Welcome to the first ever edition of Blue and Gold. Sport is a fundamental aspect of life at Sherborne with everyone able to participate in whatever sport they enjoy, regardless of ability. This magazine will aim to showcase the inclusivity of sport at Sherborne, showing that you don’t need to be in the 1st XV or the Colts A to have your effort, determination and success highlighted. Whether taking to the Upper, Pitch 7 on Careys, diving into the pool, mounting a horse or towering a climbing wall we hope that you find something of interest across this year, it may even be your name mentioned…
We will aim to release this magazine every half term so please spread the word to your family and friends on where to find it when you are back home.
This first edition is filled with moments of sporting brilliance, defiance, success and grit and includes match reports from the JCA Rugby’s outstanding fightback against King’s Taunton, Squash’s victory in their first fixture of the year, and the 1st XI Football’s cup victory thanks to late goals from two extremely talented juniors, written by the magazine’s own Henry H(U6b). Inside you will find interviews with the Master in Charge of Fives and the 1st XV Rugby Captain and much more…
We hope you enjoy this first edition and thank you to everyone involved in helping us produce this! Enjoy!
The Editors Will T (U6d), Henry H (U6b), Charlie T (U6d)
HAMISH K (U6D)
Captain of Rugby shares his riences of sport at Sherborne d talks about the season in progress.
Interview by Will T (U6d) and Charlie T (U6d)
What is your favourite moment on the sports field for Sherborne?
One memory that really springs to mind is the victory away at Millfield in Round 2 of the U16 National Cup. Any time you beat Millfield in their own backyard it is massive and it doesn’t get much better than a cup win! We really had to dig deep and play well away from home and it was such a special game for me
How was the Portugal Tour over the Summer Holiday?
was a great success and rfect start to the season we had some great team whether it be playing volleyball. On the field et the foundations for the s well as this the bonds ade from that trip will be g we can fall back on when the season gets
How has the season started?
The season has started well without blowing anyone away We had four strong opening wins against Marlborough, Bryanston and Canford (twice, once in the National Cup). Since then results haven’t quite gone our way with two very unfortunate and tight games against Millfield and Taunton Unfortunately we couldn’t continue the Cup run despite a good fight back at home to Abingdon.
What are you most looking forward to in the second half of the season?
Mainly, for me, it is all about putting together good performances and improving as a unit. Positive results are always important but my big aim is to prove to the school that this 1st XV Rugby team is worth shouting about Finally, I cannot wait to continue playing and competing for the school.
How have you found the role of captaincy?
It has already been a rollercoaster and will continue to contain many ups and downs. Having said that it is the biggest honour and I have loved every second of it!
What has been the best thing about playing sport at Sherborne?
For me it has been about making lifelong mates and forming bonds with people that you become very close with. There’s nothing better, in my eyes, that competition with your best mates, showing that competitive drive, when winning or when struggling, but always doing it as a team. I think Sherborne fosters a really strong and positive team spirit within its sides and the coaches have to be praised for their exceptional work in helping the off field dynamics and workings of the group flow.
Do you see yourself involved in sport in the future and, if so, in what capacity?
Of course! Sport will always be a part of my life and something I can fall back on. Over the next few years it is all about getting to the best standard I can whether that be university, club or beyond. I would like to think my time at Sherborne is just the foundation for a life involved in sport.
How does losing a big player such as Myles BH (U6e) impact you as a team?
Obviously losing a key player so early on in the season isn’t what anyone wants and off field Myles is such a great character. However, we all know that you cannot rely on fielding your strongest XV as there will always be injuries. With Myles specifically this season, as much as he has been missed and we cannot wait for his return, it has been amazing to see some new lads step up. Jack F (U6d), Will W (L6a) and Harrison F (L6g) have all filled Myles’ boots amazingly and we are now in the situation where people are fighting for places which is exactly what we want!
How have the new boys fitted in to the squad?
The new lads have been pivotal to the successes we have had this year. Both Ben D (L6b) and Will W (L6a) have started every game in key roles at flanker and centre. What’s really refreshing is they bring a new personality which isn’t the classic Shirburnian of four or five years. They bring a new element to the team both off and on the pitch which is awesome!
Why is sport important to you?
Put simply, sport, for me, is a way of life and it makes me feel really good whenever I play it. I feel if you do it once and find your sport you instantly enjoy it. Once you find this enjoyment you crave it and need it more and more which is exactly how I feel towards rugby.
Finally, what is your big message to the boys at Sherborne?
Don’t be scared to ask questions as it is the only way to get better. I probably ask the most questions out of anyone on the team! It is all about identifying that you are not the finished project and that there is always room to grow. Some of the current 1st XV played in the Bs and Cs in 3rd and 4th Form, but through determination and a desire to learn now wear the 1st XV tie. So ask questions and never put a lid on your capability.
R E P O R T
Will T (U6d)
15 boys represented their counties at various ages from Under 13 to Adult 2nd XI for cricket this year. Oli B (5g), JP T (4d), Harry B (4c) and Fin G (4m) all represented their own age group, and the year above, with Fin’s selection coming off the back of a century for Dorset Under 14 vs Wiltshire. 4 new 3rd Formers experienced representative cricket over the summer: Art LP (3a) and Sebbie G (3g) with Somerset Under 13, and Hugo DM (3g) and Hugh O’C (3c) with Dorset and Hertfordshire Under 13 respectively. Added to this new Lower 6th boys Sam G (L6f) and Jordan G (L6e) also represented their county sides, Sam representing Oxfordshire and Jordan representing Barbados. Finally JP has recently been selected for Somerset Under 15 for the winter ahead, a massive achievement setting him further on the professional pathway. The number of boys playing cricket to such a high standard is a massively positive sign for Sherborne’s cricketing prospects. Tennis, the other major sport in the summer term continued for a few boys representatively over the summer. Billy B (U6c) competed in tournaments ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 5, Rupert D (4e) represented the Channel Islands and Henry W (3c) represented Cornwall. The tournaments have continued for Billy through the early part of the Michaelmas term and we hope more success comes his way.
Sherborne have continued to have many boys involved in Bath Rugby with boys from 4th Form to Lower 6th all being involved. In the 4th Form Hector H (4d) and Harry B (4c), both integral to the success of the JCA side this year, have been attending Bath sessions with four 5th Formers and two Lower 6th members joining them. Of the Bath players, three have played 1st XV rugby this season with Oli B (5g), Jem L (L6g) and Edwin L (L6e) featuring and putting in strong performances. These lads will hopefully act as an inspiration to the new 3rd Form looking to represent Bath during their time here; some may even want to follow in the footsteps of Arthur Green (g22), Will Parry (b22) and Tom Carr-Smith (m20), all of whom have professional contracts with Bath Finally, over the summer Jamie G (U6g) represented Bath Hockey TA which is a talent academy run to push selected hockey players towards international level. It was a massive achievement and we hope he continues on this pathway Added to this, Anton Krnc (4a) has been selected for Somerset, along with new 3rd Formers Will R (3m), Harry S (3d), Beau B (3c), Hugo H (3c), Luke J (3m) and Harry W (3d) all being selected for Dorset Hockey.
It is great to see so many playing such a high level of sport and our hope is that the numbers continue to climb and the achievements continue to flood in.
KCT - 24
Sherborne JCA - 27
Tries: Harry B (3), Christian P (2)
Con: Hector H
The Junior Colts A XV continued its unbeaten start to the season, but they ce ng
17 and 10-24 deficits, before Harry B's hat-trick try on the stro
King's Taunton is always a tough place to get a result, and it looked like the same would be true in this game as our hosts raced into a commanding lead in the first quarter. The boys in blue looked somewhat disorientated at the pace and offloading skills of the opposition as they romped in for two very well-executed scores. A reshuffle in midfield brought a degree of calm and now Sherborne started to stake a foothold in the match, with Harry B skating in for two more additions to his personal highlights reel. The half ended amidst some controversy, but what was very apparent was that the game was warming up into another excellent contest.
Restarting at 10-17, the third quarter was an attritional period, and neither side seemed able to land the knockout punch. However, with just ten minutes left on the clock, King's looked to have done just that, scoring at the posts to open up their lead to 14 points. What followed in the final minutes was simply extraordinary: first Christian P found himself in space after a loose passage of play and scored under the posts, before he calmly finished off his own chip and chase to score in the far corner. With one minute left on the clock, the score had closed up to 22-24 and, when George E claimed the kick-off, Hector H was on hand to set Harry free for his third, and match-winning, try. Cue wild rejoicing and why not? Three unanswered scores and 17 points, with the clock ticking ever closer to the red, represents an outstanding effort from the Sherborne boys, turning the game on its head and shattering the opposition at the last.
Inevitably, the plaudits will go to the two try-scorers and rightly so, but this result was about much more than some genuinely excellent finishing Fin G was a huge obstacle to black and red progress at the ruck, securing some crucial turnovers, whilst Jamie H and George E were highly effective in the loose Teddy C had his best game so far, whilst the constant running threat of the new midfield axis of Ptolemy G, JP and Hector was integral in creating that crucial yard of space for the outside backs to exploit so brilliantly Above all, though, this was a victory founded on the whole team's determination and self-belief that simply refused to be beaten
M R S C O R E R
BY WILL T (U6D) AND CHARLIE T (U6D)
Outside of teaching and running Harper what roles do you have in school?
I run the Christian Union Group, Crossfire and am Master in Charge of Fives.
Can you briefly explain Fives and its basic rules?
In simple terms, Fives is Squash with your hands instead of a racket. You use both your hands so there are no backhand shots and it is played in a court enclosed by four walls. Fives can be played in singles but most games are doubles matches
Where in the school are the Fives Courts?
We have five Fives Courts here at Sherborne, which is very rare, so we are very lucky If you walk into the DT gravel car park, with the DT building on your left the courts are the low sloping roofed long building right in front of you.
Who can play Fives at Sherborne?
Anyone at Sherborne can play Fives. Mostly boys play in the Lent term as that is when the majority of fixtures occur but we also have some fixtures in the Michaelmas term. We continue to run Fives in the Trinity term so anyone can play it whenever they like.
What are the big fixtures for Fives?
The biggest Fives fixture is Blundell’s who we play home and away: they always offer stiff competition. We also play against Winchester, Marlborough and various schools’ old boys’ teams, similar to the Old Shirburnians, whom we also play. Finally, we play in national competitions against the best schools in the country.
When is House Fives and who are the reigning champions?
House Fives is played over one night at the end of the Lent term and is a doubles tournament with no age limit The reigning champions are Wallace
When you were a boy at Sherborne what sports did you play?
I absolutely loved rugby when I was a boy here I wasn’t the best at it but loved it nonetheless. I also played Fives in the Lent and Trinity terms.
Why do you think sport is so important for teenage boys?
Firstly, sport is medically proven to be good for mental and physical health. It is a great way to socialise and make new friends It teaches you the importance and the ability to practise and improve at specific skills. Finally, there’s not much that is better than sharing a passion with people who are like-minded.
What makes sport at Sherborne so amazing?
Sherborne has always offered a huge variety of sporting opportunities for the boys here For example, Fives in itself is quite an obscure sport but has been played here for around 350 years. The school is really good at encouraging boys to represent Sherborne no matter their age or ability
What is your fondest memory of sport at Sherborne, either as a boy or a member of staff?
As a Housemaster, I love going down to Carey’s and The Upper, watching the boys get stuck in whatever team they are in. In the Michaelmas and Trinity, as I am mainly in the Fives Courts during the Lent Term, terms especially, there is nothing I enjoy more than wandering round the boundary or touchline watching the Harper boys on the sports pitches
Finally, what is your biggest message around sport for boys at Sherborne?
Make the most of the sporting opportunities here at School and the staff who coach. And if you haven’t found the sport you enjoy, try something new. We have so many opportunities here for you to find the sport you love. Don’t worry if you don’t feel you are very good, but play to enjoy, learn and grow.
Max N (U6g), [assist Andreas OA (L6e)]
P (5m), [assist Arlo F (U6a)]
Just off the back of a 4-3 win against Champion Football Academy, the 1st XI were in good spirits going into the ISFA Round 1 cup match against Bournemouth Collegiate School. Despite the absence of Max W (U6a), Tom W (U6f), Fin J (U6f) and Chris W (U6a) – all due to age restrictions – boys stepped in to fill the vacancies, including Christian P (4f), who, while only in 4th Form, had an impressive game. In the first half, the scoreline didn’t go as anyone wanted. BCS claimed, and won, two penalties, one from an unfortunate tackle trying to stop their attack after a ball over our defence had put them through on goal, and the other given after they tried to sneak a clever free kick past us, which resulted in a foul. Their other goal, scored in between the two penalties, came after they drove forward to the byline and cut a ball to the back post, which, despite Tom G’s (L6a) best effort at getting across the goal, we could not keep out. As halftime approached, and we had settled more into the game, Max N (U6g), scored in the second minute of injury time. Andrés OA (L6e) found himself with time to cross the ball in from the right side, finding Max at the top of the box, who was able to calmly and clinically find the bottom left corner and make the score 1-3 as we headed into the break.
The halftime talk, led by Mr Weale and Dr Manning, rallied us for the second 40 minutes. With the ISFA national cup being so competitive, we knew we had to give it our all. Fuelled by this, and having moved into a more attacking formation with only 3 at the back, James T (U6f), Arlo F (U6a) and Henry H (U6b), we fought back in the second half. The next goal for us came after a throw-in found Ollie LB (U6g) on the edge of the box, who touched it back to Andrés OA, who, after some close controlled footwork, played it through to Zander LS (U6d) on the left side of a box. Zander then drove in a cross which deflected off a BCS defender into the back of the net.
2-3.
At this point, we gave every bit of effort and energy we had left, and despite our best efforts to score again, it took us to the last minute of normal time to do this. Winning a free kick in our half from an offside, Arlo F played the ball long to pick out Willoughby P (5m), who kept the ball beautifully and went past two defenders to then slot the ball into the goal with his left foot. The crowds on the sideline were loving this late drama, as were we because we knew now that it would go to extra time which gave us more minutes to secure the win. As it turned out, extra time was not needed. A quickly taken throw-in down to Willoughby on the left wing allowed him to send in a looped cross over the goalkeeper to the back post, where 4th Former Christian slotted home the winning volley in the 7th minute of injury time. 2 minutes later, including the celebrations from the goal, the final whistle was blown. Sherborne had beaten BCS in the 1st round of the ISFA National Cup, and, as best said by Mr Weale, after a roller coaster of emotions, Chapter 1 was complete.
Henry H (U6b)
Mr Tatham reflects on the success of Sherborne’s second Ruth Strauss Foundation Cricket Week.
Sherborne goes #redforruth – again!
The last week of the Trinity Term saw the red stumps set up again for Sherborne’s second Ruth Strauss Foundation Cricket Week amidst some glorious sunshine. Over six days, 26 matches were played, involving a total of eight different Sherborne sides and 15 different opponents, including four matches for the red-capped 1st XI, and our annual Jimmy Adams Prep Schools’ Tournament.
The week is – obviously – dedicated to raising funds for, and awareness of, the magnificent work that the Ruth Strauss Foundation does in supporting families facing bereavement through cancer and in furthering research into the disease. It’s a cause very close to my heart as its focus is most strongly on helping children and families, which ties in very strongly with what a school such as Sherborne is all about. Sadly there are, and will probably always be, boys in our own community facing the terrible ordeal of a terminally ill parent, and it is this tragic fact which was the genesis for, and the ongoing driver of, our Cricket Week. I’m therefore absolutely delighted by the response of the whole Sherborne community, which means that we have been able to raise over £4,000 for the cause through this year ’ s week.
Central to the fundraising effort was our cricket-themed prize draw, including tickets to watch Hampshire, signed kit from James Vince, Southern Brave kit, books by the Old Shirburnian author Peter Oborne (d, 74), and the top prize of Zac Crawley’s signed England shirt. We also sold original prints of The Upper by the wonderful Mr Senneck, and souvenir brochures featuring articles by Owen Slot of ‘The Times’, former England fast bowler Dean Headley, and our very own Mr Jamieson. Ecco Gelato did a roaring trade with their travelling stall, whilst Somerset bat-maker, Mike Kennedy of World Class Willow, sponsored the MCC match, had a kit stall at the ground, and also gave some impromptu Business Studies lessons to the Lower 6th! There was a whole-school own clothes day too and, finally, through the generosity of the Chaplain, the collection from the Commemoration Service was also donated to the pot.
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What all this demonstrates is – I hope – two things. Firstly, I believe the money we ’ ve raised confirms once again the real goodness of the Sherborne community and everyone ’ s collective willingness to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. This is something that we see time and again but, every time, it is a truly wonderful thing of which we should all be very proud. Secondly, this was a huge team effort, both in terms of all those who gave money, and also all those who worked so hard to make the event happen, whether ground and Estates teams, caterers, boys and staff making sales on the ground, the Marketing team… The list goes on and on, and I simply cannot thank them enough for all their efforts. I am so grateful to everyone who contributed in any way; here’s to next year and Sherborne’s Ruth Strauss Foundation Cricket Week 2025!
HFT
Sherborne’s New Sporting Facilities
Will T (U6d)
As ‘Blue and Gold’ rung out from the touchline against Taunton, beautifully led by Ollie LB (U6g) my mind swiftly switched to the new and improved bright blue tennis courts at Hyle Farm. Matching the outer section of the Hughie Holmes Astro and rivalling in colour SG’s Blue Oxley Astro, these new tennis courts are the latest of several new developments on the sporting front, helping improve the quality of sport at Sherborne, with the added benefit of it looking good!
Since joining in Third Form five different gyms have been in use from the two storeyed gym in the old Sports Centre to the makeshift Sports Hall gym and the lock up opposite the Catholic Church Yet, reigning superior to these facilities are the two new gyms that act as one of the many staple points of the new Sports Centre The inclusive public gym provides a work out just to reach it, climbing three flights of stairs, and twinned with the Performance Gym, the physical wellbeing and conditioning of the boys is getting better and better With the appointment of Mr Williams as Head of S&C, once again, Sherborne is becoming a physical force to be reckoned with
The new gyms paired with the revamped studios, spinning rooms and swimming pool allow boys to reach their full potential physically and the two sports halls allow more boys to hone their individual skills at any given time The new sports hall has also allowed us to host the U18 Indoor Hockey Tournament and Dorset Cricket Training, whilst House Futsal has once again been a staple for house camaraderie. With a total nine cricket nets, numerous squash courts and much more, the new sports hall is a statement build and a chance for Sherborne sport to reach the top.
Anyone that knows me will know I have had great enjoyment and use out of the cricketing facilities and cannot be happier with what we now have, not least because it doesn’t take half the session to set them up! Cricket here is growing and growing and despite battling public exams the 1st XI secured several huge victories in a cup run that took them to the Regional Final of the U18 National T20 Cup
Boys from all years have represented 1st teams; JP T (4d) in cricket and hockey, Christian P (4f) and Willoughby P (5m) in football and Fergus O’C (5c) in cricket to name a few, JP and Fergus making debuts in third form These boys have at least three more years with these new facilities and there is no ceiling to their capabilities
The new sports facilities, as a whole, serve as a perfect arena for boys at Sherborne to take their sport to levels they never though they could reach Who knows, perhaps we will unearth another Tom Carr-Smith (m20) or Jimmy Adams (c99) in our ranks?
Lucas T (U6f) W 3-1
Wilf T (L6d) W 3-0
Oscar B (U6f) W 3-1
Eddie H (L6m) W 3-0
Henry B(L6d) W 3-0
Emerson P (L6b) L 1-3
Arlo F (L6m) L 1-3
Ned J (L6g) W 3-0
Fergus H (L6m) W 3-0
( 1 2 / 9 / 2 0 2 4 )
The squash team delivered a resounding 7-2 victory over Clayesmore last week. Early wins set a strong foundation, with several players sweeping their opponents in straight games, while others fought through closely contested battles to emerge victorious, including a titanic struggle at number 1. Despite a couple of hardfought defeats, the team’s overall dominance was clear, rounding off a superb performance from all of the Team.
WEB and Lucas T (U6f)
I
J I M M Y A D A M S ( 1 9 9 4 - 9 9 ) ( C )
1 ) W H I C H C O U N T Y D I D J I M M Y A D A M S P L A Y C R I C K E T
F O R F R O M 2 0 0 2 T O 2 0 1 8 ?
A S O M E R S E T
B . H A M P S H I R E
C Y O R K S H I R E
D S U R R E Y
2 ) H O W M A N Y C E N T U R I E S D I D H E S C O R E I N T H E
C O U R S E O F H I S C A R E E R ? A ) 1 2 B ) 2 9 C ) 4 1 D ) 2 0
3 ) W H A T W A S H I S H I G H E S T F I R S T - C L A S S C R I C K E T
S C O R E ? A ) 1 1 0 B ) 2 0 2 C ) 2 6 2 D ) 1 8 5
C H A R L I E M C C A I G ( 2 0 1 6 - 2 1 ) ( B )
4 ) W H I C H C H A M P I O N S H I P S I D E H A S
R U G B Y F O R T H I S Y E A R ?
A ) B E D F O R D B L U E S
B ) D O N C A S T E R K N I G H T S
C ) C O R N I S H P I R A T E S
D ) E A L I N G T R A I L F I N D E R S
5 ) O U T S I D E O F R U G B Y , W H A T S P O R T H A S
C O M P E T E D I N N A T I O N A L L Y ?
A ) J A V E L I N
B ) D I S C U S
C ) H I G H J U M P D ) 4 0 0 M
A ) U N I V
1 S T X V ?
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the following for their help with the magazine:
D R L U C K E T T
M R L E P O I D E V I N
M R S E N N E C K
M R T A T H A M
M R W B U C K L E Y
M I S S C L A Y T O N
M R S T U C K E R
M R G U Y
M R S C O R E R
M R R B U C K L E Y
M R H E N D E R S O N
M R S M I T H
M R K E E N
M R P A Y N E
D R M A N N I N G
M R W E A L E
M R B O Y D - W I L L I A M S
And to the following boys who have also helped or written pieces for this edition: Lucas T (U6f) Hamish K (U6d)
