Prep House Cricket (last Friday)
Last Friday saw a fantastic turnout for the first round of the Prep School’s House Cricket competition, with all the Year 5 and 6 children participating with great enthusiasm and competitive spirit. The day showcased some impressive individual and team skills, and with the second round coming up next week, there is still much to play for with opposite pairs of Houses reaching the A and B team finals.
Prep School
Cricket
Queen’s Prep basked in the arrival of “proper” summer weather on Wednesday, creating the ideal conditions for the inaugural U11/10 hardball game for the girls’ teams. The girls got off to a flying start with phenomenal bowling performances, with Juno leading the charge by taking a stunning four wickets in a single over! Batting presented a steeper learning curve as the girls adjusted to the heavier wooden bats. However, this is a challenge they’ll surely overcome with practice.
The day saw positive performances across all teams. The U11B/U10A team, playing on the astroturf, showcased excellent running between the wickets and strong placements of their shots. The U11B/10B team also displayed solid batting, though wayward bowling allowed King’s team to rack up a higher score.
Meanwhile, the boys’ teams faced off against Mount Kelly. The U10 squad impressed with their bowling and fielding skills, but communication lapses hampered their run-scoring. The U11 boys mirrored this pattern, demonstrating strong bowling and fielding but struggling with the bat. Nevertheless, with focused practice, improvement is sure to follow.
Senior School
Athletics
On Saturday, the athletics squad once again hit the track running at the penultimate open-meet of the season. A chance to perfect favoured events or just try others for the first time, it was an action packed afternoon. Some of the many highlights were Ollie’s 200m PB, Harrison’s javelin PB and the ever-reliable Franky and Yas securing more 1st place finishes.
On Tuesday, the athletics team turned their attention to selection for the Taunton Area Schools squad. The best of the best gathered at the track for some competitive clashes. Maddie (100m) and Franky (800m) dominated once again on the track, Alfie, Megan and Harrison (javelin), Caspar and Jacky (long jump) and Alex (high-jump) all impressed in the field events. With selection soon to happen, we are hopeful that we can again secure a number of places in the area squad for the upcoming County Champs at Yeovil – watch this space!
Tennis
Over the past week, Queen’s Tennis completed a block of fixtures vs Taunton school. The Junior and Senior tennis teams played some thrilling matches putting some brilliant tennis on display. Whilst the inter squads travelled to Taunton on the weekend, competing in some highly contested matches. Overall it was a great week for Queen’s tennis.
Cricket (by Head of Cricket Caroline Foster)
U13A Girls Cup Match v Taunton School
The girls lost the toss and were asked to bowl first in this 10-over format. A hard-hitting opener played balls on merit meaning the girls earned their dot balls, but were punished when they missed their lines and lengths. After conceding four off the first ball, Alissa bowled out her over for just 6 runs. The following overs went for 11 and 13 owing to an excellent knock by Taunton’s number 1 batter who reached retirement score at the end of the third over. Once again, Queen’s stuck to task with the ball and in the field. The wicket-keeping by Teniore was superb, and economical overs followed as we squeezed the rest of Taunton’s batting order. Eliza and Ella clean bowled their competitors, with Alissa returning at the end to take her wicket thanks to a smart catch by Bea. Ella effected two run-outs in the final over which also saw Eliza clean bowl for her 2nd wicket of the match. It was a superb first innings and true team performance. Everyone looked in control with the ball and sought a 2nd over which was brilliant to see. The game was poised with Taunton posting 64/6.
The girls openers started brightly with Bea scoring off the first ball and setting our intent from the start. Taking 13 runs from the first over was a great way to let Taunton School know Queen’s were on the charge. A wicket followed in the 2nd over, but the scoring rate continued and at half way Queen’s were 42/1 with victory in sight. They all knew cricket ebbs and flows so when the girls lost their skipper in 6th over there were still 15 runs to make. Livi came in and started with authority as a new partnership began. Taunton’s finest bowled the 7th and 9th over for just one run. They struggled to lay bat on that pace and bounce, yet any contact would have been fruitful. Instead it took the game to the wire with 6 runs required off the last over. A nervous bowler leaked a no-ball at the cost of 1 with an extra ball because it was the last over the game. Slow and leg side deliveries beat the bat for two crucial dot balls, then a single came that could maybe have been turned into 2 runs to add pressure to the fielders. Nonetheless, Ella struck with the middle of the bat a shot that was to fly through mid-wicket only to be plucked from the air in an amazing stretched-out catch. Now a new batter had to come to the crease with 3 runs required off 2 balls. Thankfully the quick single off Teniore’s pad that was expertly called by Livi got her on strike to do what she has already done this season. Livi hit a boundary to win the match. What an amazing tight finish to cap off a brilliant team performance. So much confidence and camaraderie to take into the semi-final of the U13 County Cup.
U13A Girls vs. Kings College Prep
The U13 girls returned to action on Wednesday with a friendly match against King’s College Prep who are set to be Queen’s semi-final rivals in the county cup. This time Queen’s fielded an all Year 8 side in a pairs format against their First XI. Queen’s batted first to hit 236 for 5 wickets which stemmed Queen’s total by 25 runs. Queen’s took more wickets than King’s, but also conceded more wides and boundaries. Queen’s gave away 48 runs in extras compared to just 13 by King’s. Queen’s hit three fours compared to King’s hitting 8 fours and 1 six. Between Queen’s costly wides and no-balls and the girls ability to find the boundaries more often, the game marched away from the girls, and despite Teniore switching from another tidy keeping performance to bowl a couple of wickets at the end, the girls found ourselves 60 runs apart. It was a valuable experience for Queen’s two hardball debutants in Amelia and Naomi. Every player had highlights to remember and this team certainly appear to be enjoying their cricket and taking the game forward.
U13B Girls Vs Kings College Prep
The U13B’s took on King’s College Prep in a lovely midweek fixture in glorious sunshine.
Queen’s started well and bowled some excellent overs on their first grass wicket. A little slow to back up in the field led to some extra runs but overall a nice innings. When batting we looked unsure how to attack a faster paced ball which led to some wickets being taken throughout. A few nice 4s and 6s scored by Ava and Harriet and best catch must go to Ava!
U12A Girls Vs Kings College Prep
Queen’s put on a superb display . Queen’s opened the batting and started by working themselves into the match. The final batting pair of Livi and Mabel then came on and stunned the crowd, putting an extra 34 runs onto our total score. The end of our innings ended on 246.
This was set up for a tense innings by King’s, with Queen’s knowing they had to be tight on fielding and bowling with a small boundary. It came down to the final 2 overs. Kings currently on 245. Two swift wickets with some superb bowling from Charlotte knocked King’s back so they required 10 with one over to go. Ella then stepped up to bowl with a lot of pressure in the final over. King’s required a 6 off the final ball. Ella managed to bowl out the batter with the final ball of the day meaning King’s finishing total was 235.
U12B Girls Vs Kings College Prep
The U12Bs played King’s College Prep in a great Wednesday afternoon fixture.
The team batted first with an opening pair of Minty and Cora and a closing pair of Omnima and Imogen. Both pairs scored 2 4’s and demonstrated good calling and running between the wickets with quick singles being scored.
Queen’s then went on to bowl taking 5 wickets!
U12A Boys vs. Mount Kelly
In a thrilling cricket fixture between Queen’s U12A team and Mount Kelly School, Queen’s showcased exceptional bowling and fielding prowess despite narrowly falling short of victory. Tom emerged as a standout performer, claiming numerous wickets with his skilful bowling. Despite the loss, Queen’s demonstrated commendable teamwork and determination throughout the match. Each player contributed to the team’s efforts, displaying resilience and sportsmanship on the field. The match served as a valuable learning experience for the young cricketers, highlighting areas for improvement and growth. As they reflect on the game, Queen’s U12A team can take away valuable lessons and insights to further enhance their skills and performance in future fixtures. With their talent and commitment, they are poised to achieve great success in their cricketing endeavours.
U13A Boys vs. Mount Kelly
On a day perfect for cricket, Queen’s were put into bat and initially found it hard to score against their Mount Kelly counterparts. There was a lot of playing and missing and when the bat was put on the ball, most shots seemed to find the opposition’s fielders rather than gaps. Things did improve, particularly thanks to Munesu, who scored 21 not out, and Mr Wides and a reasonably competitive score of 88 for 7 after 20 overs was posted by the team. The Queen’s bowlers proved equally difficult to score off and the fielding was positive and purposeful. At the halfway stage after 10 overs, Mount Kelly were 44 for 4, so an exciting finish was expected. Unfortunately, Queen’s only took one more wicket and a couple of expensive overs accelerated Mount Kelly towards their target. The Queen’s boys did not give up though and made Mount Kelly work hard before they eventually passed the Queen’s total with seven balls to spare. This was a competitive game from two evenly-matched teams and the boys should take heart from their bowling and fielding efforts. The next challenge is to score more freely and quickly to post an even more competitive total going forward.
