Brentwoodian 2019

69 Cricket FIRST XI The 2nd XI cricket season started in spectacular fashion, with a 97 run loss to Bishop’s Stortford College. Despite this the team chemistry was strong, and morale was high. This performance was topped off by a hat-trick from James Willy. In the next game we saw a great improvement in the performance of the team, as we suffered a gut-wrenching 2 run loss to St Joseph’s in a 20/20 fixture. Max Scourfield, Gabe Austin and Seb Margiotta all chipped in with the bat, but the highlight of the game was undoubtedly Harry Gough’s unbeaten knock of 31 runs off 24 balls, almost leading us to victory, but unfortunately falling just short at the end. The next game was an exciting one, and no, I can’t believe it either, but the mighty 2nd XI won a game. It all started with Brentwood losing the toss, and the opposition Captain sending us into the field. We then witnessed some fine work from the bowlers, as Vishane Mendis took two quick wickets on his 2nd XI debut, and Henry Abbott and Seb Margiotta also added to their wicket tallies. SECOND XI We then finished the innings with some fantastic work in the field, including an incredible run out. It was then our turn to swing the bat around. We opened up with Harry Gough and Rahul Jindal, who put on a fantastic 100-run partnership, scoring 46 and 40* respectively, putting us in a brilliant position to win the game. Gough was then out caught attempting to play a big shot, and I came in to score 4* and help us get over the line to secure a 9-wicket victory. What a game! A fantastic season for the boys, despite the lacklustre record; a season that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. On behalf of everyone involved in the 2nd XI Cricket’s 2019 season, thank you to Mr Letts for his fantastic leadership and organisation throughout the season, as well as his respect for etiquette and hatred of ‘tracksuit umpiring’. By Thomas Adams The 1st team can look back at the 2019 cricket season with pride, as we brought silverware back to Middleton Road for the first time in a long time. The T20 County Cup and victories over Forest, St Joseph’s and Shenfield were the main highlights of the season. We would like to thank everyone for all the support we have been given, with particular shoutouts to Mr Mickelburgh and Mr Prior, for taking the side and making sure everything ran smoothly throughout the season. This season has seen a number of new players emerge and establish themselves. Henry Deacon, in his first full season for the team, was a consistent performer and his stylish stroke play regularly got us off to a flyer. Hassan Bajwa in his first year at the School, bowled with pace and venom with the new ball, and Rahul Jindal took some screamers and chewed up balls. Surya James is still yet to find a batsman that can pick his googly, and yet to find a pair of legs he can run with in the outfield. We have also seen some of the older players step up to more senior roles this year. Fifth Year, Jack Levy, was by far our stand out bowler. He bowled aggressively and economically throughout the season, and will no doubt be a legend in Brentwood School history of the next two years. It helps when you have someone who’s willing to feed you on the bowling machine for hours. Will Steinberg bowled fiercely before he broke his back in four different places. He then took up the role of scorer to finish the season, and his commitment to the School side has been impeccable. Thomas Ridgwell was economic throughout the season and would have had more wickets to his name if we had held our chances. T20 specialist, Robin Das, recorded the highlight of the season with a blistering 88 in front of a packed house at home in the Essex Cup semi-final against Forest. The standing ovation he received when he walked off the field will go down as a momentous occasion in Brentwood history. By Robin Das