SPORTS

After a 2020 sports season that was severely curtailed, it was wonderful to be playing both inter-school and House matches once more and, towards the end of the term, to have good numbers of spectators attending the fixtures.

Cricket was back in full swing, with Tonbridge fielding five First Year teams, three in the Second Year, three ‘Colts’ teams in the Third Year and no fewer than seven teams across the Sixth Form. There was a lively programme of House matches, while the School had plenty of success in the inter-school cup competitions.

The U16As had a fine win against Harrow in the ESCA National Cup South Final. The U15As matched this success with a win in the Kent (Miskin) Cup Final, while the U14As reached the final of the Kent (Oliver) Cup, to be played in September. The First XI competed in Finals Day in the HMC T20 National competition.

* We’re looking forward to a busy sports programme in the Michaelmas Term, which will include inter-school fixtures in rugby, football, badminton and fencing. In addition, boys will be competing in swimming, sailing and shooting tournaments, and in the Rackets National Schools’ Championship.

Congratulations from all at Tonbridge to Zac Nwogwugwu (HS4), who broke the School’s Senior 100m record with a recorded time of 10.81s in a race at Bromley on 6 June.

House Athletics

The Summer Term saw the welcome return of House Athletics, one of the School’s most popular and enjoyable events.

Smythe House retained the House Athletics trophy from 2019, hugely aided by their strength in the Juniors but especially on the track.

Overall House Cup:

1 Smythe – 383

2 Park – 361

3 Welldon – 338

4 Hillside – 310

5= Ferox – 297

5= School – 297

Folarin Babalola (JH5) achieved an amazing combination of first in each of 100m, Long Jump (in which he matched the long-standing Senior record) and Shot Put.

Freddie Nicholson (WH3) and Jimi Adesanya (PH1) were the Best Athletes in Inter and Junior age categories.

At the end of what has been a very successful 2021 season for the Juniors (U15), Subomi Kolaojo (PS1) broke the 26-year Triple Jump record with an impressive new mark of 12.13m. That event turned out to be easily the most hard-fought, with Zuriel Nwogwugwu (HS1) and Hamish Taylor (SH1) both also breaking the old record.

The following boys were awarded their Shooting Colours this term for their outstanding contribution to the School Shooting Club:

William Kingston (OH5) was Shooting Club Rifle Captain this year and was selected for, and shot for, England Schools.

Alex Von Torklus (PH5) was selected for, and shot for, England Schools.

Alex Johnson (FH5) was the Club Clay Target Captain this year.

Alex Laidlaw (CH5) was the highest scoring boy on the Club Leader board.