The Seasons Start - Tennis and Cricket

Date: Wednesday 23 April 2008

Now that other local schools have returned to work after their different style Easter holidays, inter-school fixtures are once again possible - and we started with some of the most difficult we will have to face in the next 10 weeks!

The Girls' 1st IV were drawn against King's Canterbury in the first round of the Aberdare Cup - a nationwide knock out competition - and we were knocked out by 5 rubbers to one, our only point coming in the doubles, won by Katie McNie and Charlotte Pack.

The Boys' 1st IV faced King's in the first round of their national competition, the Glanvill Cup, and also succumbed to a powerful opposition, losing the first five rubbers, and halving the last doubles, one set all, as darkness started to fall, and Liverpool-Chelsea beckoned. Matt Dixon and David Welham secured the half point in this final match.

Our junior cricket XIs had opening fixtures against Harvey GS from Folkestone. The Under 15s, travelling away under new management, lost by 31 runs. Harvey knocked up 148 - 6 in 24 overs, with last season's wicketkeeper, Will Marsh, abandoning the gloves, and taking 2 - 19! In reply we stuttered to 117 for 7, with the only major contributions coming from Rafi Stone who batted throughout the 24 overs and finished on 48*, and Ben Kemp with 30.

The Under 14s, at home on the main square, came off second best in a 20/20 game. Harvey managed 130 - 3, with Lewis Piper being the most effective bowler with 2 - 10 in four overs; chasing, we got up to 91 - 7 before overs ran out. Barnard (19), Jackson (17), and Barrett (17) were the only run scorers of note.

Sevenoaks on Saturday - it doesn't get tougher than this!