Epic week of sport for Petroc

An epic week of sport at Petroc College opened with a home game against Richard Huish in the second round of the Women's Volleyball Cup. 

A really competitive game played in good spirit saw Petroc come out victorious with a two set to nil win, 25-22 and 25-18. 

The players are quite well known to each other after collaborating last season to form the South West team. The friendships forged through that showed in the game and even afterwards, when they played some practice games against each other, which was a very nice touch.

In Men's Football, Petroc continued their impressive start to the season with an impressive 3-0 win at home against Strode College.

With Strode starting on the front foot and creating some initial pressure, it was a quick counter that led to Acea Sanders scoring with a composed finish in the 12th minute to take the lead.

This settled the game down into an even contest with some excellent football on show from both teams before Joe Miles broke away in the 38th minute from a through ball by Tyler Curtis and calmly lobbed the Goalkeeper to put Petroc 2-0 ahead.

With Petroc in the ascendency in the game now, they managed to breakaway to score again in the 45th minute with a defence splitting pass from Joe Miles and Ted Daunton taking his first touch around the keeper to slot the ball into the net. A cracking first half and deserved lead into the half-time break.

Petroc started the second half well and were looking dangerous every time they went forward, creating three or four really good chances to extend their lead and finish the game off but some good saves from the Strode ‘keeper kept the game close.

In the 60th minute, Joe Miles broke through the back line to bear down on the ‘keeper before being tripped up for what looked a stonewall penalty but the referee waved play on.

After this, Strode got back into the game and had a lot of possession, creating a few chances but Petroc showed great resilience and some excellent defending and kept the 3-0 lead intact and kept up Petroc's unbeaten start to the season. The team wore their new Chelsea FC Foundation kit for the first time.

Petroc Women also wore the blue of Chelsea FC Foundation for the first time today in their first ever game together. They were up against an experienced Truro side who were mainly made up from 2nd years. 

The experience gap showed throughout the game and coach, Jason Jamal, had the following to say; "Our first game together and although the game ended in defeat, there are so many positives to take from the match. Some of the link up play and passing combinations were fantastic. 

“We created numerous chances in the first half and on reflection the scoreline didn't reflect the quality of possession we had.  I am really proud of the group and look forward to our next game against South Devon."

The scorers were, Maddy Phillips, assisted by Brooke Maynard, Ellie Joyce and Ellie Dayman, assisted by Ellie Joyce.  Player of the match went to Ellie Joyce.

Petroc Basketball got their season off to a winning start with a 57-39 victory over South Devon at their new home at North Devon Leisure Centre. Coach Charlie Smith was really pleased to see both year 1 and year 2 players gel together so well and take firm control throughout each quarter of the game especially, as this was the first competitive game for some of the newcomers.

Petroc Rugby played their second game of the season and the first at Barnstaple Rugby Club, where they were afforded the use of the first team pitch, a great experience for many of the players. 

Unfortunately, the opponents, Callywith, were more than up to the task and Petroc’s fledgling side were on the receiving end of a second heavy defeat in two weeks. 

Coach Johnny Carter said that it was an improved performance from the lads and all good experience, as they start out on the path to getting Petroc rugby back on the map. The lads never gave up and there were some excellent moments in the match. Keep plugging away lads.

Petroc netball kept their 100% record intact with a hard-fought 26-23 win away at Torquay.

Petroc started fairly well, just lacking a little bit of communication and trust in each other, which is to be expected with this being only their second game together and gives the coaches plenty to work on going forwards. 

Going into the final quarter they were exhausted and did very well to hold on to their lead. The opposition voted Annalise Roome player of the match and Petroc voted Libby Wheaton as their player of the match. Well done girls, keep it up!

This week sees the first of the South West Regional Championships being hosted at Richard Huish College in Taunton. Men's football and Rugby will compete in 7-a-side competitions, and Petroc also have some cross country competing too.  These championships are always strongly contested and the winners will form the South West teams to compete at National Championships at Nottingham University next spring.