Last season the School Teams extended their range of opposition by playing many of the other local Grammar Schools.

Most of the fixtures were played on a Saturday. This mean that a number of very promising players were unable to play because of jobs. It seems a pity that some boys do not think enough of the school to arrange for their jobs to be done in the afternoon. Considering, however, that this season was very much an experiment and in spite of an English Summer, we had a fairly good season. In all the School played 49 matches, 23 of which were won, 12 drawn and 14 were lost. This has meant a lot of organisation and I would like to thank other members of Staff and parents for umpiring and carrying of equipment, and players, for making the season run so smoothly. Thanks are also due to S. Marcantonio for arranging the fixtures last season and to D. Dury for arranging next season's.

Congratulations are due to D. Dury on his selection as wicket keeper for the Middlesex Grammar Schools XI. He is the first boy from the School to play for this Team and also one of the youngest ever to be selected. C. Clubbe was selected for the second trial match.

Standing: Mr Tufnell (coach), Buckle P., Martin M., Spencer G., Butters K., Robertson W., Handley S., Shaw A., (scorer),
Front Row: Arduino R., Hickey M., Clubbe C. (Capt.), Dury D., Shaw M.

1st XI: Captain - C. Clubbe

This team had a fair season by winning 7 and drawing 7 of their 20 matches. As our 6th Form is smaller than most schools we were playing against, we found that our team was on the whole younger than theirs. This meant that we were not always strong enough for local Grammar schools, but on the whole we were too strong for the smaller private schools. The batting depended very largely on C. Clubbe and D. Dury and if either of these failed the rest of the side probably would do so too. Both of these batsmen scored nearly 400 runs apiece with Clubbe having the higher average. The bowling was more consistent but S. Handley, in taking 44 wickets at an average of 9 runs per wicket was the most outstanding. M. Hickey headed the bowling averages with an average of 4.3 runs per wicket. This shows that spin bowling can be very profitable.

There are still some weaknesses, such as the slip fielding and much of the batting, but next year, if each member pulls his weight and uses the experience gained this year, I see no reason why we should not have an even better season.

Cricket Under 14's
Back Row: Mr. Tufnell (Coach); Tobin, Pugh, Dury, Shaw, Reeve, Murphy (scorer)
Front Row: Shanahan, Watson, Murray (Capt.) McCluskey, Augier, Byrne.

2nd XI: Captain - G. Spencer

It appears that the bowling is much stronger than the batting because this team won 5 matches and drew 2 matches out of 10 games with only Martin scoring more than 50 runs for the season. Cizek headed the bowling with an average of 5.6 runs per wicket.

U.14's XI: Captain - H. Murray

This team had a most successful season. Out of 11 matches played only 2 matches were lost, both against U.15's (Buckingham College and Harrow C.C.). Murray headed the batting with the very high averages of 42.3 runs and a highest score of 58 not out. Tobin took 35 wickets and was also second in the batting averages. This age group has a number of very talented players who next year could easily win the U.15's knock-out cup - if this year's enthusiasm is shown again.

U.13's XI: Captain - A Powell

Five games won out of 7 played was the splendid result of enthusiasm and consistent practice. Next season they will be playing stronger opposition so the overall standard of batting and fielding will have to improve.

U.15's XI: Captain - G. Spencer

This team was formed for the Middlesex 8 a-side cup competition. The side got through to the semi-final and were finally beaten by Hampton Grammar School in a game where the school scored more runs than their opposition. We lost the match as the deciding factor is the average runs per wicket and Hampton lost no wickets. Next season we have a return match with Hampton who are probably the strongest cricket school in Middlesex.

Next season may be difficult because of the uncertainty about our home pitch but if the teams all play with enthusiasm and determination the school could have a very enjoyable and rewarding season.

Cricket Under 13's
Standing: Leane, Thom (scorer), Quinlan, Rossiter, Concannon, O'Gorman, Wheeler, Welling, Power.
Seated: Pennicott, Dawson, Powell (Capt.), Gillespie, Ferry.