Little Leagues Report – Round 11

Round 11 was a hard-fought round of sport and what has stood out for me, is the attitude and focus our students have demonstrated in their matchups across all sports. With just over a week remaining on the Junior School sporting calendar, including Round 12 this weekend and the much-anticipated Swimming Carnival next Friday, 29 November, I encourage all students to continue giving their best. Let’s bring our strongest efforts and the best of our School spirit to these final events of the year.

Yours in sport,

Mr James Roughan
Head of Sport & PDHPE

Tennis

A Team vs Knox
3-9 (26-42) loss

In our matchup against the juggernaut Knox, the students quickly displayed consistency and attacking play in doubles. Alex T and Blake H took an early lead, while Josh M and Hugo B worked in unison at the net, moving fluidly around the court. Matthew Z and Ricky C were unlucky in their doubles match, battling to a 3-3 tie before narrowly falling short in the final game. Ricky, however, bounced back in his singles match, securing the team’s first win of the day with a thrilling 3-2 victory. Josh M also impressed with his mental resilience and smart decision-making, setting a high standard of tennis. A special mention goes to Hugo B (Year 3), who stepped up to the A’s as a late call-up. His finesse and clever play captivated both parents and students, rounding out a competitive round of tennis. The team was strong in singles, but there is room for improvement in doubles heading into the next matches. It was a commendable effort against opponents with national rankings and tournament-winning experience.

B Team vs Scots
5-7 (29-39) loss

The Junior B team put in a valiant effort, narrowly losing to Scots 29-39. Nate S-W and Henry R claimed a doubles victory, with Nate’s reliable groundstrokes and Henry’s net play proving decisive. Rory M and Harvey C played an intense doubles match, full of long rallies, but the 2-5 scoreline didn’t fully reflect the quality of their performance. In singles, George Y delivered a standout match, using dominant forehands and patience in long rallies to secure a nail-biting 3-2 win. Toby W’s match was equally gripping, as he fought hard on every point but narrowly lost 3-2. Hugo C-B impressed with his powerful groundstrokes, winning 3-2, while Henry W’s consistent topspin forehand and strong court coverage earned him a decisive 4-1 victory.

Ben Higgins
Head of Tennis

Basketball

Round 11 brought intense matchups and showcased the teams’ resilience, teamwork and determination as they continued to develop their skills and strategies late in the season.

The 5/6G team put up a strong fight, improving significantly in the second half but narrowly losing 18-22. Sammy I stood out with exceptional leadership in both defence and offence. The 5/6H team showcased disciplined play, successfully implementing the ‘Floor is Lava’ offensive strategy under their coach’s guidance. Cohen S, synchronised the team’s attack, despite a 7-22 loss.

The 5/6E team faced a challenging match, losing 29-52, but their effort was commendable, with Rhys’ accurate shooting being a highlight. Defence remains a focus for improvement in future training sessions. Similarly, the 5/6F team played hard in a fast-paced game but were outmatched by Trinity’s precision, ending 7-28. Sacha A’s determination and never-give-up attitude were key takeaways.

Stephen Whitehead
Head of Basketball

Year 5 and 6E and F

Year 5 and 6G and H

Year 3 and 4 As

Year 3 and 4 Bs

Year 3 and 4 Cs

Year 3 and 4 Ds

Year 3 and 4 Blue 1 and 2

Cricket

It was a tough weekend for many teams against strong opposition, providing valuable learning experiences despite several results not going our way. Cricket is a unique blend of individual effort within a team dynamic, and success comes from mastering the basics and working together to excel.

There were bright spots, including the mighty 4A team’s 31-run victory, aided by Nathan S taking 4/12. The 4C, 3C, and 3B teams also performed well, with the 5B team pulling off a close win. Knox proved stronger in the 5A and 6A fixtures, demonstrating the importance of running hard and fighting for every opportunity. As we head into the final round before Christmas, let’s aim to finish the year on a high note.

Ben Staunton
Head of Cricket

Year 5C

Year 5A

Year 5B

Year 4C

Water Polo

Cranbrook’s Junior Water Polo team extended their impressive win streak to five games following a dominant performance against Shore. Building on their work during the week, the team focused on refining their press defence and improving ball protection during counterattacks.

Against Shore, the team got off to a scorching start, delivering a convincing first quarter with four unanswered goals, thanks to contributions from Felix C, Angus D, and Joseph L. The second quarter continued in the same vein, with the lead stretching to 10-0 as Ollie M, Sam S, Rylan H, and Luca M joined the scoresheet.

The team’s consistent press defence led to quick turnovers and numerous counterattack opportunities. Jack T-B and Charlie W added to the tally in the second half, securing a final score of 18-3. The boys excelled at drawing defenders and creating scoring options during counterattacks, a key strength in their play.

A takeaway from the game was the need to release passes toward the edges of the pool rather than the middle, ensuring safer ball progression.

Overall, the boys’ defensive pressure and offensive efficiency were the driving factors behind their significant win, furthering their impressive streak to five consecutive victories.

Gregory McFadden
Head of Water Polo

Year 5 and 6

Sailing

After a week of light winds, the students enjoyed sailing in a fresh nor’easter. Year 6 students continued to gain valuable experience sailing alongside senior school students in Pacers and competing against other schools. The rest of the squad raced against Scots, with all students showing significant improvement in their racing skills.

Tom Brewer
Head of Sailing

Multi-Sport

In Round 11, the students participated in Roller Towers, focusing on rolling, intercepting, defending and enhancing their communication skills. They explored strategies such as coordinated attacks and defensive formations to limit points, while emphasising the importance of respecting differing opinions during team discussions. Both teams demonstrated great effort and collaboration, with Blue vs. Red delivering an exciting start to the weekend.

Tommy Taylor
PDHPE Teacher & Multi-Sport coach