School_Matters_Issue_35

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SENIOR CRICKET: PLAY STOPS PAIN, AT LAST! Having missed a season of school cricket in 2020, Wednesday 21 April 2021 marked a famous day in IPS sporting history as inter-school fixtures finally recommenced, and we began a “new normal” with pandemic containment measures still in place: sanitising breaks after six overs, no sharing of kit and, of course, the ‘forearm tap’ as opposed the customary handshakes before and after play. The 1st XI bubble of Sixth formers was captained by Tobias Ross, with Owen Thornbury as his deputy. The match, which pitted IPS against old foes Emanuel, proved to be a nail-biter. Owen Searle hit an impressive 61 not out and Emanuel were set a challenging 150 to win in 20 overs. Surely the odds in IPS’s favour? Not so. The opposition chased down the

The 1st XI back in action against Emanuel

total with alarming confidence until Ed Walsh Taylor’s dismissal of their attacking opener left just 23 required off the last three overs and provided a ray of hope. Economical bowling then saw it was ten off the final over, and finally an insuperable six off the last ball – a brilliant victory. Though playing was far more important than the outcome, Mr Brown praised the team’s committed approach which saw communication and competition in abundance, and bucket loads of enthusiasm.

the 1st XI. Although Ed Walsh-Taylor (20) and Luke Wootton (15) rallied towards the end, the 1st XI fell 6 runs short of victory. In the afternoon, having won the toss, Staff took the field against Parents. Another 50 for Mr Zotov and knocks from Mr Norris and Mr Rawes brought up a Parents’ total of 142/5. Cometh the hour, cometh the Deputy Headmaster. Mr Price smashed 39 off 27 balls. Then, through Mr Shaw and Mr Williams’ efforts, the Staff looked set to glide past the Parents’ total. Collapses, however, are all too common in this game! It was left to Mr Forbes to see the team over the line with a whopping six into the trees, much to the excitement of the nearby crowds and some startled dog walkers. The day’s climax was 1st XI v Staff XI. Tobias Ross, still reeling from the morning defeat, won the toss and elected to bat. At 29-2, perhaps the skipper was thinking he should have chosen differently. But Max Palmer was still at the middle and getting himself in. Ewan Searle, his partner for a time, assisted the scoring rate with 32 from 22 balls, demonstrating what a good all-rounder he is. Palmer, now confidently seeing the ball, found his moment and released numerous strokes on the Staff

XI, using his feet, moving backwards and forwards in the crease. Three reverse sweeps were cheered by the crowd as the chasing Staff collected from the grass. He finished the innings with two boundaries in his 67 from 58 balls. The Staff were on the back foot. Only Mr Walker (36) showing much defence against the attacking fielding on display from a re-energised 1st XI. This has been one of the team’s strengths this season. Olivia Daniels, Ed Walsh-Taylor and Oli Gaudoin all bowled tightly to ensure the Staff could never get away and close to the total. Wickets continued to tumble, and the Staff side was bowled out for 90, falling a number short. A trophy shared is a good day had by all. Many thanks to Mr Rawes and all the parents who took part in a day that is much anticipated at IPS and brings great pleasure to all. Many thanks to the UVI and all they have done for Cricket since S7: Ross, Daniels, Palmer, Thornbury, Wootton, Fanthorpe and Moore. You will be missed, but we look forward to a new fixture in 2022: 1st XI v Old Ibstonians (Stocks). Mr Richard Brown, Head of Cricket

CRICKET DAY The eighth edition of the IPS Cricket Day was hosted for the first time in the idyllic setting of Roehampton CC on Telegraph Road. The 1st XI won the toss and, on a rain- pounded pitch, put the Parent XI, captained by Mr James Rawes, into bat. Mr Rawes, partnered by Mr Rich Zotov, started watchfully, but made their intent clear before a stumping dismissed the skipper. Oli Gaudoin was the bowler and Max Palmer the keeper. Mr David Turcan came to the crease and proceeded to put the IPS attack to the sword in a partnership of 70 runs with Zotov. A total in excess of 120 looked possible but the parents had not accounted for Thomas Welton. His three wickets, including his father’s, helped reduce the Parents to 116/5 in 20 overs. Some “interesting” running between the wickets from the 1st XI caused an early wobble before Owen Thornbury scored a run-a-ball 35 to assert the youngsters over their elders. Wickets were shared around the parents as they continued to thwart