Cricket: Review for 2004-05

There were some notable performances and achievements throughout the 2005 cricket season. The U13s captured the Hazelwood 'Sixes' title and the 2nd X1 remained unbeaten. Outstanding individual contributions include Josh Payne's magnificent 180* in a 20 over match against Sevenoaks Prep and Simon Tinsley's 5-2 including a hat-trick against Hawthorns.

1st XI
This has been a very good season for the 1st XI with some very fine Cricket being played throughout the whole team.  We started the season like a steam train by winning our first three matches against Vinehall , Rose Hill and St. Michael's.  We then lost our way a little but managed to salvage creditable draws against a very strong New Beacon side packed with county players, and a Marlborough House team who simply batted better than us on the day. However, we hit the buffers when we tasted defeat against a useful outfit in the form of Ashdown House who chased down our very respectable total of 170-5 in 25 overs.  We then lost to Dulwich Prep but recovered to record very big victories against Soefieids, Hazelwood, Bethany, Sevenoaks, Holmewood House and, finally, Hawthorns.

Highlights of the season included our quite breathtaking victory at Homewood House.  They possessed some cricketers of high quality, but on a hot day with a lightning fast outfield our tight bowling lines and excellent fielding restricted them to just 131-7 after their 25 overs.  We set about the target and their strong bowling attack almost with contempt and reached our total with five overs to spare;  Josh Payne setting the tempo with a blistering 44 and Will McDowell seeing us home with a sublime 59 not out. Josh should also get a special mention here for his outstanding 180 not out against Sevenoaks Prep and his brilliant 105 not out versus Solefields.  I can honestly say I have never seen two better innings by a thirteen year old. Timing, placement, and power were in evidence with text book shots played alI around the wicket on the carpet and in the air. Josh scored 445 runs this season at an average of 55 and he also weighed in with 11 wickets and 6 catches.  A couple of other names to mention: Will McDowell had a very good season and will be around next year He scored 310 runs at an average of 31 and took 9 wickets with his left arm seamers.  His reliable hands also snared 5 catches.  Nick Spurling scored 206 runs at an average of 30 he will also be around next year.  One other all rounder prospect worthy of a mention (and will be around next year!) is Charlie Farrant who took 9 wickets at an average of only 12.4 and scored 123 runs at 41. There were a couple of fantastic partnerships which should not be forgotten; Nick Spurling and Josh Payne putting on 191 runs for the fourth wicket against Sevenoaks and Josh Payne and Rupert Harbig scoring 155 for the second wicket against Solefields.  So, a very pleasing season indeed that included winning the Hazelwood U13 'Sixes' tournament and being runners up in the Bethany 'Sixes'.  Very well done to all three Captains; Will McDowell, Rupert Harbig and Josh Payne and to all of the team who should be proud of their development and achievements as the year has progressed.

2nd XI
This was an unbeaten season for the 2nd XI which was down to both individual performances and team ethic.  Charlie Maitand with the bat and Simon Tinsley with the ball were the consistent star performers week in, week out.  They were backed up by many others in all areas of the game.  Although we easily defeated (by very big margins) four other schools, we also had to show our resilience against Ashdown and Holmewood House.  We did so and I hope that the boys not only improved individual, but a so learned the importance of being a strong unit.

Colts A
A number of boys had attended winter nets, therefore expectations of a quick . Our first match against Vinehall proved that bowlers e matches; by restricting the opposition to 57, our batsmen did not have to perform at full potential.  Batting second always proved a better option for us throughout the season as long as the bowlers bowled with a tight line and length.  We could have beaten St Michael's very easily had our extras count not been so high, playing on such a freezing cold day may have been a contributing factor.  A first round Kent Cup win against Sevenoaks Prep and suddenly the boys were beginning to believe in themselves and their ability.  The 'wheels' started to fall-off from this point as a I 00 run defeat at the hands of New Beacon was followed by an inept performance against Marlborough House.  We managed a good win against Ashdown House with Ben Woodmansee scoring a super 70no.  He followed this up with a 66 against Solefield which unfortunately was not enough to beat a strong team.  Our last three matches ended in disaster with defeats at the hands of Eltham College (in the Kent Cup), Holmewood House and Sutton Valence.  More winter nets required, I fear!

Under 10A
The start of the Under 10A team's Season was a shaky one, losing out to a strong Holmewood House in the first match.  However things got progressively better thereafter, picking up three wins out of the four remaining matches, including victories over Sutton Valence, Hazelwood and Hawthorns.  The match against New Beacon was called off and St Michael's chose to take on our B team.

There were some new developments this season - the sharp eye of Will McEachern as the new wicket-keeper and the quick, accurate, left-arm action of Nishant Singh stand out as new finds.  The old guard of Lexi Galanis, Toby Forward and Harry Rugg has also made good progress, bowling a more consistent line and length.

In the batting there were some promising partnerships, Alex Woodmansee and George Skeath engineered a famous win against Sutton Valence on the final hall with some truly suicidal running!  Barnaby Hodgkins demonstrated some fine stroke play and confident calling, and was ably backed up by the controlled performances of Cameron Lewis.  Charlie Barraud has yet to get his big hitting on target since his promotion to the As, but watch out when he does!

The fielding needs to improve if we are to beat teams like Holmewood House and Dulwich Prep but Philip Gul and Alex Park set the example with some attacking play and strong, accurate throws.

The team has put in a fantastic effort this season and all the players have developed their skills and understanding of the game along the way.  Well done chaps!