Aluredian
88
T
he 1st XI had a successful
and thoroughly enjoyable
season which included many
fantastic highlights. A oneday
pre-season tour to
Warwick School proved a
great opportunity for the team to begin their
season well, and we duly did so, winning the
game comfortably, with Peter Smith scoring a
hundred not out on his King's debut!
We then lost one of only two matches in the
season, this one being at the hands of
Sherborne - a match we should never have
lost! The stand-out performance of the day
was an excellent 87 from James Regan. Neil
Brand also took 3 for 18 as Sherborne set us
237 to win, but unfortunately a mid-innings
collapse thwarted us.
We were back to winning ways straight away
though as we comfortably defeated Millfield by
36 runs on a cold, wet Saturday in Taunton.
James Regan was again in the runs with 96,
falling four short of a well-deserved hundred.
The following Monday we matched up against
a very strong MCC side, and increased our
winning streak with arguably one of the
greatest run chases in King's history. We
chased down 297 to win with James Regan
falling just one short of his hundred.
A quick-time 42 off just 18 balls from Taylor
Buller saw us post 255 against the best
Queen's side for a few years. Queen's started
well in reply but stumbled as Neil Brand
produced his usual control of line and length,
taking crucial wickets. He was ably backed up
by debutant James Jennings and we bowled
them out 35 runs short of the target.
A comfortable victory over Blundell's followed,
with 50s from Brown and Regan as we won by
ten wickets chasing 137. Our rich vein of form
continued as we then turned over Clifton on a
difficult pitch in Bristol. We then faltered for
the second and last time, losing narrowly
against Taunton School, even though we had
them 78 for 6 chasing 198.
The last Saturday game of the year saw us
travel to Wales to face Monmouth. Smith and
Brand were the pick of the bowlers as we
restricted them to 196. James Regan and Alex
Brown then saw us to 100 without loss, but a
middle order mini-collapse left us relying on
Ross Kieswetter and Rhys Davies to see us
home with relative ease in the end.
There were other notable wins against West
Buckland, Richard Huish, Exeter College, the
Royal Marines and the XL Club. Rhys Davies
scored two excellent hundreds during the
season, with other notable youngsters gaining
valuable time at the crease and making some
excellent contributions.
This was another hugely successful season,
losing only two games, both of which we
should have won. The 1st XI have now only
lost four games in three seasons!! Lessons will
be learnt from this season and will hopefully
spur us on to an even better one next year.
Winter net training has already started, but
bring on the summer again!!
On behalf of the team I'd like to thank
Mr Lewis for the enthusiasm and dedication he
puts into coaching us all-year round, and to
Dennis Breakwell for the wonderful pitches we
are privileged to play on every week.
Taylor Buller in the middle
of his spectacular knock
against Queen's
Cricket
1st XI
by
Todd Barrett