School Games

CRICKET

CRICKET

Despite the COVID restrictions, it was heartening Despite the COVID restrictions, it was to see some cricket being played. There were heartening to see some cricket being played. upwards of 75 Form I and II boys at practice There were upwards of 75 Form I and II boys at every week. Competitions were run at junior, practice every week. Competitions were run at intermediate and senior level. It is a credit to both junior, intermediate and senior level. It is a pupils and staff that these games were played. The credit to both pupils and staff that these games 1st XI played four matches in the season with the were played. The 1st XI played four matches in highlight being the defeat of Ballyclare High. We the season with the highlight being the defeat of travelled to Ballyclare, who, having won the toss, Ballyclare High. We travelled to Ballyclare, inserted us to bat first. We got off to the worst who, having won the toss, inserted us to bat first. possible start as James Carleton was out bowled We got off to the worst possible start as James by the third ball of the match before we had Carleton was out bowled by the third ball of the progressed the scoreboard. Adrib Ahmed and Max Wylie steadied the ship, but they were a little too circumspect. When Max was run out on the first ball of the 6th over, we were reduced to 13-2. This brought Olly Scott to the crease who provided a bit of impetus to the innings, not through bludgeoning shots, but by energetic running between the match before we had progressed the scoreboard. Adrib Ahmed and Max Wylie steadied the ship, but they were a little too circumspect. When Max was run out on the first ball of the 6th over, we were reduced to 13-2. This brought Olly Scott to the crease who provided a bit of impetus wickets. Olly’s 21 was to prove our top score (save to the innings, not through bludgeoning shots, the 25 extras Ballyclare presented us with) before but by energetic running between the wickets. his innings ended disappointingly as he chipped Olly’s 21 was to prove our top score (save the 25 extras Ballyclare presented us with) before a catch to extra-cover. Only Adrib (17), Ryan his innings ended disappointingly as he chipped Armstrong (11) and Adam Gooderham (10*) of the others made it to double figures as we posted 102-8 in the 20 overs available. Ballyclare’s reply started well as Olly Scott’s radar misfired and presented them with a few wides, helping them to 13-0 after 3 overs. Ryan a catch to extra-cover. Only Adrib (17), Ryan Armstrong (11) and Adam Gooderham (10*) of the others made it to double figures as we posted 102-8 in the 20 overs available. Ballyclare’s reply started well as Olly Scott’s radar misfired and presented them with a few wides, helping them to 13-0 after 3 overs. Ryan Armstrong then had 2 wickets in 3 balls, clean bowling McCallen and Wightman. When he added the wicket of McAllister in his next over we were in the ascendency, reducing our hosts to 17-3 after 6 overs. Then came easily the best batting of the match as Gillespie (60*) was supported by McIlrath (17) and helped by some very ordinary fielding by the BRA boys. The dropped catches could and should have cost us the match as this pair progressed to 71-3, needing 31 off 5 overs. Olly Scott returned, radar adjusted and clean bowled McIlrath and Scarlett 2 balls later. From there we did well to starve Gillespie of the strike and see it home by a margin of 7 runs; Armstrong (4-11) and Scott (2-9) by far the pick of the bowlers. We lost to both Wallace High School and RBAI’s 1st and 2nd XI. The Junior XI had a fine win against RBAI and lost to strong Wallace and Campbell sides. Our under 12XI played very well in their game against Wallace High School, despite their defeat. The Intermediate team lost narrowly to Strabane Academy in the Cup competition. My thanks go to Mr Harte, Mr McCarey, Mr Creighton, Mr Rowntree, Mr Warke, Mr Burton, Mr Hughes and Mr Stewart for their help throughout the season.

Armstrong then had 2 wickets in 3 balls, clean bowling McCallen and Wightman. When he added the wicket of McAllister in his next over we were in the ascendency, reducing our hosts to 17-3 after 6 overs. Then came easily the best batting of the match as Gillespie (60*) was supported by McIlrath (17) and helped by some very ordinary fielding by the BRA boys. The dropped catches could and should have cost us the match as this pair progressed to 71-3, needing 31 off 5 overs. Olly Scott returned, radar adjusted and clean bowled McIlrath and Scarlett 2 balls later. From there we did well to starve Gillespie of the strike and see it home by a margin of 7 runs; Armstrong (4-11) and Scott (2-9) by far the pick of the bowlers. We lost to both Wallace High School and RBAI’s 1st and 2nd XI. The Junior XI had a fine win against RBAI and lost to strong Wallace and Campbell sides. Our under 12XI played very well in their game against Wallace High School, despite their defeat. The Intermediate team lost narrowly to Strabane Academy in the Cup competition. My thanks go to Mr Harte, Mr McCarey, Mr Creighton, Mr Rowntree, Mr Warke, Mr Burton, Mr Hughes and Mr Stewart for their help throughout the season.

NETBALL I.M.G.

NETBALL

I.M.G.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there there was no competitive school netball this was no competitive school netball this year. Players year. Players managed to do some outdoor managed to do some outdoor training and availed of the newly marked outdoor practice court at training and availed of the newly marked outdoor practice court at school. school.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was no competitive school netball this year. Players managed to do some outdoor training and availed of the newly marked outdoor practice court at school.

Nada Hawela and Catelyn Burns were Nada Hawela and Catelyn Burns were identified identified as potential future International as potential future International netballers. As netballers. As part of this elite training, the girls part of this elite training, the girls were selected were selected for Netball Northern Ireland’s for Netball Northern Ireland’s Emerging Warriors Emerging Warriors programme. This included programme. This included not only developing not only developing their netball skills and their netball skills and tactics, but also undertaking tactics, but also undertaking a Strength and a Strength and Conditioning Programme. The Conditioning Programme. The players players thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity! thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity! Nada Hawela and Catelyn Burns were Both coaches and players hope to see netball return identified as potential future International to school next year and look forward to getting netballers. As part of this elite training, the girls back to competitive matches on court. were selected for Netball Northern Ireland’s

Emerging Warriors programme. This included not only developing their netball sk K.E.B.ills and tactics, but also undertaking a Strength and

Conditioning Programme. The players thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity! Both coaches and players hope to see netball return to school next year and look forward to getting back to competitive matches on court.

K.E.B.

Both coaches and players hope to see netball return to school next year and look forward to getting back to competitive matches on court.

K.E.B.