Sports Round Up of the Week

Cricket

U8 v RGS The Grange

Mrs Butt’s team

King’s Hawford produced a fantastic all-round performance in an exciting U8 fixture against RGS The Grange, showcasing teamwork, skill, and great enthusiasm throughout.

Cousin captains Jack and Olivia P led from the front after winning the toss, setting the tone for a well-organised and spirited display. From the outset, the team impressed with their excellent fielding, consistently backing each other up and showing strong communication across the field. Their teamwork was a real highlight, with players supporting one another and working hard for every ball.

With the ball, King’s Hawford were disciplined and effective. Wickets were shared across the team, with Poppy and Jack each taking a wicket, while Arthur delivered a standout spell, picking up two well-earned wickets. There was also some exceptionally accurate bowling on display, particularly from Olivia P, Nancy, and George, who all bowled with great control and consistency, making it difficult for the opposition to score freely.

In the field, Jonty and Jack were unlucky not to come away with catches, both making excellent efforts that just didn’t quite stick. Their determination and positive attitude, however, reflected the team’s commitment and energy in the field.

Batting was equally impressive, with several players finding the boundary. Jack, Arthur, Olivia L, and Nancy all struck confident 4s, demonstrating growing confidence and technique. The running between the wickets was another standout feature, with great communication ensuring quick singles and putting pressure on the fielding side.

Overall, it was a fantastic team effort from King’s Hawford. The match was played in great spirit and highlighted the exciting potential within the squad for the future.

A special congratulations goes to Jack, who was named Bowler of the Match, and to Olivia P, who received Batter of the Match, both awards nominated by the opposition in recognition of their excellent performances.

U9 v RGS The Grange

Miss Lake’s team

The U9 girls finished their season with an excellent performance against RGS The Grange. Fielding first, the team made a tremendous start thanks to accurate bowling from Bonita-May, Jessica and Indie in the opening overs, limiting RGS’s chances to gain runs. Aoife, Bonnie and Indie also impressed in the field, reacting quickly and helping to restrict the opposition’s scoring opportunities.

In the second innings, the girls showed great teamwork and communicated well with each other on the wicket. Maddie and Sadie opened confidently, with Maddie striking a superb boundary four. Aoife demonstrated her power with several excellent shots, while Syrenna brilliantly applied the team’s key focus of setting off quickly as soon as the ball was bowled to her partner.

RGS awarded their Players of the Match to Aoife for her batting and Indie for her bowling. Miss Lake congratulates the entire team for their dedication and the significant progress they have made throughout the term.

Mr Hodgkins’ team

King’s Hawford U9 welcomed RGS The Grange for a home fixture on Tuesday afternoon. Batting first, Mr Hodgkins’s team produced a determined performance at the crease, working hard to watch the ball carefully and make consistent contact. The players showed excellent concentration and growing confidence, with many positive contributions throughout the innings.

The standout performer with the bat was Tanith, who played a superb innings, scoring 24 runs from just two overs. Her knock included five consecutive boundaries and provided one of the highlights of the afternoon, demonstrating excellent timing and shot selection.

In the second innings, the Hawford bowlers worked hard to improve the consistency and accuracy of their bowling. While there were some encouraging spells, the team were occasionally lacking focus and concentration in the field, something that a very strong RGS The Grange batting line-up was quick to capitalise on. Despite this, the players continued to work hard and showed great determination throughout the innings.

At the conclusion of the match, Tanith was deservedly voted Batter of the Match for her outstanding innings, while Yaseen was named Bowler of the Match for his efforts with the ball.

 

U10 v King’s St. Alban’s

Following a late change to fixtures, Miss Lake’s U10 team were delighted to welcome King’s St Alban’s for their final cricket match of the season, playing a hardball game to round off what has been an excellent season of development for the team.

King’s Hawford batted first, with Charlie and Rupert providing a composed opening partnership. Their excellent communication and intelligent running between the wickets laid a solid foundation for the innings. Simi and Georgia continued the positive start, working effectively together to accumulate valuable runs. Facing a disciplined and accurate bowling attack, the batters were required to capitalise on every scoring opportunity. Despite their efforts, King’s St Alban’s fielded exceptionally well, claiming nine wickets through a combination of precise bowling and sharp catches.

Tasked with defending their total, King’s Hawford produced an great display in the field. Miss Lake was particularly pleased with the significant progress shown in the team’s bowling, both in terms of accuracy and consistency. Charlie, Rosie, Rupert and Simi delivered a series of controlled overs, limiting scoring opportunities and avoiding wide and no balls.

The fielding was equally impressive. Charlie’s excellent catch in the eighth over was a highlight of the innings, while Ffion and Sylvie worked tirelessly to prevent boundaries and maintain pressure on the opposition.

Although facing a strong King’s St Alban’s side, the team competed with great determination and skill. They should be immensely proud of their performance and of the progress they have made throughout a successful cricket season.

U10 Girls vs Blue Coat School

On Monday afternoon, the King’s Hawford U10 girls took on Blue Coat School in an exciting hardball cricket fixture. Fielding first, the Hawford girls produced an excellent bowling display, showing great accuracy, enthusiasm and teamwork throughout the innings.

There were wickets for Simi, Vivienne and Ellie H, while Aurelia produced one of the highlights of the match by taking two wickets in as many balls. The whole team contributed in the field, applying pressure to the Blue Coat batters and demonstrating the skills they have been developing in training.

In reply, the Hawford girls regularly got bat on ball and showed growing confidence against the Blue Coat bowling attack. Although they found it difficult at times to direct their shots away from the fielders, there were plenty of positive signs in the innings. The standout moment came from Ffion, who struck a superb boundary square of the wicket on the leg side, much to the delight of her teammates.

The girls should be extremely proud of their efforts, particularly those who have only recently started playing hardball cricket. Their commitment, courage and determination were evident throughout the match, and they continue to make excellent progress as a team.

 

U11 vs The Downs Malvern

Mr Hodgkins’s team

Mr Hodgkins’s U11 team enjoyed a brilliant and closely contested match against The Downs Malvern on Wednesday afternoon, with both teams playing the game in excellent spirits. After winning the toss, King’s Hawford elected to bowl first and immediately set about applying pressure to the opposition.

The Hawford bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, bowling with great accuracy and discipline to keep extras to a minimum and make the opposing batters work hard for every run. There were wickets for Adelyn, Nicholas, Abi, Jasper and Freddie, while Luca was the standout performer with the ball, claiming two wickets. Supported by some sharp fielding, Hawford restricted The Downs to 75 for 7 from their allotted overs.

In reply, Hawford began their run chase confidently. Although the team lost a few early wickets, Luca and Rosie combined for an excellent partnership in the middle of the innings to keep the scoreboard moving and the chase firmly on track. Luca was particularly impressive, top scoring with 14 runs and showing great composure under pressure.

With the game heading for a thrilling finish, Daisy came to the crease towards the end of the innings and calmly struck the winning runs in the final over. Hawford finished on 78 for 7, securing a fantastic victory by three runs after a wonderfully competitive match.

Following the game, Luca was deservedly voted Bowler of the Match for his excellent spell, while Rosie was named Batter of the Match for her crucial contribution during the run chase.

It was a brilliant final cricket match of the term and a fitting way for the team to finish their season, showcasing teamwork, determination and excellent sportsmanship throughout.

Mrs Butt’s Team

King’s Hawford U11 produced an excellent all-round team performance against The Downs Malvern, combining positive batting, disciplined bowling and sharp fielding to secure a deserved victory.

Captain Bella won the toss and elected to bat first, leading from the front as King’s Hawford set about building a competitive total. The innings featured some impressive stroke play, with Zara, Austin and Alex all finding the boundary for four. The highlight of the innings came from Zara, who struck the only six of the match with a superbly timed shot.

A particularly productive partnership developed between Austin and Zara, whose excellent understanding and positive running helped them accumulate the highest partnership score of the innings. Elsewhere, Bella and Maysie demonstrated outstanding communication between the wickets, taking every opportunity to steal quick singles and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Defending their total, King’s Hawford made the perfect start with Zara opening the bowling and delivering a maiden over, immediately applying pressure to the opposition batters. The bowlers maintained tight lines throughout, backed up by excellent fielding from the whole team.

Henry then produced a superb spell, claiming two wickets, including an impressive caught-and-bowled, showcasing both his bowling and quick reactions in the field. Austin also got among the wickets, with Zara taking a well-judged catch from his bowling to continue the momentum. To round off a strong bowling display, Alex brought the game to a fitting conclusion by taking a wicket with the final ball of his last over.

At the end of the match, Zara was nominated Batter of the Match and Henry was nominated Bowler of the Match by the opposition in recognition of their outstanding performances.

This was a fantastic team effort from King’s Hawford, with contributions from every player. The squad showed great teamwork, communication and cricketing skill throughout, making it an enjoyable and successful afternoon of cricket. Well done to everyone involved!

Mr Cook’s Team

In Mr Cook’s team, King’s Hawford were asked to bowl first, and The Downs made a fast start, putting early pressure on the fielding side.

However, the momentum shifted during the middle overs thanks to some accurate and disciplined bowling from Will G and Harry J, who did well to peg the scoring back and keep the total within reach.

A much-improved fielding display across the team also played a key role, with Charlotte F leading the way behind the stumps. Her assured wicketkeeping on a difficult surface helped maintain pressure and limited scoring opportunities, ensuring The Downs finished on 92 from their 16 overs.

In reply, Hawford’s chase was built on a strong foundation laid by the opening pair of Charles H and Will G, who combined superbly for an impressive 50-run partnership. After the loss of two quick wickets threatened to stall progress, Sam L‑C arrived at the crease and shifted the momentum with a swashbuckling 20 from just 7 deliveries. Supported well by Will G, who finished with a composed 30 from 30 balls, Hawford comfortably reached their target with seven overs to spare.

A confident and controlled performance all round and a super way to end a very successful cricket term for the Under 11 boys and girls cricket team.