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55 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

in a season showing much improvement with moments of quality across all three squads. The Under 14Bs showed promise with fantastic close wins against Harrow, by 3 wickets, and MCS, by 1 wicket, whilst narrowly losing out to Marlborough. The Under 14Cs also secured a victory against MCS whilst opening their season with a win against Rugby School. Both squads should be proud of their efforts against a strong fixture card. The Yearlings A embarked on their season with a successful pre-season trip to Stowe School, winning matches against Stowe and Overstone CC. A talented squad put spectators and coaches through the mill throughout each fixture, narrowly losing their opening four block fixtures by the barest of margins. However, these close losses and fine victories against Winchester, Radley and Marlborough show that this committed group have incredible potential and should be followed closely in the future as further success beckons. Individual Honours In individual successes, Alex Horton represented the Glamorgan 1st XIin the Vitality T20 Blast and the England Under 19 side during the home series against the West Indies, the tour to Sri Lanka and the World Cup in the West Indies. He ensured that England made the Final with an imperious 53 not out from 36 balls, a set of incredible achievements whilst juggling A-level commitments. The boys’ 1st XI captain Stanley Brown represented Gloucestershire 2nd XI and Aimee Diab was selected for the Oxfordshire 1st XI and Southern Vipers Academy side. A total of 15 pupils are representing county age groups, such is the strength of our cricket programme. It was a pleasure leading the Cricket programme at St Edward’s and I would like to take this opportunity of my final cricket report to thank the members of staff who made it such a wonderful experience. In particular, the coaching team who balance their teaching and other responsibilities to commit so much time to the pupils’ cricket progress. Special mention must go to Dave Simpkins, our Cricket Professional, who continues to enable pupils of all skills and abilities to enjoy and succeed at cricket throughout the winter and summer.

Charlie Turner

Junior Boys Like last year, the Fifth Form were extremely loyal to cricket throughout the term. At least two XIs completed fixtures against Bradfield, Marlborough and Radley, the Colts A particularly impressing with victories against MCS and Winchester College. Jarvis Eyre and Kit Holland steered their year group with performances that led to their eventual call up for the 1st XI. The talent and commitment of this year group came to the fore in the second half of term as many of them were selected for senior teams and played key roles. The Junior Colts A can reflect on last term’s cricket with positivity after improving immeasurably from the year before. Notable victories against Rugby, Cheltenham and Winchester and close losses against Harrow and Radley will leave this group of cricketers hugely motivated for joining and starring in the senior teams over the next three years. Indeed, Hector Higgins and Bertie Gowen led their age group with bat and ball throughout the season leading to selection in the U17 cup side. The Junior Colts Bs and Cs had rather more challenging seasons, but they continued to work hard and progress over the course of the term.

Rarely has a Yearlings group been so enthused by cricket: many of the 40 Shell cricketers turned up for regular winter cricket training and early morning indoor cricket matches. That enthusiasm resulted

Freddie Banks