Head’s Weekly Update

The Wintech Junior Sculling Head

On Monday, five Pangbourne College Boat Club (PCBC) crews represented the college at this national time trial attended by school and club crews from across the UK.

The JM15 coxed quad of Zach, George, Fergus, Leo, and Otto put in a determined performance despite a lack of water time and placed 25th of 64 crews. A solid start to a season that will see them only get faster.

The JW15 girls placed 34th of 64 in the equivalent event. This crew of Louisa, Tamsin, Gracie, Bunny, and Sophie, will have wanted to place higher, again a lack of water time showed. 

The senior girls placed 24th of 39 in JW18 quads. Our results reflect a current position that determined PCBC athletes wish to improve for the regatta season. We now have a serviceable river and an Easter training camp should see students able to turn good winter land training into effective water miles and speed.

Mr Ed Green, Director of Rowing

Success at the Hickstead Trials

The equestrian team enjoyed and delivered a fantastic array of results at the weekend. Pip P made her arena eventing debut in the 70cm, placing 6th closely followed by team mate Alice C in 7th. Izzy S placed 7th in the 80cm class. Olivia C, Sophie, Connie and Izzy took the win in the 90cm with Connie placing 5th individually. The team of Olivia, Connie and Sophie then went on to win the 1m Eventers Challenge with Sophie taking the top spot individually with fellow team members Olivia and Connie placing 4th and 6th respectively. A total of two team qualifications and two individual qualifications for the Hickstead Eventers Challenge Championships in May. 

Sunday continued with lovely rounds from Izzy and Pip, Pip placing 5th in the 80cm class, narrowly missing out on individual qualification. Olivia off the back of Saturday's successes, competed in the Hickstead Elite Qualifiers at Coombelands on Sunday to take 5th place amongst top competition.

Girls’ Football U15A vs St Edward’s

What a remarkable finish to the season this proved to be. Arriving at Teddies to a very busy site, with multiple matches taking place, we expected a stern test in the final match. Having lost 0 - 9 earlier in the season, but with some key players returning to the team, the girls were determined to turn things around, and this they did in emphatic fashion. Having dominated the opening minutes it was only 7’ into the match when Ori, our technically gifted central midfielder opened the scoring. This was followed up shortly afterwards by a strike from our Captain, Chloe, to make the score 2 - 0, and already the match looked secure. Four more goals were scored before half-time, a hat-trick from Amelia, and one from Genny.

In the second half we made some adjustments in an attempt to manage the game and avoid an unnecessarily large score, however despite our best intentions the goals continued to flow. Ori scored again almost immediately after kick-off, and there was then a relatively quiet patch, with Teddies enjoying a little more possession and making a few chances, before a flurry of goals late on from Genny, Amelia, Chloe and a final well-deserved strike from Annabel, who had been playing despite feeling unwell.

The game therefore finished 11 - 0 to Pangbourne, meaning a 20-goal turnaround had been secured since the start of the season against this team. The girls played attractive and effective football throughout, and it has been a pleasure to see the level of their development this season.

Dr Ian Hart, Football Coach

Boys’ U14A Football vs Wellington College

A hastily assembled side due to players not showing up showed remarkable spirit despite their defeat in a fiercely contested match this weekend. With players meeting for the first time just before kick-off, expectations were modest. However, what the team lacked in familiarity, they made up for in determination and work rate. From the first whistle, they pressed together, communicated constantly, and showed a willingness to fight for possession.

There were plenty of chances created through sheer effort rather than polished play, and defensively the team stood strong, throwing bodies on the line and covering for one another. It was clear that, not knowing each other very well, they quickly developed a sense of unity on the pitch. 

In defeat, the team earned respect—proving that teamwork isn’t always built over time, but sometimes forged in effort, attitude, and resilience.

Mr Werner Nel, Football Coach

U14B Boys’ Football vs Wellington College

This one was definitely a game of two halves. Pangbourne put on a spirited display in the first half and were unfortunate to be trailing 2-0 at the break.  The second half was a completely different game altogether, as Pangborne lost their shape and conceded 3 goals in quick succession right at the start of the half. Credit to Bear for reducing the score on his third attempt on target after a couple of efforts hit the post. Final score 1-7.

Noah Takes Second Place in the Reading Mini Marathon

Many congratulations to Noah in Year 8 who completed the Reading ‘mini’ marathon last weekend, coming second place in his group. Noah completed the 3km in an incredibly fast time of 9 minutes and 6 seconds. As well as this, Noah’s personal best for a 5k park run is 16 minutes and 46 seconds. Well done Noah!