Ratcliffian 2016 (LOWRES)

SPORT
GIRLS’ TENNIS
SPORT
ROUNDERS
The summer term has been rather mixed, with various training sessions
and matches cancelled due to poor weather. However, all girls have been
in great spirits and have enjoyed the few games we managed to play.
The U15s had a mixed season, with numerous training
practices cancelled. As a result, the girls could not always
go in to their matches with their usual confidence. Emily
Grimmett and Ceri Graham
both led the team extremely
well, communicating and
displaying some excellent
fielding and batting
skills. The new tactics we
introduced worked well, with
bowler, backstop and post
players combining as a team
and communicating well
with the deep field players.
The team worked effectively
together during their final year playing competitive rounders
for the school. I have really enjoyed coaching the girls; well
done to everyone involved.
The U14s won one of their of four matches; this was against
Quinton House School and the girls put in an impressive
performance, hitting the ball with consistency and power,
and playing impeccably in the field, making it hard for
the opposition to score many rounders. The girls showed
commitment to their rounders and, as previously, thoroughly
enjoyed themselves – let’s hope for better weather and
success next year! As a whole, the girls played well as a
team against some tough opposition. Well done, girls.
Despite many cancellations, the U13A teams maintained a
brilliant attitude in lessons and training. The A team had a
successful season, winning 75% of their games, which is an
excellent result and proof of their ability and hard work. In
each fixture, the girls showed improvements in their individual
and team performances. Their fielding throughout the term
was brilliant, making it hard for opposing teams to score, and
all girls have contributed to scoring rounders in the batting
line up. A great year: well done, girls.
In the few games played, the U13 B team performed
well, building a rapport with each other and improving in
leaps and bounds each week. Both fielding and batting
performances improved greatly throughout
lessons and training sessions. This was
evident in their fixtures which were very close,
only losing by less than two rounders each
time. Their third and final game was a win
for the girls, with some excellent performances
from all. There were some impressive hits
from the girls, especially from Samantha Seidu
and Mimi Khan who scored many rounders in
their fixtures.
The U12A girls applied themselves well
throughout the season, training week in week out, and pushing
hard for places in the teams. They worked on their core skills
in lessons, and focused on tactics to improve their match play
throughout the season. There was a strong batting line up, with
some excellent hitting from many of the girls, especially Annie
Bridgwood. To finish the season off, Ratcliffe came up against
a strong Kimbolton side. This was another exciting game and
the girls certainly didn’t disappoint, showcasing their skills but
unfortunately losing by just half a rounder - a disappointment,
though much was learnt from the game. Well played to all the
girls who have been involved in the squad.
The U12B team had a short season, but they worked and
trained hard throughout, improving their core skills and
tactics, ready for their matches. While many girls stepped
up and performed well, a mention must go to Jessica Elton
who controlled games with her bowling skills, and to Matilda
Creegan who scored a number of rounders and dominated
in batting. The girls have worked well as a team, and they
played tactically at times. Well played, girls; it has been a
pleasure to coach you this season.
Miss A Stafford
1st 2nd U15A U15B U13A
PLAYED 5 2 10 4 3
WON 4 2 10 3 3
DRAWN 0 0 0 0 0
LOST 1 0 0 1 0
The Senior tennis took many guises this year, combining the
Aberdare Cup, a mixed fixture and the senior girls’ fixtures.
The 2 nd girls’ tennis team had an unbeaten season, winning
both of their fixtures, against Worksop and Wellingborough.
Sibella Chew captained the side excellently, In the National
Aberdare Cup, the girls
progressed all the way to
the final round in the county
section, beating Oakham
convincingly along the way.
Sadly, a narrow defeat to
Loughborough in atrocious
conditions meant we did
not progress to the regional
rounds. Well done, to all
the girls, on a short but
successful season.
For the first time since I
joined Ratcliffe, the U15A
team and the U13 teams
were unbeaten, both in
their inter-school fixtures and in Division two of the Aegon
U15 league. This is testament to their skill level, with county
players Sarah Astill, Eleanor Shaw and Rachel Astill leading
from the front. Their contribution cannot be overstated, as
they inspired others, in all age groups, to play with more
feistiness and power.
In the U15A team, Sarah Astill and her various partners
dominated play and didn’t lose a set all term, winning most
of them to love or one. Eleanor and Rachel also chased
down every ball and encouraged their partners to use the
angles on the court to good effect, whilst Olivia Carpenter
remained cool and collected, and Jenna Pole and Isobel
Hose smiled through everything they faced, even surprising
themselves at times!
This year has seen the Ratcliffe College equestrian team
go from strength to strength, with more riders representing
the school than ever before. Excellent team and individual
performances have enabled many of the students to
win competitions, while also qualifying for the National
Championships which take place during the summer.
These students include; Connie Mensley (Year 2), Tilly
Miles, Madeline Dunstan and Georgie Daynes (Year 5),
The B team also had
a very good season,
Abigail Santaney was
the stand-out player
of the group, Elise
Atkinson, Year 7, also
climbed the age group ladder and, despite her nerves, held
her own, encouraged by partner Flora Colville, who hit the
ball with intense power. Bo Henderson used her experience of
last year whilst Sharmel Yapa had her first experiences of team
tennis. The U13 team had Eleanor and Rachel’s experience
to help them and, needless to say, had a major influence on
their various partners. Several Year 8 girls made their debuts:
Annabel Mills, Ellie Gallacher, Aimee Cleminson, Lucy Antill,
Samantha Seidu, Emily McBallantine, along with Year 7 Girls
Maddi Bryant and Mathilda Cregeen. With several other girls
in Year 7 waiting in the wings for match play experience, the
future of tennis looks rosy.
Mrs A Taylor
BOYS’ TENNIS
It was a very busy season for boys’ tennis this year, with
both the Under 13s and Under 15s playing a good number
of fixtures, despite the inclement weather. The U13s won
three of their four matches, losing to a very strong Leicester
Grammar team. It should be remembered that our team
was made up mainly of Year 7 boys, so they were often up
against boys a year older. Unfortunately, the U15s failed to
win any of their matches, although there were some excellent
individual performances and some fantastic tennis on show
in some very competitive games. As with the U13s, the U15s
were mainly a year younger than their opponents, so next year
should provide a more accurate reflection of our capabilities.
Congratulations must go to all the players for their efforts
and commitment. Hopes are very high for the future, as there
are a number of very talented tennis players coming through.
Wednesday night tennis was always very well attended,
reflecting the genuine interest in the sport.
Mr P McCrindell
EQUESTRIAN TEAM
Elsi Jacques (Year 6), Olivia Crawley, Brooke England and
Erin Somerville (Year 7), Mimi Khan and Maddy Lindop (Year
8), Kate Woodhouse, Oliver Jackson and Jade England (Year
9) and India Beresford (Year 10). A big ‘thank you’ must go to
Professor Sarah Freeman who trains the team, and also to the
parents who support the riders and their horses.
Mr P Gilchrist
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