The 2011 season will be reknown not only for the number of century partnerships notched up by Rich's junior batsmen but also for three individual century-makers:
Henry Day scored 118 against Victoria College for the U14s on their Jersey tour;
Jack Tyrer scored 117no against De La Salle for the U13s on their Jersey tour;
Elijah Samuel scored 102no against Whitecross for the U12s in the County Cup competition.
Together with the other boys who shared century stands they were honoured to receive recognition and the Centurion Cup from Ireland's cricketing hero Kevin O'Brien at the end of school year awards assembly.
See press release for full detailsU14
Henry Day & Harry Schofield put on 195 runs for the 3rd wicket against Victoria College
U13
Jack Tyrer & Ben Stratford put on 131 runs for the 1st wicket against De La Salle
U12
Elijah Samuel & Adam Robson put on 129 runs for the 3rd wicket, unbroken, against Whitecross
Matt Cox & Adam Robson put on 120 runs for the 2nd wicket, unbroken, against Dean Close
Elijah Samuel & Matt Cox put on 120 runs for the 1st wicket against Newent (County Cup final)
The U12 teams performed well in all fixtures and within the B squad in particular everyone showed great improvement in their individual and team playing abilities, with three boys making regular selection for the A team.
The highlight of the season has to be winning the County Cup the A team cruising through all the preliminary rounds, before completing a surprisingly comfortable 61 run victory in the final against a fancied Newent side.
Not to be outdone the B team had its own share of success as well, as they reached the final of the Rotarians City Cup competition. They fell to Crypt by 40 runs in an entertaining and well-supported match that should have been much closer but for a couple of vital catches being spilled and the umpires depreciative interpretation of the No Ball law rescuing one of the key Crypt batsmen.
This achievement is all the more praise-worthy and justification of our cricket development policy of entering the B teams into the local City Cup, even though our boys find themselves playing the A teams from other Gloucester schools - it gets many more boys playing cricket and experiencing match situations, which is far more important than the amount of silverware in the school trophy cabinet.
Of individual performances, this report must highlight the prowess of Elijah Samuel a very talented young batsman who in seven innings posted four fifties and a century at an average of 201 yes 201. One man a team does not make and we are very fortunate to have three other quality batsmen in Matt Cox, Adam Robson and Joel Price, who ensured that we always posted large totals or chased down targets with minimal loss of wickets.
Good batting prevents defeat but it is in the field where games are won (or lost) and the A team certainly had the bowlers to enforce victory. Ably mixed and marshalled by skipper Matt Cox, Sam Tickle, Matt Munden and Henry Peach shared the opening stints and frequently opposition sides found themselves 3 or 4 wickets down in as many overs, usually for as many runs, with no hope of recovery.
Winning the County Cup gives us entry to the regional competition next year a golden opportunity to compete at national level and measure our progress and worth there.
Finally a special note of thanks to Mr Lloyd, who has worked hard encouraging the boys of the B team squad, converting their boundless enthusiasm into decent cricketing skills, structure and awareness.
PB