Cricket Report 2013

The 2013 season will go down in the history of Shrewsbury School cricket as probably the most

remarkable ever experienced by the school. To win a national title, the HMC Twenty20 is exceptional in

itself, but then to share two other national championships (ECB/ESCA Under 15 Twenty20 and the School

Sport Magazine Under 17) was a feat unprecedented in school cricket. In addition, the Under 14s won the

county stage of the Lord’s Taverners Trophy and will go on to represent Shropshire on the national stage

in 2014.

In a season where the sun shone much more than in previous seasons, it was disappointing that both the

Under 15 and Under 17 teams twice attempted to play their finals but were thwarted by the weather.

With September rapidly coming to an end it was decided to share their trophies with Whitgift School and

Portsmouth Grammar School respectively.

Henry Blofield receiving the Silk Trophy at Eton

1st XI Cricket Report 2013

ALL MATCHES Played 31 Won 22 Lost 5 Drawn/Abandoned 4

Pre Season Played 2 Won 2 Lost 0

T 20 Matches Played 9 Won 8 Lost 1

50/over Matches Played 20 Won 12 Lost 4 Drawn/Abandoned 4

Pre-Season Festival (Shrewsbury)

Shrewsbury School 254-4 (50 overs) 254-4 ( J Carrasco 103, E Pollock 47*, W Cook 41), Worksop

College 176-8 (50 overs)

Shrewsbury School 299-5 (50 overs) (E Pollock 121, E Barnard 94) Worcestershire Academy 155 (30.2

overs)

Shrewsbury School vs Millfield School – Cancelled Rain

Regular Season

Shrewsbury School 195-5 (40 overs) (E Barnard 65, E Pollock 59), Shropshire Development XI 196-7 (39.2

overs) (E Barnard 3-35)

KES Birmingham 115 (44.3 overs), Shrewsbury School 116-0 (23.4 overs) (G Lewis 61*, J Carrasco 43)

MCC 220-4 dec., Shrewsbury School 83-2 ( E Pollock 48*) Abandoned – Rain

Free Foresters 198 (E Barnard 4-27), Shrewsbury School 192 ( J Carrasco 48, E Barnard 48)

Shrewsbury School 40-3 vs Repton School – Abandoned –Rain

Sedbergh School 176-7 (50 overs) (E Barnard 4-26), Shrewsbury School 171 (49.4 overs) ( E Barnard 60)

Shrewsbury School 164-6 (40 overs) (J Carrasco 81*, C White 32*) Myerscough College 100 (32 overs) (G

Panayi 4-15)

Malvern College 200-8 (50 overs) (M Gregson 5-47), Shrewsbury School 193-9 (G Lewis 60, W Cook 33)

Manchester Grammar School 144-7 (40 overs) (H Blofield 4-26), Shrewsbury School 148-2 (31.4 overs) (E

Pollock 57*, J Carrasco 54*)

Shrewsbury School 320-5 (50 overs) (E Pollock 140, G Panayi 73*), Warwick 229-9 (45 overs) (Target

revised to 299 under D/L)

Thomas More College, Durban 105-5 (31.4 overs) vs Shrewsbury School - Abandoned –Rain

Shrewsbury School 178 (42.3 overs) (E Pollock 34), Uppingham School 120 (42.1 overs) ( G Panayi 3-24)

Menlo Park School, Pretoria 104-3 (26.0 overs) vs Shrewsbury School – Abandoned –Rain

Shrewsbury School 165-4 (20 overs) (M Gregson 60*, E Pollock 55, C Farquhar 31), Kent Street School,

Perth 120-7 (20 overs)

Silk Trophy Festival (Eton College)

Shrewsbury School 259-7 (50 overs) (J Carrasco 100, W Cook 47, G Lewis 32), Oundle School 177 (45.2

overs) (E Pollock 6-18, C White 3-30)

St. Peters College, Adelaide 126 (47.2 overs) (H Blofield 4-9, G Panayi 3-38), Shrewsbury School 128-8

(38.2 overs) (G Lewis 54)

Shrewsbury School 230-9 (50 overs) (E Pollock 72, G Lewis 69, G Panayi 32*), Eton College 148 (43.2

overs) (C White 4-33)

HMC T20 2013

Henry Blofield receiving the HMC T20 Trophy

1st Round – Round Robin

Wrekin College 37 (14.3 overs) (W Cook 5-6), Shrewsbury School 39-0 (3.4 overs)

Oswestry School 41 (11.3 overs) (H Blofield 5-7), Shrewsbury School 42-1 (4.3 overs)

2nd Round – Round Robin

Royal Grammar School, Worcester 69-6 (20 overs) ( H Blofield 4-15), Shrewsbury School 69-3 (11.4

overs)

Denstone College 147-7 (20 overs), Shrewsbury School 136-7 (20 overs) (E Pollock 32)

(RGS Worcester bt Denstone by 7 wickets and Shrewsbury advanced on superior run rate)

3rd Round (West Midlands Final played at KES Birmingham)

Shrewsbury School 105-6 (20 overs) ( C White 31), Bromsgrove School 93-7 (20 overs)

4th Round (National Quarter Final)

Shrewsbury School 116 (20 overs) (E Pollock 53), Bedford School 99 (19.4 overs) (H Blofield 3-19)

National Semi-Final (played at Arundel Castle)

Shrewsbury School 231-6 (20 overs) (E Pollock 92, J Carrasco 68), Bolton School 171 (18.3 overs) (W

Cook 3-27)

National Final (played at Arundel Castle)

Shrewsbury School 135-7 (20 overs) (J Carrasco 55), St Bedes School 83 (16.1 overs) (W Cook 3-3, G

Panayi 3-14)

School Sport Magazine National Under 17 Cup

1st Round – Bye

2nd Round

Wrekin College 163-7 (40 overs) (E Barnard 3-15), Shrewsbury School 164-4 (31.5 overs) (G Lewis 59, F

Adair 39*)

3rd Round Shrewsbury School vs Wilmslow High School - Shrewsbury School walkover

4th Round (National Quarter Final played at Sedbergh)

Shrewsbury School 149 (38.3 overs) (W Cook 45, G Lewis 43), Sedbergh School 124-9 (40 overs) (C

Kidson 3-24)

National Semi-Final (Played at Shrewsbury School)

Shrewsbury School 214-3 (40 overs) (J Carrasco 90, G Lewis 69), Bromsgrove School 175-9 (40 overs) (C

Kidson 5-55)

National Final (Played at Cumnor CC, Oxford)

Match reduced to 30 overs a side

Shrewsbury School (30 overs) 136-7 (H Blofield 48*, J Carrasco 46) vs Portsmouth Grammar School –

Abandoned – Rain

Trophy shared between Shrewsbury and Portsmouth GS

A much drier and brighter summer allowed our new group of 1st XI players to flourish like they never had

done before. The excellent and very enjoyable winter tour to South Africa had created a strong base from

which this young side could progress. The season was certainly not a case of conquering all before them

and there were many harsh lessons that were learnt during April and May but by June, there was real

cohesion and consistency in our performances. Strangely enough, the loss of Edward Barnard (England U17

Captain) to injury after half term marked a point from which the team worked more effectively and

produced more. The ‘run in’ at the end of the term was then just outstanding. Despite a heavy, back end,

work load the team responded with spirit and skill.

I recall the T20 win over Bromsgove on a rain-sodden King Edward’s strip with particular pride. With half

the team arriving late and the loss of early wickets, we battled away to overcome our opponents. Our

progress in this competition was certainly anything other than smooth.

The Silk Trophy threw up some incredibly collective performances that dimmed the pre-tournament glow

of both St Peter’s and Eton and finally we battered and restricted our opponents respectively, Bolton

School & St Bedes, on our way to a second HMC National T20 title in three years.

A season that had started with high hopes appeared, at one stage, to be meandering towards mediocrity

then ‘lo and behold’ we produce the finest set of results a 1st XI at Shrewsbury School have ever produced.

I would like to dedicate this season’s success to all the 1st XI squads of the recent past who have, year on

year, raised the bar. I would like to praise in particular

1. the great coaching qualities of Cricket Professional Paul ‘Pridge’ Pridgeon, who has utilised our

fantastic facilities to such good effect.

2. the solidity, skill and character of the 1stXI squad

3. the performances of our U6th

4. the captaincy of Henry Blofield , who led both the 1st XI and U17s to national success

1st XI Player Reports 2013

Charlie Farquhar has been a member of the 1st X1 for the past three and a half seasons and despite

missing the greater part of the 2012 season has been one of our most dependable ‘go to’ bowlers. His

bowling was most effective in the T20 format where he was successfully used as an opener, often allowing

the team early control. Despite his rather stiff batting technique he also played some vital cameos and

showed considerable maturity when others around him failed. He trained well and provided the team with

the resolve they required. His outfield catching became as secure as a vault. He was not the captain but he

was a great leader. His part in our cricket progress will be remembered.

Matthew Gregson had burst into the 1st X1 as an U16. His left-handed power was desired and he had a

few chances to shine but consistency with the bat failed him. Despite a few matches in 2012 Matt was

struggling to create a niche for himself in the team until the tour to South Africa. It was on the tour that

his spin bowling career started to evolve, so did his fielding. He became one of our most secure catchers.

The more he trained the better he got and the less frequent the ‘wild ball’ became. He offered turn and

bounce together with a rapid fast ball – all in all, often too much for the batters. His confidence and quality

had reached a very high level by the end of June and the whole team benefitted from his rugged

competitiveness. His T20 innings of 60 on Speech Day v Kent Street School was spectacular and dangerous

to boundary spectators. He too, is a holder of two national T20 titles and stands at the very top of the

performance table. As a talented athlete, he finally gained his just rewards playing cricket.

Bertie Milligan- Manby (wicket keeper) provided the 1st XI with growing reliability behind the sticks as

the season wore on. His 2nd XI batting prowess was sadly, for him, underemployed. His desire to improve

and hold his place down under pressure from Jamie Humes was vital in driving his performance level up.

Not a natural athlete he developed as the season went on and did, indeed, perform athletically well in June

& July. His catching was very sound but the aspect of his game that I will remember best is his ‘standing up’.

In this skill he became very professional and always created pressure on our opponents by deed and not

word.

Edward Pollock made the performance progress we had demanded as long ago as September 2012. On

the back of an inconsistent 2012 season (642 runs nevertheless) and with a new emerging team around

him, it was vital that Edward took the reins and showed greater responsibility. He is the most gifted batter

and everyone was concerned that his desire to ‘hit’ had become greater than the desire to ‘play’. Being a

very bright soul, he adapted his game but certainly did not compromise it. The net effect was that he

influenced more games than not and often gave us the winning odds. I will long remember his destructive

semi -final innings that was so littered with spectacular hits and no misses. How nice it was for Arundel and

Bolton to provide both a short boundary and a diet of short balls, respectively. He, like me, will be

frustrated by his dip in bowling form but I recall that it was his bowling that most impressed me when I

first saw him play against us some four seasons ago. Work hard, find the control and you will influence

more matches with the ball once more. He was nominated as our ‘Wisden’ Player of the Season having

scored 622 runs in 50 over matches, 290 runs in all T20 matches (from just 170 balls) and scored 138

boundaries in all. He also took 6 for 18 against Oundle at the Silk Trophy.

Jack Doyle made a number of appearances for the 1st XI over the past two seasons but failed to regularly

hold down a position. His impact on cricket at Shrewsbury was significant and he was an ever present with

APP for the past four years. His back stress injury during his early teens took away some of his ‘impact’ but

not the ability to move the ball away from a batter. His bowling performances often lacked penetration but

when he got it right he was a match for most. His opening spell in the 2012 U17 final was top class, as was

his all round performances for the 2nd XI where often dominated proceedings. Despite being a good

performer in all three disciplines he did not combine all in tandem when performing at 1st XI level. I am

sure that his passion for the game will see him develop further with Harpenden CC and Hertfordshire

CCC.

Edward Barnard was frustrated by a stress fracture diagnosed at half term. Nevertheless, his quality and

athleticism was a huge influence on the team, as was his performances on tour and during the early season.

When he succumbed to injury he was the leading all rounder (having played 7x 50 over matches – 18

wickets at 10.05 & 263 runs at 43.83) and could be relied upon to get wickets or make runs. His demise

was a shock but despite his disappointment he stuck close to the team and enjoyed their success. His

personal recovery came too late for the school but not too late for him to captain England U17s v Sri

Lanka. I am sure his evolving professional career will involve many commitments but these will not stop

him trying to be part of a winning Shrewsbury School 1st XI team in 2014.

Henry Blofield having made a significant impact last year, could not have thought that his 2013 season

would result in him probably becoming the most successful 1st XI captain ever. Clearly, it is difficult to

measure, as our fixture list is entirely different from that of seasons gone past but his contribution certainly

deserves prominence and congratulations. His fine bowling matured nicely throughout the summer and he

was most definitely at his peak at the most important time. His 4 for 9 from 10 overs, in the match versus

St Peters on the second day of the Silk Trophy, was as good as it gets. His batting too has progressed and

he played some important innings in all competitions, either ensuring we used up overs or batted to a

total. I have no doubt that with more winter work Henry can add to his solidity and become a more

effective offensive batter. At the end of a triumphant season, Henry also gained the honour of being

selected to play in the MCC Schools XI v ESCA at Lords in September. A great honour indeed!

Joe Carrasco (Cassidy Scholar) had shown his true ability on tour when he reeled of a maiden century on

his school debut. His 524 runs at 37 in all 50 over matches this season will, perhaps therefore, be a bit of a

disappointment to Joe but it must not be forgotten that he also made significant runs in T20s and U17 Cup

matches. It must be said that his effective contributions with bat & ball were always valuable and often well

timed. His controlled and responsible innings of 55 in the T20 final, being a case in point, was as significant

as Pollock’s blitz in the semi final in enabling us to win. Joe has developed his ground fielding and catching

to a very high standard but I shall expect further advancements next season. A ‘faster arm’ in the field is

top of my request list. All in all, a great first year with the promise of more to come.

Will Cook’s form this season was never consistent enough for him to be our stand out all-rounder but

there were real jewels of performances sprinkled throughout the summer. His 249 runs at 22 was a

disappointing return for such an impressive player and I know he will be training hard this winter to

provide the team with more middle order runs. He will know that the competition for batting slots this

season will be more intensive than last. His T20 bowling was his stand out area. Here he performed well

and his bowling in the semi finals and finals was as good as it gets – v St Bede’s 2 overs 3 for 3! He must

take all three skills and advance them by 20% to make him a better player and us a better team. When

batting he must develop 20’s into major scores, when bowling he must have greater discipline and accuracy

and when fielding he must ensure that his fast strong arm delivers the ball consistently between shoulder

and waist.

Charles Kidson was a constant selection in 2013. He produced some high quality contributions but rarely

produced the consistent form required to establish himself as a front line bowler or batter. Nevertheless,

his support play, and energy, was a massive plus to the team. His very individual style with bat and ball have

a number of technical flaws that still need addressing this winter, if he is to make further progress.

Therefore, I would like to see him practice with greater appetite and maturity whilst acting positively to

advice. His best performances were saved for the U17 Cup (v Sedbergh & Bromsgrove) but it is in the T20

competition in 2014 that I would like to see him make a more significant contribution.

Charlie White progressed more than any other bowler this season and performed at the highest

standard. His form in the last two weeks of the season was our ‘bonus’ and our opponents ‘thorn’. Finding

the button to turn, Charlie on has been the puzzle for us over the past seasons but now he has proven

himself it is vital that he does not become just a ‘flash in the pan’ but works hard this winter and

determines to become a season long 1st XI performer in 2014. Second in the 1st XI Wisden averages,

opening the bowling in the Silk Trophy and two national titles is a great return from a player who was, I

recall, on the verge of walking away from school cricket.

George Lewis grew in many ways, as a cricketer, this season. His challenging tour made him into a more

compact and resolute performer. His technical failings outside off stump had been his consistent undoing

but better judgement ruled as his season progressed and by the time he reached Eton he had graduated to

become ‘ a proper opener’. His Silk performances produced 155 valuable runs that went along way to

ensuring that the Trophy returned to Shrewsbury. Nevertheless, despite being one of the youngest squad

members and a national champion, he still has a great deal in his game to progress. Playing across the line ,

when in, adding to his speed across the ground, developing power in his throw , bowling consistently in

better areas, are just some of the developments that are vital in his desire to step up to another level.

There is a bit of a gap in our ‘spin’ bowling at present and George should aim to fill it. His 372runs at 28

was a satisfactory return in 2013 but I am sure that George will target a much higher return next season.

George Panayi made an immediate impact after half term and did not look back. Despite his tender years

George has the ability to move the ball away at pace. In bowling terms he must aim to add greater

consistency to his performance and develop his ‘old ball’ skills to match his ‘new ball’ control. When he got

the length just right he was the match for any emerging batsman, England Development Programme players

included. His batting and fielding are not at the same level and here he has much hard work to do and

discipline to adopt if he is to be an outstanding all rounder. His performances with the ball at Arundel were

mature, accurate and devastating. Clearly he has much to develop and much to learn but if he does not get

ahead of himself and he can progress his skills in all three disciplines then I am sure that he can achieve his

aim of becoming a professional in the fullness of time.

Silk Trophy Winners 2013

50/40 Over Match Averages

Batting Innings N.O. Runs H. S. 100s Average

E. J. Pollock 14 4 622 140 2 62.20

E. G. Barnard* 7 1 263 94 43.83

J. D. Carrasco 16 2 524 103 2 37.43

G. P. G. Lewis 14 1 372 69 28.61

W. G. Cook 14 3 249 47 22.63

Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets B B Average

E. G. Barnard* 53.4 7 181 18 4-26 10.05

C. M. G.

White 38 1 148 11 4-33 13.45

E. J. Pollock 38.4 1 182 13 6-18 14.00

M. A. Gregson 83 13 268 18 5-47 14.88

C. M. J. Kidson 58.2 5 260 13 2-6 20.00

H. C. Blofield 119.2 16 331 12 4-9 27.58

W. G. Cook 60 6 306 11 2-16 27.81

C. E. Farquhar 115.3 14 383 12 2-19 31.91

Twenty20 Averages

Batting Innings N.O. Runs H. S. Balls Average S/R

E. J. Pollock 8 1 290 92 170 41.43 170.59

M. A.

Gregson 6 2 108 60 77 27.00 140.26

E. G.

Barnard* 3 1 59 24 58 29.50 101.72

J . D.

Carrasco 7 1 185 68 185 30.83 100.00

W. G. Cook 6 1 72 28 77 14.40 93.51

Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets B B Average E/R

E. G.

Barnard* 14.3 1 51 6 2-11 8.5 3.52

H. C. Blofield 25.5 0 124 14 4-15 8.85 4.80

M. A.

Gregson 21 0 104 7 2-13 14.86 4.95

C. E.

Farquhar 25.3 1 131 2 1-4 65.5 5.14

G.D. Panayi 17 1 96 7 3-14 13.71 5.65

W. G. Cook 23 1 130 15 5-6 8.67 5.65

ASB

2nd XI Report Played: 13 Won: 7 Lost: 4 Tied: 1 Drawn: 1

Key Batsmen Key Bowlers

Name Runs Average Name Wickets Average

Gould 275 30.6 Green 11 14.9

Doyle 200 33.3 Richards 9 15.0

Richards 128 16.0 Small 9 25.3

Warburg 131 14.6 Randhawa 6 30.5

White 106 35.3 White 5 30.8

Having lost a significant contingent of last year’s squad, this year’s side lacked the depth of experience that

we have enjoyed in previous seasons, so it was important for this group of players to take responsibility

and contribute in all departments. A major concern at the start of the term was the depth of the batting

and it was clear that the team would have to work hard to post big scores and make their fielding and

bowling count if they were to win matches.

The first game, a pre-season friendly fixture, took place before term started with a visit from Giggleswick

School. Playing on Senior with a mixture of 1st and 2nd XI players, the side set a decent total of 178-4 from

35 overs, with significant contributions by Charlie Kidson, Freddie Earlam and Charlie White who were all

retired in the 30’s to give others a chance. In response Giggleswick started well and were up with the

required rate until the 17th over when their runs dried up with Henry Blofield and Charlie Kidson bowling

tightly. The chase petered out and Giggleswick ended up on 124-7 from their 35 overs, 54 runs short of

the target.

In the first match of term, Shrewsbury travelled to KES Birmingham. Having won the toss captain, Ben

Gould decided to bat and was promptly bowled second ball. On what was to prove a deceptively slow

wicket, Shrewsbury built a solid foundation with Harry Flowers (29) and Charlie White (31*) the key

contributors. However scoring was slow and when Flowers went in the 24th over the score was only 61-3.

A quickfire 23 from 20 balls in the last 5 overs from Jonty Small helped Shrewsbury to post a below-par

130-5 from their 35 overs. KES found conditions equally challenging in response with tight bowling from

Harry Flowers and James Halliday restricting their run rate. In the end the home side needed what seemed

like an unlikely 11 from the last over to win. The final over was a nerve-wracking affair with one batsman

well set looking dangerous all that was needed was to restrict the opponents to singles. Two of the balls

were wides and both resulted in run outs, but the dangerman remained and managed to pick up a couple

of 2’s leaving KES needing 2 from the final delivery. In the end they scored just 1 and the match was tied!

Only two sides were clearly a class above the 2XI this year and Shropshire U17s were one of them. The

second match of the season was played on Senior on a fair April Wednesday, Shropshire won the toss and

decided to bat. Their opening pair put on 110 on 26 overs and provided a platform for attack in the final

14 overs. Some poor bowling in the second half of the innings allowed Shrewsbury’s Freddie Earlam to

score 54* from 41 balls and Shropshire posted a challenging 227-3 from their 40 overs. In response Shrewsbury were always up against it, with Gould dismissed early and runs hard to come by. When Charlie

White was run out for 0 with the score at 43-4 in the 16th over, the writing was on the wall. Some late

resistance from Chetan Randhawa (29) and James Halliday (31) added some respectability to the score, but

Shrewsbury were dismissed for 139 in the 39th over, 88 runs short of their target.

The next match pitched Shrewsbury against Millfield for the first time at 2XI level in recent years. After a

long bus ride, Shrewsbury won the toss and elected to bat on a glorious day. Ben Gould played a terrific

innings (61) supported by George Lewis (43) and the opening pair reached 90 before the stand was

broken. An important partnership between Jack Doyle (32) and Alex Richards (36*), then helped increase

the total to an excellent 206-6 after 30 overs. The bowlers made a good start and Millfield were off the

pace at 80-3 after 17 overs, until their number 4 got going and accelerated the run rate. Excellent bowling

at the death by Alex Richards (2 wickets for 7 runs from his two overs) was all that prevented Millfield

from reaching the Shrewsbury total as they finished on 203-6.

Shrewsbury welcomed the XL Club once again on the first day of May. The opposition won the toss and

decided to bat first as tradition dictates. Their innings was anchored in fine style by a New Zealand ex-pro

who made 97* in an innings where only three players scored double figures in a total of 191 for 7 in 38

overs. Pick of the Shrewsbury bowlers was Alex Richards, continuing his fine form with the ball to return 3

for 14 from his 4 overs. In response Shrewsbury built an innings around Ben Gould who scored 52 from

55 balls and then Charlie White (37*), but failures by other top order batsmen kept the XL Club total just

beyond reach and Shrewsbury ended on 144-7 after 33 overs.

A depleted side lost a tight match at Trent College on the Coach Weekend which was a disappointment

after the recent victory over Millfield. In the next game the 2XI were bumped to Pitch 5 for their home fixture against Sedbergh as away fixtures were cancelled. On a wet day when every captain in the country

wanted to bowl, Ben Gould won the toss and decided to bat. Unfortunately he was the only batsman who

seemed to enjoy the damp conditions, making 43 runs, as wickets tumbled around him. After losing Charlie

White, Jack Doyle and Alex Richards cheaply, Shrewsbury limped on to post 156 all out in 36 overs, which

was probably about 30 runs short of a competitive total. Sedbergh set about the task of chasing sensibly,

reaching 60 before the first wicket fell. Shrewsbury bowled well in patches but never restricted Sedbergh

enough to put pressure on the batsmen and they reached the total after 34 overs to win by 5 wickets.

The first match after Exeat saw the 2nd XI back on their traditional stomping ground, Chances. With

several exam absentees a patched up XI, including two 4th Formers, faced Myerscough. Shrewsbury captain

for the day, Chetan Randhawa, won the toss and elected to field. Tight bowling restricted the visitors to 3

per over, epitomized by the skipper’s opening spell of 5 overs, 3 maidens, 2 wickets for 2 runs. Rob

Treasure, promoted from 3rd XI for the first time to open the bowling also performed well with 3 wickets

for 17 from his 6 overs. At tea the visitors were 139-8 from their 40 overs. The Shrewsbury reply

stuttered as two wickets fell with the score on 9, but a confident 50 from James Warburg, supported by

Charlie Robinson (27) and Tom Breese (21*) helped to see the home side to victory by 4 wickets with 5

overs to spare.

An away match at Malvern was the next test for another make-shift 2nd XI the following Saturday. Jack

Doyle took on the mantle of captain, won the toss and elected to bat. Some poor shots across the line on

a slow wicket combined with wicket to wicket medium pace bowling contributed to a poor start by

Shrewsbury and at 57 for 6 after 18 overs the situation looked bleak. However, the day was made for

James Hulton-Harrop. Batting at 7 he scored only 8 runs off his first 40 balls, but restored stability and

anchored the last 23 overs of the innings. In the end he was dismissed for 43 from 66 balls in the

penultimate over, by which time he has been joined by Jonty Small who smashed 35 from 19 balls to push

the score on to 154 all out in the 35th over. In response Malvern lost their first four wickets for only 26

runs with Jonty Small collecting 3 for 20 off 5 overs. Only the number 4 batsman offered any resistance

with a fortunate 59, and in the end the home side were dismissed for 112.

A stronger side, bolstered by the return of captain, Ben Gould, Jack Doyle and Jamie Hulmes, took on Manchester Grammar School on Senior in the next match. MGS won the toss and elected to field.

Shrewsbury built a solid total with Jack Doyle (32) and Freddie Adair (32) key contributors as the total

reached 100-3 in the 24th over. When both fell in successive overs the innings threatened to grind to a halt,

but Jamie Hulmes made an exceptional 46 from 30 balls in the final 10 overs to push the total up to a

competitive 181 for 6 from 35 overs. MGS started well in response reaching 88-4 after 22 overs, but tight

bowling from Jack Doyle 9 runs from 7 overs and Harry Flowers 2 wickets for 24 from 7 overs put

pressure on the lower order. Spinner Sam Green came into the attack and, despite one of his looser balls

being dispatched through the shop window, he ended with 5 wickets for 22 from 5.4 overs. MGS lost their

final 7 wickets for just 36, slumping to 124 all out, 57 runs short of their target.

In a late addition to the fixture list, the 2XI was supplemented by three U16s to play Alderley Edge High

School. Shrewsbury won the toss and decided to bat, making a good start at James Hulton-Harrop (18) and

Ben Gould (45) put on 53 for the first wicket. However wickets fell too regularly and without any

partnerships of note, the home side ended up on 147 all out in the 35th over. The Alderley Edge innings

started well with a solid partnership for the third wicket taking the score to 55 after 12 overs, but a

brilliant spell from Yutaro Sato, supported by Henry Craig, changed the game as he took 5 wickets for 8

runs in 5 overs and they reduced the opposition to 82 for 8 in the 24th over. In the end Alderley Edge

were dismissed for 112, 35 runs short of the Shrewsbury total.

The penultimate match of the season saw Shrewsbury travel to Warwick School. Warwick won the toss

and elected to field on an overcast day in front of their brand new pavilion. The Shrewsbury innings started

slowly, with the score at 32 in the 11th over when the first wicket fell and captain for the day, Jack Doyle

came to the crease. By the time the second wicket fell 3 overs later the score had raced to 63! Doyle

played an imperious innings, amassing 71 in 40 balls, including 3 sixes and 9 fours. He was ably supported

by Alex Richards with 40 from 41 balls together they took the score to 156 after 25 overs. Shrewsbury ended at 192 for 7 after their 30 overs. In response Warwick progressed steadily anchored by their

opening batsman who made 64 by the time he was out with the score on 154, almost equal to the

Shrewsbury score, after 25 overs. However an excellent catch by Sam Green and two run outs from Alex

Richards turned the game. The Warwick chase fell away and they ended 10 runs short after their overs.

In the final game, Shrewsbury welcomed a Francis Xavier XI. Shrewsbury won the toss and despite losing

James Warburg early on, made it to 110 before the second wicket fell, with Ben Gould making 51 and Jack

Doyle 48. Unfortunately neither of these players was able to anchor the innings and home side were all out

in the 38th over for 205. Nevertheless this was the second highest score of the season and defendable if the

team bowled and fielded well. Despite a good start, the away side were behind the required rate when

they lost their first wicket with the score on 93 in the 18th over. However, this brought their in-form

coach to the crease and he scored a masterful 85 from 41 balls, aided by some wayward Shrewsbury

bowling. Francis Xavier completed their victory with the loss of 2 wickets in the 33rd over. It was a

disappointing result to end what was overall a very exciting season.

MWDB

U16A Report Played 6, Won 4, Lost 2. Abandoned 2

The U16's had an encouraging season on the whole, although we were thwarted by the weather at times

early in the season along with the obvious interruptions due to GCSE exams. There were some very

strong individual performances early on with the bat from Freddie Earlam, Freddie Adair and Reiss Rashid.

Jamie Humes was outstanding as wicket keeper and improving batsmen and Charlie Adams put in some

good all round performances notably with the bat. Nick Pearce was an outstanding fielder and bowled

some spells with the ball. We lost George Lewis to 1st XI duty for most of the season but this gave others

an opportunity to step up to the plate. Our seamers worked hard all season and Richard Trivedi, Paul

Sharpe, George Birt and Henry Craig did the bulk of the bowling. Yutaro Sato had an encouraging season

with the ball, including an excellent 5 wicket haul against Lancaster Grammar. Henry Craig bowled with

accuracy and intelligence and his slower ball is a serious threat. Rufus Litchfield is an exciting leg spinner

who has potential to play at a higher level next year. The boys worked hard to improve their fielding and

they were a great group to work with and I hope as many of them as possible will play good cricket in the

6th Form at 1st and 2nd XI level. Congratulations on a good season.

WAH

U15A Report Played 21 Won 20 Lost 1

The long and winding road of success at U15A level began all the way back in October 2012, when the

squad convened to prepare for a tour of a lifetime to Cape Town, South Africa in December. The squad

worked hard technically and tactically, and it was to their credit that they were victorious in five out of

eight of their matches, which were a mixture of T20 and 45 over matches. Highlights were Harry Adair's

century vs Bergvliet High School in the first match and George Panayi's devastating four wicket spell against

Bishops which turned the game on its head.

Pre-season (2013) soon arrived, and this year the U15 Millfield Festival was moved to April to

accommodate more meaningful cricket before the regular season started. The only loss of the U15A

summer came in the first match of the Festival against a strong Millfield, who went on to win the National

Lord’s Taverners title. Good wins against Oakham and Tonbridge followed and gave us some much needed

momentum and confidence to go into the season proper.

From the first week of term, the U15A's didn't look back, and became stronger and stronger, even when

the better players, George Panayi in particular, were being called into the U17 and 1st XI squads. The main

aim of the season was to not only go undefeated in friendlies, but also to challenge for the National T20

title. As the season went on, it became evident that these aims were realistic, and indeed by mid-

September, both goals were achieved. In friendly matches, the most notable scalps were Shropshire U15s

(by 64 runs), Trent College (by 5 wickets), Denstone College (by 119 runs), Sedbergh (by 60 runs),

Malvern College (by 20 runs), and Manchester Grammar School (by 4 wickets).

Having won the Shropshire rounds of the National T20 competition, the team played some outstanding

cricket to progress to the National Finals Day in September, by defeating Repton, Bablake and Malvern

College (in the Midlands Final). On what started as a sunny day in September at Arundel Castle CC, the

team were determined to emulate the success of the 1st XI by bringing home their own trophy. In the

semi-final vs Sedbergh School, it all started so well, with Sedbergh reduced to 27 for 5 in the 8th over.

Excellent striking by Sedbergh and a shoddy few overs by Shrewsbury, brought the northerners back into

the game, and our opponents managed to post a competitive total of 148 from their 20 overs. George

Panayi took 4 wickets. Sedbergh did not help themselves in the second innings of the match in bowling 25

wide deliveries, and with Harry Schofield gluing the innings together with an innings of 44 from 44 balls,

Shrewsbury eased over the line with seven balls to spare.

The rain then disrupted the rest of the days play, although Whitgift did enough (in a bowl out) to dispatch

Exeter School in the other semi final. The Final was rearranged for a neutral venue on another day, but

unfortunately the rain intervened once more, and the National Title was shared between the two schools.

This was an outstanding season for a superb bunch of young cricketers, who played in excellent spirit and

always with a smile on their face.

The top run scorers and wicket takers for the season were as follows:

Max Parsonage 747 runs - HS 106 - 83.00 average

George Panayi 665 runs - HS 119 - 60.45 average

Harry Adair 621 runs - HS 105 - 36.53 average

Charlie Cooke - 97.5 overs - 27 wickets @ 15.07 Toby Mason - 101.2 overs - 23 wickets @ 18.96

Edward Hemmings - 70 overs - 22 wickets @ 12.82

U15 Regional ESCA T20 Winners2013

PG

U15B Report Played 7 Won 5 Lost 2

With such a strong 15A team above them, it was unsurprising that the B team should be so successful,

winning five matches against other B teams and losing narrowly to Wrekin’s As and Ellesmere’s. This

year’s squad is full of goodhearted boys with some signs of ability that might come through strongly in later

years (like Fisher, Treasure etc.). We were especially proud of the victory which the boys earned at

Millfield early in the season where they played mature cricket with good levels of concentration.

Alex Goode captained the side superbly: vocal, driven, tactically-aware. He has more desire to win than

any other Salopian cricketer I have come across at B team level and has the respect of the boys. He was

also our most economical and consistent bowler – largely due to his aggression and fixity of purpose.

Lechmere, Seager and Foden are all potentially exceptional bowlers, Lechmere and Foden left-armers too.

Some of their deliveries are deadly in-swingers, others horrible full tosses and wides: their technique needs

remodelling by a proper coach but once there, they could be really effective. Unlike in previous years, we

were without a really good spin bowler.

Ben Jones, vice-captain and wicket-keeper, was the other star of the season and it is a top drawer A team

which doesn’t need him. He has exceptional maturity and pluck and was unlucky not to earn a century

when he scooped a shot to square leg when he was on 96 against KES. Sansom was a technically tidy

batsman who moved between A and B squads and who could be a very useful player if he can learn to get

far enough forward to not keep getting caught – this partly to do with his lack of aggression as a player

generally. Robinson (Rt) had a slightly indifferent season and needs to develop more physical strength in

spite of being technically assured and level-headed. Attenborough, Goode and Flowers all made decent

scores at various points but never had the maturity to build innings.

The side fielded well and put their opposition to shame with their intensity and the standards they set for

themselves in the field. It was a pleasure: a really promising bunch of lads.

BOWLING

Name Overs Maidens Runs Wickets St rate Economy

Goode 32.3 6 97 9 10.77 3

Lechmere 22 1 75 11 6.81 3.4

Seager 17 1 60 9 6.66 3.52

Sansom 14 2 59 4 14.75 4.21

Foden 20 1 96 6 16 4.8

Pope 12.5 1 66 6 11 5.28

Attie 5 0 27 0 27 5.4

Moore 9 1 50 5 10 5.5

Webber 3 0 25 2 12.5 8.3

White 3 0 25 0 25 8.3

BATTING

Name KES Millfield Wrekin Malvern KES Ellesmere Warwick

Total

runs

No.

Innings Av.

de G 43 15 x x x x x 58 2 29

Jones 6 43 18 0 96 13 21 197 7 28.14

Sansom 57 18 33 x 11 21 x 140 5 28

Moore x 1 n.o. x 61 x 5 12 78 3 26

Goode x x x 30 n.o. 0 2 n.o. 16 48 1 23

Attie x x 44 15 23 0 26 108 5 21.6

Seager x x x 14 0 x 14 n.o. 28 2 21

Afsar 56 n.o. 9 21 17 8 3 2 116 6 19.33

White 25 14 11 n.o. 15 x x x 65 4 16.25

Flowers x x x x 23 7 x 30 2 15

Robinson 43 2 11 33 8 0 5 102 7 14.57

Pope x x x 23 12 4 8 47 4 11.75

Hart x x x x 10 9 5 24 3 8

Webber 0 x 8 n.o. x 2 1 n.o. 2 13 4 7.5

Clark x x 0 x x x x 0 1 0

DAL

U14A Report Played 16 Won 10 Lost 6

The Under 14A squad enjoyed a cricket season where the main emphasis was placed on progression. They

played 16 matches winning 10; this did include winning 5 of the last 6 matches and ended the season by

winning the Shropshire County Cup, this puts them into the Lord’s Taverners competition next year (see

report below).

We had a team of very good all-rounders and our bowling was particularly accurate. Almost every player

bowled at some stage of the season. Joe Thevathasan took 15 wickets at an average of 12.7, Charlie Home

took 10 wickets at an average of 20.1. Josh Malyon, Patrick Jacob and towards the end of the season Harry

Gregson also bowled well.

Our batting largely relied upon 2 players. Captain Charlie Home scored 611 runs at an average of 67.8 and

George Hargrave scored 248 runs at an average of 27.5. Josh Malyon again contributed useful runs towards

the end of the innings and Ollie Dixon struck a powerful 60 at Warwick School to help us win the game by

only 5 runs.

My thanks must go to Adam Shantry, ex Glamorgan fast bowler who coached the under 14 team

throughout the season.

ESCA/ECB U.14 National Schools Competition County Final

Wrekin College hosted the Shropshire final of the ESCA/ECB National Schools U.14 Competition against

visitors Shrewsbury School. Wrekin won the toss and elected to bat first in the 30 overs a side final. An

excellent innings of 50 from Wrekin captain Dillon Pennington and good support from Ed Hall 25, Henry

Davies 23 and Steve McCartney enabled the hosts to total a competitive 134-7. Josh Malyon 2 for 18

returned the best bowling figures and he was well supported by the Shrewsbury spinners.

Shrewsbury got away to a quick start from Midlands U.15 triallists Charlie Home 70n.o. and George

Hargrave 31 but the Wrekin off-spinners Davies 2-18 and McCartney bowled well in tandem to slow the

scoring rate and it was not until the penultimate over that Shrewsbury succeeded in reaching their target.

The winner’s trophy and medals were presented by Adam Shantry, the former Northants, Warwickshire

and Glamorgan seam bowler. Shrewsbury will now represent Shropshire in the National rounds of the

competition next summer.

U14 Lord’s Taverners County Winners 2013

Shrewsbury

Back row l-r: Dan Orchard, Ollie Dixon, George Chaplin, Josh Malyon, and Pat Jacob

Front row l-r: Marcus Bruce, Harry Gergson, Charlie Home [capt] Joe Thevathasan, George Hargrave, Angus

Drummond

SJB

Under 14B Cricket Report

Played: 11 Won: 7 Lost: 4

Results: KES Birmingham (H) 20th April – Shrewsbury won by 34 runs

Shrewsbury 108 for 4 (30 overs) - Drummond 45

KES Birmingham 74 all out (20.2 overs) – Jacob 3 for 24, Schützer-Weissmann 3 for 6

Millfield (H) 27th April – Millfield won by 4 wickets

Shrewsbury 122 for 3 (25 overs) – Atkin 50

Millfield 126 for 6 (23.2 overs)

Wrekin College (H) 8th May – Shrewsbury won by 126 runs

Shrewsbury 172 for 4 (25 overs) – Schützer-Weissmann 51 retired, Clarke 23

Wrekin 46 all out – Orchard R. 3 for 8, Clarke 2 for 0

Packwood Haugh (A) 10th May – Packwood won by 48 runs

Packwood 151 for 5 (20 overs) – Chaplin 2 for 27, Schützer-Weissmann 2 for 10

Shrewsbury 103 for 5 (20 overs) – Schützer-Weissmann 23

Prestfelde (H) 22nd May – Shrewsbury won by 38 runs

Shrewsbury 193 for 6 (30 overs) – Schützer-Weissmann 51, Atkin 63, Jacob 25

Prestfelde 155 for 5 (30 overs) – Clarke 2 for 27

Malvern College (H) 8th June – Shrewsbury won by 6 wickets

Malvern 139 all out (22.1 overs) – Orchard R. 3 for 46, Clarke 3 for 28, Parsonage 2 for 14

Shrewsbury 143 for 5 (19.5 overs) – Schützer-Weissmann 50, Pearce 26, Atkin 36

Manchester Grammar School U13 As (H) 15th June – MGS won by 8 wickets

Shrewsbury 60 all out (23.1 overs)

MGS U13 As 63 for 2 (10.3 overs)

Ellesmere College U14As (H) 19th June – Ellesmere won by 42 runs

Ellesmere U14As 149 for 3 (22 overs)

Shrewsbury 107 all out (19.5 overs) – Schützer-Weissmann 28

Belvidere (H) 21st June – Shrewsbury won by 16 runs

Shrewsbury 116 for 2 (15 overs) Pearce 44

Belvidere 100 for 2 (15 overs)

Warwick School (A) 22nd June – Shrewsbury won by 1 run

Shrewsbury 111 for 5 (15 overs) Himsworth 23, Ricks 30

Warwick School 110 for 4 (15 overs) – Orchard R. 2 for 21

Bedstone College U14As 26th June – Shrewsbury won by 132 runs

Shrewsbury 216 for 4 (30 overs) – Pearce 35, Schützer-Weissmann 32, Atkin 32,

Himsworth 73, Ricks 22

Bedstone 84 all out (18 overs) – Pearce 5 for 18, Clarke 2 for 21, Orchard R. 2 for 19

While they may not have been a vintage side, the Under 14Bs had a very good season overall, playing the

game in absolutely the right positive spirit, learning key aspects of the game as they won or lost their

matches. They were a delight to coach because they wanted to improve, they listened well, and I was full of

admiration for the way they bowled their hearts out in the nets throughout the term. Their record of 7

wins and 4 losses is a fair reflection – they won some thumping victories but were soundly beaten by a

first-rate Manchester Grammar School U13 A team and by a highly talented Packwood 1st XI. They

secured very good close wins against KES Birmingham and a nail-biter at Warwick School by 1 run.

Victories against Wrekin, Prestfelde, Malvern, Belvidere and Bedstone were quite comfortable. The match

vs Ellesmere U14As was dominated by 1 star county player who bowled so fast our batsmen hardly saw

the ball. One of the highlights of the season was the inaugural match vs Millfield where we were very much

in contention for a win down to the wire. We lost narrowly but all agreed it was a terrific match.

The side was ably led by Michael Schützer-Weissmann who combined beguiling leg spin with splendid

performances as a left-handed opening bat. He matured considerably as a Captain as the season went by,

learning to marshal his troops in the field more and more effectively. He scored three 50s and amassed

263 runs for us as well as taking 8 wickets. George Pearce was our wicketkeeper and other opening bat.

He has considerable potential as a batsman and is as elegant at the crease as Michael Vaughan. He kept

valiantly and improved as the term progressed – since he also bowls very fine medium pace he is a valuable

cricketer.

Tom Atkin has the great merit of scoring runs fast and contributed 215 of them to our cause including two

50s. He also has great potential as an off-spinner. Josh Himsworth, who joined the squad after a week or

two is a fine striker of a cricket ball, his 73 not out vs Bedstone the highest score of the season. Ross

Orchard was our leading wicket taker with 13 to his name – he also chipped in with some useful cameo

performances with the bat. Ollie Clarke was a key member of the team. He bowled excellent line and

length, took 9 wickets and also made some valuable runs (23) against Wrekin. Andrew Kim has a big heart

and was our fastest bowler and our best cover fielder. If he can learn to bowl more accurately he will be a

force to be reckoned with in future years. He can also hit a cricket ball a long way. James Parsonage has

considerable potential as a fast bowler and I will watch his development as a cricketer with interest.

Will Bedson was one of the unsung heroes of the team – he was always there, always keen to contribute

and made some key contributions with bat and ball. Reuben Arkwright also did sterling service – his

bowling developed steadily as the season progressed and as he grows stronger I am sure he will be taking

many a wicket. Although not always picked for the team, Ben Ricks played some invaluable innings for the

team – 85 runs during the season, his 30 against Warwick School was a match-winning affair. Paddy Cope

became available after injury and he too offered the side some valuable runs as well as some useful bowling

variations. We also called on the services of Archie Thomason every now and then – it is clear that he is a

first-rate cricketer and I hope he is fully fit for next season and can claim his rightful place in the A team.

Early on in the season we had the benefit of players who then moved up to the As: Angus Drummond, a

fine all-rounder whose bowling in particular impressed; Patrick Jacob whose well-tweaked off-spin was

invaluable to us and whose smashing of a cricket ball ensured the scoreboard moved quickly; and George

Chaplin whose opening bowling helped bolster our attack.

Our fielding was pretty good and our catching even better and I look back fondly on a term spent with an

enthusiastic and charming bunch of Salopians. I would like to thank the boys for their hard work and for

their positive ‘can do’ spirit. I would also like to thank Lawrence Evans and Chris Conway – my partners in

crime – for their very helpful coaching contributions.

TDJW