Sports Round Up of the Week

U11 Cricket Tournament at RGS The Grange

The King’s Hawford U11 cricket team enjoyed a memorable afternoon of cricket last Friday as they competed in a 6-a-side tournament hosted by RGS The Grange. Eight teams took part in the competition, split into two groups, with Hawford producing a series of excellent performances throughout the day.

Hawford began the tournament against the hosts, RGS The Grange. Batting first, the home side posted a competitive 56 for 1, with Florrie claiming the only wicket. In reply, Hawford produced a superb batting display as Jasmine and Sam put together an unbeaten opening partnership of 57 without loss. Their excellent running between the wickets and composed stroke play guided Hawford to victory with just two balls remaining.

The second group match saw Hawford face a very strong Blue Coat side. Blue Coat batted impressively to finish on 63 without loss. Hawford responded positively, scoring 33 for 1, with Charles top scoring with an excellent 15 runs against some accurate bowling.

Following the lunch break, Hawford took on Bablake in their final group game. Batting first, Florrie starred with the bat, retiring unbeaten on a superb 25 after striking several impressive boundaries. She was well supported by Charlotte, whose valuable 10 runs helped the team reach 40 for 3. Bablake chased the target successfully, finishing on 55 for 2, although the highlight of the innings came right at the end when Charles claimed two excellent wickets in consecutive deliveries — the final two balls of the match.

After the group stages, Hawford were drawn to face Winterfold in a play-off between the third-placed teams from each group. What followed was an extraordinary and unforgettable passage of cricket.

Fielding first, Sam was handed the new ball. His opening delivery was hit into the air, where Harry showed sharp reactions and safe hands to take an excellent catch in the covers. The second ball was worked away for a quick single, but from there the drama truly began.

Sam’s third delivery cannoned into the stumps to claim another wicket. The next ball was driven back towards the bowler, and Sam reacted brilliantly to produce a direct-hit run out. After celebrations for taking three wickets in four balls, Sam gathered himself for the possibility of a hat-trick. The batter pushed the next ball aerially back towards him and Sam calmly completed the catch off his own bowling to secure a remarkable hat-trick and his fourth wicket in five balls.

The celebrations from players and supporters alike were unforgettable, but Sam still had one final moment of magic left. Charging in for the last ball of the over, he clean bowled the final Winterfold batter to dismiss the opposition entirely in the very first over of the match. In an astonishing spell, Sam claimed all five wickets in just six deliveries.

Following Sam’s astonishing opening over, Hawford still needed to complete the job with the bat and they did so in emphatic fashion. William set the tone perfectly at the top of the order, striking several powerful and well-timed shots on his way to an excellent 11 runs. He was then joined at the crease by Sam, who capped a true player of the match performance with a superb unbeaten 25. Batting with confidence and composure, Sam retired not out after guiding Hawford to victory and fittingly finished the match in possession of the match ball as a memento of an incredible individual achievement and a remarkable end to a superb day of cricket.

It was a dramatic and fitting conclusion to a tournament, with every member of the Hawford squad contributing brilliantly with both bat and ball. The team represented the school superbly throughout the tournament and should be immensely proud of their efforts.

U11 Boys’ & Girls’ Cricket v Winterfold

Mrs Butt’s Team

The U11 mixed team put in a spirited and encouraging performance in their hardball fixture against Winterfold on Wednesday, led confidently by captains Louis and Abi, who chose to bat first.

For several members of the team, this was their very first experience playing with a hard ball, but they approached the challenge with great determination and adapted impressively to the demands of the game, showing real promise for the future.

Facing some accurate and disciplined bowling from Winterfold, runs were hard to come by and wickets proved costly at key moments. Despite this, there were some excellent individual contributions with the bat. Jasper and Nicolas both showed composure and resilience at the crease, defending their stumps well and timing the ball nicely when opportunities arose. The standout moment with the bat came from Johannes, who confidently found the boundary to score the only four of the match, demonstrating positive intent against a testing attack.

In the field, the team maintained strong energy and worked well together throughout Winterfold’s innings. Adelyn and Daisy both bowled consistently, keeping pressure on the opposition with accurate deliveries. The overall atmosphere in the field was lifted by the enthusiasm and encouragement of Bella, Zara and Abi, who ensured the team remained focused and supportive of one another. A key breakthrough came thanks to Henry L, who claimed a tremendous and much-needed wicket with his bowling, while another highlight saw Adelyn react quickly in the field to complete a run out from Johannes’ bowling, showing excellent awareness and teamwork.

It was a performance full of effort, learning and positives for the team, particularly given the number of players new to hardball cricket. A special mention goes to Johannes, who was named Batter of the Match, and Daisy, who was awarded Bowler of the Match, with both players receiving recognition from the opposition for their performances.

Overall, it was an encouraging outing with plenty to build on moving forward.

Miss Lake’s Team

Captained superbly by Austin, the ‘incrediball’ U11 team enjoyed a brilliant afternoon of cricket against Winterfold.

Batting first, Alex and Robyn gave King’s Hawford an excellent start, striking three boundaries across the third and fourth overs. Henry D and Luca continued the momentum with confident batting as the third pair, before Luca and Austin produced an outstanding final partnership, adding a further 22 runs in the closing overs.

In the second innings, Georgia and Indie bowled with impressive consistency, while Annie made an immediate impact in the field with two catches in the opening overs to restrict Winterfold’s scoring.

Austin led the side brilliantly throughout with excellent communication and energetic fielding. Robyn also impressed with some superb stops and a smartly taken catch that resulted in a run out.

The match finished incredibly close, although the final score did not fully reflect the quality of King’s Hawford’s play.

Winterfold awarded Alex, Henry D and Robyn Players of the Match for their excellent performances.

U8 Girls’ Cricket vs Blue Coat School

Mrs Butt’s Team

King’s Hawford hosted The Blue Coat School on a beautiful sunny day, providing the perfect setting for an exciting Under 8 girls’ cricket match. The girls were full of enthusiasm and eager to put all their hard work and practice into action, and they did not disappoint.

The opposition won the toss, meaning King’s Hawford were set to bat first. Olivia L and Poppy B opened the innings confidently, setting a strong foundation and putting an impressive 23 runs on the board between them. Their positive intent set the tone for the rest of the team. Fifi demonstrated excellent timing and power, finding the boundary with a well struck 4, much to the delight of the spectators. Across the innings, all the pairs showed fantastic attacking running and brilliant communication, working hard to steal singles wherever possible and keep the scoreboard ticking. It was a superb all-round batting performance, with King’s Hawford eventually setting an excellent target of 260 runs.

In the field, the team continued to shine. The whole squad impressed Mrs Butt and Miss Cook with their accurate and consistent bowling, showing great focus and determination throughout. Olivia and Poppy opened the bowling attack and made an immediate impact, both taking a wicket. One came from Olivia P’s tremendous catch, while Poppy claimed a brilliant bowled-and-stumped dismissal – a fantastic start to the innings.

Trixie, Florence and Elizabeth all bowled superbly, keeping The Blue Coat School’s scoring to a minimum with disciplined lines and lengths. Olivia P continued her outstanding performance by taking another wicket with her accurate bowling, before adding to her tally with a second catch of the game off Nancy’s brilliant delivery. It was a determined and cohesive fielding display that restricted The Blue Coat School to 242 runs.

There were some fantastic individual performances to celebrate. Trixie was awarded Batter of the Match for her excellent contribution, while Olivia P was named Bowler of the Match following her superb all-round display in the field. Both awards were very well deserved.

Mrs Butt was extremely impressed with the performance of this group, who produced such an excellent display at such an early stage. It was a wonderful team effort and a very promising sign of what is to come for this talented group of players.