Game 1 - RIT

After the boys had a chilled morning with their hosts, it was off to their first game at RIT. With some pretty torrential rain on the way to the match, the start of play was delayed due to the threat of lightning. Once the game started, the boys quickly realised that the heat was going to play a big part in their performances with temperatures rising to well above 90 degrees. Another factor that became apparent was how well prepared RIT were for this game, with a squad of over 30 players who had been training 3 times a day in this weather for the last 2 weeks. The Harvey team made a slow start to the game and were 2 goals down inside the first half hour. However, with some hydration and substitutions the team started to settle into the game and played some really good football. This was unfortunately short lived as the weather took another turn and the game had to be abandoned. This was disappointing for the Harvey as they felt like they were going to make a real impact in the final half hour. The enjoyment was not over for the team though, as they were treated (?) to ice baths from the dedicated physio and treatment team at RIT.

The Harvey team would like to thank RIT, their soccer squad and their medical and management team for their hospitality and facilities throughout the day!

 

 

It was then off to watch the Rochester Rhinos soccer to see their dual against the Pittburgh River Hounds. With another bout of horrendous weather the boys decided to brighten their spirits by joining Theo's Rochester Ultra's (the local fan base) with some chanting, flag waving and mascot bundles. The Rhino's did not let the new fans down with a 3-0 win. The evening ended with a trip on to the pitch for a team photo. Another great day in the States!

 

 

 

Niagara Falls/ Lewistown / Red Wings baseball







Just a big big thank you to John and Jo Ellen for all their help and hospitality across the day. Everyone really appreciated it and the boys had a great time! A day to remember!!

Boston Day Out

The day started with full stomachs from the hotel breakfast and then off to the city for some sightseeing. After some questionable driving into the wrong car park, we finally found a car park that just about fit the vans, much to Mr Stevenson's relief!

Then it was into the city for the duck tour around Boston. With a very enthusiastic and slightly eccentric driver the tour was enjoyed by all, especially Seth, Mr Hark and Miss Guy who were pleased to be captains of the boat for a while.

After the tour, it was off to Quincy Market for some food and a look around the shops. Some of the boys chose to enjoy the various food outlets in the Market, steak sandwiches and lobster rolls aplenty (while others chose the more familiar Wagamamas.) Some also enjoyed games of pool and table tennis in the shopping square for some light entertainment.

In the afternoon, we headed to Fenway Park for a tour of the baseball stadium. Again with another (very) enthusiastic guide, the boys knowledge of baseball went from a 1 out of 10 to at least a 7. The highlights of the tour was sitting in the 'Green Monster' and visiting the shop to buy many souvenirs for friends and family.

It was then back to the hotel for a freshen up and then off to Fuddruckers for many of the boys to ruin their pre tour fitness campaign with a 1lb burger (some of which opted for sides to go with this too!) So much for all that training and preparation. Back to the hotel for the second night, before the long journey to Afred tomorrow.

London - Boston

After many training sessions and pre tour games, the much anticipated day arrived. With bags packed and tour kit on, the boys said their goodbyes and the journey to the airport commenced. Once at the airport, all boys checked in smoothly (except those that forgot about an Esta - Bibek), and they headed to Nandos for some pre flight fuel. The flight headed off on time and the boys enjoyed the in flight entertainment and food throughout. Once landed, it was off to the hire cars and off to the hotel. Unfortunately for some, this was a slightly longer journey due to GPS malfunctions. By this point, the boys were tired and it was snacks and bed ready for the sight seeing day in Boston tomorrow.

Game 7 Susquannha Valley Sabres v. HGS - 28/08/14

Leaving for home the following day, Coaches Stevenson and Walton highlighted the importance to finish off the 2014 USA Tour in style, retaining their unbeaten record.

Lining up with Hancock, Nelhams, Brazier, Davidson, Price, Nunn, Donald, Maffia, Hearmon, Taylor, Ansell, HGS started on the right foot, keeping the ball and making SV work to win it for themselves. HGS took the lead on the 20 minute mark when Captain Donald struck home a beautifully curled shot with the outside of his boot from outside the area, following good hold up play from Ansell on the wide right. 

HGS went in at the break at 1-0 and Coaches Stevenson and Walton handed over their dictatorship from the sidelines to Coach Chamberlain who had a go at the helm. Just as companion Donald did, Jake Brazier capped his last ever game for the Harvey with a goal, when he lashed home the ball into the bottom right hand corner to give his side a 2-0 lead. Minutes later it was 3-0 when Donald (who was now playing at CB) found himself inside the box, where he turned inside the defender and crashed a left foot half volley into the stantion.

 
Brazier then again matched Donald with a serious contender for goal of the tour (although nothing will come close to Coach Walton's effort(s) in the pre tour games at Lyminge!!), his 30 yard drive stinging the keeper fingers as it found the top corner - both graduates now on a hat-trick. Harvey then had a penalty when Hearmon was tripped inside the area. Boston duck tour driver Hobbs stepped up, making it three penalties from three including tour preparation games to make it 5-0. None of the 3 penalties will be making the highlight reels though, with al 3 keepers needing to ask serious questions about themselves.

Both Brazier and Donald came mighty close to ending their glistening HGS careers with a hat-trick but it just wasn't to be. The former hitting the bar with a volley with minutes to go. Overall, the victory ensured that Harvey remained unbeaten on tour, an objective set by the coaches way back in April. The players and staff could now enjoy an evening at the Binghamton Mets Baseball before the long journey back to Folkestone.

FT - Sabres 0-5 Harvey GS.
Scorers - Brazier (2), Donald (2), Hobbs.
Man of the Match - Brazier.

Harvey Grammar School

USA Soccer Tour 2014

#Unbeaten

Games 4, 5 & 6 - 4 Way High School Challenge - 27/08/14

Wednesday saw Team HGS' battles with local high schools. Having had a few days off since their 3 games in 3 days against tough college sides, all apart from Aaron James were fit & ready for action.

Harvey kicked off Wednesday's one day round robin tournament against the Tigers. 

Starting XI Hancock, Hobbs, Brazier, Davidson, Price, Nunn, Hearmon, Nunn (C), Maffia, Smith, Taylor, Taggart 

As with the New York state rules for pre season games, the game started with a goal kick for our opponents (don't ask why as we were never actually informed, but being the polite Brits we are, we simply accepted it & moved on). This enabled us to force immediate pressure upon them, pinning them inside their own half.

With the games duration only a straight through 40 minute game, it was important that HGS got off to a good start with an early goal, and on 16 minutes they found it through Ronan Taggart when he poked home Maffia's near post low cross. 

It was 2-0 just 5 minutes later when Smith danced through two defenders after Hearmon's pass and finished neatly on his weaker left foot. Taylor was close to extending the lead when he cut in on his left foot and smashed a shot off of the post. HGS were not done just yet - Ethan Maffia all but wrapping up the game with the probable goal of the game. Cutting in on his right foot from the left flank, following skilful footwork he stroked the ball into the far corner for 3-0.

Smith doubled his tally for the game when Taylor's whipped in cross was headed home comfortably beyond the keeper for four. Coaches Walton and Stevenson would have been disappointed to lose their clean sheet in the dying embers, an unmarked forward tapped home for a consolation. 

FT - Harvey GS 4-1 Tigers. 
Scorers - Smith (2), Taggart, Maffia

With no doubt the biggest fixture of the final week, HGS faced some of their host families' boys in highly anticipated encounter following lots of pre-match build up and interaction amongst both teams players. After both teams had won their first match of the competition, these were no doubt the two best teams involved.

The line-ups were read out on the tannoy, accompanied by preparation music which the players warmed up to. Coaches Stevenson and Walton decided to start the game with Hancock, Nelhams, Brazier, Davidson, Price, Nunn, Donald, (C) Maffia, Hearmon, Taylor, Ansell.

Following interviews and pre-match media work done for FOX News, the boys were unaware that the game was being filmed and would be highlights would be further shown in a news clip on the news that night. Great pride was displayed in the sounding of the 'God save the Queen' national anthem as the players folded their hands behind their backs and sung for their country before kick off. 

Harvey took a while to settle into the game but when they did they began to cause the host problems. Substitute Ronan Taggart opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when he controlled exquisitely into his path before firing into the top corner. 

Six minutes from time captain Josh Donald plucked the ball down and crashed a half volley in off the underside of the crossbar. With literally the last kick of the game, Hearmon capped things off in style, showing great agility to keep his balance before passing the ball into the net for 3-0, a fitting finale for a great performance.

FT - Maine Endwell High School 0 - 3 Harvey GS
Scorers - Taggart, Donald, Hearmon

Whilst the remainder of the touring party were playing their scrimmages, Coach Chamberlain was asked if he could umpire a girl's field hockey game. Just to give you an indication of the importance that sport has around here, when we arrived, the Varsity & Junior Varsity football teams were practicing, the girls field hockey had a 3 team round robin competition & the girls tennis team had a 3 way tournament as well as the boys soccer that we were involved in. All this 2 weeks before school starts with the competitors having been in school for practice for at least 3 hours a day for the past fortnight!!

New York City - 26/08/14

Today we travelled to New York City. Travelling meant that it was an early start to the day due to the long journey into the city. It took about 3 hours to get there, we managed to park right in the city. Firstly we made our way to the docks where we would get the boat to the Statue of Liberty. We had a tour of the island and were told many facts about the statue and it's surroundings. 

We then took another boat onto another island where everyone used to have to go to go through immigration to get into the country. We then got the boat back into the city and had to get the subway to Times Square. 

We went into the main part viewing all the screens and going into a few shops. When we was tired of shopping we went to get some food in a BBQ grill. We then headed back to the car after a long day.

Report & PIctures - Harry Nunn