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.
Y9 Mixed Open School Competition – 8 Schools entered – Thursday 5th July
Saffron Walden County High School (Essex)
St Martin’s School (Essex)
The Oxford Academy (Oxfordshire)
Wath Comprehensive School (South Yorkshire)
Paget High School (Staffordshire)
Byrchall High School (Greater Manchester) – new entrant for 2018
Arden School (West Midlands) – new entrant for 2018
Our Lady & St Chad Catholic Academy (West Midlands) – new entrant for 2018
WINNER St Martin’s School, Essex
Group Stages
In the group stages *Rounders difference had to be used to position the teams and declare those who were progressing to the quarter finals. Consistent scoring set the
scene for the remainder of the day.
In Group A, Arden and Saffron Walden won or drew all of their matches. In Group B, it was a level playing field with three of teams scoring 4 points from their matches.
Quarter Finals
There was a clear winner when Paget was set against St Martin’s in the quarter finals. Scoring 4 rounders, St Martin’s were a formidable team that Paget just could not overcome.
Saffron Waldon set the pace for this game. Again consistent form was the winner of the day as they built on half rounders, scoring 6 at the end of their innings. With this haul, they were eager in their fielding and kept Oxford to 4 rounders.
The third match of the quarter finals was a close call for Arden against Byrchall. Batting first Byrchall eluded the West Midlands based fielding team and with some strong runners scored 6½ rounders. In to field Byrchall showed the same stamina with Arden only managing to steal 5½ rounders.
The last game of the quarter finals demonstrated a clear winner in Our Lady & St Chad. Newcomers to the competition, they intended to represent their school as best they could. Notching up 4½ rounders against Wath, seasoned competitors at the National School competition, set them in good stead. No amount of strong batting or placing the ball could pull Wath back from the brink with just 2 rounders.
Quarter Final Results
Paget 4 v St Martin’s 6½
Saffron Waldon 6 v Oxford 4
Arden 5½ v Byrchall 6½
Wath 2 v Our Lady & St Chad 4½
Semi Finals
And so the semi final was set. Teams who were meeting against each other for the first time in the day. Each of them with the ability to win the competition.
With an innings of 18 good balls, St Martin’s started off scoring an impressive 6½ rounders, to secure their place in the final, against Byrchall’s dogged fielding team, who showed the same determination when it came to their turn to bat, but only pulling out 6 rounders.
What commenced as a slow scoring game, with Our Lady & St Chad slogging it out to the last achieving 3½ rounders. Saffron in to bat, were clearly determined, managing 4 rounders with their first six batters.
Semi Final Results
St Martin’s 6½ v Byrchall 6
Our Lady & St Chad 3½ v Saffron Waldon 4
Finals
In the final, Saffron Walden and St Martin’s were well matched. With a national title in sight however, Saffron Walden could only muster up 1 rounder in the duration of 18 good balls.
St Martin’s, going in to bat, were compelled to secure the title and did so in the first two good balls.
Final Results
St Martin’s 1½ v Saffron Walden 1
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.
