The 1st XI hosted Trent College on Saturday5th May, as Shrewsbury finally saw some quality cricket this term. After winning the toss and batting first, Shrewsbury posted a very competitive total of 253-5 off their 50 overs faced. Jack Hudson-Williams (70 not out) and Jack Bailey (46 off 45 balls) adding the bulk of the runs, after Stephen Leach (41 off 77) and captain Henry Lewis (18 off 59) had given Shrewsbury a solid start. Ruaidhri Smith was then the pick of the bowlers with figures of 9 overs bowled, 6 of which were maidens, gaining 4 wickets for the loss of only 9 runs. Stunning figures, which helped Shrewsbury bowl Trent College out for 135.

On Sunday the 1st XI comfortably won their first pool matches in pursuit of defending the National HMC T20 competition that they won in 2011. Strong performances against Ellesmere College, Adams Grammar and Oswestry School ensured a comfortable passage into the next round of pool fixtures.

Other matches saw the dominance against Trent College continue as all age groups, 2nd XI, U16A, U15A, and U14A won their matches. This ended a fine week for U14A XI who also progressed in the Lord Taverner's Competition (county rounds) on Friday. Shrewsbury posted 146-1 from their 20 overs, and a fine bowling display saw William Brookes whittled out for a measly 12 runs! Charlie Cooke the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 4 runs. Not so good news for the U15A side - in their first match of the season they were narrowly beaten by 7 runs in the 1st Round of the National Lord Taverner's Competition on Wednesday against Denstone College, despite a brave 69 from Freddie Earlam.

Mr A. Barnard

Captain of the England Lions team, Jimmy Taylor (R 2003-2008), is featured in The Mail in a moving article about his friendship with Alex Wilson who died so tragically in his first year at St. Andrew's. Jimmy returned to The Schools earlier this term for a fundraising football match in Alex's memory to watch the match and draw the winning raffle ticket.  The Mail Online: James-Taylor-determined-make-Alex-Wilson.

Since the inaugural football match last November, the Shrewsbury School Foundation has been working with the Wilson Family to raise sufficient funds to create an athletic bursary in the name of Alex Wilson. The appeal targets donations from a variety of events including an annual football match and reception. All funds raised are matched by generous support from the Kruth family. If you would like to support this effort please contact the Shrewsbury School Foundation at foundation@shrewsbury.org.uk.

This year's football match and reception is scheduled for the 23rd of September 2012 at Shrewsbury School.

The much-coveted Alec Hastilow Trophy was recently jointly awarded to a Salopian and a prospective Salopian at the Midlands Cricket Club Conference Dinner held in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The trophy is for the most promising young cricketer (or cricketers, in this case) under the age of 16, and was won by Edward Pollock (I LVI) and Edward Barnard.

Both Edwards have older Salopian brothers, now in the Upper Sixth, who were in our highly successful 1st XI in 2011, and Edward Barnard's eldest brother was in our 1st XI in 2006 when we won the Silk Trophy. 

A previous winner of the Alec Hastilow Trophy was OS Jimmy Taylor (R 2003-2008), who is now the England A Captain.

Back L-R: Jack Bailey, James Aston, Jack Hudson-Williams, Rhuaudri Smith, Will Mason, Alistair Pollock
Front L-R: Andy Barnard (Master IC Cricket), Stephen Leach, Henry Lewis (Captain), Jamie Board, Mark Prescott, Charlie Farquhar

Shropshire Schools' Sports & Athletics Association (SSSAA) Awards Presentation

As a result of our team winning the HMC National T20 competition in September 2011, the 1st XI were invited to the John Beswick International Awards Presentation Evening on 31st January at the Council Chamber in the Shirehall.

This is the fourth time that Shrewsbury School have won the Team Award since its inception in 1988:
   2004 Shrewsbury School U15 XI - Winning the ECB Lord Taverners Trophy
   2008 Shrewsbury School 1st VIII - Winning the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley
   2010 Shrewsbury School U15 XI - Winning the ESCA National T20

2011 was an outstanding year for cricket, for both our 1st XI and U15 teams. Remarkably, last year's 1st XI squad contained only one U18 player, so our 2012 squad will start with 10 players who already have a year's experience at this level.  Two members played for the ECB U17 Development XI last summer, and two members played for Shrewsbury CC when they won the ECB National Club Championship.

George Panayi (Ch 3) has represented Hertfordshire Cricket Board up to the U13 age group, and in moving to Shrewsbury and the Midlands, wanted to pursue age group cricket with a major first class county.

George trialed at Edgbaston last summer and again in November, and has been successful in being selected for the U14 Warwickshire winter training group. He will take part in the Warwickshire District Festival in May, and hopes to gain selection for the summer squad which takes part in the ECB National U14 County Competition.

PG

His housemaster writes, 'George is also making a name for himself as a talented a school rugby and fives player, the latter a new sport for him, but which he sees as very useful for his development as a cricketer. As if this weren't enough to juggle, he is also a music exhibitioner, playing the double bass, piano and singing. But perhaps more important than any of these qualities, he is as pleasant a young man as you could possibly hope to meet, and has been a terrific addition to the Churchill's community.'

In the meantime, please see our 2011 news page.