The start of the summer term has been a frustrating one for all cricketers. At this stage in the season we should have played 55 matches, but only 21 have been completed owing to the extremely poor weather. However, although we have only managed a few outdoor training sessions, thanks to our excellent indoor facilities both the boys and girls have managed to get their eyes in and work on many aspects of their games.
Despite the poor weather the 2nd XI, 3rd XI and the U14 B have managed some games and remain undefeated. The 2nd XI has had convincing victories over both Tonbridge and Wellington College, with Alex Jefferies (E) and James Harris (L) both scoring 80s.
The 1st XI has also had an unbeaten start to the term, defeating Tonbridge and Wellington College in the first two fixtures. The
Tonbridge fixture was a huge triumph for the ground staff in preparing the ground, with this being one of the very few school matches played. The Cranleigh side restricted Tonbridge to 148 off 40 overs, with some tight bowling from Angus Dahl (N) and Nathan Thorpe (L), and managed to reach the total with 7 wickets in hand and 3 overs to spare, with Oliver Pope (L) top scoring with 61 not out. Against Wellington College, the 1st XI side again restricted a strong Wellington side to 177 off 50 overs, with good bowling from our front line spinners, Dahl and Thorpe. During our batting the Wellington side consistently took key wickets and looked to have the game comfortably won, until a 43 run partnership between Rory Kennedy (N) and Ben Larwood (E) – both making their 1st XI debut – put us in a strong position with a few overs to spare. Rory scored the winning runs, finishing unbeaten on 40 off just 48 balls. A one wicket victory in the last over was something those involved will never forget. This past weekend the weather got the better of us and we had to abandon the match against Dulwich College.
Over the Easter holidays three of our younger players, Oliver Trower and Oliver Pope, both in our U5th, and Angus Dahl in our L5th,toured Cape Town with the Surrey Academy side – more players than from any other school. Angus finished the tour as joint top wicket taker, some achievement for a 15 year old! Angus, as well as Lewis Bedford (C), and Josh Turner (L) – both in our L5th – have made it through to the final 24 of the London & East U15 England trials.
These three boys are key players in the School’s U15 team, which has won the first round of the South-East Regional National competition. Having won the Surrey County Cup last year, they beat Wellington College convincingly last Tuesday, bowling the highly talented Wellington side out for 116, and winning by 7 wickets with plenty of overs to spare. Josh was the pick of the bowlers with 3-19, and Freddie Austin (L) held the innings together, scoring a confident 46 not out. This was even more pleasing as the side had lost to Wellington on the previous Saturday. The team are hoping to make it to the Finals in July, and they play the next round in the last week before Long Leave.
The U18 girls have managed one fixture so far, losing narrowly to a strong Brighton side. Eva Solt played superbly scoring 76. The U14 girls are about to start their cup competition this week and with 12 fixtures in total, girls’ cricket is going from strength to strength.
APF
Back to all news
