Cricketing success in the sunshine.

Colts Boys’ Cricket vs Winterfold

On Wednesday, two teams of Year Five and Year Six Colts Cricketers visited Winterfold for hardball matches. For several of Mr Hodgkins’s team, this was only their first or second experience of representing the School in the hardball format of the game. The Hawford side lost the toss and were put into bat first, spurred on by skipper for the day, Palmer G. We made a steady start with the bat with Arthur O and Arthur A putting on a strong first partnership display, running well between the wickets to score at a consistent rate. James B and Oliver G also looked solid against a strong Winterfold bowling attack. Towards the end of their second over, Oliver flicked the switch into a more attacking mode and hit three consecutive boundaries with well-timed clips off his pads into the leg side. The pace of the bowling increased in the ensuing overs and Palmer G, Luca M, Sammy M and Finn MP all did well to keep their wickets, demonstrating a solid defence, whilst also chipping in with more valuable runs. Winterfold responded by bringing their strongest bowler into the attack. Despite positive batting from Harry G, Charles C and Thomas C, Winterfold’s star man bowled an impressive spell, which resulted in the loss of five late Hawford wickets.

Regardless of the late wickets, the Hawford team still set a strong target for Winterfold to try to chase down. The boys demonstrated outstanding fielding throughout the innings, with excellent levels of athleticism to reduce boundaries and superb awareness and decision making; the tone was set by Sammy M and Arthur O, who were both extremely busy in the field. This was coupled with several low-scoring overs that piled the pressure onto the Winterfold batters; Palmer G and Finn MP bowled especially well with the latter producing five consecutive dot balls in an over that went for just one run. Further highlights included wickets for Arthur O, Arthur A and Oliver G as well as a double from Player of the Match Harry G. This was an outstanding performance all-round with both bat and ball in which all 11 players contributed well.

 

U10 & U11 Girls’ Cricket v Winterfold

On Wednesday the girls travelled to Winterfold captained by Hattie D. The team batted first and with three overs each had plenty of opportunity to put bat to ball and runs on the board. Darcy and Jetta continued their strong partnership and opened the batting, with Darcy finding the boundary twice in the first over and Jetta following with her own shortly after. Their bowling was also on point with every ball finding the right spot; there was not a single wide or no ball between them and a nice wicket for Darcy.

Annabel and Robyn took over the batting and continued to put runs on the board; each bowled a solid couple of overs against a couple of strong batters from Winterfold. Annabel took a wicket with the help of Chloe’s great fielding.

Ava H and Ava W entered the crease and immediately took up the energy with some aggressive running, stealing singles wherever possible. The girls worked their magic together in the bowling, with Ave W taking a wicket with Ava H stumping a Winterfold girl out at the keeper’s end.

Ava I and Chloe built on their previous confidence with their batting and their bowling. Chloe took a wicket when Annabel showed some quick reactions in the field for a stumping.

Hattie and Sienna were a strong pair; coming in to bat last for the team, Hattie immediately found the boundary with a Four and Sienna put bat to ball to take a number of singles. The girls’ bowling was also a strength, taking two wickets in the final over.

Hattie was nominated Batter of the Match with Darcy being nominated Fielder of the Match by the opposition. This was another solid performance from the girls to continue the season.

 

U10 & U11 Boys’ Cricket v Winterfold

Over on the second pitch, Archie, as team captain, took part in the toss which led to King’s Hawford batting first. Having only five players in the Winterfold team, children from the home team volunteered to fill in where necessary to complete the field when not batting. From the off, King’s Hawford gained runs from several wides and no balls; however, Alex and Freddie’s good communication allowed them to score some extra runs along the way, with Alex producing an excellent Four from the final ball of the second over. Nayel and Charles’s communication was just as good, as was Nayel’s powerful hits, allowing him to produce two balls that bounced over the boundary line, scoring a total of 21 runs between the pair from twelve balls. The strike of the match came from Leighton in the sixth over, scoring six runs with a ball that flew over the boundary line, almost landing in the school pond! Archie and Evan’s partnership was strong, communicating and batting well to take 22 runs. In the final over of the innings, Josiah impressed with three superb strikes of the ball into space, gaining six runs from three balls.

The second innings saw King’s Hawford fielding. Winterfold’s strongest batting pair were up first, taking advantage of some wide balls, as well as hitting three balls for four. Quick, accurate bowling from Freddie and Leighton helped limit the amount of runs scored as the game progressed, with Archie taking on feedback immediately, leading him to take a wicket from a superb bowl. The boys should be incredibly proud of their achievements in Wednesday’s match, winning by 20 runs. Winterfold nominated Leighton as Player of the Match, and Miss Lake’s star player went to Josiah for his newly-found confidence when batting.

 

U10 Girls’ Cricket v Winterfold

The warming rays of the sun slowly peaked through the clouds on a fixture day for the U10 ladies from King’s Hawford. By the time we boarded the ‘bus for Winterfold, the sun was high in the sky, casting hot sunbeams in every direction: perfect for an afternoon of cricket.

All of the girls showed the progress they have made so far this term, with some excellent play and decision making, a crucial part of the game. Marnie’s team showcased superb bowling skills, with the girls consistently sending fast, accurate balls towards the wickets. The team were good at reading the field of play and Lyra and Marnie made several quick catches, with super support from the outfielders. In the last over, with the bowling pair of Marnie and Thea, the girls took three superb wickets and two catches.

Millie and Iza opened the batting for King’s Hawford and showed their dominance by scoring 24 runs in the first two overs. The team were chasing a score of 249, so this was a super start. The next batting pair of Pip K and Pippa P continued to demonstrate batting strength, scoring 25 runs and equalling our chasing score. All the batting pairs consistently hit boundaries, contributing to a brilliant team performance, with Mary W and Marnie hitting two fantastic Sixes.

The performance was impressive but there is still room for development over the coming term with focus on accuracy and strength in our deep field throws. The U10 team have shown that they have strength in their batting and bowling, so with continued practice, dedication in lessons and after school club, it will undoubtedly lead to further match success.

Bowler of the Match awarded by Winterfold went to Iza.

Batter of the Match was awarded to Marnie.

U9 Girls’ and Boys’ Cricket v Winterfold

On Tuesday Mrs Butt’s U9 mixed team hosted Wolverhampton Grammar School on a beautiful sunny afternoon in front of The Barn. Daisy was captain for the day and the team went into bat first, with Izzy and Henry opening the batting. They put down a solid base for the team of 12 runs with Henry finding the boundary and hitting a tremendous Four. Charlotte and Annie worked well together and continued to put runs on the board with a total of 15 runs at the end of their overs. George and Bella showed great teamwork adding a further 16 runs to the total. Daisy and Indie faced some good bowling from the opposition but made the most of their opportunities by stealing singles where they could. Jasper and Nicolas were keen to get some runs for the team and took some risky chances resulting in a number of singles. Jasper communicated excellently and Nicolas showed great backing up in the partnership. The team laid down a 247 total for Wolverhampton to chase.

The team showed great energy as they stepped in to bowl. Izzy and Henry bowled accurately, with Henry taking a wicket with his penultimate ball. Charlotte and Annie also had a great couple of overs, with Annie showing great consistency and accuracy, giving away only one run from nine balls. George and Bella encouraged each other with Bella demonstrating a great line and length on her bowling. Daisy and Indie gave away no runs at all from their overs with Daisy taking two wickets and restricting the opposition considerably. Jasper and Nicolas faced some good batters in the last three overs bringing the game to a very close finish.