Prep
U11A Boys vs Wellington by Mr Venning
There were plenty of valuable lessons to take from the afternoon. Batting first, we struggled to find our usual rhythm and made a slow start, which was compounded by a number of batters chipping simple catches to the opposition. This prevented us from building the partnerships and momentum that are so important in limited-overs cricket. With the ball, the effort and commitment were there for all to see, but we did not threaten the stumps consistently enough to apply sustained pressure on the batting side. A handful of missed catching opportunities also proved costly, allowing our opponents to extend partnerships and remain comfortably within reach of the target. Despite these challenges, the team continued to work hard and support one another throughout, which was pleasing to see. A special mention must go to Theo, who produced an outstanding performance behind the stumps. His confidence, movement, and decision-making continue to improve with every match, and this was another excellent example of the progress he is making as a wicketkeeper. His energy and positivity were evident throughout the game and provided a real highlight on an otherwise difficult afternoon.
U11B Boys vs Wellington by Mr Burlingham
2 runs the difference! After 2 hours and 24 overs of play, it came down to just 2 runs! The Queen’s bowling, fielding, batting and general positivity continues on the upward jajectory shown over the whole season. Queen’s produced some excellent bowling; keeping the opposition runs to a minimum, two well taken wickets and even a caught behind! During our batting innings, the running between wickets and looking for a run every ball made for some exciting (and interesting!) overs. However, at the final count up, after much deliberating between the umpires, it came down to 2 runs ……………………..in Queen’s favour! Well done, boys. Another super game in which you showed excellent progress.
U11C Boys vs Wellington by Mr Bishop
What a fantastic in truly challenging conditions. The wind and rain played havoc with the ‘Incrediball’ but that didn’t stop our determined team from playing some showstopping cricket. Everything from diving stops to run outs, the team showed commitment and resilience to take a fantastic five wickets. A special shoutout to Kareem who’s pace of bowling has developed tenfold this term. Then came our turn to bat, and with the wind picking up and the wet pitch making the ball zip across the surface, our batters were patient playing some thoughtful shots and running at every opportunity. I was especially impressed with the clear improvement in communication between the wickets of all involved. Yet another fantastic outing and opportunity to show their development this term for the team.
U11A Girls Vs Wellington Mr T Bulmer
The Under 11A Girls produced an excellent all-round performance in their latest fixture against Wellington School, showcasing real progress and determination as a team. From the outset, the bowlers set the tone with accurate and disciplined lines, supported brilliantly by sharp and alert fielding. The girls worked hard in the field, taking several well-earned wickets through a combination of tight bowling and consistent pressure.
In response, the batting display was composed and confident, highlighting how much the team has improved. Communication between the wickets was particularly impressive, with smarter calling and better awareness allowing the team to build their innings effectively. Players also showed great maturity in their shot selection, choosing when to attack and when to defend with increasing confidence.
Unfortunately, the match had to be cut short due to rain, but the performance up to that point was very encouraging. It was a strong display of teamwork, skill, and growing understanding of the game, and the girls can take great pride in their efforts.
U10A Girls vs Wellington Mrs L Gardner
Despite the rainy weather, the U10A team traveled to Wellington full of enthusiasm for what turned out to be a slightly frustrating afternoon of cricket. Fielding first, birthday girl Emily led the attack with superb accuracy, claiming two wickets in consecutive balls during an excellent 2.5-over spell. Strong bowling from Lydia and Matilda also kept the opposition’s extras to a minimum. However, inconsistent throwing back to the wicket and a few overthrows proved to be our main weaknesses on the day. When we took to the crease, Wellington’s bowling was a little inconsistent. While this gifted us plenty of extras, it made it difficult for our batters to find a rhythm and get bat on ball consistently. Nevertheless, Matilda, Lowenna, and Frankie all showed great technique, connecting well when the bowling was more accurate.
Huge credit goes to the entire squad for maintaining their focus and perseverance through very changeable weather conditions.
Senior
Cricket Update: by Mrs Foster
The week leading into half term was a busy cricket period, with the First XI adding two more wins to their tally overcoming both Downside and Wellington at home. The year 7/8 house cricket event engaged every pupil across three formats, and of course our very own Broderick Tournament that attracted 14 teams for U15 Girls Cricket was a huge success. Many pupils kept their eye in over the break, some swapping school camaraderie for club rivalry and returning to school term with more stories, runs and wickets.
The U15 Girls and Boys have returned to action already, taking on Castle School on the same day England Women sealed their T20 series in Taunton. If warm-up entertainment was ordered then U15 boys delivered. They hit 91/6 in their 100 balls by adapting to the soft and bouncy conditions where front foot drive text book videos were most unlikely. Contributions from the batting engine were led by Kirk, Felix, Munesu and momentum was maintained by spritely contributions from Josiah and Tom. It wasn’t a huge score, but equally good balls were hard to punish so the discipline with the ball and creating chances kept pressure on the Castle order. They never got away from us, but stayed in contention so when bowlers held their nerve and restricted them to 84/6 the whole team could take credit. Kirk and Tom were the standout bowlers, but to see Paulo, Luis, Justin and Mo close the game out to victory was enjoyed by all.
Wednesday brought some indifferent weather not usually associated with a full game of cricket, yet the U13’s were so enthralled in their contest with Sherborne that playing on was the favoured option. We won the toss and despite batting enthusiasm we stuck by the bowl-first traditions of looming wet weather. Owen struck in his third over, Harry applied first change pressure with accuracy and skidy bounce. Freddie backed this up and at ten overs Sherborne were 49/2 and nicely set for an aggressive finish. They did motor on, sometimes capitalising on a few missed chances, but mainly thanks to their number 3 who nearly batted through the innings and just short of his 50 to help his team to 123/6.
Between innings the team intent was clear and confident towards keeping up with the rate as it drizzled on and off. Owen and Jasper did just that with 30 off 5 but both falling in the 6th over. We got to ten overs with 65/4 so nicely up with the rate, but tinkering on the pressure of wickets. Archie saw the ball and hit it in his uncompromising and clear strategy to make best use of his ball striking power. He certainly intimidated the opposition and they recognised taking his wicket was their only hope. They did eventually get their man with a double bounce occuring within the crease and knocking the bails off. He returned to the pavilion, or in fact the tree canopy with 44 off 28 balls. The game was an exciting battle with easy-to-spot pivotal moments, but did Archie’s wicket come too late for Sherborne at 98/6?
Team-first batting and some brave running put pressure on their fielders. Charlie and Freddie helped us to a winning position but left it to Tom and Ralph. Queen’s needed 7 to win with the arrival of number 11 to the non-striker’s end. A lesson here in taking a chase deep as the first ball was wide showing that bowlers are not immune to the pressure either. Single scored, and then an aerial shot that saw back-pedalling, stretching, grasping and the ball rebounding out of the hands of their point fielder while our batters reduced the requirement to 3 off three balls. Another single, and more fretting on the sideline, but mostly encouragement and backing of team mates… Would they regret leaving it to someone else?
Ralph hits the fifth ball through the legside and it finds the boundary for one of the most exciting finishes in any cricket. What a game, what a contest, what a great win Queens U13 boys enjoyed, however, should it have got that close and will we learn as much from winning as we might have remembered from it going the other way. It certainly could have gone either way, but I’m sure this win will stick in the fond memories of the 2026 season.
Girls U15 Cricket v Castle School by Mr Smith
A match against Castle U15s, a team full of local club cricketers, was always going to be a tough encounter for the Queen’s girls and so it proved although there were some positives to draw from the match. Queen’s won the toss and put Castle into bat and they ended up with a competitive 113 in their hundred balls, including several boundaries, with Queen’s picking up wickets for Charlotte, Alissa and three for Juno plus a run out. Charlotte also took a super catch and it was great to see Willow back playing cricket; her attacking of the ball and powerful throwing was an asset to the team in the field.
After their experience before half-term at the recent Broderick tournament, the girls’ identified that they needed to be braver in their batting, going for quick singles, pushing for twos and putting the fielders under pressure. Whilst Queen’s had a tough task ahead to chase down their opponents’ total, the girls’ certainly put this into practice. Communication between the batters was much better and a willingness to run hard when runs were on offer was pleasing. Juno, who scored a quick-fire 17, got the team off to a good start before being caught and bowled and Aurelia finished on 8 not out which included her first ever boundary! However, wickets at regular intervals meant we ended up short of our opponents’ total finishing on 65 all out. Despite the loss, hopefully the girls will take their new-found positivity when batting into the next game.
Girls U13A Cricket v Sherborne by Mr Smith
The U13A girls welcomed Sherborne to Queen’s on Wednesday for a 10-a-side hardball pairs match. Queen’s batted first and each pair of batters had three overs each to build a total. The Queen’s girls set about their task with relish, running hard between the wickets and set the Sherborne girls a formidable score to chase of 307 for the loss of only one wicket. Poppy N bowled the first over at the Sherborne opening pair. Fast and accurate, she proved a handful for the batters, claiming two wickets in her six balls, both of them bowled. Unfortunately, only three more overs were able to be bowled before the rain came sweeping in, bringing a premature end to the match. This was a shame as the Queen’s girls were keen to keep the pressure on their opponents and sensed a victory was on the cards. Nevertheless, this was a very encouraging performance from the team and bodes well for their next match.
U11B Girls Cricket vs. Wellington
The U11B Girls put in a highly commendable performance this week, staying brilliantly focused despite the distraction of the rainy weather.
In the field, the girls showed fantastic discipline, giving away very few promising extras. While Wellington capitalized on some of our bowling to hit a few boundaries, our outfielders worked hard to keep the pressure on.
When it was our turn to bat, the girls ran exceptionally well between the wickets. However, Wellington’s inconsistent bowling style made it incredibly difficult for our batters to find a rhythm, meaning we just couldn’t score enough to match their total.
It was a fantastic effort in tough conditions, and the team already knows what to work on for next week: backing up at the stumps to prevent overthrows!