Girls’ Cricket - Miss Lane
The second half of this season has been an exciting one for the girls’ cricket. The 1st team continued determinedly in the IAPS competition, aiming for the top and narrowly missing out in the semi-finals. They can take some comfort in knowing they were beaten by the overall winners. The 1st team had a phenomenal season by remaining undefeated in their fixtures. Their unbeaten fixture streak is an impressive achievement and an inspiration to the younger years. The 2nd and 3rd teams also had an outstanding season, going undefeated in their matches. This is a remarkable accomplishment and highlights their skill and determination. It’s commendable to have multiple teams performing at such a high level. Special mention to the 5th team who ended their season with just one loss. Both the 4th and 5th teams have shown great improvement and determination throughout.
The U11As continued playing hardball cricket and have shown some great talent and they will certainly be fighting for places in the 1st and 2nd teams next season. Their competitive spirit, ambition and drive all contribute to what makes them such wonderful and budding cricketers. The U11B and C teams have shown improvement in their skills and understanding of the game. This development is a positive sign for their future progress and growth and cricketers.
The U10As had their first hardball game, which was an exciting moment for the team and a first for Westbourne House girls’ who until this moment haven’t fielded a girls’ U10 hardball cricket team before! A huge well done to the girls for wanting to give it a go and to Miss Williams for leading the team. This experience will help them prepare for the upcoming hardball season next year, it’s great to see them stepping up to the next level of cricket. Both the U10B and U10C teams are working hard and displaying promising performances. Their potential bodes well for their development as cricketers.
The U9s have been doing exceptionally well and have gained a solid understanding of the game. Their progress and grasp of cricket fundamentals are impressive. The U9B team performed admirably with only one loss. It is impressive to see young players showing such talent and dedication. We look forward to seeing what they bring to Westbourne House girls’ cricket over the coming years.
The U8s have shown great enthusiasm and enjoyment for cricket. Their love for the game is evident, and their enthusiasm will contribute to their growth as young cricketers. It’s fantastic to see the junior girls’ cricket program is thriving, with a real love for the game emerging among them. Their enthusiasm and enjoyment of cricket will undoubtedly fuel their development.
The girls’ cricket is making significant progress at Westbourne House and the children's success is growing year on year. The cricket programme is thriving with teams consistently achieving excellent results. The players’ confidence is building on strong foundations and there is excitement for the next season. It will be thrilling to see how the teams progress and what achievements they can accomplish in the future. Well done to all the teams, players and coaches involved!
Boys' Cricket - Mr Hanley
After half term, the cricket season always becomes a little disjointed with years groups unable to play for a variety of different reasons from exams to trips and everything in between. This being said, we managed to still get a number of cricket matches in.
The senior part of the school were hit the hardest with only a handful of matches played. Both the U12 and U13 teams recorded good wins against Windlesham House, the U13 teams then went on to play a strong Twyford outfit with the U13A team losing on a final ball thriller. It was perhaps the last game of the season where our boys turned out their finest performance of the season.
On the final Sunday, we hosted the South African school Cornwall Hill from Pretoria. Notoriously a strong cricketing school, we knew that it was going to be a very tough game having lost to them when we last played during our South Africa tour in October. We were set 177 to win in 25 overs. Following a brilliant opening stand from Adi S who made 46 and captain Hugh F who made 50, we put ourselves in a great position to win. Following a mid-innings wobble, we required about 10 an over in the last three overs to win. Some aggressive batting got us to the position where we needed just one to win off three balls, but after three run outs in three balls, the match was tied! An amazing end to the season and great to finish with what was probably the best team performance of the term.
The U11s were fortunate enough to play a number of matches, including three tournaments, finishing joint third in the Hurstpierpoint Tournament, losing in the third/fourth play off in the Pelican Cup at Brighton College, and finishing the season with a win at the Oakwood 6s last week. There were lots of boys who achieved fantastically this term but a special mention goes to Rocco M for winning a Sammy Woods Scholarship for cricket to Brighton College.
The U10 year group are a very talented bunch of boys. The U10C team moved into some hard ball cricket in the second half of term and the U10Bs were one of the most successful teams in the school. The U10A team had some really tough fixtures this half as they were put up against some U11A teams in order to give them some tough opposition. The team were involved in some really close matches, losing some but there is plenty to be learnt from these matches. Special mentions for George H, Rupert G and Rory O’C who scored maiden 50s this season.
The U8 and U9 teams showed some really good progression this half of term, winning the majority of their fixtures. Both age groups recording some good wins over Oakwood and Windlesham House.
Tennis
We managed to secure a few more matches and tournaments this term which is excellent for our keen tennis players. Hopefully next year we can add to the list to have a complete tennis fixture list.
The U11s and U13s entered the Lancing College Tennis tournament with lots of tennis played on both grass and hard courts. Well done to Isabella P, Saskia T, Oli A and Ben E for reaching the final, where they came unstuck against a very strong Lancing Prep School. A special mention to Monty F from the U11 team who was awarded the ‘fair play’ award for the second tournament running.
Further congratulations go to Felix B, Rafferty M, Johnny K, Isabella P, Rosie M and Saskia T for being awarded their Rackets Colours at the end of this term.
Athletics
This half of term saw the county athletics events take place with a large number of athletes making the qualifying times, heights and distances required to enable them to take part. In Years 4 and 5, there is no national qualifying event, but in the ‘senior’ event, eight children qualified to represent Westbourne House at the National Athletics finals. Congratulations to the following for getting through the county stages and to Nationals:
Fleur B – 1500m
Rosie D – 300m
Rocco G- High Jump, Hurdles and Relay.
Joshua T-F – Javelin
Rafferty M – Javelin
Freddie W – Long Jump and Relay
Teddy H-N – Relay
Oliver O – Relay
Read more about our U9 and U10 athletes who took part in the County Athletics Trials at Hurstpierpoint.