This has been an action packed few days on the sports front and there have been highs and lows for the Second Years who have represented Hampton’s various U13 teams this week.

Cricket:

‘Last weekend Hampton were away at Tiffin’s Grist’s grounds. Dru Shori (2L) won the toss and elected to bat first on an interesting pitch. He and Tanmay Thanawalla (2J) opened the batting and got off to a good, steady start. After a solid 25 Tanmay lost his wicket, and sadly Dylan Straker-Grimes (2B) followed soon after through a great catch for a great shot. Pravin Kiritharan (2B) and Dru Shori consolidated the middle innings, making a great partnership until an unlucky run out where Dru departed for a brilliant 47. Oscar Murphy (2J), Jack Slaney (2W) and Arjun Samra (2W), all departed in quick succession through a series of good balls. Pravin really stuck in and collaborated with Johnny Powell (2W) to finish the innings with his 40* and the team’s 152. Hampton bowled exceptionally well at the start of the innings, taking some crucial wickets. However, they were stopped in their tracks halfway through the innings for a ‘slogger’ from the Tiffin side decided to make things a slight bit harder. He knocked a fifty of not many balls and put the Hampton team under a bit of pressure, but Pravin Kiritharan responded excellently by taking his wicket. After that, Hampton decided that enough was enough and finished the Tiffin side off, taking all their wickets. Hampton won by 32 runs.’ Tanmay Thanawalla – 2J

‘On Saturday, 7 May, Hampton U13B Cricket played Tiffin, away. We batted first and with strong high order batsman, Ollie Burke (2L – 29 runs), Harry Ray (2L – 36 runs),  Will McLoughlin (2B – 54 runs),  Robbie Cox (2L – 14 runs.) Ben Martis-Jones (2W – 10 runs not out) and Keiran Downer (2W – 5 runs.) We were able to put 162 runs onto Tiffin.

Bowling Attacks from Rhys Calder (2L), Harry Ray (2Wkts) Keiran Downer (3Wkts) Freddy Rees (2L – 3Wkts) and 1 runout by excellent Keeper Alex McMillan (2W).  Kept Tiffin below 45 runs all out after just 12 overs.

A great effort all round and a much deserved win for the Bs.’

Ben Martis-Jones – 2W

‘On Monday Hampton As were on home grounds against a strong Colet Court side. After finishing period 6 most of the team were still thinking about homework and were very surprised, after electing to bowl first, that the first ball of the innings had been hit for six. Sadly, it didn’t get much better after that, Thomas Tomlin (2P) took a great wicket, but the buzz and energy was fading away. Soon, two of the Colet players got 50s and it was looking shabby in the field, hopes of keeping them under 100 were dashed. After possibly our worst start this season, Colet piled up 167. After some motivational talking from coach Mr.Rigby, the Hampton players went into bat, with Jack Slaney (2W) and Dru Shori (2L) opening. After a mix-up in the middle, Jack departed. Tanmay Thanawalla (2J) came in at no.3. He and Dru put on a decent partnership before Dru was bowled after a steady 29 runs. At this point Hampton were 60 for 2, needing 100 runs of 7 overs (42 balls). The supporters were not looking cheery and there was little hope. Pravin Kiritharan (2B) decided Hampton were still in for a shout and really accelerated the run-rate, whacking it about. He kept it ticking. Tanmay then took a Pravin-like approach, hitting it around the pitch. Some players on the side-lines said it was raining fours and sixes.  After a very helpful innings, Pravin departed for 27. Oscar Murphy (2J) came in and knew he had to play a superb innings to help the team get to the final total. Then the highlight of the match (according to the loving fans). Tanmay hit a Colet Court leg-spinner over the deep third man for a left-handed, switch-hit six. With one over left, Hampton needed twenty runs. After a four and some quick singles. Hampton needed 12 of 2 balls. Tanmay was on strike. The left-handed Colet court bowler ran in and bowled. The batsman had a swing, but it didn’t go for six. Only one.  Suddenly the team realised it was out of reach. 11 off one ball. Oscar Murphy hit a four to finish the innings, but it ended in a very close defeat. Tanmay Thanawalla finished on 88 not out of 50 balls after some cracking shots and Oscar Murphy on 11 not out. It was the first loss of the season, after a very close finish, and hopefully the last!’  Tanmay Thanawalla – 2J

‘In the afternoon games session on Monday the U13B team faced off against Colet Court. After playing them last year we knew it would be a tough game to get a result.  We lost the toss, and Colet decided to bat first. Our opening bowlers – Harry Ray (2L) and Rhys Calder (2L) bowled a nice line, but the batsmen were looking to hit plenty of runs and had a strong start. But this was slowed down by good overs from Ben MJ (who took about a minute to run up per ball), Oliver Burke (2L) and Toby Robinson (2L). We needed 152 to win the match but Harry Ray got out early and our big hitter Will McLoughlin (2B) went soon after for a golden duck. Robbie Cox (2L) and Oliver Burke kept the runs ticking and when they left the crease Ben MJ came in and got a brilliant 55 not out.  He and Alex McMillan (2W) had a partnership of over 50 and that meant we needed 6 off the last 2. The first was a dot and on the last ball we got 2 runs.  So we lost the game narrowly by 4 runs.’ Oliver Burke  -2L

‘On Monday the 9th of May Hampton Cs Played Colet court Cs. Hampton batted first and after 20 overs scored 120-4. Colet court chased down the score and came very close with a score of 113-8 . Hampton won in the end with a very strong team performance.’  Freddie Hawkins – 2H

Athletics:

‘We arrived at school at around 8 o’clock, before leaving to Lee Valley Athletic track. In the English schools competition you earn points depending on your time or distance. We all aimed to get around 25 points each which we thought would put us through to the next round of the competition. After a good day of performances we managed around 320 points which got us through to the next round. We then got back on the coach and arrived back at school at 4.20pm.’  James Bradley – 2H

Tennis:

‘As Hampton entered the gates of St George’s School a great buzz of excitement had already begun.  All the players had a talk then went off to their assigned courts. Hampton won all but one match to Wilson’s which was a tough match with both teams playing phenomenal tennis. The end score came to 4-3 to Wilson’s. However we were through to the next round as we had come second in our box as faced our next opponents. The match score was 5-2 to Hampton meaning that Hampton under 13’s had to place a fierce side of Whitgift. The match went on for what seemed hours with Tanmay almost getting hit in the nose by a whizzing smash. Unfortunately Hampton lost 4-3.’

‘On May the ninth Hampton under 13’s Tennis Team arrived at the grounds of Orleans Park. It was a sunny day and we saw the opponent warming up in the sunny distance.  Sam Sparrow (2H) and Josh Breadmore (2B) began a doubles match against  Orleans Park as Josh Culshaw (2J)  played the first seed and Theo Radicopoulos (2J) the second. The matches were short-lived as Hampton won all three 6-0. However now the weather was turning and a few rain drops splashed into the courts but the matches went on. Sam played an amazing singles match, winning in half of the time the doubles match had done, and sat to watch the doubles. The battle went on for another 20 minutes but Hampton kept the upper hand winning all 6 matches. Well done, Hampton.’  Josh Culshaw – 2J

Rowing:

‘On the 29th of April two Hampton Second Year boys, Tom Shepherd (2J) and I (Jasper Lyon – 2P) took part in the Richmond Indoor Rowing Championship. Tom rowed an amazing 755m in 3 minutes, winning his race and I rowed 726m, coming 3rd in my race. Our combined scores resulted in us winning the Second Year boys group.’ Jasper Lyon – 2P

This week also played host to the much-anticipated Surrey Cup Final.  Captain Declan  Connolly brings us his final report of the season:

‘On Tuesday Hampton U13A team played in the Final of the Surrey Schools Cup Final on the 3G at Hampton.

‘On a wet and humid afternoon, Hampton found themselves up against a well organised Whitgift side.

‘Hampton dominated early possession with good passing and fluid play but couldn’t create a clear chance despite some good crosses from Declan Connolly (2J) and with Theo Radicopoulos (2J) shot being saved from the Whitgift keeper.  Whitgift gradually gained more control of the game and came close with the Whitgift striker forcing a challenging save from Harry Atwell (2P). Minutes later Sami Omaar (2J) got injured and after this Hampton lost concentration and a misunderstanding between Harry Atwell (2P) & Matthew Groves (2H) allowed the Whitgift centre forward to slip in and score just seconds before halftime.

‘The second half again was tight with Harry Atwell (2P) making several saves and a Hampton attack forced a corner against Whitgift.  A good delivery from Alastair Bolling (2W) was met by Theo Radicopoulos (2J) with his head but it just went over the bar.

‘Further chances were wasted by Hampton who were kept out by a strong Whitgift defence. A misplaced pass from defence led to a third and final Whitgift goal to seal their cup victory.

‘Although the result was disappointing, Hampton can take great pride in their achievement of reaching the final and competing against a team of National standard.’  Declan Connolly – 2J

The week was not exclusively about sport.  Some musical Second Years paid a visit to Hampton Prep to talk to pupils there about the joys of music and to share their experiences with them.

‘We visited Hampton Prep and demonstrated our instruments to the pupils, to show them the potential of music and its benefits. It was great to see how interested they all were in music and different instruments.’ Anthony Wang – 2H

This week our Second Years who have reached new merit milestones are: Oscar Murphy (30 merits), Callum Daniel and Matt le Moign (40 merits), Tom Holland (50 merits) and Arjun Samra (120 merits).  Congratulations, boys!

If your son has any news that should be mentioned in a future bulletin, please encourage them to see me in school or email me at f.byrne@hamptonschool.org.uk and I shall be delighted to include it.

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