In close season nets it was apparent that we had a strong squad of players for whom an unbeaten season was a realistic possibility.  In the event we had a very good season indeed and the boys deserve congratulation.

A comfortable win against John Lyon by 4 wickets was followed by a strong performance against Haberdashers Askes.  In a drawn match in awful weather we scored 159 for 2 with Sambrook making 72 not out and Burgess 43.  Clearly we had some good batsmen though the bowlers lacked penetration.  Days later we trounced the same opposition in the County Cup.  UCS were then comfortably beaten and the season looked well on track.  The team bounced back from defeats by Aldenham and Merchant Taylors to beat Mill Hill with Selwyn and Fraser getting 50’s and sharing in an unbeaten partnership of 138 for the 4th wicket.  The bowlers then cleaned up with Martin getting 4 for 12 in a fine spell.  We won by 108 runs, again in awful weather.  St. Albans were at the receiving end of an 8 wicket drubbing with off-spinner Baker getting 5 for 21 and Parmiters were brushed aside in the Cup. Enfield were beaten by 9 wickets with Kilgannon getting 4 wickets for 3 runs and Sambrook 3 for 7.

The rest of the season was unbeaten, with Aylesbury Grammar, Bishops Stortford College and Clifton College being seen off comfortably.  The last game against a side on tour was particularly pleasing as the game was tight for much of the time but good hard cricket won it for us.

Tom Sambrook’s 7 fifties in a season was a great achievement and he accumulated 469 runs at an average of 58.  He was a tower of strength. Fraser averaged 37 and Ariyapala 24.  Ariyapala was very tidy behind the stumps and he topped the catching figures with 12 catches.  He is learning to stand right up to the spinners and has a lot of potential. Tom Baker topped the bowling averages with 24 wickets at 7.63.  Oliver Martin was the best quick bowler but injury ravaged his season just as he was really coming into form.  The most improved bowler was Thompson who started the season in the C team and became a parsimonious opener in the A team in mid season!  The side was captained by a thoughtful Ned Kilgannon who learnt a lot about the need to keep the pressure on the opposition at all times and the need to be strong with his team mates when the occasion demanded it.  Lewis Grimble gets the prize for the most wholehearted fielder and encourager in the side.

This was a great season and a great team to coach.  My thanks go to all parents who supported us and to Mr. E. Savill who shared the umpiring.

David Wiles