Prep Sports Round Up 15.05.26

This week saw the first cricket match of the term, so it was inevitable that the day started with a heavy downpour! However, this did not phase our keen and eager cricketers, and off we went to Plymouth College full of fun, laughter and a determination to do well.

Our three softball teams – the Fire, the Spirit and the Rapids – took part in pairs cricket, where each team sent two batters out to face 2 overs (6 balls bowled) before then swapping with another pair. That means each player is able to face several balls even though they may get ‘out’ during their time batting. The incentive for the bowling and fielding team is that they get five runs added onto their score (when it is their turn to bat) each time they take a wicket (get a batter out). It is a very inclusive game and is a great way of developing skills, teamwork and game awareness.

Each team showed the ability to learn from previous experiences and from the environment they were in. They watched the Plymouth College teams closely and adapted the way they played based on what they had seen. Mrs Egford’s team, the Fire, fielded and bowled first, with Audrey bowling a brilliant maiden over (no runs scored), and everyone tried to bowl overarm. Having watched the opposition bat first, the Fire proceeded to communicate brilliantly, which allowed them to score quick singles as well as hit the ball hard to the boundary, with Oscar coming towards the ball to make strong contact. Will also showed good game awareness when batting and fielding.

The Rapids had an exciting time too! Captained by Arlo, who, unfortunately, lost the toss, the Rapids were put into bat. The Rapids lived up to their name, scoring quickly and building an impressive total, but at the expense of three wickets, which were to prove costly. Our bowling improved as the innings progressed, limiting Plymouth’s opportunity to score, but we failed to get wickets, which gave the home team the win.

With enough time left to play, we held a quick-fire 30-ball match. Truro went out to bat with a look of determination. By the end of the first over, you could see they weren’t mucking around. The innings was a demonstration of quick running between the wickets and wide balls put to the boundary. When it came to bowling, we were quick and accurate and, despite a late rally from Plymouth, they were unable to match Truro’s total. It finished 1 win each, a fair result on a great afternoon.

Team ‘Spirit’ went into bat first and scored a creditable 77 runs with James hitting some lovely boundaries and the team as a whole running well between the wickets to pick up regular singles and 2 runs. Most pleasingly, the team only lost 1 wicket in the whole innings! In the second half of the match, the team fielded very well and achieved 3 run outs and bowled 3 players out, helping them to win by 29 runs. Great team spirit (to go with the team’s name) and support for each other meant that it was a very pleasant game to umpire. Well done!

The hardball match followed the same principles, with the added excitement of wearing all the equipment and trying to run whilst padded up! For some, it was the first time they had played in a hardball cricket match, and they could not have performed any better. Whilst the skill level was high with some accurate bowling, meaning we only allowed approximately 12 runs from bowling wides or no balls, it was the game awareness in the field that was the most pleasing element.

Ray was alive to everything in the field and led the way. We threw well at the stumps, Hugo performed really well as wicket-keeper for the first time, we took some good catches and backed each other up. Whilst every player bowled well, Rohan bowled with real pace, Anantveer with great accuracy, and Ollie took 3 wickets in 4 balls in his final over!

When it was our turn to bat, we had learnt from the opposition and ran quickly between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Add into the mix some hard-hitting from Harry B, Albie, Robbie and Barney and the team was well set to overtake the opposition score. Arthur led the team superbly, managing the field placings and the bowling changeovers as well as making sure that the team watched and supported loudly.

What a day! A huge thanks must go to our hosts, Plymouth College and to all of our incredible staff who made the trip possible. Thanks to Mr Ward for the wonderful commentary, and thanks to our pupils for the photos from the day!