Cricket

Cricket

Yet again, the cricket season has been one of disappointment, but also a season of great enjoyment. As in previous years a large number of games were played, sixty four in all. Of these, twenty two were won, fifteen lost, and the remainder drawn. The number of results was the highest ever, and this was mainly due to the fact that only one game was rained off, although bad weather did interfere with a few other matches.

In the cup competitions, the U13's were the only successful team, reaching the semi-final. All the other teams were knocked out in the early rounds by local rivals.

With the departure last year of three or four key players, the 1st. Xl settled down quite well and had a moderately successful season. Of the seventeen games played three were won, four lost, and the rest drawn. The results do not really reflect the performance during the season, since many of the draws resulted from the opposition batting cautiously after the tea interval, and it was the last game of the season that produced the most excitement, although unfortunately it was lost. With more or less the same team for next year better results should be produced. Particular mention must be given to Clubbe, Matthews, Flint, Pitt, Wilson and Ferry for some fine knocks during the season, and also to Ferry, Wilson and Russell for some accurate bowling. As it turned out the 2nd Xl was the only side to remain unbeaten during the season, winning three and drawing the other seven of its matches. Many of the games were undecided right until the end, with everybody enjoying themselves both on and off the field. Of the games played the most memorable was the school's 70 run victory over Pinner, in which the side made 170-7 dec. in only 21/2 hours: a very enjoyable day, made even better by the defeat of Rod Laver by Roger Taylor at Wimbledon. All team members contributed to the success of the side, but particularly Clements, Taylor, Brendish, Duffy and Necchi who had several fine innings' during the season. As far as the bowling was concerned Flanagan, Duffy and Clements were the main wicket-takers, ably supported by Brendish, Parker and Geary.

The U14's were one of the more successful teams, winning five and losing three of their fifteen games, but again several matches could and should have been won if the standard of fielding had been improved. Their most convincing win of the season was the victory over Vyners, to which Sutherland contributed a large part, scoring 42 and taking 4 wickets. As for the batting, Walton-Smith, Sutherland and Fitzgerald all made half-centuries, Walton-Smith making two. The brunt of the bowling was shared by five boys, Sutherland, Ashe, Woods, Devery and Hill, the first three taking the majority of the wickets.

The U13's turned out the poorest results of the five school teams, winning two and drawing two out of eleven games.

Compared to this - and in fact to the other teams - the U12's performed admirably, opening their school cricket career with a total of eight wins out of the twelve games played.