On Tuesday 19th May, our year 7 young guns went to Newclose Cricket Club to take part in the annual year 7 softball cricket tournament.  This is always a fun event for students to take part in and despite the weather looking like playing havoc with the day's events, the tournament was completed with just a short break for rain early on. A huge thank you to Mr Bricknell from The Bay for the time he put into setting up the tournament, organising and supplying the teas. 

Carisbrooke started their campaign against Cowes Enterprise College. Carisbrooke batted first with Jake and Jenson opening and both reaching retirement.  Joshua and Harry came in towards the end of the innings to give up a quick flurry of runs which eventually saw Carisbrooke reach 68.  In reply, Cowes managed a respectable 46 runs with Joshua, Jenson, Harry and Caleb all taking wickets and Jenson nearly taking a hat-trick after back-to-back wicket balls. 

In the second game, Carisbrooke lost Caleb, who had to leave the tournament for a short period of time, but he would be back for the later games. Carisbrooke would be taking on Ryde School in what looked like being a potential group decider and that is exactly what it was. With Carisbrooke batting first in a reduced over match due to the rain earlier in the day, Carisbrooke reached 50 runs, which was a little below the ideal sort of total. Having to adapt their style of play due to playing 2 overs less meant runs had to be scored quicker and, as a team, this possibly contributed to a few early wickets which slowed any building of a good total. However, Harry came in towards the end of the innings to give Carisbrooke hope by hitting a quick-fire 9 runs after an early batting collapse thanks to some bounces which just didn't go the boys' way.  In response, Carisbrooke had to take wickets early, but despite several balls just passing past the stumps and a few balls falling short of fielders, the wickets just didn't come.  However, Carisbrooke were able to limit Ryde School to a lower run rate initially, but as their captain, who was a class act throughout the game, came in to bat, Ryde School were able to reach their target of 51 runs with 11 balls left.  As a result, Carisbrooke could no longer qualify for the final but well done to Ryde School, who deserved to take the win and for becoming the winners of the competition later in the day.

The boys were obviously disappointed by the last result, but as this cohort of students had demonstrated previously this year, they were able to pick themselves up and go again and, with Caleb coming back in time for this game, the side was back to full strength.  In the next game, Carisbrooke took on The Island Free School and were batting first again.  Jack and Seb opened the batting and did so in style.  Seb hit a quick 10 and Jack reached retirement. The innings were looking solid.  Joshua then continued in this form by hitting 19 with back-to-back fours and a 6. Harry again came in and hit a quick 7 and Caleb and Oscar finished the innings with Carisbrooke reaching 78 runs. TIFS, in reply, scored 42, but in all fairness to TIFS, Carisbrooke's bowling was on form.  Caleb, Joshua, Jack, Jake, Seb and Jenson all took wickets in their overs, which meant the other team were not able to get a partnership going.  

In the final game for Carisbrooke, they played against Lift Ryde in the 3rd/4th place play-off.  After batting first again, Carisbrooke posted a massive 85 from their 7 overs.  Jenson started the fun by reaching 14, including a huge 6 which nearly left Newport. Jake followed this up with 11 runs of his own and, with Joshua reaching another retirement and Oscar, Jack and Harry all hitting with a high strike rate, Lift Ryde just couldn't find a way to break the side down.  Lift Ryde would be difficult to break down also and only lost three wickets thanks to Jake, Harry and a run-out thanks to a direct throw from the boundary by Joshua.  However, the bowling as a team was truly superb.  Jake only went for 3 runs in his over. Joshua bowled a maiden, Oscar 4 runs, Caleb 2 runs and Jenson 1 run coming off their overs meant Lift Ryde were held to 31 in response.  

Not only did the boys come back from an earlier disappointment, but they showed that they would be a challenge for any team in the upcoming outdoor season.  A massive well done to all the boys involved. 

Top Run Scorers

Joshua 41

Jenson 38

Harry 30

Jake 27

Jack 18

Seb 9

Oscar 7

Caleb 1

 

Top Wicket Takers
Jenson 5

Joshua 3

Jake 2

Harry 2

Caleb 2

Seb 2

Jack 1