The Eleven
This season saw a number of good individual performances, but not the ability to take advantage of winning positions. Of the games that were lost, few saw huge margins of defeat. Instead, most of these games tended to see saw between us and our opponents, but the balance not being in our favour at the close. We came fourth in the Schools' Cricket League, with two of those games being lost to rain. If ever a tone was set for a season, then the opening match against Wolverhampton Grammar was it. We took early wickets, WGS were 10 3, but then one player stood up and took responsibility for steering his team away from danger. We were unable to tie him down and so the see saw tilted.
The 1st XI an interesting mixture of experience and new players: Ben Pugh, Adam Madeley, Jake Sammons, Richard Stevens, Mark Teal and Quentin Tchakotine represented the experience of the UVI and on numerous occasions showed the others in the team how to play with patience. On the other hand, Will Mottram, new this year to the school, injected some passion into our bowling attack. His 5 wicket haul against Culford was a particular highlight. Towards the end of the season he showed why No.4 is the right batting spot for him.
Sam Reddish looked every bit the opener, frequently setting the standard for those following in his wake. Indeed Sam has impressed many onlookers with his purposefulness at the crease; his timing has been sweet and never in the season has he been ‘bowled out’, instead, the end of his innings has been brought about by errors of judgement on his own part. Opening the innings with Sam, James Ord has matured considerably. Whilst his start to the season may have been slow, he has in the second half demonstrated why he is so highly prized by Warwickshire and beyond. After the frustration of getting out on 95 against King Henry's he was not to be denied the next time: he ended the season magnificently, scoring 101 against Culford School and 105 against the Old Boys.
James Proudman has grown in confidence this season. Batting at number 6 he has been a highly effective middle order player. Again the season may have started a little slowly, but James settled in well displaying his range of shots to good effect He promises much for next year. Matt Williamson has been an integral part of our bowling attack; he has yet to make full use of his considerable height, but he bowled at some difficult times and worked well for the team. He is an enthusiastic and humorous cricketer who will no doubt be at the forefront of our attack next year. Richard Johnson join joined us behind, the stumps in the second half of the season and showed his class. He is a hard working but unflappable keeper and the team have welcomed, his talents and modest manners. I look forward to him taking a key role in the team next year.
And so to the UVI. Ben Pugh has captained the side this year and has done so in his own inimitable fashion. He has won the respect of his team through his easy manner whilst also expecting his players to deliver and setting high standards for his own performances. He has not had the success of last season with the bat, but if we know anything of cricket, even at the highest levels, it is that form can often struggle little under the burden of captaincy! Jake Sammons has been his vice captain and has taken the gloves for much of the season. He has been full of enthusiasm throughout and has worked hard as our No. 5. He is a powerful hitter of the ball and his 52* against King's Worcester showed him at his hard hitting best.
Quentin Tchakhotine and Adam Madeley have been essential to our team: they have both bowled with a desire to be the best. Adam has extracted some good bounce on some indifferent pitches and has frequently claimed numerous early wickets to set the opposition on the back foot. Quentin's more 'skiddy' bowling has, as ever, troubled batters. He can be counted on to pick up key wickets at key times through his perseverance. Mark Teal and Richard Stevens have contributed very successfully with the bat. They show an energy and determination which others higher up the order would be well advised to emulate. In the field too they have covered considerable ground and could always be relied upon to throw themselves around to cut off boundary balls.
Paul Stevens and George Tucker have rounded off the team at various points in the season, willing to spend hours in the field without necessarily being given much of a chance with the bat.
To all the players I would like to say thank you for your incredible enthusiasm for the game and your desire to play even when the rest of the country is sheltering from the weather. Thanks too, to Chris Buroughs who has been the voice of experience for the team. His calm manner and huge knowledge of the game has time and again shown the team what more they have to learn. I look forward to greater things next year.