Little League Winter Sport Round 4
Round 4 was a particularly pleasing round of sport for Cranbrook. The hard work and dedication our students have demonstrated during the first half of training is truly starting to show. Across all year levels, there were noticeable improvements in core skills and teamwork. Our focused training sessions are paying off, as evidenced by the impressive results and the growth in our players’ abilities. The commitment of our students is leading to success as we move forward in the season. Keep up the great work!
Yours in Sport,
Mr James Roughan
Head of Sport & PDHPE
Tennis
The Development Group has shown outstanding progress in their recent Saturday Sports sessions, focusing on improving their forehand, backhand, net play, serves and game strategies. Through rigorous drills and practice, they have enhanced their power, accuracy, and consistency in these areas. The internal tournament provided an excellent opportunity for the boys to apply their skills in a competitive setting, resulting in significant improvements in match play and strategic thinking. Among them, Harry W has demonstrated the most remarkable improvement, excelling in all aspects of his game. The boys’ commitment and hard work were evident, and they demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and camaraderie. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to further advancements in their tennis development.
Ben Higgins
Head of Tennis
Rugby
Last week the weather was fantastic, allowing all our teams to train and play without any interruptions. The coaches focused on core skills throughout the week, and this showed in the games on Saturday.
Year 3 focused on tackling.
Year 4 worked on making multiple passes to players in space.
Year 5 practiced support lines.
Year 6 concentrated on the draw and pass.
A special shoutout to the Year 4 team for their impressive training session against the Year 5’s on Friday.
Results:
Year 6A – vs. St Aloysius: 39-5 Win
Year 6B
Game 1 vs. Scots: 12-1 Win
Game 2 vs. Redlands: 4-8 Loss
Year 6A
The 6A team had a very strong win over Waverley, demonstrating continued improvement in several areas. The students are developing ongoing competence in their positional roles, which is evident in their improved strategic play. Particularly impressive, was their hunger and dominance at ruck time. Their ability to work together in a cohesive fashion is driving their success and setting a high standard for the second half of the season.
The Year 6B team effectively moved the ball into space and successfully executed offloads when taking contact. This led to some of the boys scoring their first tries in rugby. However, the defence needs improvement and this was particularly evident in the second game when fatigue set in. During these moments, players allowed opponents to run through the middle by grabbing at shirts instead of using their shoulders. At training, our focus will be on hitting with our shoulders and squeezing the knees.
Year 5A – The Year 5A team had a big win at the weekend, running out 56-0 winners over Grammar St Ives. Despite missing a few regulars, the boys got off to a good start with Col O poaching the ball at a ruck and then sprinting 15 metres to touch down. The team’s width and attacking shape caused the Grammar defense major problems, with Jimmy C and Hadley S directing traffic well. Overall, it was a strong Cranbrook performance, but the boys will need to focus on their defensive spacing and alignment as they look forward to more difficult tests to come.
Year 5B – Year 5B team had two good wins against Kings (6-1) and Trinity (8-1). Their support play was great, which is what we had been working on at training. This week, we will continue to work on that and our tackle consistency.
Year 4A – Won 40-5 against Shore. The game started with Shore taking the lead, but from there the boys showed excellent grit to shut down any attempt to score again. They defended very well, and at times for multiple phases, until they forced a mistake or turned it over. On attack, we saw some excellent ball carrying and ruck security, but the ball movement to our wings in the second half was a particular highlight. We will continue to work on spreading out and passing to people in space.
Year 4 Red 7’s
Game 1 vs. St Aloysius: 6-1 Win
Game 2 vs. Scots College: 3-5 Loss
3 Red 7’s
Game 1 vs. Grammar St Ives: 3-3 Win
Game 2 vs. Newington: 2-7 Loss
3 White 7’s
Game 1 vs. Kings: 5-1 Win
Game 2 vs. Barker: 8-2 Win
Our regular Monday morning session, open to all players, focused on tackling, ruck security, and passing. These sessions give players extra practice, and we’re seeing these players shine in their teams!
Peter Dumbleton
Head of Rugby
Rugby Year 3
Rugby Year 4
Rugby Year 5
Rugby Year 6
Football
Year 3
Our Year 3 teams were unstoppable this round, showcasing their incredible talent and teamwork. The 3A’s, 3B’s, and 3E’s delivered a football masterclass, netting a whopping 40 goals while conceding just one against Newington College. Their potent attack and rock-solid defense were a sight to behold. Not to be outdone, the 3C and 3D teams also dazzled against Newington Lindfield, ensuring that Year 3 didn’t drop a single game.
Year 4
Year 4 faced tough competition from Grammar St Ives. It was a mixed bag of results, but our boys showed heart and determination throughout. Each match was a testament to their hard work and growing skills, promising great things for the future.
Year 5
Year 5 followed in the victorious footsteps of our Year 3 teams, remaining undefeated over the weekend. Their matches against Grammar St Ives were a showcase of superb football, with every player contributing to the success. From stellar defense to clinical finishing, Year 5 proved they are a force to be reckoned with.
Year 6
Our Year 6 teams faced fierce competition from Mosman Prep and Redlands. Every game was a hard-fought battle and, although they were pushed to their limits, they displayed resilience and sportsmanship. Despite being battered by strong opposition, their effort and spirit were commendable.
Ben Rollison
Head of Football
Overall Performance
With a total of 10 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses, Cranbrook Football had a strong day. The players’ dedication, skill, and passion for the game shone through in every match, making this round a memorable one.
Congratulations to all our players, coaches on a great weekend of football.
Football Year 3
Football Year 5 As
Football Year 5 Bs
Football Year 5 Cs
Football Year 5 Ds
Football Year 6
Overall Performance
With a total of 10 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses, Cranbrook Football had a strong day. The players’ dedication, skill and passion for the game shone through in every match, making this round a memorable one.
Congratulations to all our players and coaches on a great weekend of football.
Multi Sports
In Round 4, students in Multi sports continued to work on their kicking precision, demonstrating noticeable improvements. They also engaged in tagging games, which effectively enhanced their lateral movement skills. Indoor soccer was a highlight, with all participants showcasing their growing competence and teamwork. Overall, the students have significantly improved their skills and are doing an excellent job.
Josh Cohen
Assistant Head of Sport
