Cricket Players Celebrate Successful Season
Written by Director of Cricket, Pete Sanderson
This season has been a good one despite the weather only being kind in the latter stages of the season. This means great credit must be given to Mark Joliffe and his ground staff team in getting all home matches on, the only matches that were cancelled were away ones. In the matches we played all teams saw success, I enjoyed being able to watch the different levels of skills, effort and humility on show when watching the B and C’s vs Blundells.
Overall, during the season, the school have won 67% of matches and there were many team highlights. Both girls’ teams reaching the regional finals was a tremendous effort and the programme is in a really exciting position moving forward. The 1st team competed well in the National T20 competition, in what is a very tough group vs Millfield, Clifton and Kings. In the junior cup the U14s reached the final where they competed well. Both B teams, 14s and 15s had close matches in their county cup matches as well. This has been replicated in the prep school where cricket is still flourishing across both boys and girls. The prep school’s match finished in winning silverware as the 12s beat Kings Hall in the county final. Well done to all teams.
From an individual prospective, there are too many highlights to mention with more runs and wickets taken than previous seasons. This season there were a whopping nine hundreds scored by seven players. There were six centuries out of seven matches in the 1st XI. Logan D (Goodland) lead the way and set the tone for the season scoring two, Ben M (Marshall) also scored two, the second against local rivals Kings, Kian R (Goodland) and James P (Fairwater) scored the others. Theo B, Luca G (Marshall) and Harvey C (Evans) scored hundreds in junior matches, with Harvey scoring 97 not out before heavy rain in a second match. The other four players achieved bowling success getting hat tricks: Thomas G (Marshall), 15As, Emily R (Woodyer) and Lily B, both Girls 15s, and Carlton C (Wills West), 4th XI. Well done to everyone.
Lastly, congratulations to Ben C and Oscar C who finished the season playing for Somerset 2nd XI, this was after Kian R played earlier in the season. Best of luck to all our cricketers in the summer and I look forward to seeing some of you play.
We gave out a number of awards to finish the season, the winners were:
Team Cricket Awards
1st XI Boys – Coaches of the Season Ben M, Players Player Kian R, Magic Moment Logan D back to back 100s
1st XI Girls – Coaches of the Season Alice R, Players Player Elle G, Magic Moment Megan D for Kings win
2nd XI – Coaches of the Season Shafin A, Players Player Cole W, Magic Moment Ben ‘Golden’ G
3rd XI – Coaches of the Season Bradley T, Players Player Austin R, Magic Moment Adam G amazing one handed catch like professional T20 player
4th XI – Coaches Player and Magic Moment both Carlton C for his hat-trick
15As – Coaches of the Season Jack B; Players Player T; Magic Moment Thomas G hat-trick
Girls 15s Cup – Coaches of the Season Charlotte W; Players Player Lily B; Magic Moment Sophie D 50 of 30 balls
Girls 15s – Coaches of the Season Grace G; Players Player Harriet B; Magic Moment Emily R hat-trick
15Bs – Coaches of the Season Gethin J; Players Player Dylan H; Magic Moment Alex H amazing diving catch vs Millfield
15Cs – Coaches of the Season Wilbur G; Players Player Heryck G; Magic Moment Wilbur G 50!
14As – Coaches of the Season Joshua S; Players Player Harvey C; Magic Moment Finlay P Early break throughs vs Clifton
14Bs – Coaches of the Season James P; Players Player Callum T; Magic Moment Monty K wicket first ball of the season!
14Cs –Coaches of the Season Ben L; Players Player Benedict B top fielding
Well done to all the others, who received school colours across both girls and boys cricket and those who received awards in the end of year celebrations. It was great to initiate the induction of girls Best Batter (Alice R), Bowler (Lily B), Junior (Charlotte W) and a girls Spirit of Cricket Award (Becca S). The Boys Best batter (Logan Dupont), Bowler (Shourya R), Junior – (Theo B) and Sportsmanship Cricket Award (Cole W). Thank you to Mrs Lockwood for her help with this.
I must finish by thanking lots of different groups. Firstly, the players for their efforts and commitment to improving their skills during training and matches. The support given by the parents, particularly the ones who had pupils doing exams. Next is all the staff behind the scenes, the coaches who take training and matches, scorers and umpires, the catering staff and transport coordinators. Finally, Shaun Carroll for making sure pupils were able to mix tennis and cricket.
Overall, a very enjoyable season, thanks all and best of luck to pupils playing in the summer and roll on next year.
Mr Sanderson
