The return of some normality for sports teams at school and our Year 8 Friary boys played this evening in a trial cricket fixture.

Friary batted first and saw captain Matthew Allen and Josh Douglas-Boisson take to the crease, both started positively and kept rotating the strike well. Josh fell to a great catch for 14 runs, this brought Reece Pike to the crease who added more to our score. Matt Allen retired on a well fought 23 including two excellent 4’s. Sean Whillis and Harry Battams earned some valuable late runs to finish our innings on 100/2.

Then the attentions turned to bowling for our team, Jonathon George and Isaac Minihane opened the bowling and kept the runs down. An excellent double wicket maiden from Jono George was the highlight of our bowling performance. He was backed up superbly by Oliver Foley (1 wicket), Joe Ward (1 wicket), Elliott Ball, Adam Turley, Sean Whillis and Hector Nottage saw Netherstowe fall 17 runs short.

Final score – Friary 100/2 – Nether Stowe 83/4

Jamie Sleigh, team coach, said: “We have bene keen to re-introduce competitive sport and cricket was the best option we could find for COVID measures to allow it to operate safely. It turned out to be excellent game and a well-deserved win for our Year 8 team. Huge thanks to Nether Stowe for the game.”