Viewing archives for Sport

QE’s First XV last night beat friends and traditional rivals, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, in a thrilling encounter under the lights at Saracens’ StoneX stadium. 

With a gritty, disciplined performance, the QE team secured a hard-fought 12-5 victory. 

Congratulating them, Headmaster Neil Enright said: “It was an inspiring experience for our students to play in the stadium of one of the world’s best club sides, and the match befitted the setting in its fierce but sporting competitiveness. 

“The support for both schools – including many current pupils, alumni, staff and other friends – added to the atmosphere and sense of occasion. We are proud of the performance of our players and are delighted that they secured the win.

“Many of those from Year 13 have committed themselves for seven years, with most having been new to the game when they started at QE. They have developed athletically and technically, but also as teammates and young men: their mutual supportiveness and their camaraderie has been notable.” 

QE’s Head of Rugby, Oliver Di-Lieto, reported that the game had been intense from the first whistle, with both sides showing determination and skill.

“QE struck first, when Victor Varbanov produced a brilliant show-and-go [dummy pass] to break the defensive line and score. He calmly converted his own try, giving QE a deserved early 7-0 lead. 

“Habs responded strongly, crossing the line for their own score. Although they missed the conversion, the gap narrowed to 7-5, setting up a tense contest. 

“Momentum swung back to QE when Timi Banjo delivered a moment of magic, slicing through the defence for a superb solo effort. The try extended QE’s advantage to 12-5. 

“From there, the match became a defensive battle. QE’s backline and forwards worked tirelessly, with Jake Owens and Yashwant Sunkara leading an outstanding defensive shift that kept Habs at bay. 

“In the dying moments, Habs mounted a final attack, but QE’s captain Krutarth Behera produced a heroic effort to hold up the ball over the line, denying what would have been a game-changing try. 

“Having combined attacking flair with resolute defence, our boys secured a memorable victory.”     

Fresh from that victory, captain Krutarth said: “It was an incredible performance from all the players and a fantastic last match for all the Year 13s. A game we will never forget.”

Player of the Match Yashwant Sunkara said: “It was a very physical game and we knew we had to play at our best. Every player worked their socks off and I am so proud we managed to get the win.” 

Before the First XV took to the field, the two schools’ U15 sides also played, with Habs winning 31-20. 

 First XV squad 

1. Alvin Xu, Year 12
2. Krutarth Behera (Captain), Year 13
3. Simardeep Sahota, Year 13
4. Edward Muscat (Vice-Captain), Year 13
5. Abubakr Shofolahan, Year 13
6. Sharvesh Sudhagar, Year 13
7. Oscar Kaltenbronn, Year 12 
8. Thinuka Kapugama Geeganage, Year 11
9. Victor Varbanov, Year 12 
10. Aadam Aslam, Year 13 
11. Ubaidah Rahman, Year 13
12. Jake Owens (Vice-Captain), Year 13
13. Yashwant Reddy Sunkara, Year 12
14. Louis Miller, Year 12
15. Thomas Young, Year 12 
16. Akira Norimura, Year 12 
17. Kyaan Syed, Year 12 
18. Ishan Nakadi, Year 12
19. Martin Machytka, Year 13 
20. Esa Aslam, Year 11 
21. Timi Banjo, Year 13 
22. Yashinth Sivananthan, Year 12
23. Faaiz Adil, Year 12
24. Tristan Fink, Year 13

• Click on the thumbnails to view the images.

Year 9 pupil Ibrohim Saidahror won a silver medal after reaching the final in his category at the British Taekwondo National Kyorugi Championships. 

Ibrohim competed in two bouts to secure his silver in Sheffield, winning his semi-final 2-0, before losing by the same margin in the gold medal match against opponent Finley Lamour.

QE’s Director of Sport, Jonathan Hart, said: “Our congratulations go to Ibrohim on this achievement: behind it lies a great deal of dedication and hard work to develop his skills and strength.” 

Ibrohim sparred in the –37kg category novice cadet category with competitors aged 12–15 (he is 13).  

Each fight comprised up to three 90-second rounds, with the winner being the first to win two of the rounds. Points could be scored to the body or the head, with ‘knock-out’ also a possible outcome.  

Jubilant on his return from the championships, held at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, he said: “”I started taekwondo to learn self-defence, but I really enjoy it. It is great for my flexibility and core strength.”   

Ibrohim trains in West London at the Superior Taekwondo Academy and competes regularly at regional and national competitions. He plans to keep up with the sport.  

Last term’s Sports Bulletin reported on him winning a gold medal in a sparring competition at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff. “I am very proud of this achievement as it shows my determination and discipline in training,” he said at the time. 

 

QE alumnus Dr Mustafa Sarkar has been named among the world’s leading sports and exercise scientists in an annual survey.

For the second consecutive year, Mustafa (OE 1997–2004) has been ranked in the top 2% worldwide in his field. Mustafa was also seventh in the UK and 32nd globally in his field for researchers with their first publication from 2012 onwards,

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “My congratulations go to Mustafa: as this ranking demonstrates, he is forging a very distinguished career at Nottingham Trent University.”

Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking evaluates researchers based on how often their work is cited by others, their role in research, and their productivity.

Mustafa is an Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology at Nottingham Trent. His research addresses the psychology of performance excellence, with a particular focus on resilience, psychological safety, and mental health.

He leads the High Performing Individuals, Teams and Organisations (HPITO) theme at Nottingham Trent’s Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre. He also sits on the University Shadow Executive Team (USET).

He teaches sport and performance psychology across the undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and contributes to the second-year undergraduate module, Practical Applications in Sport Psychology, and is module leader for the postgraduate module Performance Psychology.

Mustafa graduated from Loughborough University in 2008 with a first-class degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Before arriving at Nottingham Trent in 2015 as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, he spent two years as a Research Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire.

• Mustafa was the subject of the first-ever OE Spotlight feature, in Edition 7 of QE’s Sports Bulletin, published in the 2024 Spring Term.

Playing cricket and rugby at a high standard in super stadiums amid sweltering heat and high humidity made the QE sports tour of Sri Lanka a memorable experience for the School’s sportsmen.

Three cricket teams and one rugby squad played a full programme of fixtures against school and club sides in the biennial summer tour.

The tourists also found time to broaden their cultural horizons through visits to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project and a famous temple in the city of Kandy.

Director of Sport Jonathan Hart said: “The 2025 Sri Lanka sports tour was a resounding success, blending competitive sport with cultural enrichment. Our pupils returned with unforgettable memories, stronger team bonds, and a deeper appreciation for international sport and culture.”

The three QE cricket teams each played five matches against sides from Colombo, Kandy, and Galle.

“The conditions were challenging, with hot weather, unfamiliar pitches, and strong opposition, but our players showed great spirit and determination throughout,” said Mr Hart.

“The A team delivered a solid performance, with disciplined swing bowling and mature batting. Highlights included a thrilling chase at St. Joseph’s School (alma mater of Sri Lankan bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan). The final match at the prestigious Singhalese Sports Club (SSC), a regular international venue, was a closely fought contest, with QE ending just 13 runs short of victory.”

The B team faced tough competition but secured one hard-fought win. “Despite the results, the team showed significant improvement and gained valuable match experience. Their resilience and sportsmanship were commendable,” said Mr Hart.

“Although the C team did not register a win, their enthusiasm and commitment were unwavering,” he added. “Each match was a learning opportunity, and the players showed noticeable progress in their skills and confidence.”

Head of Rugby Ollie Di-Lieto, who led the rugby tour, said: “I was proud of the efforts from the pupils who played in very difficult conditions, ranging from high humidity to heavy rain. Fixtures were played in stadiums that rival those used by Championship football teams in England, adding a professional atmosphere to every match.

“Our opponents played a naturally expressive style of rugby, often less structured than we are accustomed to, which posed unique defensive challenges. Despite the unfamiliar conditions, our players showed remarkable resilience and adaptability.”

The rugby players notched up three wins and one defeat.

First XV co-captain Jake Owens, who has just entered Year 13, said: “This was such a unique opportunity for us. To play rugby in another country is one thing, but to play in stadiums really made the experience special.”

For the First XI captain, Girish Radhakrishnan, enjoying his QE sporting swansong as a summer Year 13 leaver, the “truly memorable stadiums” were also an attraction. “We loved coming to Sri Lanka to experience a different culture,” he added. “The standard of cricket was very high so we enjoyed challenging ourselves. For those who played, scored runs and took wickets, the memories will stay with them for a long time!”

Results summary

Cricket

A team

• Matches played: 5
• Wins: 3
• Losses: 2

B team

• Matches played: 5
• Wins: 1
• Losses: 4

C team

• Matches played: 5
• Wins: 0
• Losses: 5

Rugby

QE vs Agoal Rugby Academy

Score: 29–5
Try scorers: Peter Atanasov, Year 12; Faaiz Adil (x2), Year 12; Atiksh Anagani, Year 13; Jake Owens, Year 13
Conversions: Victor Varbanov (x2); Year 12
Man of the Match: Adil

QE vs Kandy Sports Club

Score: 26–12
Try scorers: Adil (x2); Martin Machyka, Year 13; Sharvesh Sudhagar, Year 13
Conversions: Varbanov (x3)
MOTM: Owens

QE vs St Aloysius’ College, Galle

Score: 17–10
Try scorers: Adil, Anagani, Sudhagar
Conversions: Varbanov
MOTM: Siddarth Oruganti, Year 13

QE vs Malingas School

Score: 0–24
MOTM: Anagani

• To view the images, click the thumbnails below.

The U15 cricket team have been crowned county champions after beating Harrow School in the thrilling final of the Middlesex cup competition.

The squad also made QE history with a victory over Ipswich School in the regional knockout stage of the national championship.

Their successes came as two other QE sides reached their respective Middlesex finals – the first time in many years that the School has enjoyed such a level of success in the county.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “Huge congratulations to the U15 boys on becoming champions. I was particularly proud to watch them playing so well on the sunny Philathletic in Harrow against the backdrop of my alma mater, The John Lyon School.”

Led by captain Krish Deebak and coached by the PE department’s Richard Scally, the U15s first defeated Merchant Taylors’ in a tense semi-final, before overcoming Harrow in a match that went down to the last over. QE’s 130 for 9 gave them victory by one wicket over Harrow, on 129 for 6.

After victory by four wickets over Ipswich in round 1 of the national cup, they faced another East Anglian independent school – Norwich – in the quarter-final. They lost by a single run following a somewhat controversial umpiring decision.

The U15s also enjoyed a successful West Country tour, beating The King’s School, Worcester; Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester; and Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham, on successive days.

Having swept aside all opposition in the earlier rounds, the U13s and U12s were beaten by St Benedict’s and Hampton School in their respective finals.

Head of Cricket Guy Ashby said: “The 2025 cricket season has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

There was a boost for the cricketers at the start of the season, when a donation from The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s charity enabled the purchase of new cricket covers for the top square. The benefits of this investment were almost immediately realised: the new covers enabled more matches to be played and ensured the pitches remained in top condition throughout the term.

Against the background of a growing culture of excellence among the School’s players, there have been a record-breaking number of matches – more than 100, across 21 teams drawn from all age groups.

“Those statistics reflect the great enthusiasm for the game that exists here, and the strength in depth that we enjoy as a cricketing school,” said Mr Ashby.

The cup finals came near the end of a term which had, in fact, been punctuated by a string of exciting victories, he added.

One of the great highlights of QE’s sporting calendar – the Rugby Sevens tournament – brought a day of spirited, exciting play.

With the weather good, the 49th Annual QE Barnet Rugby Sevens Tournament drew some 56 teams to battle it out for the cup and plate trophies, including many from the country’s leading rugby schools.

The U14 event was held, as usual, on the School’s four pitches at Queen’s Road. However, with Barnet Elizabethans RFC’s pitches unavailable this year, Haberdashers’ Boys’ stepped in to host the U16s.

Ipswich School won the cup and Tonbridge School took the plate at U14 level, while for the older boys, Berkhamsted School secured the cup and Merchant Taylors’ the plate.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “Our Sevens tournament is always a happy occasion at which visitors, alumni, staff and our own parents come together with the boys to enjoy the games and meet up with friends. With the sun shining brightly, there was a real air of celebration this year, while the players delivered some truly thrilling play.”

“My congratulations go to our winners, and I am, of course, grateful to Habs for hosting the U16 event.”

Staging the tournament at QE was a huge logistical effort involving the hard work and co-operation of the entire PE & Games department, the London Society of Referees, many pupil helpers and volunteers from The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s. The event was sponsored once again by school and club sports tour specialists, inspiresport.

QE’s own teams faced tough opponents in their group stages.

Head of Rugby Ollie Di-Lieto said: “Although, sadly, both the U14s and U16s lost their matches in the group stage, they gave us some exciting attacking rugby and provided plenty of highlights to remember the day by.”

Although Junu Park, of Year 9, gained much ground with some outstanding running and his teammates at times moved the ball into space well, the squad found it harder to maintain constant pressure, with the breakdown fiercely contested even with the reduced numbers on the field, Mr Di-Lieto said.

The final U14 game against Robert Clack School, from Dagenham, saw QE come agonisingly close, losing in the end 24–26.

“All our games were played in a good spirit and with great commitment against some of the best rugby schools around,” said Mr Di-Lieto, who thanked all involved.

• Click on the thumbnails below to view the images.