A strong innings for the King’s Hawford cricketers!

U11 Girls’ Cricket v Blue Coat School

After Harriet won the toss and elected to field, we knew we would have to bowl and field well against a Blue Coat side who had won their respective IAPS competition, just as we had done last week. We went about the task with aplomb, with every player contributing in a positive way. Lyra took two wickets including a wicket maiden, Hattie took two in her spell, and Darcy took two wickets in an over, meaning that for a very brief moment Scheherazade was on a hat trick on the Top Field. There was great catching from Holly and Harriet, a brilliant reaction stop from Holly as the ball rocketed at her from the middle of the bat, and a spectacular direct hit run-out from Harriet which broke Blue Coat’s spirits and kept their score in check. A target of 225 was very much within our reach and we started well with the bat, Marnie and Pippa scoring 14 runs in their three overs. Holly and Jetta batted dynamically for their 25 and Darcy and Millie contributed 11. Sophie and Lyra batted sensibly and kept the score ticking along nicely before a final flourish from Hattie and Harriet, with the latter scoring a number of Fours. We gave away a couple of wickets but that did not matter as the gap was far too great and we won by 34 runs, scoring 259. Holly was named Best Batter and Harriet Best Fielder by the opposition. The all-round quality of the cricket we played, and the nous and tactical awareness on display was a delight to watch: well done girls!

U11 & U10 Boys’ Cricket v The Downs

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Hodgkins’s boys hard-ball colts cricket team enjoyed a new experience over at The Downs School. For many of them, it was their first opportunity to play the T20 form of the game, having predominantly played pairs cricket so far this term. The Downs batted first and demonstrated excellent shot selection and power to score runs regularly despite the pleasing accuracy of the King’s Hawford bowling. The highlights of the bowling innings included impressive wickets from Sammy M, caught by Henry, Oliver, Luca, and George M, as well as an outstanding spell of spin bowling from Sam B that The Downs’ batters found challenging to counter. Thomas and Harry also kept it tight with economical overs. Despite this, and some strong wicketkeeping from Teddy, the Down’s were able to post an impressive total that would be difficult to chase down.

The Hawford batters made a flying start, with openers James and Henry scoring at an impressive run rate which, after five overs, had us ahead of The Downs at the same point in their innings. Unfortunately, the partnership was broken when Henry’s wicket fell in the eighth over. This was the catalyst for a mini-collapse thanks to fast, accurate and consistent deliveries from a strong Downs bowling attack. Palmer then strode to the crease and was able to steady the ship, alongside James who was still looking strong and well on his way to an impressive score of thirty-four runs. Palmer added nine valuable runs including one powerful Four straight down the ground. James continued to work hard but, in chasing an unlikely total, was forced to take risks that led to him eventually being bowled out by a good delivery. Cameron showed outstanding character at the crease and produced the moment of the match with an incredible shot that he dispatched straight back over the bowler’s head for four runs.

U11 & U10 Girls’ and Boys’ Cricket v RGS Springfield

The pitch was set for our visitors RGS Springfield: supporters in deckchairs, and a lovely Wednesday afternoon, weather-wise; the cricket did not disappoint!

Noah was chosen as Captain and chose to field first. King’s bowling has improved dramatically with the Year Five boys and girls and, although there was the occasional few wides and no balls over the innings, we saw four wickets and some excellent out field throws which reduced the run total for RGS.

The opposition had a fast-opening bowler, but this brought Jude and Josiah to the crease! Both played some lovely defensive shots, with Josiah then scoring a superb Four to end the over. The partnership of Olivia G and Mary W saw effective communication between the girls and, through mis-fielding, they were able to score a couple of quick successive runs. Iza and Thea both increased the batting score, with several boundaries being hit by the girls and extra quick runs catching RGS off guard. Pip K received some excellent down the line, fast bowling, which halted runs being scored. To end the innings, George and Noah, our captain, finished superbly, hitting several boundaries, and showed good understanding with some quick running between the wickets. They both scored 25 runs to end the game.

At King’s Hawford, we always discuss the “spirit of cricket” and how important it is  not just to enjoy playing the sport, but also to play in the correct manner with your team and respect your opponents: to play hard but play fair!

The team were full of laughs and camaraderie and showcased skills learnt over the last term, which meant we enjoyed an excellent afternoon of cricket.

U11 & U10 Girls’ and Boys’ Incrediball Cricket v The Downs

Miss Lake’s team of 13 players travelled to The Downs to play in a match which was, for some of our Year Sixes, their final game of the season and for King’s Hawford. The Downs won the toss and elected to field first. Their fast, accurate bowling made it incredibly difficult for King’s Hawford’s batters to make contact with the ball. As  a team, we gradually began to add to the total of runs made, taking advantage of the occasional wide and no ball. After last week’s dominant performance, Oscar and Leighton returned as a batting pair and their performance this week was just as strong. Focussing on the travelling ball, Oscar managed to find the boundary for the first time in the game in the ninth over, as well as taking advantage of some mis fielding. Leighton quickly followed with a superb Four. The pair took a respectable 25 runs from what were The Downs’ strongest bowlers. We finished the innings on 253: a score which The Downs would be chasing in the second innings.

When fielding, the team set themselves up around the boundaries, with Leighton as wicket keeper. Miss Lake was incredibly impressed by our bowling in the game, with Robin and Oscar each producing an excellent over of bowls. Chloe S, Chloe T and Archie also showed off their developing bowling, with Olivia W gaining a wicket on her fifth ball. Our strongest overs were the final four, with Chloe T, Elizabeth, Leighton and Oscar all providing excellent bowls; The Downs struggled to make contact. The match finished 253 – 274 to The Downs, a score of which all of the children should be proud, considering the amount of talent and effort on display. To mark their final game for King’s Hawford, The Downs team awarded Leighton Batter of the Match and Oscar Bowler of the Match.

U10 Girls’ Cricket v Bluecoat

On Monday afternoon the girls’ U10 hard-ball cricket team played host to Blue Coat. Whilst for some of the girls they were coming fresh off the back of an impressive IAPS win at the end of last week, for several of the team it was one of their first experiences of a hard-ball match. Bowling first, the girls produced a superb performance that included key wickets from Pip K, Thea, Iza, Lyra and doubles from both Pippa P and Marnie, the latter of whom bowled with particular ferocity, pace and accuracy throughout her overs in a dominant display.

The girls followed this up with an impressive display of batting. They were positive and clinical at the crease, communicating well whilst running between the wickets and showing great intent to score several boundaries. Marnie, Pippa P and Millie all batted with style, whilst Thea really impressed with her power and timing to score multiple Fours from her batting overs. Mr Hodgkins was especially pleased with Sophie’s continued progress with both bat and ball.

U9 Girls’ and Boys’ Cricket v RGS Springfield

Mr Hodgkins’s U9 cricket team enjoyed an excellent match with RGS Springfield on Tuesday afternoon. Batting first on a tricky wicket, the children worked hard to apply the key objectives that they had been working on in games lessons, with a real focus on scoring runs square of the wicket. Ruby and Ariana opened the innings with a positive intent and were able to time their shots to drive the ball regularly through their opposing fielders. The middle overs were especially fruitful, with Adelyn, Rosie, Daisy and Maysie scoring an impressive forty runs off four overs without losing a wicket. Johannes was especially impressive and batted with style and a graceful technique to add valuable runs towards the end of the innings.

The King’s Hawford team set about protecting their score with great determination at the start of their bowling innings. Jack, Freddie and Louis bowled excellently and kept it tight, giving away very few runs. Ariana also bowled an outstanding maiden over in addition to Adelyn taking a well-crafted wicket. This was an all-round impressive team display in what was the penultimate U9 fixture of the academic year.

U9 Girls’ and Boys’ Cricket v The Elms

After winning the toss and electing to put The Elms in to bat, Hawford put in their best bowling and fielding performance of the season, taking nine wickets and restricting the opposition’s scoring opportunities. Above all this was a mature, measured performance by all members of the side. Whilst the entire team bowled accurately, Charles H, Florrie W and Jasmine O led the way.

King’s Hawford settled quickly into a batting rhythm with the opening two pairs surpassing the opposition’s total at the midway point of the innings. Whilst there was a little wobble, with a couple of quick wickets falling, our batters were quick to put things right, sending the ball across the boundary rope on several occasions in windy conditions.

This was an excellent performance from a side that has come a long way this term.

U8 Girls’ and Boys’ Cricket v The Elms

With the sun shining, the U8s faced The Elms on Tuesday. On Miss Lake’s pitch, Tom won the toss and elected for King’s Hawford to field first. We started strongly, proving how much we have been working on our bowling accuracy throughout the season. Tilly opened the innings strongly, getting a wicket on the second ball of the game. Consistent bowling followed suit from Rupert, Persie, and Tom. Another wicket came from Ellie H; however, it was not until the final over when Joshy really shone as a promising bowler. The speed and accuracy he can produce at such a young age is fantastic. As well as the two wickets from incredible bowls, the U8s focussed well on the field, with Tom and Cassian stumping the opposing players out on two occasions. The Elms finished on a respectable 242: a score we would soon be chasing.

King’s Hawford came in to bat for the second innings and we started well, considering The Elms’ accuracy and speed of bowling. Persie and Tom worked well as a batting pair, making contact with the ball brilliantly, sending it for Fours on three occasions whilst they were at the wicket, whilst also communicating effectively. The play of the game came when Joshy and Cassian came in to bat. Joshy managed to find the boundary on three occasions, Cassian on one, totalling 26 runs in two overs. Each pair brought in a respectable amount of runs, finishing the match with a winning score of 269. The Elms awarded Batter of the Match to Joshy and Bowler of the Match to Tom.

U8 Girls’ Cricket v Bluecoat

In the final cricket fixture of a packed week, the U8 girls played host to Blue Coat on the Top Field in what was a thoroughly enjoyable match, despite the afternoon drizzle. Mr Hodgkins’s team bowled first in their match and produced an outstanding display of accurate bowling that demonstrated the huge levels of progress that the girls have made throughout the cricket term. Wickets from Amelie and two each for Tilly and Persie, coupled with economical overs from Eleanor, Simi, Auri, Elise and Ellie H, kept the visitors down to an attainable target.

The Hawford girls were similarly impressive with the bat as they went about the run chase in a positive and intelligent style. They communicated well, minimised unnecessary risks and dispatched scoreable deliveries for regular runs. Highlights included three boundaries for Tilly, who was later voted Batter of the Match, as well as some impressive power hitting in the final overs from Amelie, who was voted as the Bowler of the Match for her efforts in the first innings. This was another superb performance from the Year Three girls, proving that both the present and the future is continuing to look bright for girls’ cricket at King’s Hawford.