Little Leagues Report – Round 3

As we reach the midway point of Term 1, it has been great to see players settling into the season. The early weeks were about finding rhythm, learning structures and adjusting to new teams and competition. Now is the time to double down on our focus at training, both individually and as a team. If we continue to work hard, take on feedback from coaches and apply the skills being taught, we will keep improving and demonstrating growth in our performance.

A special mention goes to Will W, Jimmy C and Sebastian R, who represented CIS at the State Cricket Championships over the past week. All three students did Cranbrook incredibly proud, performing with both bat and ball in a highly competitive tournament. Congratulations to Will W and Jimmy C on their selection for the NSWPSSA team, an outstanding achievement that will see them represent NSW later in the year.

We also wish Frank T the best of luck as he heads to the CIS Basketball trials this Friday. Being one of only 12 players selected from IPSHA schools to trial at CIS is a remarkable feat, and we are excited to see him take on this opportunity.

Best of luck to all teams and players for the week ahead and let’s keep working hard and striving to be our best.

Yours in Sport,

James Roughan
Head of Sport & PDHPE

CIS Cricket

Tennis

Cranbrook Junior School As – A Narrow Defeat (1/3/25)
Sport is often decided by the smallest of margins, and Cranbrook’s recent clash with Sydney Grammar was no exception. Although the team finished with a 5-7 loss in matches, the final game tally tells a different story—Cranbrook outscored the opposition 38–30 in games. Each match was closely contested, reflecting the skill, determination, and fighting spirit of our young players.

Jayden B & George Y faced an early test in doubles, narrowly losing 3–4 after several tense deuce points. In singles, both were met with determined opponents and fell 1–4 apiece, despite showing flashes of strong baseline play and returns.

In their debut as a doubles partnership, Santiago D and Josh L showcased an exceptional performance in a match defined by extended rallies, narrowly conceding 3–4. Santiago then battled hard in singles before yielding 2–3 in a match decided by the slimmest margins. Josh likewise fell 1–4 in singles, showcasing solid rallies.

Josh M & Hugo B turned the tide with a brilliant 6–1 doubles victory, demonstrating effective teamwork and confident serves, putting Cranbrook on the scoreboard. Josh’s singles match ended in a narrow 2–3 setback, but Hugo seized the momentum, dominating his singles encounter 5–0 and highlighting the power and consistency of his groundstrokes.

Ricky C & Toby W continued Cranbrook’s surge with a 5–2 doubles triumph, controlling the net and dictating play from the baseline. They both translated this into their singles matches, where Ricky cruised to a 5–0 victory and Toby impressed with a well-earned 4–1 result, both displaying aggressive serves, returns and a keen sense of exploiting open court space.

Despite ultimately falling by one win, the team’s 38–30 advantage in total games reflects how closely contested every match was.

Cranbrook Junior Tennis B Team vs St Patrick’s (1/3/25)
The Cranbrook Junior Tennis B Team put up a commendable effort in their recent match against St Patrick’s, demonstrating strong determination and sportsmanship. Despite facing a challenging opponent, the team showcased resilience and excellent individual and team performances.

Jonathan K and Henry R fought hard but faced strong opponents. They showed good patience and had some strong rallies to build the point, but their opponents managed to hold firm. Jonathan had a tough singles match, showing great composure with strong baseline gameplay and point control, but his opponent capitalised on key moments. Henry also faced a formidable opponent, but his strategic play and tennis discipline made him a notable performer.

Nathaniel S-W & Eric R displayed their skill by hitting fantastic shots against a well-coordinated opposition. Despite the final scoreline, their teamwork was commendable, with moments of brilliance on the court. Nathaniel was impressive with his powerful shot-making ability, proving his potential as a strong competitor, which the score did not reflect. Eric’s singles match was a tight contest, and although he narrowly lost 2-3, his consistent effort and impressive shot-making stood out.

Henry W and Leo S played an extremely close match but narrowly lost 3-4. Their chemistry on the court was evident, and they put up a strong fight in every game. Henry played an excellent match, securing a convincing 4-1 win. His movement and determination to keep the ball in play were spectacular. Leo S encountered a formidable opponent and lost 1-4, but his resilience and focus were evident as he fought to control every point.

Leo M and Harvey C delivered an outstanding performance, winning 6-1. They dominated their opponents with excellent shot placement and aggressive play. Their win was a highlight for the team. Leo delivered a fantastic 4-1 victory, playing with confidence and precision as his aggressive playstyle paid off. Harvey won his singles match 3-2 in a close battle, showing great composure under pressure and playing smart to edge out his opponent.

The team should be proud of their efforts and use this match as a learning experience to keep improving. Well done to all the players.

Ben Higgins
Head of Tennis

Cricket

Year 3
The Year 3 teams had a strong showing, winning two out of their three matches. The A and C teams delivered convincing victories, showcasing impressive skills and teamwork. The B team put in a solid effort but fell short on the day.

Year 4
The Year 4 teams experienced a similar weekend, with two wins and one defeat. The A team fought hard but couldn’t overcome a strong Grammar side, while the B and C teams demonstrated great discipline and came away with well-earned victories.

Year 5
The Year 5 students took on a talented Barker team that proved to be a formidable opponent. The A team had moments of brilliance, showing their potential with some excellent passages of play. However, inconsistency at key moments proved costly, highlighting areas to work on as they continue to develop their game. This is all part of their journey, and the experience will only make them stronger.

Year 6
The standout performances of the weekend came from the Year 6 teams, who completely dominated their matches. They secured commanding victories, with one team winning by an incredible 100 runs and another claiming a 10-wicket win. Their ability to control the game in all facets – batting, bowling, and fielding, was outstanding and a testament to their hard work and preparation.

Ben Staunton
Head of Cricket

Cricket 3As

Cricket 3Bs

Cricket 3Cs

Cricket 4As

Cricket 4Bs

Cricket 6As

Cricket 6Bs

Basketball

The 3/4C team started well against Redlands, but the opposition came back strong and tied up the game. Cranbrook steadied and took control, winning 23-8. Noah A, Harry W, and Gabriel G all had solid games and scored baskets.

The 3/4D team was in a battle against Redlands and managed to secure a hard-fought 18-14 victory. Rhys G, Jasper S, and Jack T were effective at both ends of the court.

The 5/6E team played solid basketball against Scots, winning 40-2. Sasha A enjoyed his basketball, and it showed in his performance on the court.

The 5/6F game was very close, but Cranbrook managed to edge out a 14-12 win. Sreenivas M was influential throughout the game.

Stephen Whitehead
Head of Basketball

Basketball Whites

Basketball Cs

Basketball Ds

Basketball Blues

Water Polo

Reddam Bs (5 – 19)
Cranbrook’s Junior B team faced their second game of the season against Reddam, who got off to a quick start, leading the first quarter 5-0. The students had a significantly stronger second quarter, scoring their first two goals, but still conceded four.

In the second half, the team focused on safe passing and maintaining defensive positioning. Despite glimpses of impressive attacking and defensive play, consistency remained an issue. Reddam continued their momentum, scoring another 10 goals, while Cranbrook managed 3 more, resulting in a 5-19 loss. Moving forward, the team will work on defending players closest to the goal and maintaining defensive positioning.

Knox As (9 – 11)
Cranbrook’s Junior A team also faced their second game of the season against Knox. Both teams played a counter-attacking style, with Knox leading 4-3 after the first quarter. Cranbrook responded well and took a 7-6 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the team focused on defensive positioning and ball security. However, Knox’s heavy press defense and quick counter-attacks proved challenging. Knox outscored Cranbrook 5-2 in the second half, securing an 11-9 victory. The team will now focus on improving offensive decision-making and defensive positioning in transition.

Gregory McFadden
Head of Water Polo

Water Polo As and Bs

Sailing

Once again, the weather for sailing was unpredictable. Saturday saw glassy water with very little wind, making conditions challenging. However, the students remained enthusiastic about getting out on the water and working on their sailing skills.

During these light-wind conditions, the focus was on technique and making the most of minimal movement. It has been encouraging to see all students improving, and particularly exciting to watch Year 4 students who haven’t skippered before learning to take control of their boats. Hopefully, next weekend will bring more favourable winds.

Tom Brewer
Head of Sailing

Multi-Sport

In Round 2, the students continued developing their throwing and catching skills through modified games of Doctor Doctor and Defend the Towers. They focused on accuracy, teamwork, and quick decision-making within fast-paced gameplay. All players showed great enthusiasm and effort, making for a highly engaging and competitive session.

Tommy Taylor
PDHPE Teacher & Multi-Sport Coach