Sports News

SPS teams excelled across multiple sports, with dominant wins in Chess, Rackets, and Rowing, while pupils raised £1,769 in a 24-hour Tennis Marathon. Oscar Suarez impressed for the U17 ISFA National Team and awaits selection for the upcoming training camp.

National Schools Regional Chess

On Thursday the SPS team competed against the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle (A team).

The match lasted roughly 2.5 hours, with the time control being 50 minutes plus a 10 second increment after each move. In the first half Vedaant and Ryan secured quick wins against their opponents, giving SPS a 2-0 lead which was further extended by wins from Lior and Richard. The remaining two games were very intense to watch due to time pressure and complex positions to analyse for Ian and Liam, but they achieved a draw and win respectively, giving us a fantastic win with an overall score of 5.5 – 0.5.

Many congratulations to the team: Ian Ding (Fourth), Lior Yedid (Fifth), Liam Clery-Luta & Richard Zhan (Sixth Form), Ryan Ng & Vedaant Saggi (Upper Eighth).

24 Hour Tennis Marathon

Six SPS pupils took part in a 24-hour Tennis Marathon alongside several other schools and clubs, starting at 12 noon on Saturday and continuing until 12 noon on Sunday. The SPS team members played for four consecutive hours, from 04:00 to 08:00 on Sunday morning, competing against current and former professionals in a mix of singles and doubles. They raised an impressive £1,769, which will help expand the initiative, bringing local venues and SEND schools together to provide free, one-hour group coaching sessions per week for students.

Well done to participants: Anish Dhar (Sixth Form), Rayaan Ahmad (Fifth Form), Eduoard Traissac (Sixth Form), Joseph Roussel (Fifth Form), Alexei Fletcher (Fifth Form), Bryan Goh (Fifth Form) and many thanks to Mr Warriner who supervised through the early hours of the morning!

U17 ISFA National Team 

During the half term, Oscar Suarez (Lower Eighth) had the opportunity to represent the U17 ISFA National Team in a one-off exhibition match against a well-established men’s representative team from the Arthurian League. After coming off the bench at halftime, he played the second half, switching between two positions—striker and right wing. He showed his adaptability, but it was on the right wing where he truly excelled, making an impact with his movement, pace, and ability to link up with teammates.

Looking ahead, Oscar is eagerly awaiting the news of his selection for the U17 training camp at the University of Nottingham in April. This camp presents a great opportunity for him to further demonstrate his abilities and potentially secure a regular spot in the team for the upcoming fixtures.

Hammersmith Head

On Sunday 23 February, four St Paul’s crews raced on home water at Hammersmith Head.  Sadly, owing to river conditions, all J15 crews were scratched, leaving only Sixth Form and Eighth Form crews from SPS racing.  The 1^st VIII won the event outright, beating all other crews, junior and senior.  The J16 A crew made the top 20 of the overall rankings and, though racing in the J18 category, were 11 seconds quicker than the winners of the J16 event.  The 2^nd VIII was close behind the J16s in the junior category and the J16Bs finished a creditable 2nd place in the J16 category, finishing behind only the KCS A boat.

Rackets

Last Thursday, 13 February, the SPS Rackets team delivered a commanding performance away against Eton College, conceding just three games throughout the entire afternoon. The victory was particularly impressive given that the U-14 players were making their debut on unfamiliar courts.

1^st Pair:   A. Hogben / S. Marchand  WON  3-0  (15/9, 15/9, 15/8)

2^nd Pair:  S. Poddar / H. Dattani  WON  3-2  (5/15, 8/15, 15/13, 15/12, 15/0)

U-16:  A. Dhar / E. Traissac  lost  0-3  (8/15, 10/15, 5/15)

U-15 (a)  A. Fletcher / R. Ahmad  WON  3-0  (15/8, 15/0, 18/14)

U-15 (b)  V. Sharma(5^th) / A. Ahmad  WON  3-0  (15/1, 15/3, 15/0)

U-14 (a)  C. Poulios / S. Rio  WON  3-1  (12/15, 1510, 15/7, 15/12)

U-14 (b)  A. Goldberg / A. Arora  WON  3-0  (15/3, 15/7, 15/12)