Sport Success: Summer Term 1

Sport Success Summer Term 1

Cricket

It has been all hands on deck at the cricket pavilion since pre-season training back at the start of April with 74 fixtures being played. We have had huge fixture blocks on Saturdays with teams such as MCS Oxford, Haileybury and Berkhamsted. The Berkhamsted weekend was particularly busy with 17 sides playing home and away A-D team levels including as many students as possible in competitive cricket.

Particular highlights for the season so far have been for our U13A team who made it through to round 3 of the National Cup losing to Whitgift School after an excellent effort by the whole team. Hopes were still high for round 2 of the County Cup although in the tightest match of the season so far Habs lost by 2 to Aldwickbury School. An excellent performance by the entire squad and a huge thank you to Mr Howgego for his hard work so far this season.

The U14A team continue their persuit in the County Cup winning their first game against Hitchin School by 4 wickets with Pavi (9H2) Arav (9H2) and Aaryan (9J2) taking catches and Pavi (9H2) scoring 47 runs to secure the win. The team faced their next match against Queens’ School winning by 8 wickets. We wish Mr Haring and the team the best of luck for the next match in the draw.

Cricket

The U15A team played in round 1 of the County Cup and rounds 1 and 2 of the National Cup this half term. Unfortunately they lost in round 2 of the Nationals in a tight game against Merchant Taylors’ losing by 8 wickets but excelled in their match against St Columba’s College winning by 78 runs. We look forward to round 2 of the County Cup due to be played once the round 1 playoffs have been completed. We look forward to hearing the announcement shortly and wish Mr Letts and the team good luck.

It has been a busy start for the 1st XI cricket team who have played 7 tough matches home and away already this season. With 2 very close losses to MCS Oxford and St Albans School in a National T20 match the team have worked hard alongside Mr Kerry in training and have begun a 3 match win streak which we hope to continue in a T20 match against Aldenham School this Friday.

With 4 weeks to go until the end of term we still have fixture blocks against Abingdon, Merchant Taylors’ and Bedford School to look forward to as well as a visit from a touring side from Melbourne and the Fraser Bird 1st XI match in the final week. Please keep an eye out on SOCS for the results and match reports.

Cricket

Outstanding Performances

Team Student Batting Statistics

1st XI Niyam (U6J1) 104*

U15 Tom (10H2) 100*

U13 Atharv (8R2) 101*

U13 Shenul (8R1) 100*

Team Student Bowling Statistics

1st XI Zuhair (U6M1) 4 for 16

U14 Sachin (9J2) 3 for 18

U13 Daivik (8R1) 5 for 12

Tennis

The tennis season started with an early success with Samuel (9S2) Kaaviyan (9J2) winning the U14 Hertfordshire Schools County Doubles Championships held at Welwyn Tennis Club. They fought off competition from 15 other teams in the draw with fine victoriesagainst Watford Grammar, Chancellors & St Columba’s, winning the final 4-3 on a championship tie-break. In the U18 event, James (11S1) and Miles (11M2) were eliminated early in the main draw but had an excellent run in the plate competition, winning 6-4 in the final against Dame Alice Owen’s in a close encounter.

In the Hertfordshire County leagues our U13 and U15 teams have so far students have had victories against Berkhamsted, Watford Grammar and Richard Hale.

On 24 May Habs hosted the Hertfordshire Schools U12 Doubles Tournament, with over 60 boys from a mix of 10 state and independent schools competing in the evening sunshine.

After fine performances to overcome Watford Boys and Dame Alice Owen’s in the group stage, Habs first pair, Xander (7C) and Rian (7R) reached the final against Chancellors. With a large crowd of parents, teachers and participants watching on, they fell behind 1-0 before regrouping and raising their level to ease to a 6-1 win. Most importantly they acted impeccably.

both on and off the court showing great sportsmanship throughout the event.

In the ‘less experienced’ tournament which ran alongside the main draw, George (7S) and Nivaan (7M) saw off challenges from R.Hale, Aldwickbury and Marlborough to remain unbeaten and emerge as winners against Aldenham in the final.

Athletics

The start of the athletics season has been a busy one with students taking part in rounds 1-4 of the Herts League and round 1 of the Track and Field Cup.

We are delighted to announce that both Junior and Intermediate teams qualified to the top regional round of the national cup with the Junior teams winning all 4 of their Herts League fixtures making the Habs Junior Athletics Team top of the league.

We dont stop there with success in athletics the following pupils have achieved a qualification time/distance/height to compete at the English Schools National Championships in June:

Josh (9C2) (800m)

Chu (9C2) (Discus)

Milo (8M2) (Hammer)

James (9M2) (High Jump)

Congratulations to all students involved in athletics so far this term. We continue to follow your efforts throughout the season and for your talents at the Habs Joint Sports Day on 29 June. A huge thank you to Mr Lawrence, Mr Cooper and Mr Norris for supporting the teams in their achievements.

Water Polo

It has been an excellent half-term for the U13 and U15 Water Polo teams who made it to the National Finals in Northampton. The team fought hard and finished 6th and 5th in the country respectively. It was great achievement for the team and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches.

The U14 team also had a fantastic season in the London League, winning all 7 of their matches. Now they have won the London League watch this space as they are great contenders to go on and win the National Competition next year. They have a strong team, and great experience which puts them in prime position for a National title.

Over the Easter break, the Habs U14 Water Polo team travelled to Singapore. They had been invited to compete in the Pacer U15 Invitational Tournament which sees club sides from Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Serbia compete. The team played their hearts out in every match, learning an enormous amount about many aspects of the game. Against bigger and stronger opponents, they were learning to fight for possession, and then capitalising on the counterattack. The hosts, Pacer Water Polo Club from Singapore, were the ultimate victors in the competition. Thank you to Mr Brkovic for organising this incredible trip and giving the boys the chance to experience such a unique opportunity.