1st XI Cricket Update
Match vs Elizabeth College Year 8Bs
Only former pupils James England and Seb Shand troubled the scorers in this encounter. The 1st XI took wickets at regular intervals, restricting the EC team to only 89 for 9 from their 20 overs. All bowlers were economical, with Joshua Duke (4 wickets) and Jacob Gomes (2 wickets) being the pick of the bowlers.
It was always going to be a difficult task, facing quicker bowlers and so it proved. The boys struggled to get the ball off the square. The EC team put the boys under pressure, with a close ring of fielders. Duke was the only batsman to reach double figures. To their credit, they gave the EC team a real scare in this 26 run defeat.
Wellington Investments Challenge Match 3
After the postponement of the previous, the 1st XI went into the game knowing they had retained the Wellington Investments Trophy. The 1st were put into bat and openers Will Martin and Hugo Harty got them off to a flier. Martin scored 38, and Harty contributed 14 in a partnership of 64 from the first 10 overs. Both players retired ‘not out’, having put the team in a strong position. Morgan Clayton (12) and Joshua Duke (22 not out) helped push the 1st XI past 130 from their 22 overs.
It was always going to be a formidable total, but the GCB side set about their task by playing aggressively. At 33 for 1 and then 56 for 2 the GCB were in control and well ahead of the run rate. The crucial wicket would be that of Luke Bichard. Scoring at faster than a run a ball and having hit two big sixes, he was well set to seal victory for his side. With 7 overs remaining the GCB only required 25 more runs, but then the turning point. Captain Joshua Duke came on to bowl. First, Bichard fell after being caught by Martin. The next ball was a ‘dot’ and then three straight deliveries was the undoing of the GCB lower order. The hat-trick was greeted by big celebrations for all involved. Having looked out of the game, the 1st XI were back in control. That Duke over was a quadruple wicket maiden! Two wickets were required and Edmund Hartley sealed victory taking both within his first four deliveries! The winning margin was 21 runs.
Cheltenham Cricket Tour
The first day of tour saw a 25 over encounter take place. The 1st XI batted and got off to a slow start. Wickets fell regularly. Morgan Clayton was top scorer with 21, which included three boundary fours in his innings. Freddie Allen played superbly, knocking the ball into the gaps for his 11. A total of 125 for 10 (teams were allowed to bat 12 players) from their allotted overs, was always going to be a challenge for the hosts.
A stand out performance from Monty Graveney helped Cheltenham to victory. This seemed unlikely when they required 21 from the last three overs. Duke took three wickets from his spell that included three maidens. Noah Evans also chipped in with two wickets. The fielding throughout was superb, with accurate throws and quick thinking helping to bring about three run outs. Graveney would prove to be the difference. His 72 from just 46 balls saw the hosts creep over the line. With one ball remaining they needed one to tie and two to win. Graveney hit his 11th boundary to secure the win. An exciting encounter to start the tour!
The following day, the 1st XI split into two teams of six. The rules saw each players bat in pairs for two overs and all fielders having to bowl at least one over. Double runs were available for hit the ball through the straight boundary. The final score would be calculated by dividing the total runs scored by the number of wickets plus one. For example: 30 runs scored, for the loss of one wicket would see a final total of 15. 30 ÷ 2 (1 wicket + 1) = 15.
The ‘Beechwood Bears’ and ‘Beechwood Bulldogs’ faced each other in the first encounter. The ‘Bears’ came out on top. Both sides learnt throughout the day, adapting their style of play, ensuring they lost the minimal amount of wickets as possible. They all applied themselves fully and heading into the last encounter, both had a chance to win the round robin tournament.
The ‘Bulldogs’ faced the Richard Pate ‘Pirates’ in the last fixture. The game, like many came down to the final ball, but the ‘Pirates’ prevailed. This left the ‘Bears’ as the sole remaining chance. They looked to have wrapped up victory until Graveney continued his destructive form, hitting the final two deliveries for huge sixes over ‘Cow Corner’. Ultimately, both teams would end the tournament with three victories and two defeats.
It was a fantastic experience for all the children involved. They can all be proud of their achievements on the cricket field and the way the represented the School. Well done!
PS