Triple Trophy Triumph

An incredible end of season performance by Hymers College 1st XI cricket team, saw them win 8 consecutive matches, triumph at the Bradford Grammar School 6-a-side competition and emerge as overall winners of the inaugural end of term Festival.

A convincing win over the Turf Sports Management Academy from India was followed by a ten wicket victory over the XL Club, in which Peter Oughtred finished with figures of 3 for 4 before James Matthews (36*) and Nitin Tanwar (39*) led the team to victory.

At the Bradford Grammar School 6-a-side tournament, Hymers won all 5 of their games, including a win against the hosts in the final. Player of the tournament was Mahir Yousuff who scored 164 runs in the day, including 69 from 17 scoring shots against Silcoates School.

Mahir continued his rich vein of form against the MCC when he scored his first hundred for the 1st XI. MCC batted first and scored 177 all out, with Year 10 pupil James Nettleton taking 3-39. The stage was set for Mahir to reach his personal milestone, with able support from James Matthews who scored 32, as they cruised to victory by 5 wickets.

The annual game against the Old Hymerians was keenly contested and batting first the former pupils set a target of 126, with Tanwar taking 4 for 25 and another Year 10 pupil, Tom Jones, making a good impression with 3 for 6. Tanwar then showed his ability with the bat by scoring a composed 91 as the side won by 4 wickets.

Hymers gladly accepted an invitation to join the Pocklington Cricket Festival and after three days of interesting cricket between the rain showers, the 1st XI finished in top spot, winning all of their three games. The quality of the batting order was the foundation for their success throughout.

Nitin Tanwar made his first hundred (129) for the school on day 1 against Stewart’s Melville School in a total of 300 for 8 and he was well supported by  Yousuff (45), Yorkshire U15 player Tom Norman (42) and Chris Meadway who chipped in with a quick fire 32. The Scottish opponents never managed to keep up with the run rate as they finished on 169 all out.

Day two saw the team win comfortably by 13 runs in a rain affected 20 over game against Strathallan School, who our pupils and parents also hosted for the duration of the Festival.

The final game was against traditional rivals, Pocklington School. Hymers bowled first and restricted Pocklington to just 74 in 20 overs with George Rawlins being the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 15. It was fitting that Mahir finished his school batting career with 45 not out to win the competition and score the winning runs.

Nitin Tanwar collected the Festival’s Batsman Award, whilst Captain Matthew Fitzpatrick stepped forward to take the winner’s trophy.

Nick Gandy, Head of Boys’ Games, was delighted with the success enjoyed by the team, commenting, ‘The players have been simply phenomenal in recent weeks and fully deserve their success. I would like to congratulate Matthew Fitzpatrick, who has done an excellent job as Captain, whilst Mr Tipping has contributed a great deal both on and off the field. I am especially pleased to see so many of our younger cricketers make the most of their opportunities and this can only bode well for the future. Special thanks must go to the parents who hosted the Strathallan pupils and also to Graham Marris and the groundstaff who have worked tirelessly to enable us to play, despite the terrible weather conditions.’