Charterhouse keeper stayed big and brought off a match winning save.

So the spoils went to Charterhouse from a real ‘game of two halves’ in which both sides had played their part. Their fate is in their own hands now and a favourable result against Lancing on Tuesday will see them into the Elgin League final.

Boodles ISFA Cup Round 3

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 3 Hampton 3 (Charterhouse lost on penalty kicks)

Charterhouse’s dream of successfully defending the Boodles ISFA Cup came to a heart-breaking end on Saturday 12th November. A balmy late autumn afternoon saw two of the strongest teams left in the competition go head-to-head knowing that a trip to Repton awaited the victors.

It was Hampton who struck first when a beautifully flighted cross was headed powerfully into the Charterhouse net after just 7 minutes. Charterhouse responded with vigour and certainly dominated proceedings for the next 25 minutes. During that time they found an equaliser when Rob Carnegie-Brown fed Fraser Payne down the right flank and the midfielders cross flew all the way to Tom Gilbey on the left side of the penalty box. Gilbey steadied himself and struck the ball unerringly home with his right foot.

Five minutes later Hampton had the ball in the net again but their ‘goal’ was ruled out when an offside player was deemed to have interfered with play. Relieved, Charterhouse bounced back and took the lead three minutes before half-time when Gilbey’s shot was blocked but Payne was on hand to steer the ball to Charlie Rogers who made no mistake.

Hampton pressed harder after the break and won a rather soft corner when Alex Cadzow in the Charterhouse goal, could only parry a floating free-kick. From the corner they headed narrowly wide from close range, but the pattern had been set and, after 52 minutes, another corner was not cleared effectively and the Hampton centre back was able to prod home from close range.

Again Charterhouse responded: Fraser Payne tested the Hampton keeper from long range and a Charlie Kimmins header might well have found the net on another occasion. Eventually, their pressure paid off. Carnegie-Brown fed Payne and his cross was deftly headed home by Sam Evans. As the clock ticked down this looked to have been the decisive moment but there was yet to be a sting in the tail. Deep into injury time a long throw into the Charterhouse six-yard box was not cleared and Hampton pounced to save the game.

Chances came and went in extra time but neither side could take advantage and so the tie went to the lottery of penalty kicks. Legg, in the Hampton goal, made an outstanding save from the very first kick and thereafter Hampton kept their nerve and emerged victorious.

It was an unsatisfactory end to what had been a splendid match but Charterhouse must now lift themselves to face the many challenges which remain for them this season.

London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Old Carthusian, James McMullan, has been put through to the second round of nominations to carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. One of James's work colleagues was impressed by the amount of running he was doing at the same time as working full time.

In 2002 James was Captain of Cross Country at Charterhouse. He now competes in regular events running for the Thames Hare & Hounds club. This year James McMullan has won the Fell Running Inter-Counties Races in May and the UKA World Mountain Running Trials. Following this success James then won a gold medal for England at the Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championships, his first place meant England retained their Commonwealth title.

Eleven towns and villages will be on the route of the Olympic torch relay as it heads through Surrey to the London 2012 Games. The flame will pass through Surrey around the 20th July finishing in Guildford, where it will make an overnight stop before entering London for the Games.

The relay starts on 19 May at Land's End, Cornwall, and finishes at the Games' opening ceremony on 27 July 2012.

US Football Tour

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse started the football tour with a match against The Hill School, Philadelphia on Saturday 22nd October. The Hill School played host to Charterhouse's football team, who are visiting the United States as a celebration of the Quatercentenary.

It was an exciting game which swung both ways until Charterhouse were 4-2 ahead with 15 minutes to go. Then the Hill struck back making for an exciting final few minutes. This game was played on the school's Parents Weekend and an enthusiastic crowd watched an entertaining game. Howard Gordon-Martin (OC) was there to watch his son play and to enjoy meeting staff from the school where he spent time as a "gap student".

On 28th October the Charterhouse team played the next match at the Lawrenceville School near Princetown New Jersey. They had a splendid lunch at the school where dress is informal, they adopt the Harkness system of seminar teaching and where their educational facilities are outstanding. Endowments allow the students here to enjoy luxurious space and infrastructure.

The Charterhouse team played their "varsity" soccer team (1st XI), the afternoon was crystal clear and cool but with unusual weather on the way to upset the brilliant colours of the "Fall". All schools are also getting ready for Halloween, an occasion they celebrate with considerable aplomb.

Next the team travelled to the Peddie School near Hightstown NJ where they won 3-1 in a weather affected game. It was rainy, windy and cold. Theo Valyadon-Pike opened the game's account with a well constructed goal early on but they took advantage of a serious of defensive errors before long to make it 1-1. Tom Gordon-Martin finished off a Payne corner with a stooping header before half time and then they controlled most of the second half despite some moments of madness as the wind got to their brains! Fraser Payne shot from deep and got a deflection which sent his shot looping into the net. Angus Best and captain Alec McClean were outstanding amongst some mediocre performances....too much pizza maybe?

Charterhouse then moved onto Washington DC to play at Georgetown Prep and Episcopal over the weekend. With OCs Hugo Schektor, Piers Merrick, Andrea Merrick (nee Beckwith) and John Parker on the sidelines. The school was lucky to play this game in dreadful conditions...rain, wind and snow. All credit to the hosts who played the game on a super pitch but with standing water which made life interesting. The Carthusians adapted well and passed the ball sensibly to smother their opponents 5-0.

The final match was against Episcopal High School, Charterhouse lost 0-1 on a good astro with clear blue skies, this was a great game in which their best player swung the result. He was outstanding and is taking up a soccer scholarship at one of the strongest colleges on the East coast. Charterhouse played the best football of the tour but could not score. It was a very tough game and a fitting end the tour on such a good performance, regardless of the result.

Charterhouse 4 The Hill School 4 with penalty kicks 4-3

Charterhouse 2 Swarthmore College Club 0

Charterhouse 3 The Peddie School 1

Charterhouse 5 Georgetown Prep 0

Charterhouse 0 Episcopal High School 1

Charterhouse V Bradfield

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Bradfield 1 Charterhouse 4

Thursday 20th October saw Charterhouse’s final game before the half-term break and the trip to Bradfield had the most remarkable start. After just two minutes the score stood at 2-1 to the visitors and thoughts were already turning towards the extraordinary 10-6 hockey match of the previous February.

Fraser Payne gave Charterhouse the lead with the first kick of the match: spotting the Bradfield goalkeeper off his line he shot direct from Charlie Rogers’s kick-off and the hapless ‘keeper could only help the ball into the net as he back-pedalled. Bradfield had still not got over the shock when Alec McClean turned a Charlie Kimmins throw into the net. There was only one minute on the clock and already the visitors had a two-goal lead.

Remarkably, the hosts hit back instantly: Max Lange in the Charterhouse goal could only parry a shot from the edge of the penalty area and two Bradfield players fought over who would turn the ball into the net. For the next twenty minutes Bradfield ran the Charterhouse midfield ragged with their outstanding movement and precise passing. The visitors’ defence held firm, however, and slowly their midfield began to achieve, if not dominate, at least a level of parity.

As the half wore on, it was Charterhouse who looked the more like scoring and, on the half-hour mark, they did just that. Payne threaded an inch-perfect pass through to Rogers and Kimmins gleefully struck his strike partner’s lay-off into the bottom corner.

Charterhouse led 3-1 at half-time and it was they who produced most of the chances after the break. The Bradfield ‘keeper had to save smartly from Sam Evans, McClean and Kimmins but he could do nothing about Charterhouse’s fourth goal. An attempted shot from Evans was deflected into the path of Tim Downes and the Charterhouse stalwart finished coolly from ten yards.

After the frenzy of the first half, the second was a much more subdued affair. Charterhouse’s best chance in the last twenty minutes was well struck by Tom Gallyer but blocked by Rogers who, to add insult to injury, was in an offside position. Bradfield were restricted to two free-kicks from just outside the penalty box both of which flew safely over the bar.

It had been a well-contested game between two sides who played good passing football and, after the crazy first two minutes, the only difference between the two teams was the extra sharpness of the Charterhouse attack. Bradfield are a young team who will be a real force next year. Charterhouse, meanwhile, can go off on their break – most of the side will be touring the USA for the next ten days – more than satisfied with their efforts over the first half of term, but knowing too that there is much still to do if they are to be as successful as they hope.

Charterhouse V St Bede's

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

St Bede’s 1 Charterhouse 4

Charterhouse and St Bede’s are two of the heavyweights of the Elgin Capital Southern League having won the title twice each in the five years of its existence. Each year the match produces a fine spectacle between two very good footballing sides and invariably the result plays a major part in the outcome of the league.

The match at The Dicker on Saturday 15th October promised to be another such encounter. Charterhouse had lost just once this season and that against the run of play at Repton. St Bede’s were unbeaten and they had already beaten Charterhouse in the final of the ISFA six-a-side competition.

It was Charterhouse who came out of the blocks fastest and captain, Alec McClean, headed them into the lead after five minutes from a Charlie Kimmins long throw. St Bede’s responded and thudded a long range shot against the crossbar five minutes later. This seemed to deflate the home team a little and certainly spurred Charterhouse to even greater efforts.

Kimmins and Charlie Rogers buzzed about the St Bede’s defence like angry wasps hustling them into mistakes and with Tim Downes and Fraser Payne dominating the midfield, Charterhouse dominated the rest of the half. The visitors’ pace both with and without the ball proved too much for a lacklustre home team and goals inevitably followed.

Kimmins scored a simple tap-in when the St Bede’s goalkeeper dropped the ball under a strong challenge from a Payne free-kick. Then the ‘keeper was adjudged to have brought down Tom Gilbey as he ran in on goal. Gilbey took the penalty himself to extend the lead to three. Just as it looked as though Charterhouse would take a 3-0 lead into the half-time break, Payne found Gilbey with a delicious through ball and the canny midfielder beat the keeper again.

St Bede’s came out in the second half determined to prove their worth and the match became a much more even contest after the break, but the damage had already been done. The Charterhouse defence, well marshalled by McClean and his fellow centre back, the impressive Chris Drakeford-Lewis, stood firm until five minutes from time. Then a mazy run drew a clumsy tackle and a penalty which the St Bede’s captain blazed over the bar.
The home team did finally gain a consolation goal in the final minute but they could not deny that they had been well beaten on the day by a scintillating Charterhouse display.

Karting Champion

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse pupil Callan O’Keeffe (Year 10) won the British Junior Championships for Karting on Sunday 9th October 2011.

Callan had already won the opening two rounds of the Junior European Championships, earning the title of Vice-World Champion.

The final round of the British Junior Championships was held in Whilton Mill, Northants. Callan started in a commanding position, only needing two points to win, having sailed through the qualifying heats previously. Callan kept up his pace on a high speed circuit in slippery conditions, winning in third position with 574 points overall.

Callan has caught the eye of many leading figures within motorsport including TAG Heuer who have given Callan the role of Junior Brand Ambassador, a role that has previously only been given to Formula One racing drivers including Lewis Hamilton.

Unveiling of Charterhouse Plaque

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The Headmaster unveiled the Charterhouse crest at Walton Rowing Club on 5 October in front of oarsmen and parents to mark the close relationship between the two clubs.

Charterhouse Boat Club has been rowing out of Walton Rowing Club for several years and the school is very grateful to Walton for providing the school with the necessary space and also equipment to further flourish on the river.

The school’s involvement in the part finance of the new boathouse is greatly acknowledged and will provide a solid future of Charterhouse rowing.

Charterhouse V Repton

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Repton 1 Charterhouse 0

Charterhouse’s trip to Repton on Tuesday 11th October began full of hope and anticipation but ended in disappointment. Unbeaten in their seven matches up to this point, Charterhouse began with all the confidence and belief of a side in form and set the home team back on their heels. Charterhouse had five attempts on goal in the first seven minutes of the match and the last of these, a solid strike from Rob Carnegie-Brown brought an excellent save from the Repton goalkeeper and captain, Oli West.

Thereafter the game became more even as Repton steadily found their feet and Charterhouse, despite a number of searching through balls, could not find a way past the home defence. Charterhouse certainly had the majority of the ball and Repton’s goal, scored three minutes before half-time came against the run of play.

It was an extraordinary goal. An optimistic ball over the top of the Charterhouse's back four, bounced towards the visiting goalkeeper, Alex Cadzow, on the edge of his penalty area. Cadzow had missed the last game through an injured foot and was still nursing his injury in this one. As a result he poked the ball clear with his left foot rather than lashing it away with his right, as he would normally do. The ball fell to Binns on the edge of the centre circle and his hopeful punt sailed over the retreating ‘keeper and into the net.

Charterhouse changed their shape and redoubled their efforts in the second half and mustered thirteen attempts to their opponents’ one, but in truth the Repton defence rarely looked like being breached and Charterhouse’s best chances were a snap shot from Charlie Kimmins from eight yards which flew just over and a cross cum shot from Tom Gilbey which grazed the crossbar.

As ever Repton had proved very difficult to beat and a most worthy adversary. There have been a number of very tight matches in recent years which have all gone Charterhouse’s way and perhaps fate has tried to even the books a little. This will prove scant consolation to the current side, however, who know they had a good chance to extend their run and failed to take it.

So, Charterhouse’s unbeaten record has gone and their defence, which had not conceded a goal in 468 minutes, was finally beaten in the strangest of circumstances. There is no time for them to feel sorry for themselves, however, as they face extremely tough matches against St Bede’s and Bradfield in the coming week.

World Youth Quadrathlon Champion 2011

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse pupil Marthe de Ferrer (Year 13) competed in the World Quadrathlon Championships in Sedlcany, Czech Republic on 11th August 2011. She was especially strong in her 'swim' and 'kayak' and won her group convincingly earning her the title of World Youth Quadrathlon Champion 2011.

Marthe has been selected for the first round of trials for UKSport's Power2Podium programme at Crystal Palace. The programme looks for sports talent for Rio 2016 and the Winter Olympics in 2018.

Marthe started competing in triathlons at the age of 8 years old. She joined a triathlon club soon afterwards, coming second overall in the South-East region. She continued with triathlon, as well as cycling and swimming. In 2008, she trained with Claudine Le Roux as a kayaker and became the National Champion.

This year she switched to Quadrathlon, competing in the Nationals in which she went on to win the U23 race.

Winchester V Charterhouse

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Winchester 0 Charterhouse 4

Charterhouse are still unbeaten this season after dispatching a plucky Winchester XI on Saturday 8th October. Winchester had two tough matches in the previous week, succumbing by the odd goal in three against Bradfield before putting mighty Shrewsbury out of the Boodles ISFA Cup in mid-week.

A third hard-fought game in eight days proved too much for the Wykehamists as visitors, Charterhouse maintained a high tempo throughout.

Playing down the slope, Charterhouse set about their opponents with great relish from the outset and took a mere nine minutes to establish a lead when a strong run and cross from Tom Gilbey found Charlie Rogers and, when the latter’s shot was blocked, Charlie Kimmins was on hand to put his side one up.

For the rest of the half it was more or less one-way traffic as Charterhouse created a series of chances which were either squandered or blocked by some stubborn defending. Just as it looked as though Charterhouse would be playing up the slope in the second half with a slender one-goal advantage, Gilbey burst through on the left again and this time Rogers made no mistake from the cross.

The second half began they way the first had ended, with Charterhouse in the ascendancy. Ten minutes into the half, Kimmins wriggled free in the penalty box and fed Tim Downes whose fierce strike settled in the bottom corner.

For the last half hour of the match the tempo waned somewhat as both sides seemed resigned to play out time. Charterhouse were not quite finished, however, but it looked as though they would be denied a fourth goal: a Downes header from close range was cleared off the line and a Rogers strike following a sublime run and cross from Downes struck the post and rebounded into the ‘keeper’s hands. Then, with just two minutes left on the clock, Gilbey exchanged passes with Downes and eased the ball into the net past the hapless ‘keeper.

Charterhouse fully deserved their victory since on the day they had been superior in all departments. The Charterhouse defence has now gone over seven hours without conceding a goal and on this occasion did not allow their hosts a single shot on target worthy of the name. It is a mark of their control that the central defender, Chris Drakeford-Lewis was named man of the match for an almost faultless performance.

Boodles ISFA Cup Round 2

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Queen Ethelburga's, York 0 Charterhouse 5

Holders Charterhouse took another step towards retaining the Boodles ISFA Cup on Thursday 6th October when they eased past Queen Ethelburga’s, York in the second round of the competition.

On a breezy autumn afternoon, Charlie Rogers gave Charterhouse the lead, as early as the fourth minute, when he sprung the visitors’ offside trap and calmly beat the keeper from close range. It looked as though an avalanche of goals might follow but stout Yorkshire defending and some wayward finishing by the home team meant that there was no change in the score for the next twenty minutes. Indeed, the visitors might have considered themselves unlucky not to have drawn level in that time. Firstly, Alex Cadzow had to be alert to beat away an intended cross which suddenly veered goalwards and then he was beaten by a thunderbolt from 25 yards. The ball crashed against the bar and away to safety, though some felt that it may have crossed the line first.
Be that as it may, no goal was given and Charterhouse doubled their lead when Rob Carnegie-Brown fed Charlie Kimmins down the inside right channel and the striker outpaced the defence before coolly slotting home. A barrage followed but no more goals were scored before half-time.

Charterhouse began the second half as they had ended the first – in complete control – and it was not long before Sam Evans scored a third to put the game beyond their opponents. The rest of the half saw a whole succession of chances spurned as Charterhouse’s speed and movement cut the Queen Ethelburga’s defence to shreds time and again.

With time running out a Kimmins diving header and a bundled goal from man of the match, Alec McClean, meant that the score-line reflected the balance of play rather more accurately, but Charterhouse knows that they have tougher tests ahead and they will need to be more clinical in their finishing if they are to overcome old foes Hampton in the next round.

Charterhouse Victory Over Forest

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Charterhouse 3 Forest 0

Charterhouse produced their best performance of the season so far on Saturday 24th September when they dominated a very good Forest side from start to finish.

The home back four restricted the visitors to just one attempt on goal in a first half which saw Charterhouse produce some scintillating, free flowing football. The midfield were creative and the forwards offered pace and movement and were a constant threat. The Forest goalkeeper had to make sharp saves to deny Tim Downes and Charlie Kimmins, while on other occasions, the Charterhouse attack was guilty of passing up good chances to score.

For most of the half, however, it looked as though the home domination would go unrewarded until Downes flicked on a Kimmins throw in the 39th minute and Sam Evans was on hand to stab the ball home and give Charterhouse the lead which their creative football had deserved.

In the second half Forest adjusted their personnel in order to try to restrict the Charterhouse dominance of midfield, but it made little difference and it was business as usual when Rob Carnegie-Brown nudged a Charlie Kimmins pass into the path of Charlie Rogers who scored gleefully from close range.

Four minutes later, a foul on Downes brought Charterhouse a penalty but the chance was spurned and Charterhouse had to wait until the seventy-fifth minute before they could extend their lead. The goal came from Fraser Payne whose powerful strike from 30 yards was too much for the Forest ‘keeper, who had had an excellent game for the beleaguered visitors.

For Charterhouse the only blemish on an otherwise excellent performance was the dismissal of Downes for dissent four minutes from time. Forest, meanwhile, can take credit from a battling performance in which they refused to yield and kept trying to play football right to the end. Despite their efforts they cannot complain about the result as Charterhouse had played irresistible football throughout and were fully worthy of their victory.

Charterhouse	196-9 dec. (Clinton 74)
Westminster	121 all out	Charterhouse won by 75 runs

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