The success of the four competitions this year was bolstered by the fantastic weather and the amazing facilities. All four events were held in Leicester. For the first time the Y6 and Y8 events were held at Syston Rugby Club, Queniborough and the Y9 and Y10/Y11 events were held at the University of Leicester, Oadby.
Overall, we welcomed 27 schools from as far away as Guildford, Surrey to Ashton-In-Makerfield, Greater Manchester. Six new member schools debuted at the 2018 competitions which covers four age groups.
Read on for the match report from the day and an editorial from the winning school.
Y8 Girls National School Championships – 11 Schools entered – Wednesday 27th June
Bedford Girls’ School (Bedfordshire)
Royal School Wolverhampton (West Midlands)
St Catherine’s School (Surrey)
The Oxford Academy (Oxfordshire)
Loughborough High School (Leicestershire)
The Fallibroome Academy (Cheshire)
Wolverhampton Grammar School (West Midlands)
The Kings School, Macclesfield (Cheshire)
Haberdasher’ Aske’s School for Girls (Hertfordshire)
Shenfield High School (Essex)
Ratcliffe College (Leicestershire) – new entrant for 2018
WINNER For the second year running, Bedford Girls’ School, Bedfordshire
Group Stages
From the group stages it became apparent that Bedford Girls’ and St Catherine’s were leading the way as the most adept Rounders teams, both scoring 8 points, making their journey to the finals almost inevitable so early in the day.
Semi Finals
Royal School Wolverhampton was an admirable match against St Catherine’s but even with their experience at this event, they were not able to draw out the much needed ½ rounder necessary to secure them a place in the finals.
St Catherine’s fielding first managed to hold Royal School back to a respectable 2½ rounders. After St Catherine’s moved in to bat they caught up with Royal School matching them in their first 10 good balls. With another 8 good balls to go, they pipped Royal School with 3 rounders.
Wolverhampton Grammar batted first against Bedford Girls’. Having not come across each other in the group stages it was all to play for. Both teams had played well during the day making it to the semi-finals with ease.
After a lot of effort, the confidence that was on display by Wolverhampton Grammar in the group stages was receding as they clawed their way to 2½ rounders in 18 good balls.
Seasoned players, and 2017 winners, Bedford Girls’ were quick to make their mark in quick succession, scoring 3 rounders from the first nine good balls. With the game halted, heading into the finals once again, it seemed that nothing was going to stop them!
Semi Final Results
St Catherine’s 3 v Royal School Wolverhampton 2½
Bedford 3 v Wolverhampton Grammar 2½
Finals
For the second consecutive year, St Catherine’s faced Bedford Girls’ School in a bid to go back to school with the title of National School Champion.
2016 winners St Catherine’s and 2017 winners Bedford Girls’ knew exactly the strengths and weaknesses of their opposition. The finals were set to be a feast of sporting prowess, of skills and tactics.
2018 saw St Catherine’s in to bat first. Bedford Girls’, with spectacular and consistent fielding, managed to hold St Catherine’s back to 4 rounders. Knowing what they had to achieve, Bedford Girl’s went in strong, scoring their first rounder on their third good ball. From the tenth good ball the team were on a winning streak scoring the remaining 3½ rounders consecutively.
Final Results
St Catherine’s 4 v Bedford 4½
Contributed and written by Mrs Verity Mason-Mcleod, Teacher of Physical Education from Bedford Girls’ School
Having won their District Rounders tournament, Bedford Girls’ School had qualified for the National Schools Rounders Competition on Wednesday 27th June 2018. Bedford were placed in a group with Ratcliffe College, The Fallibroome Academy, Royal School Wolverhampton and The Oxford Academy. Only the schools finishing top of the group would guarantee a place in the semi-finals, so the challenge was on! Bedford stepped up and played some outstanding rounders, scoring a total of 40½ across all their group games. Bedford’s semi-final was drawn against Wolverhampton Grammar. Bedford won the ‘toss’ and opted to field first. After some phenomenal fielding from BGS, Wolverhampton scored a total of 2½ rounders. Bedford went into bat with confidence and after just 9 out of the 18 balls available Bedford had overtaken Wolverhampton’s score and were now through to the National Final!
Bedford and St Catherine’s came across each other in an extremely close final last year and were fully aware that this game could really go either way! Both teams had taken a keen interest in each other’s matches which allowed Bedford to set their fielders accordingly. St Catherine’s batted first and as expected they hit the ball deep into the field. Bedford fielded well but St Catherine’s kept on ‘totting up’ the ½ rounders and ended up scoring a total of 4 rounders. Bedford went into bat and after 9 balls they had only managed to score 1 rounder, which was due to a combination of nerves and St Catherine’s outstanding bowling and fielding. With 9 balls left Bedford raised their game and on the 7th ball Bedford had overtaken St Catherine’s score and were crowned National Champions for the second year running! As a school we are so very proud of all the girls for all their achievements in rounders this year.
Mrs Verity Mason-Mcleod
Teacher of Physical Education
Apple Teacher
Head of Parks House
Rounders England Squad Trials are open to anyone who has shown an outstanding ability in Rounders. They take place throughout September and October. Individuals can register online. Check out this webpage for further information.
