Blue and Gold returns for 2025 and what a start to the year it has been! So, what has been happening?
School House and Lyon House came out as victors of the Senior and Junior House Indoor Cricket competitions respectively. These successes add to their victories in the House Rugby: School won the Colts competition, Lyon the Seniors. House Cross Country awaits after Half Term - who will take home the victory?
The 1st XI Cricket Squad received a masterclass with former Sri Lanka, South Africa and Ireland Head Coach, Graham Ford.
The Badminton Squad have reached the Regional Finals as victories have grown in frequency across all the pitches. The penultimate edition of Blue and Gold with the current Upper Sixth Editors is bigger and better than ever, largely due to the success of the boys! We hope the legacy of this magazine can carry on after we leave and sport at Sherborne can continually be celebrated. Have a great Half Term and brace yourselves for more and more success as Summer creeps out from the January doom and gloom!
Will T (U6d), Chief Editor
HENRY HOLME (U6B)
The Captain of Football and one of the Blue and Gold Editors shares his sporting experiences at Sherborne.
Interview by Will T (U6d)
is your favourite moment on the field for Sherborne?
e it has to be the game under against Bryanston last year. ime you play a big rival of the l it’s a big game but having ns and the songs added to the on. It was a great game, end , and, whilst we lost, I loved minute. I was doing what I with the support of the l, what’s not to love?
was last term’s preparation for m?
mprovements across training ity, team culture and etitiveness in matches was crystal clear It was great to bond he squad moving forward is term.
as the season started?
een so enjoyable to get back otball with everyone there g football as the main sport m, alongside hockey, the s gone from strength to h. There is loads of tition across the pitch and results haven’t quite gone y the level of effort and tment shown has been g!
What are you most looking forward to in the second half of the season?
Winning lots of games! Alongside that I can’t wait to show off how good football at Sherborne is
How have you found the role of captaincy?
I have loved it, having played football throughout my time at Sherborne it feels so good to give something back to the programme. I have been forced to be quite switched on, often being asked the plan for various age groups but it has been great fun!
Do you see yourself involved in sport in the future, and, if so, in what capacity?
I would love to keep my sport going and I will definitely play football at University I will try and do some coaching over the next few years but I am sure football will always be a part of my life.
Why is sport important to you?
I think sport is so important as it gives me a break from everything else. I love sport as, when playing it, it demands my full focus and I can forget about everything else for two hours or so. It is also good for you and great fun, which is often overlooked. What’s better than enjoying yourself with your mates after all?
What is your Big Message?
Keep pushing yourself in whatever sport you enjoy. There are so many opportunities at Sherborne so make the most of them. Find the sport or sports that you love and keep going with them. Take the ups and downs as they come but keep enjoying yourself.
Monmouth - 2
Sherborne JCB - 4
Sherborne JCB delivered an outstanding performance in their match against Monmouth, showcasing energy, skill, and teamwork from the outset The first half saw Sherborne start with intensity, moving the ball with speed and precision while pressing effectively in the top and middle thirds of the pitch. This high-tempo play and relentless pressure left Monmouth struggling to gain a foothold, and Sherborne capitalised superbly with four expertly finished goals. Charlie K (4d) demonstrated his clinical finishing with two well-taken strikes, while Theo G (4m) matched his efforts with two impressive goals of his own, highlighting the team’s attacking prowess. In the second half, Sherborne continued to dominate, dictating the pace and producing some of their most fluent and creative football of the match Although no further goals were added, the team’s control and cohesion were evident throughout, with every player contributing to an excellent display Sherborne’s ability to maintain their dominance while staying composed and disciplined underscored the quality of their performance. This match highlighted the team’s potential, with their combination of attacking flair and defensive organisation setting a high standard. A superb all-round effort from Sherborne JCB, leaving spectators and coaches alike thoroughly impressed
A Masterstroke of Literary Fiction: Cricket in Netherland by Joseph O’Neill
I hope, dear B&G reader, that you might forgive a crude simile, but Joseph O’Neill’s novel Netherland really is a bit like a cricket match. Though it doesn’t have the muscular ebbs and breathless flows of an Ashes Lord’s Test. Neither does it have the explosive glitz and saccharine glamour of a franchise T20 game under floodlights. Rather, it lurches and spasms like a Sunday league club match. And it is all the better for it. This 2008 Booker Prize-longlisted gem weaves the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of a unique sporting culture through an entertaining meditation on 21st-century community and identity.
O’Neill’s elusive protagonist-narrator, Hans van den Broek, is a Dutch expatriate living in New York. He grapples with the disintegration of his marriage, the dislocation of being a stranger in a new city, and an overbearing sense of alienation from a world he doesn’t understand. Abandoned after his wife, Rachel, decamps to London with their young son, Hans finds himself in a state of existential drift, working all hours as an equities analyst in the rotten core of the Big Apple, over which the spectre of 9/11 hangs heavy. Left to his own devices, and following a chance encounter with a taxi driver’s cricket bat, he falls in with a dissolute group who play cricket in the city’s forgotten spaces. Hans quickly becomes immersed in a vibrant, multicultural cricket community in Staten Island, where immigrant players from South Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond come together to share their passion for the game. And within this context, cricket emerges as a vital lifeline.
O’Neill’s description of the characters that make up the Staten Island cricket team resonated with me. Years ago, I got chatting to a senior Punjabi gentleman on a London Underground station platform, and I ended up playing a couple of seasons for the Sunday league club side he helped to manage. We were a frayed patchwork rabble of English, Indian, Sri Lankan, Irish, Caribbean, South African, and Australian players—different ages and levels of experience. I fondly recall the moments before each game when we would all change into our whites, updating each other on life developments from the past week and excitedly discussing today’s game. Who was going to take the first over? Who’s been finding a bit of form? Could we get away with three slips?
The novel’s cricket scenes illuminate the sport’s beauty, power, subtlety, and artistry while remaining fully aware of its ridiculousness. Passages of weightless tension are punctuated by moments of high intensity and haphazard, gentle surrealism. O’Neill captures the breath-like centripetal pull and centrifugal push of the fielding team; the spiky fizz, bovine bray, and slippery sledge of the on-field camaraderie; the strange language (short leg? fine leg? deep square leg? silly mid-on?); and, critically, the unspoken communication within its rituals. For readers familiar with cricket, these moments in the novel are a joyful celebration of its inner workings and fascinating psychology.
It is an unavoidable fact that cricket still wears the indelible stain of its colonial history. Yet it is also a game that transcends borders. Through Hans’s interactions with the memorable character of Chuck Ramkissoon, Netherland becomes a novel about the tidal sway of hope and hubris, grief and joy, longing and resignation within the immigrant experience. Chuck is a charismatic Trinidadian visionary, a dreamer and a schemer, riddled with contradiction. He umpires the Staten Island games and talks of popularizing cricket in America and getting rich in the process. He envisions a cricket stadium on the Brooklyn waterfront, believing it will not only make him wealthy but also restore a sense of belonging to the city’s cricket-loving immigrants. Hans is drawn to him, not because he believes in Chuck’s vision, but because he senses he may have found something— anything—to fill the void. Chuck’s boundless optimism and eventual downfall offer Hans, and by extension the reader, some of the novel’s central questions about our human capacity for resilience and reinvention. O’Neill’s treatment of cricket has an emotional resonance. The game is not portrayed merely as an escape from reality but rather as a microcosm of it—a space where life’s triumphs and disappointments can play out in miniature. More than just a backdrop, cricket becomes a safe place from which Hans can reflect upon other aspects of his lived experience, achieving a deeper, more generous understanding of the world and his place within it.
And this, perhaps, is the thing. Sport is complicated – simultaneously superficial and profound.
On one hand, sport is so obviously ridiculous—a panoply of gamified simulacra of our bloodthirsty gladiatorial pasts. It often reflects the worst of us. And in its professional guise, it can become a grotesquely commodified, vacuum-packed pantomime—all sweet, but no bitter; all flavour, but zero nutritional value; all surface, but little substance—far removed from the ‘spirit of the game’ to which amateur enthusiasts, rightly or wrongly, lay claim.
But then on the other hand, people are also ridiculous. We love the spectacle. We love the stories We love the pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! We love witnessing superhuman feats of skill and strategic execution the snatching of defeat from the jaws of victory! The fireworks! The mercurial individual. The warrior auteur. The plucky newcomer. The canny old operator It so often reflects the best of us And we love the sense of belonging that our understanding of the complex rules and regulations lends us. It didn’t pitch in line! He never grounded his bat! It was slipping down! Bump ball!
So perhaps the magic lies somewhere in between these two positions and this is where Netherland activates the reader That strange sense of belonging that a sporting community can offer us, whether through playing or spectating, is precious, if we allow it to be. For anyone who loves a good yarn, the game of cricket, or simply the playful exploration of what it means to belong, Netherland will hit a sweet spot So I recommend it in the hope that it might inspire you to make whichever sport does it for you a part of your life long after you have left the green and pleasant pastures of our very own blue and gold arena.
A young Sherborne team headed off to Blundell’s with cold hands and postChristmas rust. Fortunately, our opponents had the same struggles; our seniors produced a convincing win in every single game, with Blundell's unable to get on the scoresheet in some cases. Whilst the juniors had more difficulties, they still came out on top, with a promising performance from the new debutants A resounding win to start the season
The West of England tournament promised tougher opposition, and so it transpired. The knock-out format meant that our players often struggled to progress in the tournament. Jordan 'General' G (L6e) won his first game with some ruthless and flamboyant play, before meeting his demise at the hands of the 1st seed and eventual winner (who incidentally was also U18 and U25 national champion). On his path to victory, he only conceded one point across 9 games (which are played to 15 points) - a phenomenal performance. Johnny M (L6c) was dropped into the second round as a seeded player but lost to the clinical play of St Paul's No.2 - who would later win the Doubles final. A baptism of fire for our newer and older players alikebut valuable lessons learnt.
To complete the trifecta, our seniors fought a closely contested match with the RFA (Rugby Fives Association). Organised into three pairs (on strength), the 1st pair managed to evenly battle their strongest in two close games (11-6, 8-11), despite some unforced errors on my part. The opposition dropped off somewhat after their 1st pair, and this was reflected in dominant performances from the other boys, particularly from a fired-up Tom M (L6c) in the 2nd pair and Archie S-B (L6f) in the 3rd (11-4,11-4). We consolidated our overall win with some excellent performances in the singles with Will H (L6e) securing a tight victory (11-9) and Johnny M (L6c) finally finding his (missing) form with an untroubled win (11-4).
Overall, a good start to the term for a very young team, securing wins in the majority of matches, despite a lack of U6 experience in the squad. Onwards and upwards!
Johnny M (L6c)
GRAHAM FORD
Head Coach of South Africa, ka, Ireland, Surrey and Kent s his memories of Malcom ll and how to make it at the elite level…
Interview by Will T (U6d) with questions from Jordan G (L6e) and Fergus O’C (5c)
Can you please tell us a bit about your career; where you have coached and why cricket?
I was a passionate young cricketer and did pretty well at school. From here I played a few First Class games in Durban for Natal. Then it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. I was identified as a possible coach and became Natal’s Head Coach Unsurprisingly, a team with the likes of Malcom Marshall, Jonty Rhodes and Clive Rice, all international Test Cricketers, did very well. The success of Natal meant that the next step was coaching the South African National Team. I then have gone on to coach Sri Lanka twice, Ireland, Kent, Surrey and a few franchise teams, most recently in a T10 league, learning so much along the way.
You have coached some greats of the game but who stands out as the best player you have ever coached?
From a bowling perspective I absolutely loved watching Malcom Marshall bowl and it was a pleasure to coach him. I worked primarily with batters and so I’m going to have to give you three names. The three I would say are Kumar Sangakkara, Kevin Pietersen and Jacques Kallis.
How important is a good team culture in the success of a team?
Very important. For me, the best teams I have worked with have a brilliant culture, but a culture that is led by the players themselves.
How important are the off-field works around fitness, psychology and diet?
Good question! Simply put, it is very important. The most important is fitness and if you work really hard on your fitness you can get away with your diet not being perfect. I know many players who have been very strict on diet, another massive aid. Finally, concerning the mental game I think it goes hand in hand with fitness. If you train hard off the pitch and fight through tough periods there, you will be able to get through the long days and tough periods of failure on the pitch.
What are the main attributes of a professional sportsperson?
First and foremost you have to work so hard, harder than most people expect. You have to be able to put in the extra yards whether it’s getting up early to run or taking any chance to get an extra session in. Secondly, you have to have the desire and the want to become a professional, this will make the hard work easier. Because skill becomes less of a deciding factor the higher you climb, the hard work is key.
What is your big message to boys at Sherborne around sport and reaching the next level?
If you have the desire to get to the next level work extremely hard and take every opportunity given to you. You also need a form of controlled arrogance. You need to be able to walk out at Lord’s thinking “ everyone is here to watch me entertain”. If you fear failure you will fail so controlled arrogance is key.
Graham Ford Playing Career Statistics
Teams Represented: Natal B
First Class:
7 Matches, 162 runs @ 13.50.
SHERBORNE’S FAVOURITE SPORTSPERSON
For this edition of Blue and Gold we asked the boys who their Favourite Sportsperson is. 62 boys (and one Housemaster) answered our call.
It was lovely to see some boys name other Shirburnians, whether it be friends or older boys, as their favourite sportsperson with Barney H (U6e), Ben L (L6a), Bryden L (L6e), Edwin L (L6e), Jamie G (U6g), Jamie H (5b), Oli B (5g), Thomas L (U6e) and Freddie W (5d) all receiving mentions. Tom Carr-Smith (m20) sharing the honours with Antione Dupont for Teddy C’s (4f) vote.
A plethora of sports were represented but Bukayo Saka and Carlos Alcaraz shared the honours with three votes each. Other notable mentions go to Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Smith and Henry Pollock who all received two votes. Emma Raducanu’s US Open heroics live long in Cedric v S’s (5a) memory with Mr Scorer identifying Sir Steve Redgrave as his favourite sportsperson.
Thank you to all who filled out the form and a massive thanks to Oscar T (5b) for writing an extended piece on Tommy Fleetwood for this edition; do give it a read, it is brilliant!
Will T (U6d)
My Favourite Sportsperson - Tommy Fleetwood
When it comes to sporting heroes, no one inspires me quite like Tommy Fleetwood A true embodiment of perseverance, passion, and humility, Fleetwood has carved out a name for himself in the world of golf with his unmistakable talent and unwavering dedication. Born in Southport, England, Fleetwood has become one of the most consistent and respected golfers on the professional circuit, showcasing his brilliance on courses around the world.
What makes Fleetwood my favourite sportsperson isn’t just his ability to strike a golf ball with precision or his consistency with his signature mini driver. It’s his attitude. He can always be seen talking and interacting with fans in tournaments and just on the range, showing a genuine love for the game. His journey hasn’t been without setbacks, but his resilience has been admirable. From struggling with form in his early career to bouncing back and becoming a Ryder Cup hero, Fleetwood’s rise has been nothing short of inspirational.
Some of my best memories of Fleetwood’s achievements include his sensational 63 in the final round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Watching him tear through one of golf’s toughest courses with near-perfection was mesmerizing While he narrowly missed out on the title, his performance cemented him as one of the game’s elite players. Another unforgettable moment was his partnership with Francesco Molinari in the 2018 Ryder Cup. The duo, affectionately known as ‘Moliwood,’ went undefeated in their matches, playing a pivotal role in securing Europe’s victory over the United States.
Beyond his on-course heroics, Fleetwood’s outlook on life and golf is something to admire. He often emphasizes patience, self-belief, and hard work qualities that any aspiring golfer or sports enthusiast can learn from Whether it’s his impeccable ball-striking, his sportsmanship, or his inspiring journey, Tommy Fleetwood continues to be a role model in the world of sport
Oscar T (5b)
Meet the Editors
See what Will T (U6d), Charlie T (U6d) and Thomas L (U6e) have to say about their heroes and favourite sporting moments at Sherborne…
What sports have you played at Sherborne and to what level?
WT: I have played a plethora of sports at Sherborne having played Golf, Hockey and Cricket competitively alongside recreational Fives and Swimming. I have represented the 1XI in both Hockey and Cricket.
TL: I have played Rugby for the 3XV and Hockey for the 2XV during my time here. I have also done Athletics and CrossCountry to a decent standard here. CT: I have been lucky enough to play Hockey, Football and Cricket at Sherborne. I played in 1XI for Football and the undefeated 2XI for Hockey
Who is your sporting hero?
WT: As a cricketer I have to say Joe Root. His class and elegance as a batsmen is unmatched at the moment or by any Englishman before him, in my eyes.
TL: Those who know me are aware that I'm a big fan of my combat sports, especially MMA and the UFC. My Sporting hero is Max "Blessed" Holloway; his upbringing, journey, and story in becoming the best in the world is inspiring beyond belief, not only that but he's fighting style is based upon excellent cardio and he pushes a pace which no one else can keep up with.
CT: My sporting hero has to be Tom Cairney (Fulham captain) due to his dedication to Fulham and being a role model for Fulham fans and players alike. I look up to him the most, not just because he is a Fulham player, but because of his loyalty to Fulham for almost a decade, having gone through multiple promotions and relegations. This has inspired me massively to stick with what I love.
What is your favourite school sporting moment?
WT: Last summer’s home 50-over game against Canford. By younger brother, JP (4d) took five wickets and I fell narrowly short of a century, scoring 98.
TL: Slightly cheap option but when I finished my 400km in 4 days challenge almost the entire school came out to the courts to watch the finish, that moment was special. It's hard to explain because I never expected to have a moment like that when I joined Sherborne back in 3rd form.
CT: My favourite school sports moment has to be going undefeated last year in the 2nds hockey team. We managed to fight for big results especially turning down a 3 goal deficit to draw 4-4 with Millfield.
What are your sporting goals for the future?
WT: Like every young cricketer I still want to become a professional cricketer however, I know the chances are small. Realistically, I would love to be involved in sports journalism and coaching when I grow up. Whatever I end up doing I will be involved in sport.
TL: Dreaming big I would like to continue challenging myself. My future challenge ideas include Iron Mans and 700km in 7 days. I also want to continue playing grassroots rugby.
CT: My sporting goals for the future are to carry on playing Football and Hockey for my local teams to be able to use the experience I have been given from playing such high-level sports at Sherborne
Summarise sport at Sherborne in three words.
WT: Full of opportunities.
TL: Competitive, cultural, togetherness.
CT: Exciting, challenging, fun.
Barton Peveril - 0
Sherborne 1st XI - 3
Round One of the National U18 Cup saw Sherborne hosting Barton Peveril College. Going into the match we had little to no knowledge of the opposition, whether it be results, tactics or key players Coming off the back of a 2-2 draw against Dauntsey’s and two games following, being a cup game only heightened the stakes. Sherborne started well however, Barton’s key midfield players allowed them to get a foothold in the game early on. As the first half pressed on Sherborne’s attack grew stronger and stronger and despite getting close on numerous occasions, a touch being all that was needed, the game remained level Sherborne’s luck would change, however, after they were awarded their first short corner, Jamie G (U6g) stepping up to take the flick. Despite a good save from Barton’s keeper it was parried into the path of Will T (U6d), who directed the ball off the keeper into the goal, breaking the deadlock. From this point on, Sherborne dominated the 1st half and chances flowed. Shortly after the first a lovely Sherborne move left Charlie D (L6m), on debut, open in the middle of the D, with the keeper beaten, only one defender remained, scrambling to the goal line; Charlie took his chance beautifully, doubling Sherborne’s lead. As half-time neared Sherborne continued to pile on the chances, sweeping up loose balls and, with the help of Charlie W (L6m) and the back line, keeping their goal unbroken, entering the break with a 2-0 lead.
Many, whether supporters or players, would have been worried about a Dauntsey’s-esque situation occurring once again. A 2 goal lead wasn’t enough to hold off Dauntsey’s, was it enough to hold off Barton?
The second half started well for Sherborne as they continued to squeeze Barton’s defence. Barton however, were not going to go down without a fight and had, themselves, ample opportunity to get back into the game. A combination of tidy defending and some top saves from Charlie W (L6m) helped Sherborne maintain their lead. Equally, Sherborne struggled to put away their chances; on another day the scoreline could have been a lot harsher on Barton As tensions began to spark and an accumulation of bad tackles led to Sherborne being dealt a green card, but a swift counter attack saw Stan H (L6d) against the keeper, a tidy finish giving Sherborne a 3-0 lead.
Despite a late onslaught from Barton’s attack, Sherborne’s defence remained strong, highlighted by Jamie G’s (U6g) brilliant short-corner defence late on, and managed to hold on to a clean sheet. The game ended 3-0 in Sherborne’s favour, a second round cup draw to follow Myles B-H’s (U6e) brilliant control of the midfield gained him Man of the Match
Will T (U6d)
2019 - THAT SUMMER!
‘You cannot do that Ben Stokes!’, Nasser Hussain exclaimed on commentary as Stokes pulled off a spectacular overhead catch on the boundary in the first game of the ICC Cricket World Cup against South Africa. It was the first glimpse of what Stokes would offer English cricket in a summer marked by World Cup success, Ashes drama and, in my opinion, the most deserving Sports Personality of the Year winner in the last 10 years. Sky aptly made a documentary entitled ‘The Summer of Stokes’ and rarely has cricket, or sport itself, seen such a dramatic impact made, by one player, over one home season.
For cricket fans, whether English, Australian or neutral, Ashes summers have a buzz unlike many sporting occasions. Add to this - for English cricket watchers especially - a home World Cup, with England top of the world rankings, having dominated ODI cricket since the debacle in 2015, the sense of anticipation, optimism and excitement was palpable.
The home summer began with a victory in a oneoff T20 against Pakistan, before five ODIs were to be played in preparation for the World Cup. For old-school cricket lovers, one T20 in the entirety of the summer, filled with 50-over and Test Cricket, the summer was set to be magical, and magical it was. Despite the first ODI being rained off, England won the next four, Jason Roy leading the run-scoring charts scoring two fifties and a century and Chris Woakes the only player to breach double figures with ten wickets. The preparation was done and it was The Oval that would open its doors for the first game of the World Cup.
The round-robin, league format of the early stages, from an English perspective, was epitomised by Stokes’ catch against South Africa and captain Eoin Morgan’s blistering 148 against Afghanistan, an innings which broke the record for most 6s in an ODI innings by one player. However, despite remarkable instances, consistency was a slight problem, defeats meaning England finished 3rd in the group, giving them an unfavourable draw against Australia, to whom they had lost in the early stages, in the Semi Final. The game against Australia was more one-sided than all could imagine. Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid took three wickets each as the Aussies were dismissed for a belowpar 223, a total England knocked off in short order, spearheaded by Jason Roy’s 85 With New Zealand’s victory over India, Lords would host the Final between New Zealand and England, with a new name guaranteed on the trophy.
A gloomy day and a green seamer at Lords welcomed both sides on July 14th. Three wickets for both Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes helped restrict New Zealand to 241, meaning England would need 242 to win. However, as the half way point grew ever closer, England were reeling at 86-4. With Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler at the crease England had hope, the pair putting on 110 for the 5th wicket before substitute fielder, Tim Southee, took an excellent catch running in from the boundary. Still requiring 46 with only 31 balls remaining Stokes turned the screw and, with luck on his side, began to pepper the boundary. “Fortune favours the brave”. The saying was epitomised by the ball deflecting off Stokes’ bat, as he dived to make his ground, and running to the boundary, leaving a wry smile on the face of the New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, as six runs was signalled. However, England could only manage 241. With the scores level it was time for a Super Over.
Stokes and Buttler, the saviours of England’s innings, came out to face Trent Boult. Stokes and Buttler both hit boundaries as England amassed a strong 15 off the over.
New Zealand would need 16 to win, 15 would give England the victory as they scored more boundaries in the first innings than New Zealand did, a rule abolished shortly after the 2019 World Cup.
Jimmy Neesham and Martin Guptill faced up to Jofra Archer, Neesham despatching the second legal delivery into the stands. Unsurprisingly, given the way the game had gone, it came down to ‘the barest of all margins’, Martin Guptill, needing two off the last ball for victory, run out short of his ground. New Zealand had scored 15, England had won on boundaries and Stokes, with 84*, claimed Man of the Match.
‘The Summer of Stokes’ was in full flow Next up, The Ashes
England were smashed in the First Test, whilst Stokes’ 115* was not enough to give England victory in the rain affected drawn Second Test. Headingly would host the Third Test and Australia arrived knowing a win would mean that they retained the urn, having won it in 2017-2018.
After bowling Australia out for 179 in the 1st innings, England were skittled for 67. Stokes would, once again, show his class, bowling a mammoth spell, totalling 24.2 overs in the second Australian innings and taking three vital wickets. England would require 359 to win, and keep the Ashes alive; we all know what happened next…
Stokes scored a masterful 135*, putting on 76 with Jack Leach for the last wicket, Leach scored 1* off 17 balls Sir Alastair Cook hailed it the ‘greatest innings ever played by an Englishman’, and that it was. Full of class, power, resilience, and, of course, some good luck, it kept the Ashes alive. Stokes would score another halfcentury, in the final innings of the series, helping England win at the Oval and, despite not winning the urn, they drew the series.
A World Cup victory, a 2-2 Ashes Series (which could, and probably would, have been 3-2 to England if rain had not won at Lord’s) marked a very succesful summer for English cricket, the spearhead, Ben Stokes. Whenever he was needed, he stepped up, a born match-winner, a fighter and, most importantly, an unbelievable cricketer. He was rewarded with Sports Personality of the Year and the lack of cricket being shown on terrestrial television made this feat even more special.
For me, 2019 will always be remembered as ‘That Summer’ Whether it be the image of Jack Leach cleaning his glasses at Headingly, or Buttler diving into the stumps to run out Guptill, or Stokes cutting Pat Cummins through the covers to win the Third Test at Headingly; the summer of 2019 will live long in my memory, for all the right reasons…
Will T (U6d)
Tips from the Top
Mr Williams and Mr Blades give their top tips around S&C and Nutrition in sport.
What are the major benefits of using the gyms at Sherborne?
is diet and cardiovascular conditioning alongside lifting weights in the gym?
What are the biggest misconceptions around gym?
How would sport-specific programmes differ to other gym programmes (general strength...)?
What are your top 3 dos and do nots around gym use?
Q1 - The ability to have the gym on site is massively beneficial for all staff and students. It gives you the perfect opportunity either early morning or evening to train, offering you the perfect chance to train and succeed academically.
Q2 - The mixture of cardio and weight training is a really nice blend of two important components to help you physically develop. Given the amount of sport that is played at the school it’s really important that we train both of these for sporting success alongside benefiting your own physical health. Diet is a really key component to help your physical training whether it’s for increasing physical size or improving body composition it is a massive factor in helping us feel and look they way we would like to. We are really lucky to have a nutritionist Mr Blades at the school who helps lots of the students here at Sherborne so if you get a chance to have a conversation with him please do, he's always happy to help.
Q3 - That chasing a pump is good training, although it feels great at the time it doesn't hold much purpose other that just a feeling.
Q4 - With sport specific programmes, the aim is to help physically develop you for the sport you play, the training is about developing characteristics like speed, power, strength, rate of force development and more to help sports performers unlock these so they can excel through the use of data, science and research. Generic gym training in most cases looks to develop for aesthetic purposes, although both will aim to develop some similar characteristics at points, sport specific will change for what point of season you are in.
Q5 - Dos
1 - Ask for help - everyone started somewhere and some people will know more than you do so don't be afraid to ask if you don't know what to do or how to start.
2 - Help others - we have all started somewhere in our gym journey and know what its like to be new so if you see someone who looks lost or is struggling don't be afraid to offer a hand.
3 - If you have the chance to use a coach use one - having someone to coach you is really beneficial: it keeps you honest, helps you progress and will help you problem solve as you go.
Do Nots
1 - Don't take your ego in with you - regardless if you've trained for years or think you are the strongest or the most knowledgeable.
2 - Put your weights away - whether its a home gym or a public gym everyone should put weights back properly, if you're strong enough to lift it you're strong enough to put it back.
3 - Don't wait for motivation to start training, its a by-product of when you have completed it.
Mr Williams (S&C)
Eat to Perform Not Just to Train:
Nutrition isn't about what you eat before a workout, it's about your lifestyle and habits around food intake. You have to understand and know what it is your body needs. Balancing carbs, protein and fats around your activity levels. Example is periodising your carbohydrates to be higher on high exertion days and adjusting them on lighter ones.
Master the Basics before Supplements:
Supplements are designed to boost particular nutrient content of your diet whether they be a number of these or not. Eating a range of foods that are multi-nutrient provides more bang for their buck! Supplements will not fix a poor diet and should be an addition to an existing plan. Prioritise whole foods and structured meal timing before looking into supplements. Considering supplements should only be done with a professional in the field and any supplement you take should be third party tested and verified such as those on Informed Sport!
Hydration is a performance tool!
Even a 1% or 2% loss in water (dehydration) can impact performance from both a physical and cognitive state. Aim for clear to pale yellow urine as a hydration check. Where needed use electrolytes with strategy considering your training load, sweat rate and the environment.
Mr Blades (Nutrition)
Team of the Week
See which teams Mr Jamieson, and the boys, named as the ‘Team of the Week’ for each week this term...
Hockey U15A (Cup win vs Dauntsey's).
Junior Colts A Football (Last minute winner vs Monmouth)
Hockey 2nd XI (5-1 victory against Claysemore)
Badminton (Regional Finals)
Football 4XI (10-0 win over Milton Abbey - voted in assembly)
Quiz
The Philadelphia Eagles stopped which team winning their third consecutive Super Bowl?
1. Which Australian batter scored his 36th Test Century against Sri Lanka in the Second Test? 2. Who knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup? 3. Which team is sitting bottom of the Six Nations with 1 point after two rounds? 4. Which Formula One team does Lando Norris represent? 5.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the following for their help with the magazine:
M R L E P O I D E V I N
M I S S C L A Y T O N
M I S S T U C K E R
M R J A M I E S O N
M R T A T H A M
M R W B U C K L E Y
M R W I L L I A M S
M R B L A D E S
M R S C O R E R
M S A L L E N
M R G U Y
M R R B U C K L E Y
M R W E A L E
M R S M I T H
D R M A N N I N G
M R K E E N
M R E W A R T - S M I T H
M R H E N D E R S O N
G R A H A M F O R D
And to the following boys who have also helped or written pieces for this edition:
