QE are double county champions – for the second year running!

QE’s Year 7 and 8 cricket teams sealed a successful School year by winning the Middlesex Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Match reports by Head of PE, Peter Coke

QE’s Year 7 and 8 cricket teams sealed a successful School year by winning the Middlesex Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Following a string of positive results and well taken opportunities, the Year 7 squad, led by PE teacher Nick Bird, reached the finals of the Middlesex Cup Final, where they played The John Lyon School at Old Millhillians Cricket Club. QE won the toss and elected to bat first.

The opening batsmen for QE did a sterling job, especially Romil Depala, who scored a commendable 47 runs. This was supported by an equally good performance from wicket-keeper and leading run-scorer Musaji China, who added 32 runs of his own without losing his wicket. The team managed an impressive 118 for 6 from 20 overs. The Year 7 team bowled superbly and soon took the first wicket courtesy of captain Reuben Chacko. He later took another wicket to add to some impressive fielding, capping a leading performance from the QE captain. John Lyon completed their innings on 101 for 9 wickets – giving QE a much deserved 17-run victory.

For the Year 8 match, The John Lyon School were the hosts, with St Benedict’s School this year’s opponents for QE’s defending champions, who were led by PE teacher Richard Scally. On a very warm afternoon, St Benedict’s won the toss and chose to bat. They made an aggressive start, scoring freely and benefiting from too many extras, racing to 80 runs within 9 overs. This positive approach meant chances were given and, with some excellent catches in the field, wickets began to slow St Benedict’s run rate. A first-rate bowling spell from Jayaram Raghuveer (3 wickets for 5 runs) then reduced St Benedict’s to 113 all out. After losing both openers early, the modest total was beginning to look more challenging. However outstanding batting performances from Sebastian Feszczur-Hatchett (56 not out) and Nikhil Patel (34 not out) saw QE home with an 8-wicket win.

Year 9 also reached their Middlesex Cup Final, but lost to Harrow School.

Although the School stands just on the Hertfordshire side of the Herts/Middlesex border, historically QE has chosen to participate in the Middlesex Cup both because of the stronger competition available in Middlesex and for reasons of accessibility.