Radleian Sports Supplement ST19

THE

RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

S U M M E R 2019

CRICKET CLUB 2019

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The 2019 cricket season saw 232 boys play in competitive fixtures.

138 matches were completed and 88 won. That so much cricket was played in a slightly miserable second half of term from a climatic point of view is testament to Adam King and his team. Their professionalism is incredible. The facilities that boys play and train on are genuinely first class. Words here do not convey the debt of gratitude we all owe to Adam and his team for looking after the boys so well.

thanks go to them. Pam Dickens and the catering staff also work incredibly hard to extend great hospitality to visiting parents and coaches. I would also like to publicaly thank Andy Wagner for his tireless efforts over the winter ensuring that as many boys as possible benefit from his peerless experience. He is a master at coaxing the most out of schoolboy cricketers. Radley cricket would not be in such a healthy state without his incredible contribution.

In a busy summer term with so many competing pressures, the support of colleagues and parents in recognising the benefit of playing sport is hugely appreciated.

Colleagues show incredible interest in ensuring that as many boys as possible play for the school and my

There is one other member of staff to single out for a special vote of thanks. John Beasley helped to shape the current club. He coached at U14 and U15 level with great distinction, ensuring that boys play the game in absolutely the right spirit and that the highest

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Master in Charge: SH Dalrymple

standards were expected in terms of behaviour as well as in their performances. John was also master in charge of cricket during one of the school’s golden eras. The team that included Gubbins, Hearne and Marriott was a fantastic schoolboy side. They won trophies, as you might expect, but the intangible contribution was the frisson that went through the school when boys had the chance to watch those boys at the crease or Tinsley charging in off his long run. It is not often that schoolboy sport becomes theatre in that way and John’s side caught the imagination of the other pupils in the school. John brought his skills as a raconteur and his recall as a historian to bear on the job of master in charge. If you ask him now, he will still be able to recount every ball, a disappointing run chase at

Charterhouse or a famous win at Eton.

He managed to convey a real love for the game without ever needing to dumb it down. Cricket is meant to be difficult and agonising and frustrating and that is why we love it.

He demanded high standards of those who played under him and rewarded them with loyal and warm support.

It will be strange preparing for a season without JRWB and he retires to Norfolk with our best wishes and the offer of lunch and a seat on the balcony whenever he returns.

The club enjoyed a very successful year on the pitch winning 63% of completed games. However, bare statistics do not tell the important individual stories of boys working during the winter to prepare for the season, taking hat-tricks to change the course of matches or having to endure barren trots with the bat and maintain a sense of positivity and perspective. The game teaches them so much and I am very grateful to all involved for their contribution.

Special mention should be made of Midgets 1who won the Hundred competition at Cheltenham and had a memorable win against Eton.

They are an exciting year group to follow with some very talented spin bowlers and some very stylish batsmen. They will continue to improve as they move through the school. JC1 won the inaugural U15 version of the John Harvey Cup and made light of the disruptions foisted on them from the 1st XI. This was never more apparent than at Wellington where a wicket keeper and a fielder were required in the second half of their game. JAG and KMWS dealt with the inevitable frustrations this brings with good humour. Colts 1 were team of the year carrying all before them and winning every game they played.

The sense of team grew game by game under CPMM’s leadership and it is a testament to the boys involved that a year group whose Radley sporting journey started by not winning a rugby match as Midgets finished winning

every game of their final term of competitive sport as a group. They worked hard through the winter and fully deserved their success.

As one season ends, thoughts move to next year and the challenge of ensuring that we can provide as much meaningful competitive cricket as possible in a climate where exams and other competing factors have seen schools disbanding teams at an alarming rate. Everything possible will be done to encourage a love of the game and all the rewards it brings and lessons that it instils.

SH Dalrymple

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CRICKET 1ST XI P16 W7 L7 A2 Team from: GP Acheson-Gray, GH O’Connor, Z Hussain, MC JardineBrown, FJ Loveland, JS Sharp, PR Barnett, SJ Hack, AJ Haynes, WG Barker, LL Needham, JH Peers, AW Southgate, WC Carr (vc), HJ Chapman (vc), FJ Horler (vc), HW Purton (c) It was a difficult season to summarise at 1st XI level. Following a promising winter programme and two games in wet and windy Desert Springs, hopes were high for a successful season. In Purton, Carr, Chapman, Needham, Barker and Horler there were a core of experienced first team players returning and sights were set on competing well in the two cup competitions. We started away at Charterhouse and a relatively unflustered opening saw the score on 68 for 1 with half an hour until lunch. Unfortunately lunch was taken with the score on 86 for 6 and the promising position had been squandered. Rear-guard contributions from Will Carr, Sam Hack and Will Barker saw us cobble together 161 but it never quite felt enough. A good

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win following a sporting declaration by a talented MCC team showed the potential in the batting line up but the pendulum swung the other way again in horrible conditions against Cheltenham the following Saturday.

Having endured a battering from the wind in the field, losing two wickets in the first over in pursuit of 207 proved to be a fatal blow.

Eton’s visit became a very important game to try to get the season back on an even keel. Following a slightly odd performance in the field where good balls went past the edge and bad balls took wickets we were set 211 to win in 55 overs on a good batting surface. Fred Horler rode his luck early on but then unfurled a series of beautifully timed attacking shots to get us off to the proverbial ‘flyer’. His opening stand with captain Purton saw us to 100 from 17 overs. Both men were out just before tea and the spectres of batting collapses past reared their ugly head. However, Will Carr and Henry Chapman batted with real maturity and saw us home in 42.3 overs. A statistical oddity saw the four partnerships register 102, 0, 0 and 109*.

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This satisfying win was followed by two poor performances against Wellington and Bradfield. Against the former, injury robbed us of Will Carr for the rest of the year and, against the latter, academic trips meant that a number of first team regulars were unavailable. These losses meant that the match at home against St Edward’s became hugely important. It is one of the marquee fixtures against a very talented side including a number of boys who play representative cricket at a high level. Teddies batted first and made a measured 270. This might seem like about a par score in the context of the free-scoring international game but is a daunting target to chase in schools cricket. What happened next was hugely promising. Horler opened with Vth former Jamie Sharp and they set a very positive tone running well between the wickets and creating a sense of intent from the off. Sharp was run out taking a risk too many and that brought George Acheson-Gray to the crease.

He put on 86 runs in twenty overs of measured batting and the chase was well set up. George fell and, four overs later, Henry Chapman holed

Coaches: SH Dalrymple, AR Wagner Captain: HW Purton

out looking to force the pace. This brought the captain and Fred Horler together. Harry Purton scored 51 from 38 balls in a partnership of 77 in ten overs. It was the injection of momentum the innings needed and ensured that we would win unless we were bowled out. When Purton fell Phil Barnett came to the crease and offered Fred nerveless support as we counted down the runs. Teams that had played away gathered around the pitch on their return and boys streamed out of Chapel in lovely evening sunlight as Fred hit a short ball into the Silk Hall for a six to win the game. It was a great day and a moment that was based on years of hard work. Fred is tireless in the winter and has a model work ethic through the summer. It was brilliant to see that dedication rewarded. That victory was followed by another dominant performance in a win against Marlborough. This time batting first, we made 308 from 50 overs and were indebted to Fred’s second century in a row.

He made 130 and put on 219 for the first wicket with Jamie Sharp.

This allowed the middle order to express themselves taking over 70

runs from the last 7 overs to see us to a daunting total. The game looked alive at tea as Marlborough had raced to 120 for 4 from 20 overs but they were taking risks along the way and this played into Louis Needham’s hands. He struck twice just after tea, finishing with 3 for 38 from his ten overs. His contribution with the ball was immense all year and he was another who worked through the winter to deserve his success. These two wins came with bountiful bonus points and suddenly the John Harvey Cup campaign was alive and kicking.

Two tough games against Harrow and Tonbridge were lost, leaving the final game of the season at home to Winchester as a decider in the John Harvey Cup. A couple of late changes added to feelings of trepidation but Alex Haynes helped calm the nerves as his first ball removed the middle stump of the Winchester opener, who had scored a classy hundred last year.

The total of 171 seemed achievable on a good pitch with a lightning fast outfield. Fred Horler continued his fine form and made 69, putting on 79 runs with Henry Chapman. It would have been fitting for these two who have made great contributions to

Radley cricket over the last five years to walk off the pitch together but Fred made a rare error and it was left to Henry and Harry Purton to see us over the line and secure the trophy. It was a just reward for the quality of the good cricket we played. The season finished with a slightly contrived second day against Winchester. Purton and Barnett completed hundreds as we set Winchester 225 to avoid an innings defeat. They batted with real composure to secure a draw in the second game which drifted somewhat to a tame conclusion.

However, the value of exposing the boys to more different formats of the game was clear.

A huge thank you to the boys for their efforts in making 2019 a season that was hard to predict, agonising to watch and one that will be impossible to forget. Thoughts now turn to the winter programme and I look forward to it starting again in 2020…

SH Dalrymple

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CRICKET 2ND XI P10 W5 L4 D1 Team from: Vincent, Tompkins, Eliot-Cohen, Redmayne, Tufnell, Richardson (wk), Stalder, Buck, Rothery, Reed, Duncan, Denny, Miesegaes, Glassy, Eliott From the sublime (Tom Reed’s amazing 7-8 against Cheltenham, including five wickets in a row, and Tom Vincent’s elegant 94* against Abingdon) to the ridiculous (tying with Winchester when we had two wickets in hand and 8 overs to score one run...and failing to defend 14 off the final over against Harrow...), sums up the 2nd XI’s 2019 season.

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And in between glimpses of some highly effective seam bowling from Messrs Buck, Vincent and Rothery, spin from Redmayne, Tompkins and Denny, and eye-catching fifties from Captain Chapman, Bertie Southgate (two), Sam Richardson and George Redmayne and late order, late season power-hitting from Jamie Miesegaes.

So, the results were a bit of a mixed bag: only Wellington and Tonbridge outplayed us; the remaining lost or tied matches were ‘winnable’.

The frustration of this was ameliorated by the positive tone set

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Coaches: CE Scott-Malden, CA San Jose Captain: M Chapman

by Chappers and the other 6.2s in fostering an inclusive atmosphere of bonhomie and genuine enjoyment of the game and each other’s company.

More of this next year would be fantastic, alongside some improved running between the wickets and more consistently sharp fielding ... and of course a repeat of the splendid parental ‘support’ would be most welcome by CESM and CASJ! CE Scott-Malden and CA San Jose

CRICKET 3RD XI P7 W5 L2

Coaches: HD Hammond, KA Mosedale Captain: E Cockcroft

The team was strong throughout the season with many changes coming in the last few games. The most notable batting performance was Will Hamilton-Russell’s 114 not out off 43 balls! The best bowling performance of the season would belong to Ludo Grant, who took four wickets against Winchester to win us the match.

Bradfield was perhaps the most entertaining match of the season with the top order getting out rather cheaply, leaving it down to Will Hamilton-Russell to slay their bowling, with a more watchful 44 from skipper Eddie Cockcroft.

Harrow was another good victory with Sam Waller and Jeremy Shelton-Agar putting a great start on for Radley by scoring a 50 partnership off only seven overs.

Things got off to a disappointing start against Eton, with Radley losing by three wickets. We managed to score 97 runs, mainly down to a great knock by Jamie Miesegaes, but the opposition squeezed home. An opportunity missed.

Tonbridge was an annoying loss for us as our bowlers did well to control Tonbridge’s score, with Will Brookes-Ward getting two wickets for just 10 runs in his overs. The match against Winchester was our final game of the season and what

a game it proved to be. Three of Radley’s top five got out for ducks, leaving George Daly to rescue the innings and getting us to a total of 120. Our bowling once again proved its worth, most notably Ludo Grant’s four wickets off two overs, giving Radley the victory.

Overall a strong season by the 3rd XI and some cracking performances over the season. Quite rightly, Eddie Cockcroft received the 3rd XI player of the season award.

E Cockcroft

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CRICKET 4TH XI P6 W5 L1 This was a very successful season for the 4th XI in spite of the perennial problem of personnel changes for the team – a natural consequence of the team sitting at the foot of the senior cricket hierarchy. However, the depth of our squad meant we were able to rise to the challenge very convincingly.

The season got off to a positive start away at Cheltenham College.

In response to Cheltenham’s 103 all out, Radley responded well, scoring 105-6 for a comfortable 4-wicket victory, Archie Halliday top-scoring with 50.

In what is traditionally a very challenging fixture away at Eton College, this year we achieved a comfortable victory. Ludo Grant’s 5 for 10 with the ball did much to restrict Eton to 125 for 9; but at 28 for 3 after 11 overs in response things were not looking too promising. However, from that point on victory never looked in doubt as Freddie Lindblom (42) and Sam Waller (35 not out) guided the team to a 6-wicket victory.

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Whilst the fixture against Wellington College was lost to the weather, our next match saw us scrape a 2-wicket victory in a low scoring match against Marlborough College, Radley scoring 63 for 8 in response to Marlborough’s 62 all out: Ed Buchanan taking an impressive 3 wickets for only 1 run.

A much more convincing performance was provided away at Harrow School, where in response to our 144 for 5 (Fallowfield 30 and Grant 24 not out), Harrow were restricted to 133 for 8 off their overs for an 11-run victory for Radley.

The low point of the season came against Tonbridge, where the welldeserved promotion of 10 players who started the season in the 4th XI squad to play for the 3rd XI left us much weakened and we lost by 8 wickets (Radley 98 all out, Christopher Sloan top-scoring with 42, Tonbridge 102 for 2).

However, that same team achieved a comfortable 71-run victory against Winchester College in the final match of the season, Radley scoring 158 all out (Henderson 64,

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Coaches: SR Molyneux, A Cunningham Captain: H Fallowfield, E Buchanan

Fallowfield, 28 and George Dring 22) and then Fallowfield (3 for 17) and Josh Rae Smith (3 for 24) did most, in a very positive bowling display, to restrict Winchester to 87 all out.

Overall, it was very pleasing to see so many boys who started the season as 4th XI players move up to the 3rd XI when required and equally pleasing, in the later matches of the season, to see players, who were not selected earlier, rise to the challenge of maintaining a very good set of results for the team.

SR Molyneux and A Cunningham

CRICKET 5TH XI P5 W3 L2 The Outlaws’ (5th XI) season kicked off with an emphatic win away at Marlborough ably supported by Messrs Shott and Fraser walking ‘Grand Flaneur’ and chatting to the Marlborough girls on the boundary - ensuring morale was kept high throughout. Opening pair Henry Wiggin and Freddie Stone supported

by Jesse Beardsworth at 3, got off to a flyer on a ‘dodgy plastic pitch’ before Hugo Bertie (35; SR 233.3) and Marcus Stuart Bourne tucked in with Buttler/Stokes-esque elan in the middle overs. Tight lines from Messrs Boulton, Wyrley Birch and Stuart Bourne restricted the opposition batsmen and Marlborough were 35 runs short.

Zachary Peskin finished off the tail with 2 wickets in 3 balls.

Eton away was a nailbitter which we lost by 2 runs but confidence was high and the team starting to settle.

We lost a couple of boys to A level

Coaches: GHS May, JM Sparks Captain: T Boulton

revision but gained Matthew Siow, Dom Deeley and Fergus Mosedale.

Teddies brought their 3rd XI, two youthful looking coaches and something called a pre-match warm-up routine. We lost Siow and Will Robson quickly before Harry Gent (56) and a very patient and what was to prove brilliant 40 from Jake Terry steadied the ship to take us to 142 for 8. An aggressive, well pitched up lighting fast opening spell from captain Thomas Boulton bowled both openers who looked like they could bat long and sensibly, calmed the nerves a little. Marcus Stuart Bourne (2 for 15) and Henry Taylor (4 for 9) kept the pressure on forcing mistakes and rash running between the wicket. The c & b by Henry Taylor and catch by Dom Deely the pick of excellent fielding, forcing a collapse to 78 all out and some glum looking coaches and a long team debriefing for the oppo!

Thomas Willcox (2 for 9), Ee-thern Ship (2 for 19) and Jonty Stubbs (bowled GHSM) came in for the Aldworth/Common Room game with A levels in full swing. Jesse Beardsworth (b. Willcox) made 23 for the Common Room supported

by Nick Wood (47 b. Ship) setting the boys 152 to win. Terry again played beautifully, leaving anything outside off, batting through for 57*. Matthew Siow (bowled off a no-ball from GHSM) made his first competitive runs and Boulton 35*and Robson 28 (caught on the boundary by Mr Knowles), ensured The Outlaws won with 2 balls to spare.

The final game against ORs and friends from Oxford University was brutal with a couple of ‘Blues’ playing and their top 4 all retiring on 50*. Fortunately the score-book was then lost! A busy season with fantastic camaraderie and amazing turnout at every nets session.

Floreat The Outlaws!

GHS May and JM Sparks

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CRICKET COLTS I P8 W8 L0 Team from: Zac Carter (C), Zayn Hussain (C), Dom Stone, Raph Koudounaris, Jamie Sharp, James Hayes, Max Jardine-Brown, Rory Elliott, Fred Walker, Ben Wilson, Tom Beattie (+), Tom Wilson, Ollie Barker, Freddie Barber, Freddie Loveland I don’t think I have ever coached a group of boys who enjoy each other’s company and success as much as this group and I have no doubt this was a big reason for their success as a team. It was an unbeaten season to boot. I say it every year, but this is not an easy

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time of year as the temperature in the academic jungle rises hotter and hotter. However, to a boy, they trained hard and with a smile on their face (most of the time) before, during and after their exams.

Some games were easier than others, with several “high profile” opponents unable to field full strength teams due to exam leave and other excuses. The season started off in arctic conditions as Cheltenham arrived with beanies and duffle jackets being the order of the day! The first of many a toss was won, and Cheltenham were inserted.

Bowling and especially fielding

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Coaches: CPM McKegney, AJ King Captains: Z Carter, Z Hussain

weren’t going to be easy on the frozen tundra of Radley, but the lads were excellent with Barker setting the standard. He took an excellent catch in the deep and swooped all innings to cut countless runs off and he would eventually go on to win the Colts Fielding Cup – voted for by the boys. Cheltenham were bowled out for 111 with Barker, Elliott, Jardine-Brown and Carter all taking 2 wickets each. The chase was calmly tackled with Sharp carrying his bat for a classy 45 and the game was finished in a hurry as Jardine-Brown blasted 37 off just 23.

Other comfortable victories came against Bradfield, Marlborough and

Abingdon. Bradfield were skittled just for 86 - Elliott and Wilson starred with the ball, each taking 3 wickets. Koudounaris batted with great maturity and ended up on 44* (34) to complete a 7-wicket win. On the first vaguely sunny Saturday of the term, we travelled to Marlborough and completed a comfortable 6 wicket victory. It must be said that our fielding wasn’t “at its best” - maybe the hangover from all those GCSE exams had kicked in! Apart from a patient 46* from their number 3, the next top scorer and only other “player” to get into double figures were extras, with 11.

Carter bowled aggressively, taking 4 wickets and was unlucky not to get 5 but the opening pair of Loveland and Barber were splendid, allowing only 12 runs off the first 8 overs.

Chasing 104 should be formality and in reality, it was; although we looked a little rocky at 29/2.

Hayes dispatching the Marlborough

bowlers to all parts scoring 57(49) including one massive 6.

The games that defined the season though were the ones verses Eton, Wellington, Tonbridge and Harrow – two of which, they had never beaten.

On a typically cold and rainy day on Agars field, Eton won the toss and batted – we would have bowled (obviously!) as the pitch looked green and the outfield bumpy. A constant flow of wickets started by Barber, never allowed Eton to get going and they eventually got to 157/6 off their 35. Barber finished with figures of 3/33 on debut and was tireless throughout. At half time, the Eton coach thought they had, ‘enough’. I disagreed. The rain was constantly around and we came on and off twice but amidst this, a 49-run partnership between Sharp and Koudonaris was developing. All looked good until the rain lashed down again – would this all be in vain? In a last-ditch attempt to get the game to a conclusion a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target was calculated. We would need 100 off 20. With the next shower sure to end the game, Sharp looked to push the game on, but fell for 33. JardineBrown and then Hayes batted at better than a run a ball to accompany the ever-present Koudounaris, who ended up on 31 not out. A 7-wicket win was a fantastic result and their first win over Eton. Hussain was the standout man with the bat versus Wellington; and was definitely the difference in setting a score that looked out of reach. He ruined many of Wellington’s bowling figures in an innings that included three 6s and six 4s - eventually scoring 65* with a strike rate well over 150. Chasing 191, they could ill afford to hang around.

However, that pair of Loveland and Barber managed not to concede a run until the 5th over – indeed Barber didn’t concede a run until his 23rd ball. This really did for them, but it was our fielding that stood out. All season, we would pride ourselves on it and 3 run outs, including a direct hit from Barber, epitomised the hard work that was done over the course of the summer. Harrow brought the rain and cold back, but we managed to play through, restricting them to 129.

Although wicketless, Elliott bowled with venom and the Harrovians looked particularly uncomfortable against him. This fielding performance also included the two comedy moments of the season – I won’t embarrass anyone, but after dropping a relatively easy catch, the ball was chested to Loveland who pinged it in to Beattie to run out the unsuspecting batsman who was returning for an easy second!

With Stone and Koudonaris cruising at 87/0, it looked like a 10-wicket victory might be on the cards, but two wickets in two balls saw both depart to set up an unnecessarily tense finish! 3 more wickets would fall, however the game was finished with a towering 6 from Elliott another first win to go alongside Eton. The season was finished in style on a blisteringly hot day versus Tonbridge, at home. We inserted the visitors and the usual partners in crime went about their business.

Just 17 runs came off the first 7 overs and in 3 separate spells they would end up on combined figures of 5/40 off 13 overs. Jardine-Brown bowled with as much control as he had all season and Elliott carried on from where he left off versus Harrow; a frighteningly quick spell saw him claim 1/10 off 5. Another run out, this time from Wilson, was the perfect way to end our time in the field. 106 to win. Again, another 10-wicket win looked on and at 74/0 various cars were starting.

Sadly, T Wilson, who made a big impression in his two games was bowled for 24 but the game was seen home with Stone hitting his maiden 50 for Radley – 53*, well batted sir.

I hope you can tell that I loved every second of this season and the boys were a joy to work with. A prize giving BBQ wrapped things up; Stone was top run scorer with Carter top wicket taker, Players Player jointly went to Hayes and Barber and the 3-2-1 Player of the Season went to Loveland.

CPM McKegney

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CRICKET COLTS 2 P5 W4 L1 Team from: Archie Mogg (c), Tom Wilson, George Fincham, Max McGee, Jamie Beardmore-Gray, George Hall, Josh Wheeler, Arthur Horsey, Tom Pritchard, Will Blacker, Freddie Rasch, Finn Cunningham, Fred Walker.

This team was a joy to coach. They were serious about their cricket, and fairly serious full stop, but they were exemplary in their care for each other and their desire to win in the right way, with everyone getting a decent go - most of the squad could both bat and bowl, but the unquestioned rule was that the order would be rotated to make things as fair as possible. I never had to step in and make suggestions - it just happened. We also used several captains, because we could, all of whom did a great job. The only disappointment was that when Harrow scratched after their exams we were reduced to having only five fixtures.

The season started on a gloomy May Thursday at Marlborough. The side was immaculately turned out,

athletic looking, and apparently largely six feet three in height.

We had Oliver Barker and Freddie Barber in the team, both soon to depart to Colts 1, and they made an instant impact, the latter taking 4-8 including a hat-trick in two very rapid spells, and the former holding three screamers at first slip. The opposition were dispatched for 48, Barker also taking three wickets with his off-spin, before we cruised home by 7 wickets in 12 overs.

The second game at squally Eton went less well. A risky but effective onslaught from their opener saw us concede 188 off our 30 and we were always behind the run rate in the chase, despite promising knocks from Wilson (38) and Walker (33). We finished all out on 127, but bounced back the following Saturday in a hastily arranged game against Eton’s Colts 3, after Wellington let us down. On a wet wicket and sunny afternoon only Mogg and Beardmore-Gray (batting at 10) put proper scores together with 36 and 31, allowing us to post 125 from our 25 when we had been 50-7. Our bowling was tight, and we won by 62 runs, Blacker taking 3-5 and Hall

Coach: IK Campbell Captain: A Mogg

2-3 with a double wicket maiden.

Bradfield also were dispatched, this time at home. Wilson knocked up an aggressive 70 and McGee and Mogg 50 and 44 not out respectively as we set the visitors a target of 196 to win from 25 overs. A win by 80 runs ensued, with the overs and wickets being shared out.

Finally, after the hurly burly of GCSEs and more than a month’s break, we reconvened on the hottest day of the year to play a weakened Tonbridge side. Their innings was built entirely on one knock off 88 from their number three; after his dismissal an all-bowled Josh Wheeler hat trick wiped out the tail. A target of 141 from 25 overs was modest, especially after Horsey and Cunningham scored 39 off the first four. However their dismissals started an awful slump, with the total soon progressing to 44-5. It took a level-headed 50 not out from Beardmore-Gray at number 7 to see us home by 3 wickets.

Thus ended an excellent season in which all played a part. I hope they all get plenty of cricket in the sixth form and beyond.

IK Campbell

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CRICKET JC1 P10 W7 L2 A1 A season in which momentum was hard to come by would adequately sum up the summer of 2019. A talented bunch of young men who at times oozed with class and had the ability to put together phases of mature cricket. Although no games were lost to the weather, momentum was hard to come by during the week as a result of wet conditions during practice time and a number of injuries plaguing the squad. That said, to have secured the John Harvey Cup reflects the tenacity and talent of the group.

The season started well with a convincing pre-season victory against Charterhouse and the only century of the season coming from George O’Connor (j). With confidence high and temperatures chilly, an important win against Cheltenham College then followed with Benji Tucker (k)

Coaches: K Willis-Stovold, JA Gaunt Captain: R Harrap

scoring a match-winning 77 in the first innings. Both George and Benji contributed hugely with the ball as well taking 12 wickets for the season. Always a tough fixture, Eton then followed and despite having them 11 for 4, 129 was never going to be enough to defend. Similarly, Wellington then proved tough with circumstances also not helping as a couple of the squad ended up being called up to the 1st XI due to injury.

Despite changes in personnel, clinical victories then came against Bradfield College and St. Edward’s, with Ferdie Spicer (a) scoring 81. Vital in deciding the outcome of the John Harvey Cup, the victory against Abingdon proved to be season-defining and the nature of the win, with others having to step up to the plate, was all the more pleasing. Ollie Mordaunt (h) played a number of valuable innings, none more so than the run a ball 45 in

this match. Whilst there was then a disappointing performance against Tonbridge, with some tough lessons learnt, the chaps responded brilliantly and were once again clinical against Winchester to round off the season.

The character and resilience of the group was epitomised through the leadership of Rollo Harrap (f), who not only grew as a captain, but also took wickets at important times in tight games, ending up with 11 wickets for the season. Also with the ball, Thomas Seddon (b) worked tirelessly and his 53 overs were of great value to the side.

So to sum up, a season that ebbed and flowed with some fantastic highs and gut-wrenching lows. However, a terrific bunch to have worked with and whilst there were many lessons to be learnt, is that not the beauty of sport?

K Willis-Stovold, JA Gaunt

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CRICKET JC2 P8 W3 L5 Team from: Lucas Booth, Oscar Pikington, Lucas Bury, Toby Marriott, Will Smith, Archie CrosthwaiteEyre, William Mordaunt (wk), Algy Brackenbury, Edward Parkes, Patrick Goodwin, Magnus Garson, Rory Fletcher, Alex Wingfield, Jos Carreras The Junior Colts 2 of 2019 were, it’s safe to say, a much changed group when we called stumps on the final training session on Wednesday 3rd July. Through a combination of a challenging fixture card and the difficulty of settling on an eleven, the boys grew in resilience, skill and nous. The same could be said of their skipper, Lucas Booth. Perhaps not naturally keen to put himself forward, he developed into a perceptive, proactive leader and a strike-bowler of some venom.

It was in the field, indeed, that this side showed the fruits of their training.

Led by the bravery and reflexes of Archie Crosthwaite-Eyre at short extra

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cover and the bellicose but deft Rory Fletcher at backward-point, they were as tight a unit as I witnessed all season. The fielders ably supported the nagging line and length of Algy Brackenbury and Jos Carreras, alongside the often-ferocious leftarm swing of Ed Parkes as the side’s premier bowlers. We were fortunate to stumble upon Magnus Garson as an emerging seamer and to realise that our opening batsman, Oscar Pilkington, was also a devilishly consistent threat with the ball. Will Mordaunt grew into the role of keeper-catalyst and grafted at his glove work too. By the end of the season, he had developed into a tidy keeper, not to mention a reaper of violent assaults on tired bowling attacks.

It is clear from the results, though, that this side came up short on a few occasions. It was often the batting that failed to pass muster, it must be said. There was something of the early-nineties England Test side about them: full of willing, plenty of

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Coaches: AFC Nash, PWG Ford Captain: L Booth

ability, but a propensity to crumble with alarming speed, before offering gritty lower-order resistance. There were good top-order knocks from Pilkington and Smith on a couple of occasions, but often we were left short in the chase (see Marlborough, Wellington, Harrow) by a few runs which, with more judicious shotselection, could have been raised by the first 5 or 6 batsmen. We were grateful to the bats of Magnus Garson, Alex Wingfield and Will Mordaunt for hauling us towards respectability on more than one occasion. Alas, when in tight chases, we didn’t quite ‘get over the line’.

However, this was a side that matured as a group and offered some stern resistance in games they could easily have given away. I reflect on their efforts in the field in the face of an absurdly strong Tonbridge side and thirty-degree heat with particular pride and admiration. I hope many of the boys go on to play more cricket, both in and out of school.

AFC Nash

CRICKET JC3 P10 W7 D1 L2 Team from: Broke-Smith, Butterworth, Inglis (capt), Phillipson, Verdin, Martin, Aikenhead, Davies (wk), Vincent, Verdon, Monckton, Marriott, FearnleyWhittingstall, Wingfield.

This has been another excellent season for JC3 cricket. We started our campaign against Cheltenham where we were dominant in a windswept affair and this gave us confidence going in to the Eton fixture. Eton batted first and we restricted them to 101 for 8, which we chased down with the runs coming from Butterworth and Wingfield. It did not take long for JC2 to see Wingfield’s potential and we lost our captain to them soon after. Next up were Wellington and Bradfield – we won both games comfortably with no real standout players. A quality team performance in both games. Just before LeaveAway we were set to play St. Edward’s JC2 team, this was to be one of our tightest wins. We made an impressive

Coaches: REP Hughes, MCF Brown Captain: W Inglis

125 for 3 off 25 overs and although Teddies were 50 for 1 off 5 we managed to get them all out for 87.

A special mention must go to Lucas Bury who scored 58 runs and got a five-wicket haul.

from Davies and a captain’s 64* from Inglis gave us an imposing score of 198 which Winchester could not get near. A great season of cricket and a team that have huge potential for the future.

Leave-Away took its toll and we languished against Marlborough in a game we could have at least made close. Then came an extraordinary game against Harrow. We set them 128 (with a handy, if fortunate, 49 from Butterworth) to chase. The first ball of their innings hit our keeper’s helmet which was lying on the ground and gave away 5 penalty runs and we went on to tie the game, both teams being bowled out for 128.

We managed to edge past Abingdon – chasing down 129 very well only to lose a nailbiter to Tonbridge by 2 runs – we were chasing 171 in 25 overs so to come close was a great achievement. Our last game of the season was against Winchester JC2 and we saved our best batting performance until last. A quality 56

Special mentions to leading run scorer Butterworth (165), lead wicket taker Vincent (17) and our ever presents Butterworth, Inglis and Martin.

REP Hughes and MCF Brwon

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CRICKET JC4

Coaches: DWS Roques, CM Bedford Captains: T Woodward, O Broke-Smith

P8 W6 L2

the team were only chasing 79, it looked like all was lost until Henry Milne steadied the ship, guiding the team to victory. Ben Fleming scored an excellent 50 against Tonbridge, although in general his love of the big hit caused an early visit back to the pavilion. Mention must also be made of Nick King, who stepped in at the last minute against Marlborough, ably acting as wicket-keeper and also scoring a crucial 27, without which the game would have been lost.

Although the team for the most part adopted a democratic form of rule in the field, both Tom Woodward and Ollie Broke-Smith acted as captains who led from the front. Overall, all chipped in to make this a very enjoyable season.

Team from: B Fleming, W Monckton, G Fearnley-Whittingstall, H Milne, T Woodward, B Yin, J Fanshawe, E Verdon, J Jacobs, G Daly, J Ashley, J Aikenhead, A Grinstead, H Bennett, A Verdin, M Metherell, W Cameron, O Broke-Smith, N King.

The team has had a successful season, despite the lack of consistency in selection. No one player has dominated, but many have at different times made crucial contributions to games which would otherwise have been lost.

The bowling attack was led by Ben Fleming and Tom Woodward, both of whom had good pace and accuracy, pinning the opposition teams down without necessary taking many wickets. With their opponents duly

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softened up, Ed Verdon and George Fearnley-Whittingstall then both took wickets with some crafty spin, with Ed taking four wickets against Marlborough in the first match of the season. However, with their promotion to Junior Colts 3, the team were not left without talent. Angus Grinstead, although slightly inconsistent, bowled a few unplayable deliveries, while late-comers to the team, Will Cameron and Jasper Aikenhead, also contributed to the attack.

On the batting side of the game, the team’s top scorer was George Fearnley-Whittingstall, with 72 against Marlborough and 69 against Teddies. Jamie Ashley was also capable of some good shots, picking up 35 against Eton and generally acting as a steady opener.

Against Wellington, in a game when

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DWS Roques

CRICKET MIDGETS 1 P12 W7 L5 Team from: Luke Loveland; Jack Cotterell; Archie Elvin; Harry Markham; Edward Horsfield; Hector Brackenbury; Monty Donald; Jacobi McCowen; Declan Rugg; George Laing; Jonty Sugden; Oscar Phelps; Harry Lowndes-Lumb; Harry Wilson; Hugo Miles; Edward Cormack; Johnny Vickers.

It has been a strange summer term. Arctic conditions to start – unceasing rain in the middle and then a final burst of sunshine to welcome the holidays but too late to rescue the lost practice sessions of that crucial middle stage of the term when boys can work on elements of their game with the proof that this is actually necessary. Lulled into a false sense of security by the pace

Coaches: BT Knowles, OH Langton Captains: L Loveland, J Cotterell, A Elvin

and bounce of the indoor nets, we never quite developed the necessary resilience and flexibility with bat in hand to finish the job that our bowlers often started. Too often we left ourselves short in a chase or set our opponents too low a target, but only at Winchester, on a very disappointing final afternoon, were we ever out of the game. The two best sides that we played, Harrow and Tonbridge, won deservedly but not easily – a little more self-belief next time may well see a reverse of both results and that has to be the target.

We had three captains during the course of the season, all of whom learnt much about the role and performed creditably. Luke Loveland took the mantle early on – a boy with an evolving cricket brain, he

has great potential but possibly didn’t pay enough attention to his own performance during the early part of the season. When Jack Cotterell took over as captain, Luke’s performances improved and, when I finally convinced Jack that he could bowl, so did the team’s – the two of them took 29 wickets between them and rarely bowled a bad spell.

Archie Elvin was our third and final captain – also a spinner capable of changing a game with his clever variations in pace and angle of delivery, he is a real thinker and also one of the most enthusiastic encouragers of team mates that I have ever heard – he was just the man to lead the team through the testing end of term run-in against Harrow, Abingdon, Tonbridge and Winchester and it is no reflection of his ability as a captain that three of

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these games were lost.

Our spin attack was the envy of many of our opponents. Archie, Jack and Luke were preceded by Declan Rugg, who opened the bowling and, more often than not, took the wicket of the best player in the opposition.

This certainly happened at Bradfield and Winchester and he will take many wickets at Radley during his five years. He always bowled with fabulous control and his directions to fielders were legendary – never a word was wasted as he gesticulated at clueless fielders who were delaying his delivery stride – 11 wickets at 22 and an economy rate of under 4 was an excellent return.

Luke took 19 wickets at under 14, and Jack had the best economy rate, at under 3 – their bowling will be the fulcrum around which this side develops over the next couple of years, I suspect. The fast bowling cupboard was rather bare this year, so thank goodness for Monty Donald. Monty is a fantastic natural athlete and his bowling was all rhythm and menace. He was unlucky not to take more wickets than his 10 at 26, but he developed a searing yorker that accounted for many tailenders and, memorably, a certain O. Bowman, first ball against Marlborough. He also batted destructively at times, but needs to rely on a little more than just natural talent if he is to make it at the top level of schoolboy cricket. His 68* against Harrow was an extraordinary innings and, for a while, had them rattled. It was great.

The boys really enjoyed their day out at the Cheltenham Hundred and were deserved winners of the tournament. Johnny Vickers, Ed Cormack and the recalled Hugo Miles stepped in for the trio of actors who were rehearsing the Shell play and did an excellent job – Johnny in particular staking a claim for a place in the side, only for injury to curtail his season. This was a tournament designed for the big hitting Hector Brackenbury, the hero of the Cheltenham fixture earlier in the season when he bludgeoned a quite extraordinary 83*, but it was

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actually the spinners that proved the most effective players on the day, with Hector and others chipping in with useful runs throughout.

This was the story of the season and both the greatest strength and the Achilles heel of the side. Everyone could contribute – Ed Horsfield played a fantastic innings at Bradfield to see us to a good win there, but injury prevented him from bowling which was a real shame; we couldn’t quite work out where to put Jacobi McCowen who has all of the shots but had a habit of getting out to the most innocuous deliveries – his bowling, with the magnificent slower ball and the even more potent stare, threatened to dismiss many a set batsman (and occasionally did); George Laing bowled some brilliant spells and Harry Lowndes-Lumb looks as if he will be a cricketer of great quality, having worked his way through the ranks. Jonty Sugden was unlucky to be ruled out for the second half of the season due to a hamstring injury but will be a real talent with the ball – naturally tall and with an action reminiscent of Brett Lee, he is one to watch. Oscar Phelps had limited opportunities up the order and with ball in hand – what a luxury to have two good wrist spinners! but played vital innings at Abingdon and Tonbridge; Archie Elvin batted sensibly on every occasion and played a significant role as we almost chased down the Marlborough target from an impossible position – that was the game that saw Jack Cotterell carry his bat for 53* and play one of the best innings that I have seen from a Shell opener. Jack will make a fine all-rounder: a good off-spinner and an outstanding fielder, responsible for the catch of the season against Eton, he will score plenty of runs when he adds a little more power to his solid technique and excellent temperament.

Essentially, this side needs to value their wickets a little more dearly and work hard on the technical side of batting over the winter. Harry Markham, as the choice of wicket keeper, was unfortunate that the miserable weather gave us no chance

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to work solely on his keeping during the term – his batting improved considerably, as did his glove work, but again there are technical gains that must be made in the winter. This is difficult for busy boys whose rugby and hockey are also priorities – but if they want to avoid the frustrations of this term and win those close games that they had worked so hard to set up, then winter nets are absolutely vital.

As ever, enormous thanks must go the sainted groundstaff who have battled hard against the elements to provide us with wickets that are the envy of every school, and also to my co-coach, Mr. Knowles, for his generosity of spirit with the boys and patience with a Tutor. We have both loved working with a fantastic group of boys and we will enjoy watching their progress as they move up the school.

OH Langton

CRICKET MIDGETS 2 P9 W5 D1 L3 Team from: Ben Evans-Freke (c), Ed Cormack, Nico Dykes, Harry Wilson, Hugo Miles(wk), Freddie James, Gosmo Garrett-Cox, Jake BeardmoreGray, Harry Stanwell, Johnny Vickers, Harry Lowndes Lumb, Dan McDermott, Jonty Sugden, George Laing, Rob Sloan.

This was an entertaining season as the boys applied themselves well, particularly given adverse weather conditions for much of the summer.

We seemed to suffer during the week with rain thus sending us indoor to net. This hampers the team’s improvement in game management and fielding. Fortunately Saturdays were always dry enough to play and we enjoyed a season of relatively close matches.

The season started against Cheltenham with a reasonably straightforward win, Garrett-Cox coming to the fore with some dynamic batting and running between the wickets. Miles and James batted nicely to finish the innings and set a daunting total of 164 to win. Cheltenham did not get close, capitulating to 78 all out.

Coaches: JAD Wilson, M Hills Captain: B Evans-Freke

Eton have always been a strong opponent but I felt we were the allround better side in game two. They posted 189-4 but relied heavily on a 103 from Hickey who should have been in the team above. In reply a great 50 from Cormack and 27 from McDermott had us ahead of the rate with 57 needed from the final 10 overs and 7 wickets in hand.

Unfortunately the run chase then became too frenetic and we finished 9 runs short.

The game of the season was against Wellington. Thanks to Beardmore Gray’s 3-13 off 6 they only posted 152-9. In reply we were cruising with Wilson’s quick fire 47 before wickets tumbled. Needing 10 off the last over, James managed to hit two fours before the last ball merited a single, almost getting past midwicket and winning us the game.

At Bradfield, in a picturesque setting and on a dodgy pitch Vickers hit 50 and Lowndes Lumb 47 to take us to 133 in 25 overs. It proved more than enough with a fine bowling and fielding display. Each bowler took a wicket and the intensity in the field meant Bradfield limped to 58 all out.

We batted first and poorly against Marlborough, Harrow and Tonbridge losing early wickets and just about managing to muster a 100 in each game. These were the performances where we most pleased as coaches with the determination and concentration of the team. Against Marlborough Evans-Freke was outstanding with the ball taking 4 wickets and was ably supported by Lowndes Lumb who scored runs and took two wickets as Marlborough fell 16 runs short. At Harrow there were no special individual performances but we made a classy Harrow team work hard to chase down 114, taking 5 wickets in the process. Against Tonbridge we were 31-5 before Wilson played a really mature innings, scoring 45 to push us past three figures. In reply Stanwell and Beardmore-Gray bowled superbly and Tonbridge still needed 20 to win when their eighth wicket was taken.

Alas we could not quite get across the line but the enthusiasm and effort levels were at the maximum.

The season was finished off with a routine win against Winchester.

Cormack getting the highest score of the season.

JAD Wilson

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CRICKET MIDGETS 3 P9 W6 L3 A strong start to a hugely enjoyable season began with a rare win against Eton, on the diminutive ‘Death Row’ pitch with a focused century for future M2 player Nico Dykes and 88* for our selfless and excellent captain Orlando Stirling, with Ali Noble’s left arm spin also earning him 4 wickets.

The top order shone once again against Wellington. The opposition set a formidable target of 149 from 25 overs, with Jamie Cooper taking 3 for 14 off his 3. In response, Orlando Stirling compiled a watchful 51 to support a more aggressive 82* from another future M2 player, Harry Lowndes Lumb. Harry finished things off with a classy straight 6 with four balls to spare.

Finding another short boundary pitch at Bradfield, M3 piled on the runs thanks to 66 from Arthur Carr, 83 from Rob Sloan and a swift 30 from 13 balls from Henry Cowen, before promptly bowling Bradfield out for 79 runs, with Arthur Carr taking 4 for 7 in his 3 overs.

A rainy afternoon meant the Harrow fixture was reduced to 15 overs per side, with Harrow posting an intimidating 126 runs in the first innings. M3’s innings didn’t quite get off to the much-needed flyer, and a valiant 63* off 46 balls from Rob Sloan was ultimately in vain.

We were next visited by Aysgarth’s touring 1st XI, opting to try a new format with two 15 over innings per side. It worked very well, with all players contributing, including 31 from Nico Dykes and 33 from Jamie Cooper. Ultimately, however, the opposition’s solid top order thrived on a small pitch, resulting in a 5 wicket win for Aysgarth.

A two innings game against prep school Cothill’s 1st XI saw Radley once more ease back to winning ways with 41 quick fire runs for Dan McDermott and an even quicker 37 from 13 balls for Jamie Cooper, including 4 sixes over Death Row’s

Against St. Edward’s, M3 put on a very respectable first innings total of 140, Rob Sloan contributing 31 to be the only batsman to outscore extras (29). The bowlers then showed their skills. Arthur Carr was once again the leading wicket taker, with a destructive 5 for 8 off his 3 overs.

Radley encountered a similarly unbeaten Marlborough side after Leave Away, limiting them to 136-8 with more wickets for medium pacer Henry Cowen before an all-round team batting performance, led by Ali Noble (22) and Arthur Carr (41*) chased down their total with just 3 overs to spare.

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Coaches: EO Holt, AJ Hibbs Captain: O Stirling

enticing boundaries.

The final match of the season, away at Tonbridge in the scorching heat, saw Radley rather wilt in the field, followed by a fairly swift batting collapse, partially salvaged by Jamie Cooper and Miles Beckford to reduce the deficit to just 105 runs.

Coaching this team has been an absolute pleasure. They are a charming group of young men who have been kind and supportive to each other and us throughout the season. They played their cricket with a positive mindset and genuine enthusiasm, leading to a strong set of results across nine thoroughly enjoyable matches.

AJ Hibbs

CRICKET MIDGETS 4 P8 W5 L3 Team from: A. Chilvers, R. Haripaul, W. Verdin, P. Hughes, M. Boucher, H. Wilson, F. Griffin, O. Bryant, W. Brasher, A. Thompson, H. Boulton.

The opening match was against Cheltenham College. This was a lovely occasion, even more so because Radley won the match comfortably by nine wickets. The second match was to be a much bigger test. On any occasion, Eton would be a difficult match but it is a particularly difficult challenge so early in the season, just as we were beginning to build our team.

I was delighted with the hard work and endeavour of the boys and a four-wicket defeat shows just how close the match was, and I could see that we had the makings of a very useful team. Indeed, throughout the season Midgets 4 were not only a tight unit, but were also a lovely group boys, ably led by Captain

Coaches: M Walker, P Gamble Captain: W Verdin

Will Verdin. Sadly, our Wellington fixture was cancelled but when the team did return to the fray, they comfortably beat both St. Edward’s and Marlborough College. A rainaffected Harrow fixture followed: a ten-ten fixture was lost by Radley in the final over. Against Abingdon we played two fifteen over innings each. This is a novel way of organising a limited overs fixture, and it has some merit. An excellent thirty from Archie Chilvers, off twenty-five balls, set us nicely on our way and a comfortable win over our local rivals’ third team was justly deserved. On the final Saturday of the season, Midgets 4 joined others for the long coach journey to Tonbridge. As ever, it was a challenging fixture and our hosts posted 153-9 from 25 overs. Radley got off to a poor start in response, owing to Tonbridge’s opening bowler who seemed to have eaten three Shredded Wheat for breakfast – and indeed would probably have

won a place in our own top team.

Given the wobbly start for Radley, it was slightly disappointing that Tonbridge’s marvellous spirit in the field on occasion tipped over into unnecessary communication with our batsmen. It was particularly impressive, therefore, that with the score at 31-7, Verdin and Wilson faced up to such hostilities posting a partnership of 53. These boys demonstrated the spirit in which cricket should be played. The final match of the season saw a mid-week trip to Winchester. It was a beautiful day in this most English of settings – our hosts were generous, and their boys delightful. Midgets 4 were on top form, bowling our hosts out for 84. Our opening pair of Chilvers and Haripaul posted 53, setting up an 8 wicket victory.

M Walker

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CRICKET MIDGETS 5 P7 W4 L3 A3 Midgets 5 had another strong season, winning 4 of our 7 fixtures (and having to face 3 late cancellations from opposition teams clearly fearing our power, which ought to count as walkovers). Two of the losses were tight - we lost by 21 runs against Harrow and by just 3 against Bradfield, which was painful - however, it spurred us on to a fantastic end to the season, in which we beat Tonbridge away on Saturday by 81 runs for the first time in many years, and then Winchester away two days later by 41 runs. Even the more disappointing loss, against Eton away, was not the mismatch it has sometimes been - we lost by 41 runs, with Oscar Ngong scoring an excellent 30 from 27 balls lower down the order.

One improvement over the course of the season was in our opening, as we gained confidence. In the very first match, against Marlborough, which we won by 80 runs, we began a trend which lasted three matches, of losing our opener first ball. In fact, given that this was the very first

ball faced by Geordie Maddan at Radley, we wondered what version of a duck it might be: perhaps a Royal Duck, or a Golden Goose, or both. Max Holmes picked up the dubious honour of a Diamond Duck later in the innings, being run out without facing a ball. For Max, who was joining us for one game only before moving to Athletics, this was not perhaps a Radley cricket career that will go down in history, but it goes down here, anyway, so he gets his well-deserved footnote in history. By the end of the season, against Winchester, our openers put on 64, which any mathematician will be able to tell you is an infinite improvement (so would any score at all, of course, but let us not be pedantic).

There were some stellar performances over the season from individuals. Archie Thompson scored 128 in 4 matches including 1 n.o and 2 50s (1 of which was retired), for an average of 64.

Logan MacEachran took 3 for 10 from 4 overs, with 1 maiden, against Winchester, and Henry Boulton began the season with

Coaches: DJT Scott Captain: A Lloyd

an extraordinary 5-19 from 3.3 overs, also taking a good catch and scoring 19 useful lower-order runs, against Marlborough. The single most astounding performance, however, was from Hugh Curling, who in his first ever match for Radley, against a very strong Harrow team, took 4-9 from 3 overs, including a triplewicket maiden, that briefly gave us a real chance of winning. We were also lucky enough to get a fine 50 from 40 balls from the experienced but previously injured Tobias Morton before he began his inexorable rise to Midgets 3. However, this was a season of the whole team contributing Hugo Thompson, as our ever-present wicket-keeper, saved innumerable runs before finally scoring some of his own in the last game of the season; Archie Lloyd and Geordie Maddan accumulated usefully, with Lloyd proving a confident and respected captain; and for lots of boys, most importantly of all, their first taste of cricket at Radley was enjoyable, friendly, full of laughter, and plenty of success. I do hope many of these boys, talented players, will continue with their cricket next summer.

DJT Scott

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ROWING 1ST VIII Ted Williams (cox), Felix Rawlinson, Ned Rae Smith, Rory Gearing, Luke Miles, Alex Senior, Peter Denton, Theo Metcalf, Freddie Nielsen.

This has been a very successful term for the 1st VIII. After finishing the Schools’ Head in 4th place some 20 seconds behind the winners in the Lent Term, the squad knew that they would need to step up considerably in order to be competitive. By the end of the Easter training camp in Slovenia, the new line-up had shown some impressive speed and knew they had some exciting potential. This was demonstrated right from the first regatta of the term.

Munich International Regatta After a number of gruelling trials, four Radley boys were selected to represent Great Britain at the Munich International Regatta. This is an event held over two days and contested by a number of countries’ national teams and some very strong German Club crews. On the Saturday, Felix Rawlinson had an excellent race in the top GB coxless four and claimed the bronze medal in the event. Only some erratic steering prevented them from securing the silver medal. In the last race of the day, Alex Senior had a good race in the eight and won the gold medal after a good tussle with the Czech Republic eight.

On the Sunday, Felix Rawlinson, Ned Rae Smith and Freddie Nielsen had an excellent race in the top eight event and won a silver medal behind the German team and ahead of Croatia, Poland and the Czech Republic.

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The event gave the four boys some excellent race preparation at a very high level.

Wallingford Regatta With four of the 1st VIII away representing GB at the Munich International Regatta it was up to the five remaining boys to fly the flag for Radley in the J18 coxed four event. Rory Gearing, Luke Miles, Theo Metcalf, Hector Thorneycroft (filling in for Peter Denton who was ill) and cox Ted Williams made up the crew and gelled well from the start. In the heat the crew stormed to an early lead and completed the first 500m in a very fast 1:33.8 seconds and were able to ease up in the second half of the race. In the final, the crew had another good first 1000m and established a 5 second lead which they were able to extend to 7 seconds by the end of the race securing them a well-deserved overall victory.

Nottingham City Regatta The 1st VIII came to Nottingham knowing that they would only have one opportunity before the National Schools’ Regatta to race in a 2000m multi-lane race. The crew had been making good progress in training and were eager to test their speed against Shiplake who had won the Schools’ Head and finished 20 seconds ahead of the Radley crew. In the heat the crew stormed out to an early lead and made the most of the gentle tailwind conditions to reach the 1000m mark in 2:53.1 and were then in a commanding lead over second placed Agecroft A. The crew crossed the finish line rating 24 strokes per minute and recorded a time of 6:02.5.

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Coach: JE Gearing

In the final the crew were quietly confident of being able to win, having posted quicker times than Shiplake to every marker when comparing their heats. The crews were level for the first 250m but the Radley crew then opened up a commanding 3 second lead by the 1000m and were able to hold this for the remainder of the race, finishing in a time of 5:52.7.

This was a very creditable result and showed that the crew had some exciting potential for the remainder of the season.

National Schools’ Regatta The 1st VIII had a good build-up to this regatta and were looking forward to some good racing. Knowing how the conditions can change during the course of the day at Dorney Lake and how important the lane draw can be, the crew were determined to get a good result in the time trial to ensure a favourable lane draw, should the conditions change. The time trial went well and the crew achieved the fastest time of all the crews in this event. In the semi-final we were up against Shiplake and St Paul’s and again the crew raced well, securing a comfortable win in a time of 5:48.65 which was a new course record. In the final, the crew unfortunately did not race as well as they had done in the semi-final and were a bit slower to the 500m and 1000m marks. St Paul’s got out to an early lead and although the crew closed the gap in the second half of the course, they had to settle for the bronze medal, just over 2 seconds behind St Paul’s and just over a second behind Shiplake. The crew was a bit disappointed after their strong showing earlier in the

day, but hopefully would learn from the experience and it was encouraging to see how close they were to the winners.

Senior Squad After their slightly disappointing performance in the Championship Eights’ final the day before, the boys had to pick themselves up for the Sunday races. This they did in fine style and finished the day as the most successful school overall in the three categories they contended.

Championship Pairs Felix Rawlinson and Ned Rae Smith had been performing very well in the GB Trials this season and it was decided to give them an opportunity to showcase their talent in this category against the best pairs in the country.

They performed convincingly in both the time trial and their semi-final posting the fastest times overall. In the final, they stepped up their efforts even further and won the gold medal by a very convincing 9 second margin and broke the course record in the process!

Championship Coxless Fours It was decided to enter two fours in the coxed and coxless fours that would both have a chance of securing a medal. The coxless four of Rory Gearing, Peter Denton, Alex Senior and Freddie Nielsen secured a place in the final by winning their semi-final against the top four from St Paul’s. The final was an extremely close-fought affair and the Radley crew snatched the bronze medal in the last three strokes of the race!

Championship Coxed Four The coxed four also performed very well in the time-trial and semi-final and secured themselves a place in the A-Final. The final was an even more closely-contested race and despite coming from behind very strongly during the course of the race, the crew

of Theo Metcalf, Luke Miles, Hector Thorneycroft, Matt Gissen and Ted Williams had to settle for fourth place, just 1.2 seconds off the silver and less than a second behind the bronze.

This was an even more impressive performance considering the crew had got together for the first time that morning!

Metropolitan Regatta After a rather tough week of training and trials, the 1st VIII were determined to show their real potential at the Metropolitan Regatta. The crew raced very well in their semi-final and secured themselves a place in the final against a number of senior clubs and the St Paul’s and Eton first eights.

The crew had a solid start in the final and had their nose ahead at the 250m mark. They rowed with discipline and commitment to increase this lead at every marker to clinch the victory (and a very impressive and substantial trophy) by over 2 seconds and 6 seconds ahead of third-placed Eton. Full credit to the crew for bouncing back so quickly after their disappointing loss to St Paul’s just one week before.

Henley Royal Regatta The crew went into Henley wellprepared and had shown an improvement in their rowing in the days leading up to the event. In the first round they came up against Norwich School and the crew made a good start and were able to take the pressure down after the first two minutes to secure a comfortable victory. On the second day they came up against a selected crew from the USA, Lawrenceville School. This was an even easier race for the crew which was in some ways disappointing as they knew they would need to step up the following day against Eton. In the quarter-final against Eton, the crews were level for the first 500m, but Eton

managed to open up a lead of about a length at the halfway mark. Although Radley were able to close this lead to about half a length, they were unable to push through Eton. Eton then went on to beat Shiplake by a length in the semi-final and then beat Scotch College, by over a length in the final.

The Radley crew acknowledged that although they tried their hardest during the race, they did not produce their best rowing of the season. The pressures of Henley are certainly unique and the crew found it challenging to cope with being one of the strong favourites for the event this year.

GB Trials A total of four boys were invited to trial for the GB junior team at the beginning of the holidays. We also managed to qualify an additional boy, Peter Denton, who won the race-off and was therefore granted a spot at the trials. After 5 days of intensive racing (most boys completed approximately 26 1500m races!), all five boys were chosen to represent GB during the summer holidays.

Felix Rawlinson was selected for the Junior World Championships team (competing in Tokyo) and Ned Rae Smith, Alex Senior, Freddie Nielsen and Peter Denton were all selected to represent GB at the Coupe de la Jeunesse to be held at Corgeno in Italy. Whilst the GB trials were taking place, Matthew Gissen and Rory Gearing took part in the England rowing trials and were selected to represent England at the Home International Regatta in Strathclyde, Scotland.

This is the largest number of international representatives the club has had and congratulations to all the boys involved.

JE Gearing

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ROWING 2ND VIII Harry Stone (cox), Alec Goschen, Matthew Gissen, William Redley, Hector Thorneycroft, Fred Dreyer, William Nelson, Felix Reynish, Henry Martin, Henry Hawkins.

The 2nd VIII have enjoyed an excellent season and their rate of progression during the term has been exciting to witness. Their season culminated with an excellent gold medal and a new course record at the National Schools’ Regatta.

Wallingford Regatta The 2nd VIII had two 2000m races.

After a very close run semi they reached the final where they finished a close second Pangbourne’s 1st VIII and ahead of Eton College’s 2nd VIII and the Hampton, King’s Chester and St George’s 1st VIIIs - an excellent performance.

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A special mention to Hector Thornycroft who in the morning raced twice in a four with the first eight group, helping them to a victory – a total of seven races during the course of the weekend!

Nottingham City Regatta After a careful first row, doing just enough to qualify, they raced extremely well in the final recording a time of 6.06, just 6 seconds behind Abingdon’s 1st VIII who won the event and ahead of King’s Chester 1st VIII and Shiplake’s 2nd VIII. A promising set of results which left the crew confident but not complacent for the National Schools’ Regatta - they knew it will be a close run to achieve a medal.

National Schools’ Regatta In the run-in to NSR the second eight

THE RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

Coach: M Genchi

were very professional and a highly motivated group of young men.

To add to this they were enjoying every session, and this is why they were finding more and more speed.

But they were always aware of how important it was to have a good time trial to secure a good lane. The time trial went well but only well enough to finish third, closely behind Shiplake and Eton. However when it came to preparing for the final they were determined and focused and looked like winners.

And winners they were from virtually the first stroke! It was a superb performance and they were worthy gold medallists. They also broke the record which was previously held by a Radley crew coached by Garry Wiseman.

M Genchi

ROWING 16.1-2 J16.1 - H.Kane, C.Giuseppetti, J.Lam, A.Donald, P.Chetwode, B,Dreyer, J.Ekins, R.Halford-Harrison, F.Trasler J16.2 - R.Sambhi, A.Pearson, O.Alford, B.Zhang, O.Taylour, S.Shaw, M.Findley-Grant, N.Simanand, R.Adams As is always the case for the Boat Club, the main event of the season was the National Schools’ Regatta, which takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend. This was the primary focus for both J16 boats as they looked to make progress on their performances from last year, which saw them finish 14th and 11th respectively in the country.

In the build-up to these events both crews were making significant progress racing at some of the smaller regattas and some organised internal fixtures looking to gain valuable practice.

The J16.2 crew made the short trip to Dorney Lake to tackle their rivals from Eton College, which provided the crew with some extremely close racing, and over the three races Eton won two and Radley one.This gave the group some really useful things to work on and evaluate with their coach Miss Milanova with NSR just around the corner The J16.1 boat travelled slightly further to Bedford Regatta to compete in the eight, which saw them taking on Hampton School in arguably the race of the day.

Radley started down on the staggered start and fought hard to reel Hampton in over the 4 minute race, and coming into the final stages it looked as if they had managed it, but unfortunately the final verdict was a win to Hampton by 3 feet. However, this signalled a real turn of fortunes

Coaches: S Townsend, S Milanova

for the group who redoubled their efforts and tackled their training with much more concentration and commitment afterwards.

A really encouraging performance from the group who can now step on to the senior years as Radley oarsmen with momentum.

At the National Schools’ Regatta both crews raced with a lot of character and performed well in the time trials. The J16.2 crew had a strong row, beating Bedford, and were within one second of the Eton crew they had tussled with a few weeks earlier. In the A Final the group got off to a shaky start struggling to stay with the pace of the race early on. However, the boys demonstrated some strong resilience and determination to stick to their task, and after fighting hard all the way to the line, they managed to overhaul the Bedford crew, meaning they finished a very creditable 6th overall.

Overall, the squad have had a very productive season, learning lots about racing at a more senior level and learning to train with more consistency. It is also extremely satisfying knowing most of the squad will be rowing again next year as seniors. They were a really great group to work with, and it was also brilliant to see a very committed few who stayed on after exams had finished to form a Henley Temple crew, which ultimately did not qualify, but the boys had a great experience racing down the famous course and picking up wins at Marlow Town Regatta along the way.

The J16.1 boat had their work cut out in their time trial, where only the top 12 crews out of 21 could earn the right to continue racing.

The boys produced their best row of the season delivering an excellent 8th placed finish.

Well done all!

S Townsend

In the semi final the crew tried to go with the pace of the faster boats in an attempt to make the A Final, but this pace proved too strong and the crew finished 5th, meaning they raced later in the day in the B Final for places 7-12 in the country. In an incredibly tight race in the B Final, Radley worked their way from 6th place at the first 500m, to being in contention with 500m to go.

The crew were applying a huge amount of pressure on the leading St. Edward’s crew to try and win the race, and with a strong build to the line the crew ended up securing an 8th placed finish overall and got within a canvas of the Teddies boat.

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ROWING 15.1 After a solid base set in the Lent term, and a well earned rest, the boys arrived for their pre-season training camp at Reading. With 22 boys on the camp and four days rowing we were to do plenty of small boat work, and crew work, and by the end of the camp we were able to select the 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 crews.

Our 15.1 group included 10 boys, Cox: Ben Brown, Rowers: Harry Plumstead, Edward Mortimer, Guy Jardine, Harry Pitt, Max Hartwright, Harry Silman, Antonio Perez Quane, Maxime Geuten and Teddy Tufnell. In the lead-up to national schools we had a few problems with injuries and availability for regattas. So we were unable to race our full NSR line up, until the big day itself, however as a group and squad, the boat raced at: BASHER 1, 4th ranked J15 crew.

Wallingford Regatta 4th

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season. Onto the semi-final, the boys now in their element, got out to a textbook start, took the lead the first 250m, and never looked back. They dealt with several challenges from KCS, but stayed in control to win the semi-final in a record-breaking time of, 6.18.43.

boats and finals for a lot of the other crews. The boys finished off the summer term in style setting themselves up well for next Spring.

With one more race of the day left, the boys now set their eyes on 1st place. In the final the boys didn’t get off to quite as good a start as they would have liked and this time they were the crew chasing Norwich and St Paul’s down. By the 1k marker Norwich were looking imperious, but the race for 2nd, 3rd and 4th was on with 1.5 seconds between St Paul’s, KCS and Radley.

The boys stayed resilient and despite slipping into 4th position with 250m to go, held their nerve to pull back to a fabulous bronze medal.

H Lyons

A mixed bag of races leading into National Schools’, but the boys knew we hadn’t raced a full line-up yet. This gave the boys confidence to focus on their boat speed in the last 2 weeks before National Schools’.

After half-term much more time was spent in small boats, learning to row/race pairs, fours, singles and quads. Star regatta was unfortunately cancelled. After this the boys focused back in the eight, onto Marlow Regatta, the last 2k race of the season, a chance to redeem themselves after National Schools’. With Teddy Tufnell back from injury, the boys hit the regatta hard and won their first ever race at Dorney Lake over competitors Windsor Boys and King’s College School amongst others.

Into National Schools’ with a big surge of boat speed in the last fortnight the boys hit their time trial hard but with confidence, with a good row under their belts, the boys came in 3rd. A great result ahead of many of the crews they had previously lost to in regatta

The last regatta for the Removes was Reading Town regatta, with 28 boys racing in fours, quads, pairs and singles. A win for Harry Plumstead, Maxime Geuten, Johnny Elliot, Hamish Rimmer and Connor Casey in the J15 4+, with plenty of experience gained in the small

Bedford regatta, knocked out in the Q-F by the winners, Norwich School, after beating the winners of Wallingford regatta the week before in their heat, Windsor Boys’ School.

Coach: H Lyons

THE RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

ROWING 15.2-3 Our 15.2 boat: Cox: Johnny Elliot, March Turnbull, Teddy Barlow, Felix Cripps, Hamish Rimmer, Connor Casey, Andy Su, Hylton Harvey Hylton, Roddy Lewis(Sub for 3 regattas Oscar White).

After boat selection, this crew went from strength to strength, clearly establishing themselves as a medal contender at NSR later on in the term. Race results: BASHER 1, 2nd ranked J15.2 crew.

Bedford Regatta, knocked out in the first round by the winners, St Paul’s by the closest margin of the day.

Thames Ditton Regatta, First roundbeat WBS 15.2 by 1 length, Second round-beat St George’s 15.1 by ½ length, lost the Final to WBS 15.1 by 2 lengths, a great effort from a second crew in the 15.1 event.

After some good race experience before National Schools’ the boys were ready to fight for a medal place.

In the time trial, the boys put in a solid effort to earn themselves a spot in the semi-final coming 4th in the time trial, job done but leaving some work to do. Their semi-final did not quite go to plan, heading out of the blocks they started well, but never seemed to hit a rhythm, in the latter parts of the race, 1st and 2nd place got away from them, but they did enough to maintain 3rd place and qualify into the final. After a post race chat, analyzing their performance, the boys knew what we needed to change heading into the final.

The boys got out to a good start, with 1st place St Pauls making their intentions clear at the beginning of the race, barring error winning it in the first 1k, this left our boys vying

Coaches: J Robson, N Pilborough, H Lyons O Choroba

for the minor medals, with 4 crews within 1.5seconds at the 1k marker.

The boys dug in hard, for the last 1000m, in a straight drag race the boys put in their row of the day, coming away with a well deserved bronze medal.

After half term much more time was spent in small boats, learning to row/race pairs, fours, singles and quads. Marlow Town was the first challenge, for the 15.2 boys in fours, quads and doubles. In the event of the day the boys just lost out in the eight in the final to locals Great Marlow School 15.1.

acquitted themselves very well.

The boys began to gel for National Schools Regatta and only a crab within their own boat could stop them from reaching the finals.

Lessons were learned for Marlow Town, Basher 2 and Reading Town Regattas and even though pots eluded our oarsmen, they gave their best when competing on the water.

O Choroba

The last regatta for the removes was Reading Town regatta, with 28 boys racing in fours, quads, pairs and singles. A win for Harry Plumstead, Maxime Geuten, Johnny Elliot, Hamish Rimmer and Connor Casey in the J15 4+, with plenty of experience gained in the small boats and finals for a lot of the other crews, the boys finished off the summer term in style setting themselves up well for next Spring.

H Lyons J15.3 Pre-National Schools’ preparation, this crew clearly showed themselves as the 2nd place 15.3 in the country at all events, at BASHER coming 2nd to Eton, and then getting knocked out to Eton at Bedford by the closest margin, after beating Eton’s 15.4 in the first round.

However heading into NSR the third boat was always going to be a tough proposition having had to race in second boat categories.

Nonetheless the crew, ably coxed and stroked by Charlie Graham and Ed Burgess Watson, respectively,

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ROWING 14.1-5 National Schools Gold x2, wins at Bedford, Thames Ditton, Marlow Town, Blenheim Palace, and Reading Town Regattas.

The A&B squad started the term with a training camp. Two days on the water which gave the term a kick start. After two weeks of training the boys got to show their stuff at BASHER where the squad took home the clean sweep with the fastest A, B, C, D and E crews.

Clean sweep became somewhat of a mantra in the first half term, winning all the J14 Octo categories at Bedford against stiff competition and both at Thames Ditton. For the coaches at least, National Schools’ couldn’t come quickly enough. At the start of the summer term we took the top 4 octos, to Dorney Lake for National Schools Regatta, with the C & D crew there out of hope more than expectation. It was the C & D crews, however, who took the glory in the time trials earning spots in the A and B finals for the J14B competition, an unrivalled achievement of squad depth for Radley crews. The A & B crews had us more nervous though, placing

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3rd and 2nd in their respective time trials. With the evening approaching and the arrival of SMT to join a healthy host of supporters it was time for the finals. The D crew started proceedings placing 11th overall (as Mr Thomas rightly said, potentially the most impressive achievement of the day).

The final of the J14B competition with our B and C crews both lining up. The C crew scrapped hard to finish 4th. The B crew started out just behind St Pauls before pulling through at half way before winning convincingly. Nerves built up further still before the J14A final but the boys peaked at the right time getting out ahead of Shiplake and holding them off by a 1/2 length at the finish.

After half term we looked to new challenges to test the boys’ skills racing in doubles and quads at Marlow Town and Reading Town Regattas in particular, with wins at both. The A & B octos got to flex their muscles again at Reading Town placing 1st and 2nd ahead of the full Abingdon squad.

THE RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

Coaches: SD Walter, LRI Smart, BJ Holden O Dix, AC Norman, TP Bowles

The term finished on a lighter but still competitive note with the internal J14 single sculls competition. After time trials 12 boys from the A&B squad and 12 from the C, D & E squad were selected for a one on one knock out competition. It was good to see the results of the boys challenging themselves in the smallest of boats with all competitors remaining upright during racing (though some did manage to capsize before and after!). After some hotly contested battles, H. Jones won the main competition The boys have achieved an enormous amount this year and did so by showing the qualities of hard work, grit and team spirit which are vital for a successful boat club. Thanks go to Mr Townsend, Mr Thomas, Mr Lyons and all the parents for their invaluable support across the term.

SD Walter

LAWN TENNIS 2019 Tennis in 2019 continues to be in rude health. The Club boasts one hundred and eighty members and won just under half of all matches played. 2019 welcomed a fine group of talented Shells, several of whom journeyed to Mallorca for pre-season training.

Precocious youngsters started to challenge the established order at once and bid for places in the College Junior IV, a year early. Both Ed Horsfield and Monty Donald played successfully for the Junior IV over the season.

Junior players have been encouraged to duke it out with the Seniors as a matter of routine.

Bigside grandee Ed Alder (still only a Remove) leads the way, and was latterly joined playing for the Senior side by the excellent Luke Rowland contesting the last matches of the term victoriously.

At the culmination of the season this pair won 9 out of 10 matches to lift the Springthorpe Trophy at ISTA - a real highlight!

The conspicuous excellence of these

Master in Charge: RD Woodling

players and the elite performance of international Juniors playing in Mallorca has opened the eyes of Radleians to what can be achieved.

On tour, Harry Haigh, a powerful Bigside regular, gamely contested an intriguing match against a top Austrian Junior. After much huffing and puffing Harry was taken to the shed to the amazement of the Shells.

A demonstration of the reality of playing the ball not the man and a challenge to the youngest players.

Further success came for the Shells when Ambrose Chan won the Club Singles competition on the final Saturday of term. This tournament is played by Club members not selected for duty at ISTA. Ambrose saw off challenges from two Secondside squad players along the way. Outstanding!

Ambrose followed up this success with victory in the Junior Social Tennis Competition with teammates from K Social. The Senior Competition was won impressively

by J Social seeing off a classy D Social, led by 2019 Captain Ed Crowston. Karl von Sanden teamed

up with Bigside team-mate Ed Alder (him again) to sink the first pair from D but the match was won by Colts stalwarts Harry Hoare and Alex Coulson securing the winning games against Senior big hitters Harry Haigh and Will Power in a fantastic match.

The annual Lads and Dads tournament was well supported and ultimately won by scratch pairing Dr. Hakimi, and star JC player, Hugo Medd in a highly entertaining final. Across the net were top seeds older brother (and occasional Bigside player) George, partnering mum, and former pro, Joy. Perhaps Joy will join Hugo next year and see if he can retain the title?

Once again the Dons took to the court and played three fixtures, winning two. The one loss came against a stylish and accomplished MCS team, led by Kerry Smith. Points were won all round however and brilliant tea shared once battle was done.

Finally, the Club would like to congratulate Jon Maskens, Head Coach and Oxfordshire Captain, on winning LTA Regional Coach of the Year 2019. A fantastic achievement and validation for his hard work and serious expertise.

2019 will see more youngsters progress into Senior teams and a fresh influx of talent in the Shells. Ed Crowston can confidently look forward to continuing his winning ways as he captains the Club into the new season.

RD Woodling

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BIGSIDE TENNIS P14 W6 D0 L8 Sets For 70.5 Sets Against 78.5 2019 was challenging for Bigside with notable players having recently left or being unavailable to play.

The season was a success but did not reach the heights of recent years. Captain Ned Batstone was outstanding and was partnered faithfully by 2019 Captain Ed Crowston. Bat and Crow enjoyed numerous victories over the season including against Bradfield 1 & 2, ISTA quarter finalists. Ned was hampered by a wrist injury, which meant he did not quite achieve all his goals, but he continues to be a member of the Oxfordshire Men’s side and has the full confidence of Captain and Radley Head Coach Jon Maskens.

Very pleasing wins were secured against Harrow and Tonbridge in regular fixtures, while Bigside beat St. Paul’s, Charterhouse and Tonbridge again in the ISL. The Senior side were unlucky not to progress to the elite top group after the first weekend’s play, having beaten eventual winners St. Paul’s but narrowly losing to Cranleigh. Second place was about right. Next year the team will work on more steady match play with fewer highs and lows: in ISL and other tournaments every game counts and maturity is required to stick to the cause when the matches are frustrating.

won the modified scoring at RHMM at Harrow playing no. 3, including beating his Harrow opposite man 8-0. Karl routinely brought home the bacon for Bigside and his humble maturity and tenacity saw him promoted from no. 6 to no. 3 by the end of term. Karl has a stylish game with easy power. He is a committed tennis player and the efforts made over the off-season at indoor training and Central Hour lessons have come good in spades. Karl has leap-frogged other lofty players to secure a rock solid place in Bigside and has been named Club Vice-Captain for 2019.

2019 saw Bigside play both MCS and Abingdon on several occasions. This year the team generally just lost out where in other years we might have expected to win. Further down the Club wins were easier to come by with Secondside comfortably seeing off MCS in RHMM. OXIST was again contested at MCS, though due to drizzle play was confined to the hard courts. Norovirus had struck down three regular players when Joy Tacon (George and Hugo Medd’s mum) made RDW an offer he

Over the season, data was collected on individual performances and a modified scoring system was applied to account for team order and relative competitiveness of opposition. Ed Alder was routinely close to the top of the scoring, but it is testament to their supreme ability that playing nos. 1 &2 Bat and Crow were often in the top three in the modified scoring. Revelation of the season was Karl von Sanden who

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THE RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

Master in Charge: RD Woodling

couldn’t refuse asking if she could don the red jacket and swing for Bigside. Partnering Ed Crowston she saw off MCS 1 and ran Abingdon close securing valuable games against MCS’ Chopper and giving Abingdon’s Max Hall a real fright.

Joy contributed to a light-hearted but very positive afternoon of play between friends and local rivals.

The Club would like to recognise our thanks to Joy for her perennial support.

Bad weather intervened against Winchester and again at the St. George’s Pairs, but a friendly singles match was arranged vs St. George’s indoors instead. It was an opportunity to try out new player Luke Rowland and he did not disappoint, not dropping a game at no. 4. Ed Crowston, playing no. 1, had a ding-dong battle against a ladies player and top tennis scholar. Ed won a two-hour slug-fest, but had to dig very deep. There were wins for Harry Haigh and for Ed Alder who needed a final match tie break to overcome SGC no. 2. As can be seen from the photo all the players (apart from Luke) had a real work out!

ISTA was a disappointment when a slightly understrength side were ambushed by an excellent team from UCS. Bat and Crow unusually lost to an outstanding UCS Pair 1 and Radley Pair 2 were seen off by a clinical UCS second pair. As mentioned earlier, Bigiside players Alder and Rowland qualified for the Junior competition and eventually hoisted the Springthorpe Trophy after three days and ten matches played!

This was most spiriting for the Club and a boost for Bigside going into 2019.

In addition to those lads mentioned Baz Butterwick was consitently selected for Bigside. His brand of uncompromising big hitting won him some impressive matches, but could

occasionally be his undoing. Will Way proved himself a stout competitor especially in singles and is looking good for next year, joining the team for the latter half of the season.

Will Power has big weapons and hopefully can spend more time on the practice court next year. Angus Goaman also played well displaying stylish strokes and power. It was a pleasure to welcome Hugo Carr to the team for a couple of matches.

Playing doubles with veteran Milo Brett and with Baz Butterwick, he scored important points for the team.

Hugo’s father had captained Bigside when Mick Dean was Captaining Oxfordshire.

Secondside had a successful and spiriting season. An army of younger players joined in 6.1 and several returning 6.2 players did not quite make the cut for Bigside and bolstered the Seconds considerably. Pleasing wins were achieved vs Harrow and Tonbridge in regular fixtures, and wins vs MCS and Marlborough were gained in competition.

Radley continues to have the great advantage of real strength in depth with many lads approaching Secondside standard. Over the Summer term 25 boys represented Secondside, almost a record.

Often weekends saw multiple first / second teams playing in order to provide the standard of play needed for Radley’s Senior men.

On their day players such as Ed Elliott and George Medd could compete sensibly with the Bigside

I would like to thank Jon Maskens for his outstanding coaching and Ned Batstone for his splendid captaincy (over two years) and for the stand out example he has set to rest of the Club.

RD Woodling

Full Colours were awarded to Ned Batston and Ed Crowston; Half

SECONDSIDE TENNIS P8 W4 L4 D0

Colours were awarded to Ed Alder (already held), Baz Butterwick, Karl von Sanden and Harry Haigh.

squad. George played the final match of the season for Bigside and secured the half point needed to vanquish Tonbridge.

Many of the lads can look forward to playing a decent standard of tennis at university and at club level thereafter and I hope that they can come back to play against the College very soon.

Seconds Colours were awarded to: George Medd, Ed Elliott, Lucas Ely, Tom Sweetnam, George EgertonWarburton, Tristan Southwell, Oliver Sim, Geordie Thomson.

My thanks to Dr. Hakimi for managing such a pleasing season.

Coach: AKM Hakimi, S Barlass, M Jewell

Senior III P4 W3 L1 D0 Senior III played four regular fixtures and impressively won three, losing only to an excellent Eton side. Tonbridge were trounced in the final match of the season gaining revenge for recent losses.

21 players swung for the Thirds, with places mainly going to younger lads who can look forward to playing in higher teams next year.

Senior IV had one regular fixture and pleasingly won it versus a decent Rugby IV. In addition, a Senior Gents side was fielded for an annual social tennis match versus Westonbirt – a highlight for many – no score was returned!

Thanks to Mr. Barlass and Mr. Jewell for leading these merry men.

RD Woodling

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TENNIS COLTS P8 W4 L4 D0 In a Colts Tennis season inevitably curtailed somewhat by exam clashes, there was still healthy competition. The early season brings the ISL league, in which the Radley Junior Team (aided, it must be said, by a brilliant J15 squad) qualified in third place on the first weekend, allowing the opportunity for a creditable 10th place overall on the second weekend, where the day’s play was hosted at Radley. The core of the Colts team competed these tournaments: George Dutton, Louis Donaldson,

Harry Hoare and Harvey Glover, but Nick Tompkins proved an able deputy when called into action. One particularly difficult midweek fixture vs Harrow saw a ‘whitewash’ reverse: a low point in the season, but perhaps the spur to improve towards a healthy win over Tonbridge later in the term.

Another contributing factor was the return from injury for Alex Rowley, whose leftie groundstrokes brought greater power and precision to the squad. The annual Oxbridge tournament suffered a withdrawal from Abingdon on the eve of the tournament, leaving

TENNIS MIDGETS M1: P7 W3 L4 D0 M2: P6 W2 L4 D0 M3: P5 W0 L5 D0 The Midgets tennis squad had a tough but enjoyable season.

In a term packed with both team fixtures and individual tournaments, the boys showed remarkable resilience and determination. Overall, as a squad, they played 18 fixtures with the M1 pairs additionally playing in the ISL, Eton College Pairs, and Oxford Tennis tournaments.

The Midgets tennis season opened with a traditionally difficult fixture against Harrow. All three teams were in action but it proved to be a tough afternoon. Both M1 and M3 narrowly lost but M2 came out on top, comfortably winning 4-2.

Overall, this was a rocky start to the season but it gave the boys the opportunity to play together as a full squad for the first time and 34

identify areas to work on.

There was no time to waste as the squad needed to get ready to face Eton. An Eton team strong in depth proved too experienced for M2 and M3 but M1 came out fighting and managed to secure a massive 7-2 win for Radley.

With M1 and 2 pairs competing in various tournaments, normal play resumed on a rainy afternoon at Winchester with all three teams competing. M1 managed to triumph over the tough opposition but sadly M2 and M3 missed out on a win, losing 4-14 overall.

The last team fixture of the season saw Radley face Tonbridge, usually a very tough side. In perhaps one of the best fixtures of the term, both M1 and M2 won their matches, M2 securing their second win of the season. M3 made a stellar effort but sadly just missed out on their

THE RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

Coach: H Crump

Radley and MCS to compete an amicable draw. The traditional Radley depth came through at Colts 2 level, where three of the four matches were won, though the loss was a heavy one, to Eton who were able to display the qualities honed on their unrivalled tennis facilities. The same fate befell Colts 3.

In amongst the nervousness of the exam season, tennis gave the boys good cheer. Thanks indeed to MFD, PJT and JDC for their help throughout.

H Crump

Coaches: R Burns, PM Bennett

first win, losing 5-4, in a nail biting end to the season.

Coaches RB and PMB would like to comment on the attitude and team spirit of the boys. They were always early, stayed late and competed in true Radley form in all aspects of the season. It was a pleasure to coach such an energetic and good spirited team and we hope that they will have continued success next season.

R Burns

ATHLETICS This year the Athletics team has seen a great deal of improvement and has had some great results, our best in a long time.

The seasons began with ‘Talent Seeking’ where every member of the club attempted every single event. This was particularly useful in helping us to track individual improvement over the term and recording personal bests.

The first external event this season was the Achilles relays where we had some great results in the 4x100m relays, with the Intermediate team of Rowland, Ramachandran, Isaacs and Yan doing performing particularly well. There were some good performances at the Harrow match, with standout performances from Albi Tufnell, coming 3rd in his first competitive 2000m Steeplechase, Tim Ojo getting 2nd in the Triple Jump, and Ollie Green coming 3rd in the Javelin. Following that there was the first Open Graded Meeting at Oxford

Master in Charge: PM Fernandez Captain: T Southwell

City AC where the majority of the club set new PBs in their respective races.

After Leave Away we travelled to Abingdon (Tilsley Park Track) and we won overall. There were fantastic performances from all of the club leading to the victory with some standout performances from Will Green, winning his 80m Hurdles, Will Isaacs winning the 100m, Albi Tufnell winning the 1500m and the Senior relay team winning the 4x100m.

Back to home matches, we hosted the multievents match, where each competitor participated in a sprint, throw, jump, middle distance race and each team running in a 4x200m relay. There were some great performances all round, with the Radley Senior, consisting of Albi Tufnell, Richard Butterworth, Tobias Southwell and Tim Ojo came a respectable 3rd, and, despite the rain, was very enjoyable. This was the first time that Radley had

enjoyed a podium finish at this event.

Our final sortie was another Graded Meet at OCAC where even more PBs were set and it was helpful in demonstrating how all of the athletes have improved through the season, comparing the times with those done at the start of the season. I hope that we will continue to improve over the year and I am looking forward to the Athletics season next year.

Many thanks to all of the Coaches who help with training and event organization, and to all of the Athletics club members for their hard work this season.

T Southwell and R Butterworth

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BASEBALL For the first time in Radley’s history the cry ‘Play Ball’ has been heard on the College pitches.

Baseball made its debut this term as part of the school’s sporting programme. Following a period of Spring Training in the sports hall during the Lent Term, the Radley Reds, the newly formed Shell baseball team, moved outside to the recently mowed Smithson’s Diamond.

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Master in Charge: JM Sparks

Baseball is a new venture for Radley College with a group of enthusiastic Shells making the trip to the far end of the pitches each Sunday evening for practice and conditioned games. Momentum is building, with the hope of increasing numbers next year and to play matches against other clubs and schools.

Our thanks go to the grounds team for providing a wonderful playing surface and working out

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the precise dimensions of the field. We will return indoors during the Michaelmas Term for winter training and start longing for the return of green fields and blue skies.

JM Sparks

FIVES P7 W2 L5 D0 The 2018/19 season has been the most successful for Radley Fives for a number of years, with some excellent wins against tough opposition. The stalwarts of the team have continued to build on their skills and fitness, and it has been very pleasing to see a number of talented young players coming across to the sport.

Captain Andrew Shaw has led from the front throughout the year, coaching junior players, chivvying the match team and working on his booming left hand shots. He has played with maturity and composure, often rescuing games from the jaws of defeat with an unmatched sequence of hard left-court pressing. Ed Andrew has provided an excellent foil in the first pair, with an uncanny ability to dig out long-court shots and return them with pace and accuracy. His calm, devilish returns have left opponents scratching their heads and throwing themselves about the court in despair.

Jamie Bell and Henry Wiggin have also been on good form at second pair, Jamie’s mercurial talent on the serve catching opposing teams unawares, and Henry’s unconventional returning position (and fashion sense) often allowing Radley to gain an early upper hand in rallies. The fixture list this year has been relatively full, with good matches played against Oxford University, Marlborough, Bloxham (home & away) and Tonbridge, as well as some home friendlies against the RFA and a team of ORs. The team conquered their earlyseason nerves to take excellent

Master in Charge: DL Cox Coaches: OD Wills, REP Hughes, PJ Taylor Captain: A Shaw

match wins against Bloxham, as well as a few other individual wins in other fixtures. Special mention should be made of Joe McDermott who stepped up to represent the school at second pair against Tonbridge, despite having only taken up the sport this year. He acquitted himself very well with Jamie, although his lack of experience eventually proved to be telling against battlehardened opposition. Andrew Shaw also took part in the Rugby Fives National competition as well as the Rugby Fives National Schools competition over the vacation, improving his skills and match resilience considerably by playing against some of the best Fives players across the country.

looks to be in relatively good health and no doubt there will be some stiff competition to get into the first pair next year.

My sincere thanks to ODW, REPH and PJT for their invaluable assistance during the season, as well as MSW for boosting the boys’ fitness and resilience.

DL Cox

Fives around Radley has also bloomed once again, with an excellent Inter-social tournament drawing players and supporters down to the courts in the Lent term, and some highly competent Fives on display during the Shell tournament. K Social (Archie Goaman and Hector Brackenbury) proved dominant in the Shell tournament, although there were excellent individual performances from Orlando Fox and George Laing in the knockout rounds as well.

Glory in the Inter-social tournament went to H Social, with Ed Andrew partnering Hugo Medd through early rounds and Andrew Shaw steering the pair to victory in the final. It was fantastic to see some up-and-coming talent from lower down in the school, and there was a superbly competitive atmosphere throughout.

Sadly, we say goodbye to Ed Andrew, Jamie Bell and Henry Wiggin this year, but the Fives club

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GOLF

Coach: P Miron

Seniors

Juniors

From: James Duffy (captain), Freddie Horler, Andrew Liu, Bertie Southgate, George O’Connor, Will Nicholson, Marcus Stalder

From: Ben Wilson, Ben Dezelsky, Zac Carter, George O’Connor, Charlie Deram, Patrick Goodwin, Kasper Mason-Phelps, Tom Seddon, Jonty Duncan, Logan McEachran, Archie Chilvers,

Played: National Finals of ISGA Matchplay, Regional Final of HMC Foursomes, St Edward’s James Duffy, Freddie Horler and Andrew Liu competed in the final of the ISGA Matchplay competition at Royal St Georges on a beautiful spring day at the beginning of term.

This is a competition with some of the finest schoolboy and schoolgirl golfers in the country, and despite not challenging for the title, the team made a fantastic effort to make the final.

An extended team including George O’Connor, Marcus Stalder, Bertie Southgate and Will Nicholson also made the South Central regional finals of the HMC Foursomes competition, only losing to a very strong Wellington side on the last hole of the last pair at the beautiful New Zealand Golf Club, again another fine achievement.

The end of this year sees us say farewell to much of our Senior team: James Duffy, Freddie Horler and Andrew Liu have been permanent fixtures in the Radley golf teams for much of their time here, and it is with great sadness that we lose them. The task falls to our young golfers to rise to the level that they achieved over the past few years.

Played: Stowe (home and away), Marlborough and Bradfield/ Wellington triangular We now have a really strong bench of Junior golfers, and have tried to give them all some match experience over the course of the year. Some of these boys will need to step up a level next year and fill in for our departed Seniors, so hopefully the experience will have done them some good. We now have the use of Frilford Heath as our home course as well as Drayton Golf Club for range and Par 3 practice sessions with our PGA coach Greg Roostan. We have played four friendlies this term, managing to draw or win every one of them, and a number of boys are showing real promise. Thanks go to MIR and JRWB (sadly the last time he will be helping out with the golfers) for their help with these matches over the course of the year.

P Miron

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Master in Charge: AJ Little Captain: F Barlow

POLO P2 W1 L1 Despite the terrible luck we have had with the poor weather raining off a number of matches, the boys came out each week to training with enthusiasm and clear enjoyment of being on horseback and practising stick and ball, as well as a few friendly chukkas.

Frustratingly, the only fixture that went ahead was against Stowe. Our A team: Frank Barlow, Zac Butterworth, Ben Fleming and Harry Pitt, played a strong, fast-paced and competitive match against Stowe’s A team and came out victorious 5-3. Our

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predominantly Beginners team for that day was comprised of Karl Von Sanden, Wilfred Pease, Dan Ristvedt, Lochy Stroyan and Lucas Bury: none of them had never played in a match before that day, and 3 of them had only had four Polo sessions prior to the friendly game against Stowe. Alas, the much more experienced Stowe B team played fantastically well and secured a victory.

It was a great opportunity for our less experienced players to get a feel for the game. Next year, with our new players from this season feeling more confident, and more luck with the

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weather, we should have a couple of strong teams to represent Radley Polo.

A huge thank you to Frank Barlow for being a staunch captain all season.

AJ Little

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS We are very grateful to Gillman & Soame for supplying team photos which have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online at: www.gsimagebank.co.uk/radleycollege/t/radley2019 Parents can purchase team photographs (those featuring a watermark in the bottom right corner) by contacting Gillman & Soame directly.

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