Taunton School pupils had two amazing opportunities over the February half term. The first was a combined sports (cricket and tennis) tour to Dubai. This was for all ages, year 9 to year 13, for all genders.

For cricket the mixed teams played against various academy teams, two schools and the UAE Women’s XI. The last match was true highlight as this was played under lights. Mr Sanderson and Miss Craven made up the numbers, to help support the pupils in the senior cricket team.

In tennis there were school and academy matches and they played at some amazing venues, the Tennis 360 had a amazing backdrop of the Dubai racecourse. 

The matches were competitive, and the pupils will have benefited hugely from this and are ready for the summer season.

As well as sport the tour including visits to the massive Dubai Mall, Waterpark, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding and a 4×4 Desert Safari including Camel rides and a culture evening.

The second opportunity was for five players who are in the Somerset Academy Programme and the U15s for Somerset and Devon U15s girls as they all went to Sri Lanka for training and matches. As players in the academy, Will, Ben and Oscar learnt so much from playing versus different bowlers on difficult surfaces. Harvey played versus different Sri Lankan teams and scored 50 in over half the matches. Grace toured with the Devon U15s girls and top scored in three matches.

A great effort by all players and they have shared their learning with pupils back at school. Kian, another academy player, could not attend the tour but had the opportunity to train with the full Somerset squad. 

Overall, a great February half term for the students at Taunton School. 

Four boys who went to Sri Lanka

Grace – Devon U15s Girls

Kian with Somerset 1st XI

On top of this, Pete Sanderson (Director of Cricket) has been working with Taunton Cricket Club Juniors to coach them and help them improve their skills. This culminated with a batting session held at Taunton School. They used bowling machines and did different batting drills to enhance batting technique, and also worked on their mental approach to playing shots.