In the final game away at St Edward’s School, Oxford, the team travelled with more new faces, including four Colts who helped bolster the side with plenty of experience. George Macduff and Ludo both showed their class with the bat, helping to build an excellent score of 190 in the 25 overs. St Edward’s could not respond to that and the 3rd XI finished the season on a high with a convincing win.
Mr Matthew Fairburn
Colts A
Record: played 2, won 1, lost 1 Squad: Gianluca Mech (captain, 5th, Xt), Fabian Chess (5th, L), James Battishill (5th, NH), Alex de Wesslow (5th, Xt), Matthew Baker (5th, NH), Joe Warner (5th, S), Barnaby Napier (5th, Xt), Paddy Portsmouth (5th, NH), George Cook (5th, Xt), Harry Steel (5th, Xt), Piers Norton (5th, S), Guy Beynon (5th, Xt), Patrick Payne (5th, S), Thomas Bond (5th, NH), Edward Cutler (5th, S), Max Hickman (5th, H) It was a frustrating Summer Term for such a talented and very keen bunch of cricketers. A combination of bad weather and other schools cancelling resulted in only two fixtures. Competition for places was strong within the group; a training squad of 16 was created but two of those players, Edward Cutler (5th, S) and Max Hickman (5th, H) soon found themselves elevated to the 2nd XI. In addition, Joe, Gianluca and Matthew also found themselves playing for the 2nd XI at times. That is a great strength to have, especially with players involved in an important academic year with exams. Of the two games completed, Sherborne School was a classic case of being punished for silly errors; we were a better team but did not perform on the day and did not even manage to bat out our overs. The batsmen got themselves in and then out to mount a mediocre total of 114 all out in 30.2 overs. Although Sherborne were pushed and only managed to pass the total in the 31st over, the performance was lacking in any vigour. Pressure was not applied and silly errors and drop catches ensured the Sherborne batsmen could bat around their one true batsman.
to tea for no other loss, those two batsmen then went on to make a mockery of the Marlborough total, putting on 146 in just 129 balls. It was a classic display of power hitting from Matthew who managed to score 47 not out from 59 balls, and of those 59, 44 were dot balls! Meanwhile, at the other end, Gianluca was showing his class by combining punishing the bad ball with precise hitting to finish on 113 not out from 107 balls. An enjoyable season but a shame the boys were not able to demonstrate their skills on a more frequent basis. My thanks go to Gianluca and the boys, as well as to Mr Callum Runciman for his coaching expertise.
Mr Gwyn Williams
Junior Colts A
Record: played 8, won 4, drew 0, lost 4 Squad: Benedict Frisby (captain, 4th, L), Max Dymoke (vice-captain, 4th, NH), Hugo Bradshaw (4th, L), William Clayton (4th, H), Maximilian Deakin (4th, H), Joss Edwards (4th, H), Charles Holloway (4th, L), Frederick Foster (4th, NH), Jonothan JamiesonBlack (4th, H), Edward Johnston (4th, L), William Lait (4th, H), Finlay Milton (4th, Xt) James Palmer (4th, BH), Jamie Thorley (4th, BH), Jasper Windsor Clive (4th, H) It was a season very much of two halves. Undoubtedly a group of talented cricketers, they arrived from a successful Yearlings’ season having lost their main run-getters and wicket-takers (Jono Jamieson Black and James Palmer) to the 1st XI. Ability was never really the problem; developing a strong sense of self-belief as a side, and instilling a greater awareness of individuals’ strengths and contributions, were going to be key factors in producing a team capable of winning games of cricket. The first half of the season was very frustrating. Losses to Radley College, Sherborne School and Abingdon School were huge learning experiences for the team; all three were sides that we were capable of beating if we had played to our potential. There were also positives to emerge, as various players put in good performances, and it was clear to the
coaches that if we clicked mentally, then we would be able to play some superb cricket. The turning point came in a Sunday game against the Gloucestershire U15 side. Max Dymoke and Ben showed their potency as a new ball attack, bowling with pace and skill, restricting runs and nicking the odd wicket. They were backed up by other bowlers, especially Finn, but also through an excellent fielding display, putting the talented players under pressure. We were set 181 to chase, a potentially tricky target. However, half centuries from Ben and James, as well as an excellent cameo from Hugo, meant that we won the game relatively comfortably. The win meant that we approached the second half of the season with far greater confidence.
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Marlborough College side. They lost heavily, but with some very notable performances: George Grandage taking six wickets and George Macduff batting all the way through the innings. The total they had to chase was just too far out of sight; however the boys could be proud in particular of their bowling efforts.
We set the boys a target of winning all the games in the second half of term – and they did just that, playing impressive cricket. The most notable win came against a very strong Malvern College side, the toughest opponents we faced all season. A very brave and skilful half century from Max Dymoke, as well as some strong hitting from Ben, Jamie and Jasper meant that we posted a competitive 181 for 8. Three wickets from Max Dymoke, and some economical bowling from Ben, Jasper and Finn, meant that we bowled Malvern out for 162 in a great game. Again, top fielding played a major part. They are a group of cricketers capable of great things. In Ben and Max Dymoke, they have two players who will no doubt go on to have strong cricketing careers at College. Both contributed regularly with bat and ball throughout the season, and if they were to add consistency to their games, and learn from their errors, they could really dominate the circuit in future years. The likes of Jamie, Max Deakin, Hugo and Freddie all improved enormously with the bat, and showed a real desire to improve. In Charlie and Finn, they have two genuine leg spinners who, when confident and aggressive, cause batsmen trouble. The side is also fortunate to have an array of seaming depth, with William Clayton, Joss, Edward and Jasper all proving real threats. Huge thanks must go to Mr Mark Briers for all his help and support; the ground-staff, who
Fast forward to the next game and that was a morning start of 50 overs against Marlborough College and the boys came out fighting. It had been agreed that they would do justice to the way they had trained all term with commitment and do justice to their respective cricketing skills. Marlborough were to bat first and could only post a modest 188‑9 off their 50 overs, because of some excellent pressure bowling and sense or urgency in the field. Marlborough were not allowed to remove the shackles and the highlights were a 3‑36 from Barnaby and a 4‑19 from Gianluca. A slight early wobble saw Cheltenham at 44‑3 with captain Gianluca joined at the crease by Matthew. Successfully navigating themselves
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