Prep School

Despite having to postpone or cancel our cricket fixtures this week, due to poor ground conditions we have ploughed on with practice and also been working hard in our PE lessons on athletics. Most of the year groups have now recorded their long jump distances and run a sprint and a middle distance event. We are waiting for better weather for our high jumping and hurdling practices ahead of starting to choose our sports day events nearer to half term.

Please look at social media for some amazing individual success this week!

Senior School

Cricket

XI 1st  vs. Wellington

The first XI were the fortunate team to play cricket on Saturday when all other matches were lost to rain. It was a reduced format that just concluded before more rain came. Queen’s started quickly thanks to some clean ball striking and innovation by skipper Jonty (43 off 25). Queen’s progress slowed after his departure, as regular wickets fell to a wicket-to-wicket seamer, tall off-spinner and left-arm medium pace. The Queen’s finished with a flurry as Henry was 2nd top scorer at number 9 adding 15, and a rare 5 penalty runs resulted from the ball hitting the helmet in the field. Special mention to Felix on debut hitting 4 runs not out from 5 balls. The momentum stayed with us as we looked poised to keep Wellington to under a run a ball while also producing some magic. Well bowled Hayden taking 3 fine wickets with an unplayable delivery at top of off stump, one smart caught and bowled and the other fine catch was by Jonty at slip. Queen’s dominated Wellington at times, particularly in batting power play and by our smaller extras count, but in the end their top two scorers both passed 30 runs and they won with 12 balls spare. There is plenty of contest left between these two sides who meet again on Thursday in round 2 of the U18 National T20 Cup.

Qc Vs Mount Kelley

Wednesday brought the Mount Kelly Girls Cricket Teams to Queen’s for 2 hardball matches and 2 softball matches, while the boys were cancelled going to Exeter. The cricket on display at home was very promising with many players finding their feet for the 2024 season. Perhaps the most thrilling encounter was for the U12A girls, many of whom playing their first hardball game. The match went down to the last over with Queen’s eventually triumphing by just two runs! Mount Kelly batted first and struggled to score against the Queen’s bowlers. Despite giving away a few wides, the girls took wickets at regular intervals with Lola, Eva and Holly, in particular, bowling with accuracy. The Queen’s girls were dynamic in the field to limit the Mount Kelly batters ability to score runs and Charlotte and Ella demonstrated what accurate and powerful throws they have when whipping the ball back into the stumps. When it was Queen’s turn to bat, the Mount Kelly bowlers proved to be a force to be reckoned with. However, whilst wickets did fall, the scores were level with one over to play. With the rest of the team on the boundary cheering them on, Livi and Mabel, who also kept wicket efficiently, managed to steady their nerves and see the game out. All the girls contributed to a thrilling match, with Tori putting in a solid all round performance to help secure the victory.

This was a hugely encouraging performance from the girls. More experience was gained in hardball cricket and what was especially pleasing was how supportive and encouraging the girls were to each other – and to the opposition – and how they played with such evident enjoyment.

A similar story unfolded on a nearby pitch with the U13 girls beating Mount Kelly in their hardball game. Elsewhere our U12B and U13B teams enjoyed their softball battles against Mount Kelly on the hockey astro. Here you can guarantee a favourable bounce to ensure a lively contest between bat and ball. The girls enjoyed their quick-fire game and gained experience in the workings of pairs cricket matches. Mount Kelly beat us in the softball matches while Queens won both hardball matches so the block was tied at 2-2.

Athletics – Blundell’s Open

Despite the poor weather forecast, athletics on Saturday proved to be an afternoon of sunny spells and some great performances. Maddie and Caspar once again showed their pace and power on the track, Alaaddin and Caspar sprung into action in the long-jump and some impressive throws from Isabella and Harrison made for another successful event. With the open meets coming to a close, we now turn our attention to selection for the County squads and the upcoming cup competitions. 

Tennis vs. West Buckland

Last weekend Queen’s senior, inter and junior tennis teams hosted West Buckland for our first tennis fixtures of the year. The teams showed great commitment and teamwork throughout all matches during the afternoon. Overall there was some brilliant tennis on show and I look forward to the upcoming weeks of fixture with each age group.