We are gearing up for our sporting finales this term – Friday's Pre-Prep Sports Day and on Saturday, Inter-Set Athletics.
Just another reminder that, on the day, each pupil will be able to take part in a minimum of three events – a run, a jump and a throw, as before. However, the run will be the 75m or 100m depending on age group, culminating in a final later in the session. Then athletes can do long jump and vortex howler for the juniors and shot for the seniors, in straight finals.
Beyond the three events, pupils may be selected for a further event and beyond this, for one of the two relays they may be eligible for. So, that’s a maximum of five events. We’re really looking forward to both fantastic Pilgrims’ sporting occasions – further information will be in the end of term letter, detailing various events taking place in the final days of term.
We’re thinking of Orson S and Rory K who are both in the midst of the Itchenor Schools’ Sailing Regatta. In very windy conditions they’ve been for a few swims – as have many participants, in such conditions. Fingers crossed for less wind tomorrow and best of luck to them both – 1,2,3 Shell! (Pilgrims’ rallying cry).
Tuesday 21 June
Year 8 Leavers Cricket XII v The Dads
18 Over Match
Leaver’s XII 107
Dads 73
Leavers XII Won by 34 Runs
A beautiful mid-summer evening of cricket was enjoyed by the Year 8 Leavers against various Dads, and at times, Mums. The boys batted first and amassed 107 in their allotted overs. Each pair of boys batted for two, nine ball overs, if a wicket was lost five runs were deducted from the total, but the boys could continue to bat until they had finished their overs. A particular highlight was Mr Short bowling Hugo first ball, family bragging rights firmly with Andy on this occasion. I believe he is still chuckling about it now.
The Dads made a valiant effort in reply against some tidy bowling and lively fielding, Archie C running out his Dad with a direct hit was especially memorable. Shot of the day was Mr Kendall’s stylish straight six onto the roof of the Halliday Pavilion.
Thank you to all the parents involved, particularly Alasdair Maclay for organising the Dads’ side. AW
Match reports from Wednesday 22 June
1st XI v Horris Hill
25 Over Match
Pilgrims’ 162-9 Ollie M 65* (Thomas R 21, Teddy Mc 17)
Horris Hill 85 all out (Otto G 3-6, Teddy Mc 3-11)
Pilgrims’ won by 77 runs
What an emphatic way to finish the season - bat first and amass a huge score then bowl out the opposition for under a hundred - proper cricket, all in glorious midsummer sunshine in front of a capacity crowd.
Ollie continues to impress with the bat as he accumulated a chanceless 65* in forty-three balls before being retired. George C and Ollie put together a good 54 run partnership before George was bowled. Thomas R played his usual game for 21, however only Teddy Mc (17) was able to stay at the crease for any length of time as they took the score on to 130-5. With the help of 26 extras, we posted 162-9.
Horris Hill began their reply with 36 run opening partnership. Laurie S bowled with great skill and was extremely unlucky not to take a couple of wickets as he repeatedly challenged the outside edge of the bat. It was Archie C who made the breakthrough, bowling their number one for 20. Archie was involved in the second wicket as he brilliantly run out their number two with a direct hit from cover. Ollie sensibly rotated his bowlers in the heat, eight bowlers getting a minimum of two overs each. Our fielding effort was nothing short of exceptional, everyone was on top form as they kept a tight grip in the ring, maintaining pressure on the batsmen at all times. The introduction of Teddy 3-11 and Otto 2-5 yielded five wickets for only eight runs, which effectively finished HH’s resolve to survive. A straight forward run out, created by Harrison K’s sharpness in the field, resulted in two batsmen at the same end and disappointment for one of them. Hugo S clean bowled one of the tailenders with a yorker; a pleasing outcome as he had been working on that delivery the day before. Otto returned, the captain rightly giving him a chance to pick up the final wicket and achieve a three wicket haul for the first time. He dutifully obliged, by bowling the number eleven to end the innings 85 all out, giving Pilgrims’ a 77 run victory. This completed the season for the boys winning five of their eight school matches, Happy Days. AW
The 1st XI and the retiring Mr Whitman in front of the Halliday Pavilion on the conclusion of their successful season.
2nd XI v Horris Hill
20 overs
Pilgrims' 137 for 7 (Henry S 33 ret, Ollie R 25no)
Horris Hill 74 all out (Nikhil D 7 for 2)
Pilgrims’ won by 63 runs
A comfortable victory this one. Having won the toss and elected to bat, we wanted a big score. Henry S (33 ret) and Jinmo K (14) got us off to a wonderful start, and we were 73 for 1 off 11 overs. However, Aditya S took 5 wickets in two overs to leave us wobbling on 84 for from 14 overs. Thankfully some lusty hitting from Ollie R (25 no) and a cameo from Nikheel D (10) saw us get to a challenging 137 from our 20 overs. In reply, Horris were never really in it. Nikheel D started us off really well with another economical performance (7 for 2 from his 3 overs). After that the bowling and the wickets were shared around. A great final performance of the season. Well done boys. ASD
3rd XI v Horris Hill
20 overs
Pilgrim’s 135 for 6
Horris Hill 111 for 8
Pilgrims’ won by 26 runs
Having lost the toss, we were invited to bat first on a baking hot afternoon. This was the end of the road from a competitive fixture point of view for a number of Year 8 boys, so they were gently advised to have some fun, play straight to the straight ones, hit the bad ball and generally try and let everyone have a bat! And this is something they did with generosity and aplomb. Chris H and Monty made early innings hay, before Monty played all round a straight one. What followed were some good (brief) cameos and some impressive running between the wicket. Rohan T got to double figures relatively quickly, and despite a middle order wobble, some good late hitting from Gabriel D, Freddie F (and a fairly sizeable contribution from extras) meant that we posted our biggest total of the season of 135. Horris Hill’s openers looked confident and belligerent and showed some serious, hard-hitting intent. The match changed course with the run out at the non-strikers end by wicket keeper Freddie F, who’s very quick bit of thinking saw the dangerman removed. Thereafter, we threatened regularly without actually running through their batting line up, which meant that Horris Hill felt that they were in the game until the last 5 overs or so. A bit more sharpness in the field would have increased the pressure, but we didn’t perform as well as we can in the fielding department! No matter in the end, and we were good value for a comfortable win and a positive finish to an excellent season. Well done to all boys – a lovely bunch who have competed well and supported each other excellently throughout. WD
Colts A v Horris Hill
20 overs
Pilgrims' 168 for 5 from 20 overs (George S. 39; Sam Q. 20*)
Horris Hill 96 for 6 from 20 overs (Sam Q. 3-8, Aditya S. 2-9)
Pilgrims' won by 72 runs
The Colts were set the target of accumulating over 150-runs in their last innings of the season and despite losing two early wickets, they started well. A productive third-wicket partnership of 67 runs steered Pilgrims towards the required run-rate, which was further aided by some sloppy Horris Hill fielding. George batted well through the hot session and got close to his maiden 50 and showed great confidence in his approach. A quick 30-run partnership at the back end of the innings saw Pilgrims’ creep above the 150 mark for the first time this season. Horris Hill started their reply with two adept openers, but they could not keep up with the required run-rate which never dipped below 8 an over. This was a great way to end the very successful season, and it was very rewarding, from a coaching perspective, to see how far this team has come this season; it is a shame the school season finishes here. AA
Match reports from Thursday 23 June
Under 8s and Under 9s played in six fixtures with Twyford. Players from both schools in these formative matches continued to gain experience in running the quick single, fielding tactics, bowling practice and defending the straight ball. With wickets counting for five runs, any team which managed to give away the least wickets tended to win, proving how crucial it is not to give them away.
The Under 9A demonstrated great progress forcing their match to very close result – a defeat by 12 runs. Considering they lost by over a hundred at the start of term, shows the development Mr Greenwood has made with them – well done to them and to all the Year 3 and 4 players this term, it has been a very rewarding season. AJS
Saturday 25 June - Inter-Set Cricket
The conclusion of the Inter-Set cricket, played in the two top years, saw some fantastic cricket matches played in excellent spirit. Playing the final two rounds of five, Saxons emerged victorious!
Mayin D accepts the trophy from Mr Whitman
Staff v Parents
Staff 126 Parents 122 Staff won by 4 runs
The long-awaited Classic Clash between the Staff and the Parents was played out under the walls of Wolvesey Castle on an eventually sunny early evening. As players arrived there was an encouraging clink of bottles from the various kit bags, much discussion followed whether they were a) embrocation, b) lubrication or c) libation? Over a fine glass of (c) Peter and Alan arranged the toss for the Staff to bat first in the pairs format game. Myles G and Jay B (Winchester’s Ant and Dec) ventured out first and entertained the amassing crowds with their repartee and lad’s banter. Some dubious decisions from trainee umpire Peter B reduced our total to 14 from the first 4 overs.
Josh U and Charlie L, a dashing pair, added a further 32 in their four overs, both striking some lusty blows to, or over, the boundary. Tom H and Will B hit five boundaries but lost three wickets in the process. Jay was keen to point out to Tom their comparative dismissals, claiming the bragging rights for only being out twice. 18 runs had been added.
Andy S and Alasdair D arrived, obviously benefiting from varying quantities of (a), (b) and (c), weaved their way to the middle to add a further 23 runs against tight bowling. The final pair Alan W and novice David O took the total to 126 including a straight six assault on the Castle wall, fortunately British Heritage were not present to witness the vandalism.
Both sides enjoyed a (c) fuelled break between innings, thanks to Peter and Susie R for the refreshments and nibbles, before beginning their reply with Messrs Kendall and Datta. Some clean hitting by Kendall, who notched up 42 runs including four classy sixes, got them away to a storming start. However, some fine catching resulted in the Staff taking five wickets which kept the score down to a net 18 runs from the first four overs. Currie and Steen piled on 29 runs, Jay B making up for his batting by taking 1 for 5 from his over before departing for his fancy dress party. Mr Shah and Mr Dobson nibbled their way through four tricky overs adding 10 runs. The best dressed pair of Huxley and Burnand stroked the ball to all parts adding a crucial 41 runs despite a brilliant over from Josh U only conceding 4 runs.
Needing a net score of 29 to win, Captain Peter R and 1st XI Captain’s father, Alasdair M put down their vessels of (c) and slices of quiche to enter the fray. Their first two overs yielded 20 runs, however, with the introduction of Andy S only four were scored from the third over. With victory in sight, a paltry five required from six balls, Alasdair whacked a boundary and was then run out, guilty of ambling rather than running. Six more runs got them ahead on the board and only needing to survive the final ball from Will B for a famous victory. Peter then hoisted a short ball high into the heavens but the doughty Deputy Head Duncan was underneath it. At this point he immediately regretted mistaking a large glass of (b) for one of (c), and envisaged career ruining headlines if he dropped this match winning catch before gleefully hanging on to it. A thrilling finish to a well contested game. Staff 126 Parents 122.
My gratitude and thanks to all Staff and Parents who availed themselves to play in this traditional end to the cricket season at Pilgrims’ AW
Andrew Short
Director of Sport