1st XI v Loretto

Wednesday 17th June 

The squad: Ruben, James, Will, Magnus, Geordie, Arthur, Harry, Caleb, Henry, Hector, Manny 

St. Mary’s won by 29 runs 

Today was our final, full 1st XI game of the season, and in T20 school matches, the boys were defending an unbeaten season. A quick reminder of the gravity of today’s game in the pavilion beforehand, brought the boys into sharp focus. Magnus won the toss and elected to bat. 

James opened the batting again but this time with Ruben and the two got the innings off to a very steady start. The Loretto bowling attack was sharp and there wasn’t much room for swinging the bat. Both boys ticked away nicely and it wasn’t until the 6th over when Ruben sent one straight back to the bowler, that we lost our first wicket, with the score on 21. Will joined James at the crease and rode his luck a bit but also played some sublime shots. James too started to find his rhythm and the boys put on a 43 run partnership before James was beaten by a ball that didn’t bounce. Magnus and Will got the scoreboard racing along, but not for the first time this season, Mog was adjudged LBW in the 14th over. Geordie joined Will and kept the scoreboard moving. Both retired, Geordie on 4 and Will on 58. Arthur & Harry came to the middle and Harry played some lovely shots including 2 lovely cover drives but he too was given out LBW. Arthur, although in for 2+ overs, didn’t face a ball! When Harry was out, Caleb came in for the final few balls and helped his side to 124 for 4 from the 20 overs.  

In reply, Magnus opening bowling with Arthur and although both bowled well, the Loretto openers batted well and raced to 17 from the 1st three. Their first wicket fell in the 4th over. Their number 2 gloved the ball to the legside and they took off for a quick single. Quick thinking Harry left his stumps and raced to the ball. Henry, fielding at point, raced to the stumps, received a perfect throw from Harry and ran the batsman out. It was a brilliant bit of team play and a pivotal point in the match. The next few Loretto batsmen could all clearly bat but our bowling was good. Henry and Will replaced Arthur and Mog and both bowled a super line and length and over the course of the 20 overs, both were rewarded with wickets. Will had two, one bowled and one caught by Geordie and Henry also had two. One was caught and bowled, the other was bowled. Geordie also bowled a tight spell and although didn’t take a wicket, he restricted the batsmen’s scoring. Magnus claimed his first of the afternoon at the end of a super spell and Manny, playing his first game for the 1st XI, bowled an over and also took a wicket, a good catch by Harry. Ruben had the honour of bowling the final over but by that time, the game had been won. Loretto finished on 95, so 29 runs short. 

It was a super performance by everyone. Congratulations to Hector, Manny and Caleb who all won their first caps for the 1st XI and whether with the ball, the bat or in the field, they all made valuable contributions. And finally, huge congratulations to the whole squad. This season we have involved 16 players in the 1st XI and all 16 have played their part. The standard of cricket has been phenomenal and to come away with an unbeaten season, it just reward for them all.  

Tomorrow we head down to Chatton CC. The St. Mary’s XI comprises pupils, staff and parents and it’s always a lovely fixture. We got beaten last year!  

Mr P. MH