First XI Hockey - Season Report 

Played 18, Won 12, Drew 1, Lost 5

We began with our traditional opening fixture against St Albans. This historically has been a struggle after the Christmas break. This time was to be no different as we lost 2-1. It is a shame the fixture could not have been be replayed later in the season.

Fortunately the team soon adapted to the new style of play and a win against Aldenham a few days later allowed the boys to settle into the season. Further wins followed against Mill Hill and a very strong Haileybury side. It made a big difference when Savraj Lotta began to find his rhythm at penalty corners, converting with ferocious accuracy, as the team began to dominate with some fantastic play all over the pitch.

For the first time the school played Reed’s at senior level – one of the top hockey schools in the country. MTS took the lead through Savraj Lotta. The two teams played brilliant hockey and tested the goalkeepers throughout. With 8 minutes to go the score was 2-1 to Taylors’ and a historic win was on the cards. Reed’s however showed their class by scoring twice in quick succession and finishing off the game as MTS pressed forward for the equalizer. The game finished 2-4 but the crowd and staff were all treated to a great game and a glimpse of just how talented this MTS team is. Head Of Hockey at Reed’s, Mr Wallis, himself an ex-GB Olympian, said that Taylors’ ‘were the best team they had played so far that season’ - no mean feat for a school in the toughest hockey region in the country.

Special mention must be made of the phenomenal 5-3 win over Watford as MTS came from a goal down on three occasions showing great character and resilience. Some great finishes from George Smith and Edward Richards capped off a superb performance - a truly brilliant win.

At the U18 National Cup our first opponents were Haberdashers’. With the 1st XI now up to speed it was a devastating display as the pace and intensity were too much for Haberdashers’, and MTS ran out 6-2 winners with Savraj Lotta scoring a hat trick and James Millet scoring his first goal for the school. An early exit from the National Schools Cup in the second round meant that we were entered into the National Plate Cup for the first time. Further fixture wins over Harrow and Felsted helped our momentum as we progressed in the Cup.

The Plate saw spectacular wins versus Haileybury, Bancroft’s and Woodbridge, all first-rate hockey schools. This led to a place in the final 8 in the country and a game against Caterham for a place in the national semi-finals. Sadly, on this occasion, the game didn't go Taylors’ way.

All in all it was a cracking season with many of our leavers giving exceptional performances, and our Fifth and Lower Sixth forms showing that a bright future lies in store.

Richard Alexander - Head of Hockey

Squad: D. Amin, A. Hattam, D. Grant, J. Millet, N. Mehta, S. Lotta, M. Grewal, O. Evans-Evans, J. Seery, C. Jervis, E. Richards (c), H. Parry, B. Close, G. Smith, S. Gates, Y. Hanson-Ikonomou, S. Satija