Cricket
The Eleven
The 1st XI has enjoyed a highly successful season. Of the twelve games completed we won nine; there was one draw – against a very strong MCC team when we were under strength; only two games were lost, one of which was to the MCCC. We were not as successful in this season’s 20/20 competition as we were in 2005, bowing out at the regional stage in a group which saw us defeat KES, Birmingham and RGS Wolverhampton but lose to the perennial cricket powerhouse Shrewsbury Grammar school.
Our first game of the season, against RGS Wolverhampton, was due to be played two days before the start of the summer term. From the middle of the previous week it was never likely to be on and the players had to seek the sanctuary of the sports hall to get any type of meaningful practice. Indeed, rain decimated the first half of the season and meant that we gained no real consistency in our performances. However, once the rain abated the cricket was glorious.The fabulous wickets prepared for us by Karl Brotherhood, a man who has probably forgotten more about groundsmanship than the rest of us will ever know, aided this.With all but one of our fixtures being played at home our regular band of parents, grandparents and other assorted relatives enjoyed marvellous entertainment all summer.
New Captain, James Ord, had at his disposal an enviable array of batting and a bowling attack, led by Matthew Williamson and James Proudman, which would work hard to restrict our opponents. Whilst the captain has many qualities as a cricketer he singularly failed, week after week, to win the toss. Although it became a standing joke, in the end it never mattered. The season’s serious business began with a 5- wicket win against King’s School, Worcester. Each of the bowlers contributed to restricting them to just 160. In particular, Tom Lee caught the eye; his influence would grow as the season wore on and his figures would have been even better had we held on to more catches. Our pursuit started in the worst possible way – the captain out first ball. However Marc Webb, Richard Johnson and Mark James saw us home comfortably with plenty of overs to spare. The MCCC fielded a strong team of experienced and talented club cricketers for this season’s game. Despite conceding 258 runs we worked hard in the field; James Proudman was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 55 and we had our first sight of leg-spinner Tom Crowley. Despite losing the game we came out with much credit, Richard Johnson’s 79 being the anchor around which we were ultimately unable to achieve victory.
The rain returned at Warwick, but not in time to stop James Ord smashing 77, the first in a sequence of innings, which would see him, make 3 more scores above 50 and an unbeaten century. His form combined with major contributions from each of our top order batsmen resulted in a run of six consecutive wins.
Tom Crowley recorded an unbeaten 50 against Aylesbury Grammar School. Together with James Ord (61) they knocked off 162 with ease. The captain was again in the runs with an unbeaten 56 against KES, Birmingham. Matthew Williamson, James Proudman and Stuart Scanlan took 3 wickets each to dismiss the opposition for 97. The boys were clearly in a hurry to get home and watch the F.A. Cup final. Nottingham High School is traditionally a very strong cricket school. This year was no exception, so to bowl them out for 226 showed the strides we had made. The ‘Toms’, Lee and Crowley, did most of the damage bowling 20 overs of wonderful spin on another superb 42 Shenstonian batting wicket. Our response was emphatic. James Ord’s unbeaten century saw him at his best; he never gave a chance in a clinical exhibition of batting worthy of his status as a Warwickshire Academy player. In an undefeated partnership of 171 with Tom Crowley (89 n.o.) we cruised to a victory, which set us up for what is normally the most demanding game of the summer – RGS Worcester.
A much quoted fact is that the score of 300 or more has only ever been achieved at Solihull school on two previous occasions, and strangely enough, in the same game. This year’s team would etch itself into the history books by recording 305 for 5. James Ord (57) and Tom Crowley (71) again made the most of a good wicket but it was Richard Johnson (93) who really impressed onlookers on this occasion. His batting has improved enormously during the past year, an essential component for a wicket keeper seeking to make a mark in the first class game. It would have been natural to believe that with such a score on the board the victory would be easy; however RGS Worcester have a proud tradition and were undaunted. They attacked our bowling with vigour, bravery and confidence. Tom Crowley produced the match winning performance with 6 for 58; Tom Lee bowled superbly under intense pressure and it was fitting that Matthew Williamson roared in at the end to finish with two wickets in two balls. Never has ‘perseverantia’ been so aptly applied to a team.
During June the runs continued to flow each week. Warwickshire Imps declared at 272 for 7 but found themselves on the wrong end of a 6- wicket defeat. James Proudman (4 for 45) produced his best figures for the season. Richard Johnson’s 130 was a truly special innings and Mark James smashed his way to a season’s high 80 not out.A week later we were involved in the closest, and most exciting game of the year. Batting first against a strong Loughborough Grammar School team Richard Johnson’s 133 led us to post 292 for 9. The fact that we won the game by just 4 runs was down to some great bowling in the final overs by Matthew Williamson and James Proudman. It also helped to save face for the school as we lost all of the other fixtures that day.
The MCC fielded an incredibly strong team this year. We were without both of our opening batsmen, James Ord and Marc Webb who were representing Warwickshire at 2nd XI and U19 levels respectively. James Proudman was also absent and so there were opportunities for others to step up.
We were unable to stop the visitors rattling up over 300 but our response displayed the confidence of a team used to winning. Richard Johnson, Tom Crowley, Mark James, Stuart Gregory and Tom Lee all made solid contributions but it was Ed Sykes’s 77 against an attack containing school professional and former Test cricketer, Travis Friend which was the highlight. Ed’s appearances this year have been restricted by injury but he certainly represents the future of Solihull cricket. The eventual draw was widely applauded by all of those who saw this game.
The significant feature of the Old Boys’ XI game was the return of batting legend Sam Reddish.A few weeks prior to this game he had made 148 for his Academy against Worcester. So to concede 161 to him wasn’t a bad effort.
As the season drew to a close Warwickshire again cast their net and took James Ord and Marc Webb from us. This time Marc played for an U21 XI against a New South Wales Academy XI. He added to his 60 of the previous week with a high quality 72.Without either opener against a good Wellington College team Matthew Proudman took his chance with a well-compiled 40, Ed Sykes’s (47) impressed again and Tom Lee (51) struck a maiden half-century. Despite Ed Sykes’ four wickets we lost narrowly.
The final game of the season is always a poignant one for those in the Upper Sixth. All of them want to finish on a high; inevitably some of them don’t. Westminster School, Adelaide provided the opposition. Matthew Williamson rounded off an excellent school career with just one wicket and a nought. James Proudman struck an unbeaten 59 in an opening partnership with James Ord of 111; the captain making 66 and recording his season’s best bowling figures of 3 for 18. Mark James played an all too brief cameo. Peter Charlton took a memorable wicket. The game was won; Tom Lee spun us to victory with 5 for 33.
To those who are leaving, from those of us who have coached and watched – a thank you. You have provided much pleasure and been ambassadors for the school.We wish you all the very best, wherever your cricket takes you. To those who remain, next year is yours; Richard Johnson, Tom Crowley, Tom Lee, Stuart Gregory, Stuart Scanlan, Matthew Proudman, Sam Smith, Jordan Hemming, Ed Sykes and others who will inevitably throw their hats into the ring for selection. You have a proud tradition to follow and the ability to do so. The 2007 season cannot start soon enough.
Mr A Bussey