SHENSTON IAN 88 - Old Silhillians Association

which no match really looked in danger of going the full distance!
Keith Mortimer led a useful U15 side which again suffered from inconsistent
batting and owed its victories to stronger bowling. The same fault cost the U14 side,
led by Rohan Kalicharran, a better record, though again there is much potential
here, not least in the leg-spin of Faber.
The U.13 XI suffered too many drawn games but promise was shown by
Vaughan with consistent batting, backed up by the Mills and the Prescotts.
Stuart Legg scored a fine century for another highly successful U.12 XI, in
which the bowling of Edward Dawes was also a highlight. It was pleasing to see that
a number of our players were selected for Warwickshire teams at various levels this
season, and particular congratulations must go to Martyn Bevins on his H.M.C.
U.15 trial as a wicket-keeper.
Thanks, as always, are due to the many staff who give up their time on
Saturdays to umpire games and to Mr_Bailey and his staff for the splendid lunches
and teas. Thanks too to Vanessa Lloyd, James Proudfoot and James Evans for their
work in the scorebox.
M.R.B.
The Under 17 Barclays Bank Cup Competition.
We entered this competition for the first time this year on a rather casual basis
to enable us to look at some of the younger players in match situations. From an
original entry of 442 schools, we reached the last 4 in the country. Our run had a
number of batting and bowling highlights, but it was .the overall spirit generated
within the team and the determination later on to do well that most contributed to
our success. In the early rounds Justin Inglis scored two undefeated 90s; Richard
Hatcliffe laid the foundations for big scores in the Midland semi-final and final with
two 70'; Dan Pritchard hit a morale-crushing 83 (70s, , sixes and 8 fours) in the
Midland semi.; Paul Wheeler's 48 in a low-scoring, close game against R.G.S.
Worcester was just as great an achievement. That game was turned into a victory by
Hatcliffe's 5-17; Inglis demolished Joseph Chamberlain College with 5-13 in the
first round and we missed his bowling, through injury later on in the competition;
Pritchard proved too fast for Roade School with 4-23 in the Midland final and
accurate, economical bowling by Stuart Randall, Simon Bushell and Chris Griggs
always produced a firm foundation and often included crucial wickets. Good signs
for next year were the form of Martyn Bevins behind the stumps and the efforts of
Simon Fell with the bat and Simon Franklin with the ball. At all times the team
fielded with full commitment — none more so than David Cartwright and Edward
Jones. Eventually we bowed out in the national semi-final to eventual winners
Durham School, in another low-scoring encounter. Our total of 133-7 was only
reached by the opposition with 3 balls to spare and for the loss of 8 wickets. It was
typical of the fighting spirit of the team to find them afterwards so depressed at
losing such a close encounter, having got so far!
M.R.B.