Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
Banana boating, poolside volleyball and cultural evenings
were all important features of our tour once again. Immense
thanks go to Mr Makinson for setting up the arrangements and
offering his sage cricketing advice. Malta remains a special
place in the heart of all SGS cricketers who make the annual
pilgrimage.
R. Young
UNDER 15 CRICKET
The moment that we won the Cheshire Cup seems a good
place to start. Tom O’Mahoney, promoted from the year
below, thumped one through the leg-side for four, punched
gloves with captain Mike Schofield who had once again held
the innings together and the celebrations began. I’d been
looking forward to this for the last four years, since we knew
we had a particularly talented first year: but the way the cup
was won was even more special. Without their star batsman,
Matty Hughes, either deservedly promoted to the First XI or
on representative duty, the others had their chance to shine:
they succeeded when the pressure was on; unsung heroes
stepped up with match winning performances.
We played an exciting brand of cricket, with the bat leading
the way. Tom Morton was a feisty opener, Simon Hardy a
finisher in the Eoin Morgan mode, Aaron McRoberts a stylish
number three, Oli Woodside made some vital contributions
and even Ben Haigh, Mr Test Match, spanked Arnold around
the park for 85*. Special mention has to go to Mike Schofield.
The facts speak for themselves: over 500 runs, five 50s, a top
score of 98, ruthless with bad bowling, respectful of the good,
always looking to put the pressure on the opposition. He was
outstanding. All this meant that we usually had enough runs
to play with.
In the second part of the season, the bowlers came to the fore.
With no out and out strike bowler, team effort was required,
and the super-competitive Oli Woodside, alongside Aaron
McRoberts, Tom Morton and Mike Schofield usually kept
things tight. But they were well supported: Tom Egan, Josh
Chapman, Ben Richmond, who had the best analysis of the
season in the cup semi, Tom Colbert, whose cup final wickets
saw him top the averages, and James Samarji, (again
promoted to debut in the County Cup final) all chipped in
with match-winning performances.
Every year cricket becomes more of a struggle, as trips, exams
and the fast pace of the twenty-first century take their toll.
Only once this season were we able to put out a full strength
side. That this side were always able to put out a competitive
eleven and even managed to win the County Cup despite
missing key players, is testament to their talent, commitment
and the loyal support of their parents. Many thanks to them,
I hope they enjoyed this season as much as I did and are as
proud of their sons as I am. The future of SGS cricket is in
their hands, and I for one am happy that this is so.
The squad: Matty Hughes, Mike Schofield, Tom Morton,
Aaron McRoberts, Simon Hardy, Oliver Woodside, Ben
Haigh, Tom Egan, Ben Richmond, Tom Colbert, Josh
Chapman, Ali Rizvi, Ed O’Connor, Rory Donnelly, David
Withers, Connal Gorman, Nathan Jones, Ray McCullough,
James Samarji and Tom O’Mahoney.
S. Moore
UNDER 14 CRICKET
The U14 team was always to find this season somewhat of a
transition. They had previously experienced much success,
but now had to come to terms with the loss of one of their
leading lights. It was clearly an opportunity for others to pick
up the baton and excel.
The season began with a trip to Bolton and in difficult
conditions the side both bowled and fielded well restricting
the home side to a total of 110. At this point steady drizzle
became heavy rain and the game was abandoned. This is the
4 th consecutive visit to Bolton that has ended in this manner,
it really is becoming Groundhog Day. Still with hymn books
in hand the team travelled back to Stockport in good, if not
tuneful, spirits.
A local derby against Cheadle Hulme followed and, after a
poor batting performance, victory was snatched from the jaws
of defeat by an excellent performance with the ball. Captain
James Samarji led the way with a 6 wicket haul which was
gleefully celebrated by all. This game really encapsulated the
season overall. Always enthusiastic, the performance in the
field was generally strong. The team had numerous bowling
options ranging from the height and bounce of Elliot and
Stollery, the raw pace of Cawthorn and Will Jones, the nagging
accuracy of Vohra and Williams, to the flighty spin of Adit
Kulkarni and Samarji. Options were never short in this area.
Behind the stumps Jones, Hanson and eventually O’Mahoney,
all kept tidily. The batting was a different matter and no one
could really be relied upon to score consistently. Ganley–
Yates, O’Mahoney, Marcus Jones all produced innings of
quality, but not frequently enough and too often wickets were
given way with rash shots. Duffy and Animit Kulkarni similarly
looked impressive, but succumbed to shots they would not
have played with hindsight.
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