It has been a tremendous season of cricket, with pupils across the school showing commitment, progress and real enjoyment in representing Packwood. There have been some excellent team achievements, including the U13A Boys finishing as runners-up at The Downs, Malvern Sixes. At the Wrekin Sixes, the U11 Girls, U11 Boys and U13 Boys all finished in third place – a particularly impressive result for the U13 Boys’ team which was made up of Form 6/7 pupils who were competing against much older players.
The U13A Boys enjoyed a successful season on the cricket field, despite not having quite as full a fixture list as some other year groups due to exams and trips. The side was well captained throughout by George and Gabe, who led with maturity and set a positive tone for the team. Junius deserves special mention for playing First Team cricket and taking his first wicket, a well-earned reward for all the hard work he put in over the winter. He also celebrated hitting his first ever six, a memorable moment in his cricketing journey.
The U12 Bunbury Cup season produced several outstanding individual performances and, despite the disappointment of losing in the Shropshire Finals, the team can be extremely proud of the cricket they played throughout the competition. Kyle took a superb five-wicket haul against Oswestry School before later starring with the bat against Ellesmere College by hitting 68 not out from just 25 balls. The Ellesmere College match also saw Harrison make a brilliant 70 not out after the team had been 2-1, with Jacob adding a valuable 34 in the same innings. Archie contributed with two wickets in three balls, while Albert bowled superbly, taking two wickets for just nine runs.
The U11 Boys also produced some excellent cricket across the term. With the ball, Finley’s two wickets for just three runs against SCB was a real highlight. He bowled with accuracy throughout the season and developed the very useful habit of getting top-order batters out. Tom B and Finley also deserve credit for their batting performances against Wrekin Prep, with Tom retiring on 30 and Finley doing so twice. In the field, Archie produced an outstanding reflex catch to dismiss his opponent in the SCB game.
Across the wider cricket programme, it has been wonderful to see so many pupils grow in confidence and skill. Jayden and Olivia have made excellent progress and are both developing into promising cricketers. Olivia’s hat-trick against Wrekin College was a superb moment, while Josephine being awarded the opposition’s best batter by Prestfelde in only her second ever match was a fantastic achievement. Sophie has made excellent progress as a wicketkeeper and stands out for how well she listens to advice. It has also been pleasing to see both Isis and Sophie taking the gloves and making great strides in that role.
There were plenty of memorable moments with bat and ball. Albert’s first six followed immediately by another, brought huge joy to everyone watching. Léon scored three sixes in one over against Wrekin College and then repeated the feat by hitting three sixes in a row in Sixes cricket. Maxime showed great composure to hit his first four and secure the win against Prestfelde, while Bart took three wickets in the same fixture. Henry P-S produced a thrilling final over for the U11C team against Wrekin Prep B, hitting three sixes, a four and another four runs to bring the team within just three runs of victory.
The season also produced some superb moments in the field and under pressure. Hugo’s performance against Prestfelde was outstanding, with a worldie catch, a run-out and a wicket maiden. Albie held his nerve brilliantly when bowling the death over against Prestfelde, taking a wicket and securing the win for the U13D squad. George W, playing for the U11D team, took three wickets in his very first over, a wonderful achievement and surely a moment he will remember for a long time.
Leadership and attitude have also been real strengths this season. Arthur T deserves great credit for his captaincy of the U13D squad, showing growing maturity and setting high standards for his team. Martha J has also made excellent progress, growing hugely in confidence and bowling with increasing skill. She was an outstanding captain against Prestfelde, staying positive throughout the match with every player. Her independent fielding decisions had a direct impact on the game and resulted in two wickets, showing just how far she has come since the start of the season.
Special mentions should also go to Nacho, Yuna and Emma, who have all improved their individual games over the course of the term. There was even room for a staff highlight, with Mr Ford insisting that his cover drive in the parents’ match was one of the special moments of the season.
The U11 Girls have shown real teamwork this season, where the sum of the parts has been greater than the individuals. Martha P has been reliable with both bat and ball and has been a role model for all. All of the U11A girls progressed confidently into hardball cricket, while the U11B team made clear improvements in their individual skills. This was particularly evident in the Sixes cricket softball finals, where the girls outshone the boys. Sienna proved that she has become a reliable wicketkeeper, while Ottilie hit boundary after boundary with confidence and determination.
The youngest of all our players, the U9s, have also followed the Packwood way with great enthusiasm. There have been numerous hard-fought matches played on the artificial strip during playtimes, showing just how much enjoyment and determination there is among our younger cricketers. All players have learnt the basics of the sport, with some already progressing confidently into the hardball game.
Most importantly, this season has shown the depth of cricketing talent, enthusiasm and resilience across the school. From tournament success to first boundaries, hat-tricks, brave captaincy, sharp fielding and calm performances under pressure, the pupils have represented Packwood with energy, teamwork and pride. It has been a season full of progress, promise and many memorable cricketing moments.
