SPORT// CRICKET
U14 XI
U14 Cricket team have had a successful
yet challenging season. With a smaller
squad than in previous seasons and with
players missing for various reasons there
have been times when the team has had
to cope with challenges. This they have
done positively and it has seen some
U13 XI
P9 / W2 / D0 / L7
A fascinating season from a group of
young and enthusiastic cricketers that
promise much going forward. Despite
their W/L record, at least 3 of those
Losses were decided on the last ball
of the final over. This would suggest
to me that they’re right ‘up there’ and
in contention as far as their brand of
cricket goes, but also as an important
aside they’ve got a bit of doggedness
about them, fighting tooth and nail until
the very end and from the spectator/
supporters point of view, their matches
this season have ultimately provided
superb value for money when it comes
to entertainment. It also made the 2
(well-constructed) home wins that bit
more special!
With much of April being something
of a wash-out, it’s fair to say that the
season started as a bit of a damp squib.
But on a rare, gloriously sunny day in
Bradford we suffered our first defeat.
That day we played relatively well, but
failed to push on with the bat and chase
down the required run total… Captain
Toby Williamson falling just short of his
half century with an unbeaten 48. Our
next two games against Woldgate and
Ampleforth were sadly rained off.
In our next game we played Hymers
at home. After a strong batting
performance, Hymers needed 101 to
win. After some superb catches from
Lizzy Wake and Ed Spink, we swung the
game in our favour, containing them to
72
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
quality cricket played that has resulted
in just the one loss versus Hymers.
Harry Jackson has scored lots of runs
and bats with confidence and there have
been other significant contributions by
Burton and Woodhead.
With the ball Grewer and Burton have
taken many wickets and have been ably
just 82 with one over to bowl. But their
No. 2 batsman (after a sluggish start)
woke-up and snatched an away victory
from the jaws of defeat. We learned
much from this performance that would
go on to inspire us in later games.
Our next three games of the half-term
were against Terrrington (Away),
Aysgarth (Home) and Hill House
(Away). After a pleasing performance
with the ball, a batting collapse against
Terrington saw us fall disappointingly
short of the required run total. Then
followed a cracking game (but a decisive
home defeat) against Aysgarth, who
were comfortably the most adept,
aggressive and complete team that
we’ve faced this season. An ‘abridged’
away match vs Terrington followed,
but with many a team players missing
on account of Rugby trials, injury and
illness, it was a difficult trip that resulted
in another narrow defeat.
Following the half-term break our
players returned rejuvenated and raring
to go. Our first game and first win of the
season would be at home to Ashville.
Following a tight and enthralling game
(very similar to our performance against
Hymers), our bowlers and fielders
united to pull off a rare but exciting
home win. Snelling coolly bowling
the tense and pressurised final over to
seal the well-deserved victory in the
very last ball of the game. A visit from
touring Oman side ‘Muscat Cricket
Academy’ followed, and after a strong
performance against our bowlers,
our batsmen ultimately handed us a
successive, highly satisfactory home
supported by all the other bowlers.
The team have made great progress and
if they work hard on their cohesion will
be a strong squad moving forward.
Player of the Season: Harry Jackson
Most Improved Player: Henry Green
Senior/Middle School House
“Super 9’s” Winners: Dolman
victory… a much deserved 50 runs
(retired) coming from Flynn Sangwin.
The season began its close with another
decisive defeat at the hands of Aysgarth.
At 39-all out we were highly frustrated
and left ourselves much to do in the
field. Despite this we relished the
challenge, claiming 5 wickets along the
way (3 wickets from cameo performer
Oli Rook, combined with a superb
stumping from Toby Williamson), but
with just 39 runs to play with, it was
never to be… 2 days later we faced
GSAL in another tightly contested and
exciting game. At 129-all out GSAL
left us some serious work to do with the
bat, but we fell just short at 120 with 5
wickets in hand. Williamson scoring a
sublime 42, supported by a rapid fire 35
from Harry Snelling.
Its’ been a pleasure this season. They’re
a great team to watch and support.
They train and work hard, and show a
genuine passion for the game along with
a mature sense of inquiry and desire to
improve. Good luck for the future lads
and lasses!!!!
Captains: T. Williamson, H. Snelling
Best Catch: Ed Spink (vs Hymers)
Best Over Bowled: H. Snelling (Final
over vs Ashville)
Best Innings: F. Sangwin (50 rtd. Vs
Muscat Academy)
Player of the Season: T. Williamson
Most Improved Players:
W. Tucker-Lowe