Foundation Magazine 2021-2022 | Mount Kelly

SPORT
CRICKET
SPORT
U13A CRICKET TEAM:
BENJAMIN ANDERSON
OLIVER BECKLY
BARNABY FISHER
CHARLIE GOODFELLOW
JAMES HAMBLY
ARCHIE PENNINGTON
HARRY PRETTEJOHN
BARNABAS PRETTEJOHN
MAX RAINSBURY
MONTY SAYERS
WILLIAM THOMAS
HARRY WITCHER (C)
Another exciting season loomed
and no more interruptions from
the World leaders! The season
began with a bang, as a comfortable win
against the nearest neighbour, Plymouth
College, set the ball rolling for an excellent
few weeks. The next opponent was
Great Walstead who had toured from
Sussex and were a traditionally strong
side, even on the South East circuit,
so to gain a victory against them was
most pleasing. Runs from Goodfellow,
Witcher, Beckly and Pennington saw
us reach 256/6 in our 35 overs. Great
Walstead tried hard, but good spells of
bowling from Prettejohn, Sayers and
Pennington, restricted them to 225/8.
The match was followed by a BBQ and
was another experience that the boys
enjoyed.
An abandoned match against St Peter’s
was frustrating, as we only required
40 to win and at 34/3 it looked very
comfortable, however, this was followed
by the performance of the season
against Blundell’s. Bowling first, we kept
Blundell’s to just 80/8 in their 20 overs,
which was chased down superbly by
Mount Kelly, in particular Fisher and
Pennington, who took the attack to the
bowlers. Mount Kelly won by 8 wickets!
U13
June saw the start of the cup run
and wins against Churston Ferrers,
Devonport and Plymouth saw us
through to the final which was to be
played at Blundell’s, against Blundell’s in
the last week of term. Just two more
matches proceeded that, an abandoned
match against Queen’s Taunton where
the first 100 in a long time was scored
by a Prep School player. Harry Witcher
went on to make a wonderful 100. He
timed his innings to perfection and most
importantly he learnt from last time
he was in the 90s and made sure he
passed the milestone. Against Stover,
both Witcher and Beckly passed 50 in a
comfortable win.
The final match of the season was indeed
the County Cup final against Blundell’s.
We bowled first again, but this time their
best player came off and they managed
to get to 128 in their 20 overs. The chase
started poorly, with Mount Kelly losing
Witcher and Beckly cheaply. However,
Fisher and Goodfellow really steadied
the ship, getting us to 70 before the next
wicket was lost. Wickets fell as steadily
as the rain did, but at 115/5 we were
seemingly in control. As the pressure
was applied by Blundell’s, Mount Kelly
couldn’t quite cross the line and fell
agonisingly short by just 2 runs, losing
both cup and their unbeaten record in
the space of 6 balls. Take nothing away
from ether side, it was a fantastic game
of cricket and one that lots of lessons
were learnt and the result was not dwelt
upon for too long (nothing can’t be cured
by a McDonalds trip on the way home!).
A truly memorable season for both the
coaches (Mr Scott was a great support
to the boys and an expert umpire) and
the players. Harry Witcher captained
the side well, always willing to include
everyone in the game and make sure that
the players felt part of the team, whilst
he led from the front with both bat and
gloves. Some excellent stats from both
Pennington and Beckly with the bat,
showed how much they had come on
in the past couple of years. Goodfellow
opened the batting with confidence and
when on song, looked a real player (one
who I think will only progress as he goes
through the school), whilst Fisher saved
his best displays for Blundell’s! With the
ball, Harry Prettejohn bowled with pace
and accuracy and as his confidence
grows, he will realise just how quick and
good he can be. Sayers, when bowling
off 19 yards showed great control and
had a golden arm when it was really
needed. Finally, Max Rainsbury was the
most improved cricketer, his bowling
at times was unplayable and is a very
exciting prospect for the future.
A real all-round team effort.
Playing Statistics
Played – 12
Won – 9
Drew – 0
Lost – 1
Abandoned – 2
U15A CRICKET TEAM:
THEODORE AYLING
JOSHUA BRATT
ISAAC BRUNDELL
BARTHOLOMEW GRAINGER
LEWIE HARRISON (C)
THOMAS LAWRENCE
FRANCIS PARTRIDGE
ELLIOTT POCKNELL
GEORGE RICKARD
NOAH TAYLOR
FERGUS THOMSON
JOHN WARREN
U15
The U15s had a thrilling start to the
season with a tie against Plymouth
College. A close encounter that is
rarely seen in 20/20 cricket at schoolboy
level. Again, this side also suffered some
mid-season disruption with some schools
still not playing inter school fixtures.
Other highlights, saw strong wins against
Okehampton College and Stover. Their
final game was abandoned in strange
circumstances when Exeter had to
isolate half the team, mid-way through
the match. Another first on the pitches
of Mount Kelly and reminder we will still
living in the aftermath of the pandemic.
This group are another side that will only
strengthen in coming seasons, with only
one Year 10 player captaining the side of
U14 players.
The girls’ inter sides had a variety of close
matches and we are certainly keen to
develop the fixture list over the coming
years as the strength of girls cricket in the
area is growing rapidly.
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