End of Term Sports Report
Contents AT H L E T I C S R E P O R T CRIKET REPORT TENNIS REPORT
Athletics
U 1 5 AT H L E T I C S
J U N I O R AT H L E T I C S
The Year 9 and 10 athletics team has enjoyed a productive season; winning the district championships, qualifying for the cup final in the Hertfordshire League and qualifying for the regional round of the track and field cup where they finished a respectable 4th position. Ore A has excelled in multiple disciplines, including the 100m and high jump (as seen on sports day), but it is in the shot putt that he will be representing Hertfordshire in the English Schools Championships next week and we wish him well. Victor P, Lorcan F, Max L, Lanre P, George M, Rafi G, Sam I, Alex S, Dejhor S, Sam S and Mofe A have established themselves as the core members of the team and have performed exceptionally throughout the season. Amar S, Peter B, Jordan P, Lucas J and Adam K have performed well and helped the team when called upon. Thanks must go to Mr Norris for all of his coaching expertise that he has shared with the athletes throughout the term.
The junior athletics team has enjoyed a productive season, qualifying for the cup final in the Hertfordshire League (next Tuesday) as well as the regional round of the track and field cup. James W as excelled in the high jump and will compete at the national finals next week. Zac D, Nnamdi E, Krish B, Josh H, Zach T, Zack D, Kian B and Rahil S have established themselves as the core members of the team and have performed exceptionally throughout the season. The Year 8 athletes have been ably assisted by some outstanding Year 7 athletes who have worked incredibly hard to improve throughout the term. Chu O is currently the number 1 ranked U13 discus thrower in the country, Milo Rynehart would be ranked number 1 for the hammer throw but for lack of suitable competitions, Lani J is the county champion in the 100m and Long jump and Jimi A has broken school records in the sprint hurdles. The future is bright! Thanks must go to Mr Norris for all of his coaching expertise that he has shared with all of the athletes throughout the term.
Cricket The 2022 Cricket season has been a very successful one with triumphs on many fronts. The Cricket club is an increasingly popular and competitive part of the school with 22 teams representing the school this year. This is only possible with the commitment of pupils, staff and parents that make the 200+ fixture season happen. The 2022 season saw the school strengthen its fixture card in order to create more challenging fixtures for our teams as well as increasing the number of fixtures at C and D level. The additions of Abingdon School and Bedford School this year have really benefited the pupils development as cricketers and the lessons learned from these fixtures will be invaluable in future seasons for the school. The 1st XI had an exceptional season with fantastic batting and bowling performances. Kellen D (Year 13) led the side incredibly well and greatly supported by Ashish P (Year 13) and Zaid K(Year 13). A contrasting combination of T20 and declaration cricket (including a two-day match vs MTs) was very well received by the players and provided a variety of different challenges to our cricketers. Notable performances this season included 100s from Jay M (Year 11) vs the MCC, Niyam S (Year 12) vs Watford Boys & Kellen D (Year 13) vs Old Habs CC. Additionally, there have been five wicket hauls for Ashish P (Year 13) vs St Albans and Forest. In the junior age groups we have consistently fielded A, B, C and D teams in all years and all the pupils have shown great improvement
over the course of the year. Our U12As, U14As and U15As were all crowned County Champions after excellent runs in the Hertfordshire County Cup. The U12s will represent Hertfordshire next year in the U13 National Cup and our U14s also will represent the county in the U15 National Cup next summer. Our U13As who narrowly lost to Haileybury in the County Cup semifinals went on to win the Bedford School T10 tournament (beating the same Haileybury side along the way). Congratulations to all the pupils and staff involved. Additionally, we have had another year of successful collaboration with the Girls' School cricketers. For the second year running Girls' School pupils from over the terracotta wall have joined Boys' School pupils for cricket training each week and five of these pupils have successfully represented the Boys' School teams in midweek and Saturday fixtures. It has been most enjoyable to see students from both schools working together and competing with skill and determination whilst representing the school. It has been a remarkable season and one where everyone involved can be immensely proud of what has been achieved on so many levels. Obviously, a great deal of thanks must go to those that make a season so successful. We are very lucky to have such support from grounds, catering, umpires, estates, teachers, coaches, parents and of course pupils. Without whom a busy summer of cricket simply cannot take place.
C R I C K E T S TAT S
Number of runs scored per team this year
6,922 8,814 5,319 21,055
Teams 43
P
W
218
118
D 19
Lower school Middle school Senior school Total
54.1% Win Percentage this term
L 81
Tennis TENNIS U12 On the Wednesday 22 June, Habs hosted the Hertfordshire Schools U12 Doubles Tournament, with around 40 pupils from a mix of 10 state and independent schools competing in the evening sunshine. After fine performances to overcome Sandringham, St Albans and Verulam in the group stage, HABS first pair, Ryan (7C) and Lucas (7C) reached the final. With a large crowd of parents, teachers and participants watching on, they took the lead against
an imposing Richard Hale team but were then pegged back to lose narrowly after a great battle. In the another section of the tournament which ran alongside the main draw, Max (7S) and Yash (7J) saw off challenges from Hitchin, St Columba’s and Verulam to remain unbeaten and emerge as winners. Most importantly all the pupils acted impeccably both on and off the court, showing great sportsmanship at all times.
TENNIS U13 In the Hertfordshire County league our U13 tennis team cruised through their initial group matches against Berkhamsted and Watford Grammar without dropping a set to qualify for the County finals, held on the green clay of Queenswood. The team put in an exceptional performance to win the final against Sandringham. Captain Sam (8S) produced a masterclass against their no.1 who is ranked near the top in the UK for his age, turning the match around to win 6-4 under extreme pressure. The match featured many high quality baseline exchanges of 20+ shots. He then teamed up with Kaaviyan (8J) to narrowly win the key doubles match. There were also big wins for David (8S) and Kian (8H). The team now look forward to the regional rounds in September.
At the start of July in the climax of the season our star U13 tennis players, Sam Zlotnik (8S) and Kaaviyan Pradhaban (8J) won the Independent Schools Tennis Championships! There were 50 teams from all over the country converging on Eton to compete in the 4-day annual tournament – the most prestigious event in the school tennis calendar. Also in the U13 event, David (8S) and Kian (8H) reached the last 16 before losing a tense battle against Hampton. In the preliminary rounds the team topped their group with wins against strong tennis schools such as KCS Wimbledon, Warwick and Whitgift. They then eased past specialist tennis academy Reeds (Tim Henman’s old school) to progress to the quarter finals, which is as far as Habs had ever previously reached and only once before back in 2016. In unchartered territory in the quarter-finals the team battled past former champions New Hall, then in the semi-finals they had to raise their level to beat Hampton. The final against Sevenoaks was full of intensity and drama but after superb shot-making and real grit Sam and Kaaviyan won 6-2 to win the ISTA John Barrett Cup – a truly incredible achievement!
TENNIS U14
TENNIS U15
At the end of April, Sam (8S) and Kaaviyan (8J) won 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 victories against St Albans Boys and Chancellors before winning 4-2 in the final against Monkswalk. Our U14 team, consisting of Saaj (9R2), Gautham (9C1), Alex (9M1), Josh (9H1) and Lorenzo (9C1) also competed in the U15 Hertfordshire County league, achieving fine wins against Watford Boys, Monkswalk and Bishops Stortford and gaining vital experience for next year’s campaign.
In the U15 Hertfordshire County league, our team, made up of James (10S1), Anthony (10S1), Ray (10M1), Kai (10H2) and Miles (10M2) bounced back from a loss against Monkswalk to record victories against Roundwood and Bishops Stortford. At Queenswood in the County finals, they overcame Berkhamsted in the semi-final but after a brave battle they lost in the final to Monkswalk. To finish runnersup in Hertfordshire is a fine achievement for the U15 players, captained maturely by James (10S1). In the U15 Springthorne Cup, James (10S1) and Anthony (10S1) reached the quarter-finals where their run ended against The Leys. In the U15 Phillips Cup, Ray (10M1) and Kai (10H2) also reached the quarter-finals where they were edged out by a strong New Hall team.
TENNIS U18s In the U18 event of the Hertfordshire Schools County Doubles Championships, Kabir (U6H1) and Karan (U6H1) had a good run to the quarterfinals before losing to Sandringham in a close encounter. Later in the season our 1st Team posted notable victories against Merchant Taylor’s and St Columba’s.
In the U18 Youll Cup, our Senior team fought bravely against Ewell Castle tennis academy and then St Pauls but came up short with their pride intact.
T E N N I S S TAT S
No. of students so far this year
20
Teams
P
W
D
L
11
48
32
9
7
15
66.7%
10
Win Percentage this term
5 0
U12 U13 U14 U15 U18 Participation