We gathered on our playing fields for Inter-Set Athletics last Saturday for Junior competition in the morning, with Seniors in the afternoon. As some of you may have heard me say as I preceded each session of competition, our sporting endeavours take place on significant historic ground. Not least, back in July 1141, Empress Matilda’s troops laid siege to Bishop Henry de Blois’ fortified residence here on Wolvesey during the Anarchy and her dispute with King Stephen over the throne of England. On Saturday, we once again witnessed combat as Set competed with Set – all for the honour of the Salwey Inter-Set Athletics trophy!
I was really impressed with the Set camaraderie, the willingness to step in for absent team-mates and the congratulation given between the boys at the conclusion of events. I thought the boys really gave their all and rose to the occasion.
Confirmation of the final standings:
Juniors
|
Points
|
|
|
Seniors
|
Points
|
|
1st
|
369
|
Romans
|
|
1st
|
366
|
Romans
|
2nd
|
240
|
Monks
|
|
2nd
|
331
|
Saxons
|
3rd
|
235
|
Wrens
|
|
3rd
|
321
|
Normans
|
4th
|
234
|
Normans
|
|
4th
|
287
|
Monks
|
5th
|
158
|
Saxons
|
|
5th
|
265
|
Wrens
|
We have the following match reports from Wednesday 12 June through to our final matches with Sherfield last week.
Have a great summer. We kick off September with football and the Pilgrims’ Football Festival on Saturday 7 September for all in Year 4 through to Year 8 with our first inter-school matches against Walhampton on Wednesday 11 September.
Wednesday 12 June
Colts A XI vs Farleigh
20 overs
Farleigh 134/6 from 20 overs (Christian B 3-14; Boris H 2-32)
Pilgrims' 136/3 from 17.4 overs (Christian B 49*; Elliot N 29)
Pilgrims' won by 7 wickets
In a thrilling encounter that saw the Pilgrims edge out Farleigh by 7 wickets, the match was a testament to the dynamic shift from their previous meeting, where Pilgrims’ lost by 92 runs in April. Expectations were high, and the game did not disappoint. Farleigh started strongly, with their first two overs yielding 20 runs, thanks to a dominant opener. However, a great first over from Christian immediately brought the run rate down. Farleigh continued to work the ball into gaps effectively, but Christian's double wicket maiden shifted the momentum. Despite some half-chances not sticking, Christian’s 3-14 and Boris H’s 2-32 helped restrict Farleigh to 134/6 in their 20 overs.
Pilgrims’ chase began cautiously, being slightly behind the run rate by the 8th over. They struggled to pierce the inner ring, but quick singles kept them in contention. The decisive moment came in the 13th over, which went for 22 runs, bludgeoned by Christian B. This aggressive approach brought the target within reach. With 25 runs needed from the final five overs, Christian and Theo guided the team home, eking out singles and maintaining composure. Christian remained unbeaten on 49*, demonstrating his selfless and dominant role, both with bat and ball. The Pilgrims' more dominant performance ensured they were always within touching distance of the run rate, sealing the victory with 17.4 overs and highlighting Christian as the man of the match. AA
Colts B XI vs
Pilgrims’ 134 – 7
Farleigh 95 – 5
Pilgrims’ win by 39 runs.
A fantastic victory for the Colts who were impressive from the start. An opening partnership from Theo M and Alfie H set the tone early. Some well played shots and good decisions meant a fantastic total of 134 was reached before match tea. The quality cricket continued from Pilgrims’ in the field. Excellent bowling from Seb W and Pascal Y kept Farleigh at bay and a comfortable win was achieved. Well done boys.
Colts C XI vs Farleigh
Pilgrims’ won by 21 runs
In the stunning grounds of Farleigh School, with the backdrop of all the pitches being used, the Colts C XI produced an impressive performance in their recent fixture. This match was set up to include two Year 4 pupils from Pilgrims' facing off against their elder brother, a Year 6 pupil at Farleigh.
Opting to bat first, Pilgrims' set a healthy target for the match. Alvin and Ivor quickly picked up the pace, building on the solid foundation laid by our openers and the acceleration provided by the Year 4 brothers. Their confident batting, coupled with speedy running between the wickets, laid the foundation for a competitive total.
Following a well-deserved refreshment break, Pilgrims' took to the field with renewed energy. Alvin notably improved, impacting the game significantly with both bat and ball. Felix, Wilfried, Alfie, and Albert all bowled some outstanding overs, effectively slowing Farleigh's response. The entire team demonstrated lots of energy and enthusiasm, with every player getting an opportunity to bowl and rotate positions, reflecting a team effort. A fielding highlight was seeing Albert's precise throw directly hit the stumps, running out a Farleigh pair at a crucial moment of the game.
There was a fantastic spirit and all the team members showed improvement in their batting and bowling efforts. The match concluded with both teams coming together for a joint photo to celebrate the game. The team can indeed be proud of their performance. JAL
Foal A XI vs Farleigh
20 overs
Farleigh 131/7
Pilgrims’ 51 all out
Pilgrims’ lost by 80 runs
Foals A started the game well, managing to pick up a couple of early wickets. They had the opposition 35-3 and looked in control of the match. Farleigh rallied and managed to build a strong partnership of 51 for the next wicket. Marek G was the pick of our bowlers, taking 2 wickets, narrowly missing out on a third. A wonderful display! Farleigh kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite some good fielding, they posted a strong 131 off their 20 overs. We sadly got off to a shaky start in our run chase, and did not manage to get a hold on the game. Farleigh picked up key wickets at the wrong time for us. We lost a flurry of wickets and despite Daniel m and Oscar E giving it a good go, we fell short. Well stuck with it everyone, a great bowling display. MTG
Farleigh B – 345 for 4 (16 overs)
Pilgrims’ Foals B - 224 for 9 (16 overs)
Farleigh won by 121 runs.
Foals B’s euphoric first win of the season last week was deservedly savoured - like slowly devouring a bowl of vanilla ice cream covered with hot, runny fudge and sprinkles. But usually following anything this indulgent – this joyful, comes a consequence – a bump in the road perhaps, a sharp intake of breath – or a harsh reality check. Farleigh Bs provided this very moment; but not only did they bring the potholes, they bought the ice bath and a set of ‘post fudge’ weighing scales all on the same minibus. They simply put on a dominant display of imperious cricket that forced Pilgrims to face their reality faster than a lone penguin at the departure gate, for an ‘Orca’s Only’ package holiday.
Batting first, Farleigh took to the Pilgrims' bowlers with aplomb, swatting balls to the boundary ropes with the metronomic regularity of a Japanese railway station. Pilgrims' toiled. Each player looked at the other, hoping that a saviour could be found at the bowler’s end - but like watching a Marvel Super-Hero on a Zimmer frame, it was clear - not today. Four wickets taken by the Foals provided a glimmer of hope, but it could not hide the mountainous task ahead. A gradient so Himalayan, Sir Chris Bonnington was called in to commentate after tea. Farleigh 345 for 4. Brutal. Pilgrims' took to the bat but simply could not build a score. Wicket by wicket, the momentum was crushed, and their score soon hit minus numbers. More wickets than runs in cricket is as welcome as wearing smelly socks in a spacesuit. Just getting back to parity was the only challenge now. Headmaster circling the boundary. Pride to find.
Pilgrims' eventually returned to a precious neutrality and then began to build something symbolic. Where others had failed, Wang (supported by Stiles) brought a late presence to the crease and a brief emotional respite for Mr. J.
W and S – sprinting between the wickets, sucking in oxygen faster than an F35 on full afterburn…. only to be pummelled once more by Farleigh’s sidewinders. Even W couldn’t wing it. Pilgrims' finished with just 24 runs – 9 batsmen had fallen. And then they were gone! Farleigh departed more quietly than a toddler raiding a midnight cookie jar. Home to run another ice-bath. No ice cream today for Foals. No fudge. Not even a sprinkle. Taxi for Bonnington? Man of the Match: William Wang PDJ
Wednesday 19 June
2nd XI vs Horris Hill 1st XI
20 Over Match
Pilgrims’ 117 for 6 (Rhian D 30no, Ben A 18)
Horris Hill 101 for 3
Pilgrims' won by 16 runs
What a wonderful way to end the season. Having comfortably beaten Horris 2nd XI earlier in the term, for the return fixture we were bumped up to play Horris 1sts – a great challenge for the final game of the season.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Ben A (18) and Jake H gave us a solid start as we moved to 52 for 0 after 8 overs. However, when Ben got out, a flurry of wickets ensued, and we quickly found ourselves 79 for 5! Rhian D hit a quick fire 30 to get us to a very competitive total of 117.
Horris’ reply started disastrously for us with opening bowler Sammy P injuring himself in his first run up. A combination of strong batting from the opening pair, and chances just not falling our way (how many shots landed just short!), saw them cruising at 62 for 0 at the halfway point. However, as ever in cricket, wickets change the tide and when James P (21 for 1 off four overs) finally got the dominant opener out, their run rate started to fall. Seb B helped with a good spell of bowling, but at 81 for 1 after the 14th over, Horris still looked favourites. However, along came Jake H (9 for 1 off 4 overs) and Balthasar J (11 for 0 off 3 overs) who first squeezed the run rate, and then Jake got the other set opener out. With two new batsmen at the crease, and Jake and Balthasar in their groove, they could just not keep up with the run rate. Increasingly, desperate attempts to score led to a run out, and in the end the total was defended relatively easily. However, it had not felt like that was likely through large parts of the innings, and I wasn’t sure that my heart could take the pressure.
As said at the top – a great way to end the season, beating a 1st team of a local rival, and a fitting result for a set of boys who have really tried their best this season. Well done, you deserve it! ASD
3rd XI vs Horris Hill 2nd XI
Horris Hill 2nd XI – 196 for 8 (20 overs)
Pilgrims’ 3rd XI – 197 for 8 (19.4 overs)
Pilgrims’ won by 2 wickets
This was the last 3rd XI match of the season and the last match ever, for many of the boys. (When I say last match, I of course mean ‘Last match: Moving schools’ - not ‘Last match: Selling them on e-bay’. You get the picture!)
Pilgrims’ fielded 12 players, as did Horris Hill, so both teams decided to field 12 for the entire match. Horris Hill’s ‘rock’ beat Pilgrims’ ‘scissors’ – Horris chose to bat first. C and L opened the bowling well for Pilgrims'. By the end of their 4 overs, Horris were 19-1 after John G took a simple catch at Silly Mid Off.
H and Y’s bowling spell then took the visitors to 38 for 2, after Coleman took a catch solidly at Gully, off H’s bowling. M and C then partnered with the ball. Horris swept them twice for 4, but multiple dot balls contained the batsmen, who reached 58 for 2 after the 12th over. In stepped G and B. They had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while. And it was this pairing that started to gently tighten the screw in Pilgrims’ favour. G led the way, bowling two batsmen out, middle stump and off stump with his first and third balls respectively. B joined the party with a full tossed LBW with just his second ball. Horris had added only 15 runs from their 4 overs and had now lost 5 wickets. Both bowlers walked away displaying the fist-pumping smugness of a Trump legal team.
H and Q then bowled the last 4 entertaining overs. They weren’t meant to be entertaining. Allow me to explain: Over 17 – H was deprived of his first wicket by a dropped catch by G; hands as sticky as a product tester at a Palmolive factory, but then Ker-bamm! - L makes amends for H's misfortune with a direct hit run out, from the last ball. Over 18 – Q bowls out the next batsman with the final ball of his first over with a yorker tastier than Mrs Jennings’ summer fruit pavlova. Over 19 – G, now eating humble pie, catches off H's 5th ball. H’s grandfather is watching on the boundary. Pride restored (as is the promise of a lift home). Over 20 – Horris rally and add 9 off the final over, including a rocket of a pull shot that nearly decapitates the visiting umpire. One bounce for four. Horris finished 96 for 8 from their 20 overs. In came Pilgrims’ for their final innings of the season. All the Year 8’s are at the top of the order for the very last swish of willow. Poor start – 7th ball - H and G go for a crazy second; H run out; a run so far short of safety, even Boeing commenced an investigation.
In comes S, and like a giraffe taking off a wetsuit, he runs back, he runs forth and runs G into trouble – bemused G – angry G – better luck at Eton G! L joins S – 10 balls later, carnage again and L is run out too with a direct hit from 3rd man. S starts to resemble the pantomime villain on closing night. H joins S and cuts for 4 off his first ball. Horris gifts the hosts with a catalogue of wide balls and over-throws. Bow and Sellotape provided. H cuts again. S hits just over mid-on. As the overs progress, H and S start to frustrate the opposition. S in the air!!..but safe. H cuts twice more and then a hook to rub it in. S cuts and is dropped. The pair survive for over 8 overs before H is clean bowled. H stamps the crease in frustration, like a petulant toddler refused a Jaffa Cake.
13th overs gone; 65 for 4. Precarious.com. In comes captain B…nearly out first delivery by S, clearly still evacuating wetsuit. Only a misfield saves the skipper! S now batting like an East-End gangster; no-one likes what he is doing, but he’s getting it done. Boom! S cuts for 4! “Av it son!” But like a Jurassic Park sequel, S’s innings ends with everyone confusingly clapping the credits. B follows 4 balls later: carbon copy! In step Y and M. It’s the business end of the match now. Five overs left - 20 to win. Simple right? Errrr...no. Overs 16 and 17 – runs start to dry up faster than a raisin on a sunbed. The score simply pootles along with byes and risky singles. 12 balls left and 8 required. But then Y decides to bat with just his lower hand. A batting action never seen on a cricket pitch - like shooing a lazy pig off a veranda with a wooden spoon. Miraculously, 5 runs added off the 19th over. Final over and 3 needed. Ball 1 – dot. Ball 2 – M ran out after running 2! Ball 3 – Y run out. (Mr J starts to dial 111 for medical advice). 1 required with 3 balls remaining. It’s more tense than clingfilm over a hot rice pudding. “NO BALL!” Pilgrims’ win with 2 balls to spare!! The match ends and with it the season. Man of the Match: Max H, for wonderfully inspiring our Year 8’s towards their Brave New World. PDJ
4th XI vs Horris Hill 3rd XI
Hardball Pairs 18 overs
Pilgrims’ 265 for 5
Horris Hill 261 for 5 (Thomas K 2-5; Charlie S 1-2; David L 1-4; Yashk P 1-9)
This was a great opportunity for a match against, it turned out, a very similar operation. In fact, Horris’ bowling was more accurate, giving away 40 runs in extras as opposed to our 60-odd. This margin gave Horris the boost they needed to reach our score in the 16th over – now we needed wickets to win, with the minus five runs which would accompany each. By the end of the 17th and penultimate over, Horris lay on 271. Therefore, two wickets were needed. Up stepped Thomas K. He was bowling very accurately – first ball was a dot; second ball, another dot; third – WICKET! Fourth ball, dot. Tension was mounting with the fiffth ball being another wicket! Now Horris needed four to tie, but Thomas delivered another dot ball for a double-wicket maiden and sealed victory.
Other good bowling performances came from David L with a wicket maiden, Leo with a maiden and behind the stumps, Bertie W was on form with a stumping and a caught behind in support of his bowlers. Well done in this final match! AJS
Colts A XI vs Boundary Oak
Colts A 131/2 from 16 overs (Archie W 23*; Theo W 22*; Elliot N 15*)
Boundary Oak 56 all out from 13.2 overs (Eddie Q 2-0)
Pilgrims' won by 75 runs
In a dominant performance, the Colts A secured a convincing 75-run victory over Boundary Oak. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Colts A posted an impressive 131 for 2 in their allotted 16 overs. The top order delivered solid contributions, with Archie leading the charge with 23 runs off 15 balls, supported by Theo (22 off 15) and Elliot (15 off 15), all retiring not out from their allotted 15 balls. Boundary Oak's bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive batting, with high economies of over 8 the norm. Extras played a significant role in Pilgrims' total, with Boundary Oak giving away 51 runs through wides and no-balls.
In reply, Boundary Oak's innings faltered from the start. One opener top-scored with 13 runs, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to build partnerships. Eddie was the pick of the bowlers for the Colts A, claiming 2 wickets for just no runs in his over. The rest of the bowling attack maintained pressure, with Rufus M and Christian B also chipping in with crucial wickets. Boundary Oak could only muster 56 runs in 13.2 overs, falling well short of the target, sealing a comprehensive win for Pilgrims' Colts A. AA
Colts B XI vs Boundary Oak
Soft ball pairs
Pilgrims' 330 – 3
Boundary oak 203 – 11
Pilgrims' win by 127 runs
An entertaining afternoon for Pilgrims’ who were on top of this one from the start. The soft ball format allowed our batsmen to play aggressive shots and hit some impressive boundaries. 6’s and 4’s were plentiful, resulting in a massive total. Boundary Oak struggled to gain any momentum with the bat themselves, and unfortunately lost numerous wickets thanks to the alert and sound fielding of the Pilgrims’ boys. Another comfortable win for the mighty B’s! JB
Colts C XI vs Horris Hill
Pilgrims’ 65 (all out)
Horris Hill 69/3
Horris Hill won by 7 wickets.
It was a competitive afternoon of cricket for the Colts C team. Both teams opted to play hard ball 20 over cricket, which was a very welcome change from soft ball pairs, and a fitting way to end the season. Pilgrims’ lost the toss and were put in to bat. There were some promising starts, but none of our batsmen looked overly comfortable at the crease. Ivor L made the most runs on the day (14), and played an anchoring role. Pilgrims’ were eventually all bowled out in the 19th over for 65.
Horris Hill replied swiftly and kept the scoreboard ticking over consistently. Some solid batting, and a few well-timed boundaries saw them reach a score of 69/3 in just 10 overs. Although it was a disappointing end to the season, it has been a delight coaching this group of boys. They have played cricket with much heart, and they have enjoyed the game immensely. I have no doubt that each player will go from strength to strength in the seasons to come. CXC
Thursday 20 June
U9A vs Twyford
Won by 7 Runs
The U9A team performed tremendously under heavy pressure put on them in a game that went down to the last over. We set a respectable total with the bat thanks to Abhinav’s few boundaries and a classy partnership from the Bounds twins. This left us with 261 runs to defend. The boys gave Twyford nothing to put away, to the boundary which built a lot of pressure through the overs resulting in many wickets for our bowlers, with Rufus taking 3 in one over. This positive display of bowling led us onto Twyford's last pair of batters, who certainly changed the tempo of their team's performance and put us under a lot of pressure in the last over. They needed 18 runs off the last over – bowled by Alfred B – who turned that pressure into a masterclass, restricting them to only being able to score 11 in that over. The boys learnt a lot about how quickly a game of cricket can change with a few boundaries or a few wickets. This was a great way to end a very successful season, and they can all be proud of each of their performances. Been a pleasure lads! AZ
U9B vs Twyford
Twyford – 272
Pilgrims’ - 239
On Thursday afternoon, the U9B team put up a valiant effort against a strong Twyford team, and unfortunately came up short. We bowled first and throughout the innings all the boys demonstrated the improvements that have been made in both bowling and fielding over the duration of the term. The greater level of bowling accuracy meant that few wides or no balls were bowled, and wickets were taken by Caspar, Anthony, and Baxter. Stong batting from Twyford meant that they reached an impressive score of 272.
Despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach this total. Although some good shots were played, poor decisions were made, and we gave away too many wickets too easily. All the boys contributed to the overall runs scored, with especially fine play from the pair of Anthony and Baxter.
Unlucky boys, but take heart from the progress that each of you have made this season.
U9C vs Twyford
A warm and sunny afternoon saw us taking on Twyford once again. Soe great cricket played by both sides - myself and the Twyford coach both commented on how much improvement we have seen in the boys since the start of the cricket season. We went into bat first, and it was a bit of a struggle to find runs. William played some great shots, and Ezikiel and Angelos put up a good show, not giving away any wickets during their pairing. We ended up on 224, leaving ourselves a challenge.
Into the field, and Wilfrid took a wicket on his 3rd ball: the signs looked promising. Sadly though, we found more wickets hard to come by and Twyford, although not scoring highly, finished up on 238 and taking the win.
Overall, an enjoyable game of cricket and, as mentioned, it was great to recognise the improvements the boys have shown this season. They all played with a smile on their faces, and there was excellent sportsmanship and respect on display. Good effort boys. SXT
U8A vs Twyford
Pairs cricket starting at 100 off 18 overs.
Twyford 192. Pilgrims’ 148.
Twyford won by 44 runs.
It was great to be back with the mighty Y3s this afternoon, and I was really looking forward to seeing how much the team have improved over the course of this season. The answer is... a lot! I set the team 3 targets: communication between batting pairs, accurate bowling and backing up on the field, and it was great to see the boys reminding each other of these targets and sticking to the right techniques throughout both innings. Twyford batted first and managed to post a very respectable score, although Pilgrims’ did keep their players in check, taking 5 wickets from some tight and accurate bowling. Pilgrims’ then managed to bat well, putting the opposition total at the back of their minds and concentrating on their targets. Although we didn’t manage to meet Twyford’s score. Some outstanding shots were played, and we did manage to lose far fewer wickets. Really impressed with how the boys did this game, and how they have improved as they head into Year 4. Well done all. CAL.
U8B vs Twyford
Twyford 86 for 6 off 15 overs
Pilgrims 76 for 4
Twyford won by 9 runs
A six-man team visited Twyford on a hot and balmy afternoon. Twyford batted first with wickets coming from the bowling of Sahil in the 7th over, two wickets from Inigo in the 10th (missed a hattrick!), Isaac in the 11th, Teddy in the 13th and Alex from the final ball of the innings. Twyford finished on 85 for 6 off their 15 overs.
Pilgrims' then batted. Inigo and Frankie started poorly with 2 wickets conceded from their 18 balls. Just 9 runs on the board at the end of their 3 overs. Isaac and Sahil could not progress the score significantly as they also conceded 2 wickets. Just 19 runs were scored from the first 6 overs. Things looked bleak. But then the combination of Teddy and Alex added 17 from their 18 balls and then Inigo and Sahill added 35 from overs 10, 11, and 12. Pilgrims had created a glimmer of hope. With three overs to go, Pilgrims' needed 14 runs from 18 balls. Things were going down to the wire. Twyford was now less confident. Teddy and Alex were called back in for the final showdown.
6 runs from over 13. Now 8 runs were needed from 12 balls. The supercomputer at Lords now predicted a Pilgrims' win! But over 14 proved decisive with both batsmen being bowled, making the win nearly statistically impossible. Pilgrims' rallied...10 needed off the last 3 balls, but Twyford bowled three dot balls to finish, leaving Pilgrims' 10 short of victory.
A close game showing how Pilgrims' have improved from the start of the season. PDJ
U8C vs Twyford
Twyford – 251
Pilgrims' – 237
It was a very sunny day at Twyford and all the boys on both teams were very eager and willing to get out in the sun for their match. Pilgrims' started batting, and did so very strongly. They showed immense understanding of when to go for a run and when to stay, highlighting their great knowledge of the game and how it has improved over the season. A particular stand out was Finn’s excellent striking of the ball, which gave the team a strong start to our innings. We then moved to bowling with a little bit of confidence. Samuel opened the bowling with a wicket, which was a greatly exciting and proud moment after his slight nerves during the first innings. Our bowling was good, with some interesting choices around how far we wanted to run up from, and how many arm swings were needed. Nonetheless, the boys showed some strong skill. Specifically, Kabir had highly consistent bowling, Samuel got two wickets and Charlie and Darcy showed some great improvement in their bowling throughout their overs. After a long game, the result swung towards Twyford, but in the end, cricket was the winner, and everyone came away with something to work on and something to be proud of.
Wednesday 26 June
Colts A XI vs Sherfield
20 Overs
Pilgrims’ 153 for 5 (Theo W 30*, Archie W 30*)
Sherfield 30 A/O (Archie W 3-8)
Pilgrims’ won by 123 runs
In the final game of the season, the Pilgrims’ Colts A team faced Sherfield in a thrilling cricket match. Opting to bat first, the Pilgrims’ Colts A team made the most of their time in the middle, putting up a strong total of 153 runs in their 20 overs. Theo W showcased his batting prowess with a beautiful innings of 30 runs, while Archie W also shone brightly with a retired score. Rufus M chipped in with a quickfire 18 as we accelerated away in the final couple of overs.
The Pilgrims’ Colts A team displayed excellent teamwork and discipline in their bowling attack, giving little room for the opposition to work with. Every bowler maintained tight lines and lengths, making it difficult for Sherfield to score freely. Wickets were shared amongst the bowlers, with Archie leading the charge by picking up three wickets.
Overall, it was a great team performance from the Pilgrims’ Colts A team in their final match of the season. They showcased great skill and determination with both bat and ball, culminating in a well-deserved victory. Congratulations to all the players for their fantastic display on the field. MTG
Colts B XI vs Sherfield
Sherfield 57 – 5
Pilgrims; 164 – 7
Pilgrims’ win by 107 runs
A great way to finish an excellent season. Pilgrims’ dominated the match with far superior bowling and batting. An excellent showing from all the boys! Harry C managed numerous boundaries and another great partnership of Theo and Alfie H also kept the runs coming. On a hot and sticky afternoon, it was excellent to see the boys maintain focus on the field too. Well done chaps!
Colts C XI vs Sherfield
15 overs Softball Pairs
Sherfield 237 for 8 from 20 overs (Albert T 4-14, Alvin 2-7)
Pilgrims’ 252 for 5 (Alvin & George W 23)
Pilgrims’ won by 15 runs
This was a strong performance from the boys in this final match. The bowling performance was good overall, with the bowlers all aiming for greater consistency. Albert T finished on four wickets for fourteen runs. Alvin bowled a wicket maiden and finished on two wickets for seven. Wilfred was also very tidy with just five runs conceded from his two overs.
With the bat, the most dynamic run-building came from the Alvin and George partnership, and some lusty batting. The Sherfield total was reached in the eleventh over and, despite a wicket lost, continued to build the score beyond doubt. Well done boys! AJS
Foals A vs Sherfield
Pilgrims 137-5 (20 overs). (Alex S – 27, Oscar – 16)
Sherfield 111-7 (20 overs).
Pilgrims' won by 26 runs
This was an extremely well-matched game, and one I thoroughly enjoyed watching through clenched teeth. At the same time, there were several lessons that the U10 A's learnt during this match, meaning they were able to push for victory towards the end of the game.
Losing the toss and being put into bat, Rio and particularly Captain Alex got us off to a fantastic start, as we have seen a few times before this season. Alex certainly looked on top of the bowling, but there were lessons to be learnt for the whole team about not getting carried away too soon when his wicket went, bowled, in the 4th over. This gave a good opportunity for the rest of the team to come together and see how many runs we could post, and credit should go to Rio (10), Finlay (8), Oscar (16) and Jacob Shen (5*) who did a great job of steading the ship and not throwing away their wickets. Pilgrims' finished their innings with a very respectable 137-5 off their 20 overs, leaving the game very evenly poised at the halfway point.
At the halfway point, the boys were told that they would most likely come out on top depending on how the second innings went, with their targets and expectations clearly set and, although Alex and Finlay bowled well in the opening overs – and Alex managed to successfully run out the Sherfield opener going for a kamikaze third run for overthrows, Sherfield were slightly ahead of the required run rate after the first spell of 4 overs. Charlie and Benji then came in to steady the ship again at first change, with Charlie taking a wicket clean bowled in his first ball to allow Pilgrims’ to take the lead. Marek then managed a third wicket, clean bowled, in his second ball. At the halfway point of 10 overs, Sherfield were on exactly half the number of Pilgrims’ first innings, again leaving the match very much in the balance. However, Oscar then put on more pressure, having another Sherfield batter caught behind in his second over. Two more wickets – bowled by Jacob and caught by Connor off Daniel’s second over, meant that Pilgrims' were able to stretch ahead in the final quarter of the game, meaning the opposition side fell short at 111-7 at the end of their 20 overs.
I was extremely interested to see how the boys would respond to an evenly matched game during the bowling innings and, overall, was extremely impressed with the positive encouragement we were giving each other, the tight, accurate bowling and the fact that fielders remained switched on and alert during the intense heat. The fact that we were able to maintain this throughout the bowling innings, meant that we were able to snatch victory in the last few overs. There are certainly some important lessons here for the boys to learn about the need for patience in cricket, and making sure we are playing a supporting role on the field to the bowlers. All in all, a great game, and a fantastic result to end the season on. Well done. CAL.
Foals B vs Sherfield
Sherfield – 60 for 3 off 15 overs
Pilgrims' – 98 for 4 off 12 overs
Pilgrims' won with 3 overs to spare
Foals B finished their season with a confident win over Sherfield at Wolvesey. Sherfeld batted first and struggled to get momentum. The improvement in the bowling was to play a significant role in limiting the opposition's score with lots of high-quality, straight bowling that always limits the opposition’s score. Pick of the bowlers in this regard were Toma, William Ryan and Teddy, with Toma also taking a wicket through clean bowling a batsman. Sherfield finished 60 for 3 off
Pilgrims', having done the work in the field, now had a good chance of victory. But a disastrous start for Pilgrims' with Casper and Toma being bowled 3 times in the first 3 overs. They managed to scrape some runs back and finish on 8 runs, but it was not the start Pilgrims' needed. Nicholas and Teddy then came in and quickly turned the match on its head. Nicholas batted incredibly well. The pair added 45 runs off their 18 balls, with Nicholas scoring 12 runs with 3 fours in the first over. Pilgrims' could breathe. Ryan and Cameron then batted but needed to do very little, as ball by ball, extras were conceded by Sherfield from their weaker bowlers. The score was passed in just the 7th over.
Jacob and William then came in for their 3 overs, with the Pilgrims' score already at 78. Both hitting impressive fours, the score by the end of the 12th over was already 98. The umpires made the decision to call the match with three overs still owed to Pilgrims'. An emphatic victory for Pilgrims' in their final match of the season. Man of the Match: Nicholas Butler PDJ
Andrew Short
Director of Sport