Little Leagues Report – Round 9

As we reflect on Round 9, it is incredibly pleasing to see the remarkable development in our students’ skills, confidence, and team cohesion since the beginning of the summer season. This progress is a testament to their dedication and focus during training, as well as their resilience in overcoming the challenges that naturally arise in sport. While we celebrated numerous wins over the weekend, what stood out even more was the personal growth displayed by our students across all sports. Their determination and growth mindset have been inspiring to witness, underscoring the true value of sport beyond the scoreboard.

This journey of development would not be possible without the exceptional quality and commitment of our coaches. Their guidance, expertise, and encouragement have played a crucial role in helping our students reach new levels of performance and confidence. With just three rounds left in the year, we are excited to see how our teams continue to evolve and are looking forward to a strong finish to the season.

Yours in sport,

Mr James Roughan
Head of Sport & PDHPE

Cricket

The Junior School cricket teams enjoyed a productive weekend, with several matches concluding before the rain arrived. The 6A and 5A teams claimed impressive wins, thanks in part to standout performances.

Will P. was the star of the day, scoring an unbeaten 30 runs for the 5A team and later excelling with the ball for the Cavaliers in their match against St Aloysius’ 8B team, where he claimed six wickets—a remarkable all-round effort.

In other matches, the Year 4 teams faced tough challenges, narrowly losing in fixtures against Trinity and Scots. Meanwhile, Year 3 celebrated wins in both their B and C matches before rain ended play in their A fixture.

With just three rounds remaining, it was another strong showing for the Junior School students as they head into the final stretch of the season.

Ben Staunton
Head of Cricket

Year 4 Bs & Cs

Year 5

Tennis

A vs Kings School

8-4 (42-26)

The A team got off to a great start with 3 of the 4 pairs winning their doubles, which was great to see as we have been working on this area in our training sessions. Blake H. once again put on a scintillating performance to win his singles 4-1. Jayden B. also showcased impressive tactical awareness in his matches, securing a singles win 4-1. The A team has continued to show great promise, improving each week and becoming a solid team to contend with.

B vs Wyvern House

Win 6-6 (35-33)

A very close win for the Juniors B team against a strong Wyvern team, even with Cranbrook three players down. This showed the hard work all students are putting in during the season. Spectacular doubles points came from Ashton D. and George Y., who were very solid, securing a 5-2 victory. Another big win came from Eric R. in both doubles and singles during his debut with Cranbrook competitive matches, demonstrating outstanding tennis skills. Very close matches overall, with all players contributing, culminating in Tomek O. securing the crucial points needed for the win.

Ben Higgins
Head of Tennis

Basketball

The Junior School basketball teams displayed excellent effort and skill across various matches this weekend. Despite facing tough competition, the students demonstrated resilience and teamwork.

The 5/6 B team faced a challenging match against Knox, ultimately falling short but showing great determination. Leonardo B. and Sam S. exhibited excellent court vision, effectively setting up plays and creating opportunities. William S. provided a consistent spark with his energetic play, contributing significantly to the team’s effort.

Similarly, the 5/6 D team faced a tough loss to Knox. Despite being shorthanded and playing in difficult conditions, they played with heart. Leo R. and Sung H. stood out with their strong defensive play, while Col O. showcased his scoring ability with effective shooting around the basket.

In the Year 3/4 B match, the team was engaged in a closely contested game until a strong surge in the second half led them to a 12-point victory. Alfie L-B. was instrumental in this turnaround, recording five consecutive steals that resulted in crucial layups.

The Year 3/4 D team continued their undefeated season with a dominant performance. Hendricks C. displayed exceptional defensive effort and continues to show improvement in his basketball skills, contributing to a solid team victory.

Overall, it was a weekend that highlighted the growing skill of the Junior School basketball teams.

Stephen Whitehead
Head of Basketball

Year 3 & 4 As

Year 3 & 4 Bs

Year 3 & 4 Cs

Year 3 & 4 Ds

Year 3 Whites

Year 5 & 6 Es to Hs

Water Polo

The students headed into the game against Saint Augustine with a two-game win streak, aiming to extend it further. Unfortunately, Saint Augustine could only field five players, leading the Cranbrook students to take turns to even the numbers.

The team got off to a strong start with five goals in the first quarter. Angus D. scored two, Lucas M. added one, and Joseph L. netted two. In the second quarter, the students expanded their lead to 9-3, with Felix C. providing two assists—one to Sam S. and another to Rylan H.

The momentum continued, and the students secured a 14-6 victory. Felix scored two goals, while Angus and Joseph both added to their tally. Henry H., playing a quarter as goalkeeper, made a crucial save from a five-metre shot, denying Saint Augustine a chance to mount a comeback.

Throughout the game, the students improved their meaningful passing and defensive positioning. Key takeaways included better marking of the player closest to the goal on defence and avoiding the two-metre zone on attack. Overall, it was a solid performance, extending the win streak to three games.

Greg McFadden
Head of Water Polo

Year 5 & 6

Sailing

On Saturday, under cloudy skies, the students sailing the Optimus boats showed great enthusiasm, rigging their boats and supporting each other. The shifting wind required intense focus, and it’s rewarding to see the improvement in each student’s sailing skills since the beginning of the year. Even when the rain started and the temperatures dropped, they persevered. It was particularly exciting to see the Year 6 students transition into Pacers, crewing with Senior School students, and some even skippering. We look forward to another week of sailing and skill development.

Tom Brewer
Head of Sailing

Multi-Sport

In Round 9, the students participated in Defend the Wall, focusing on improving their drop punt skills and strategic decision-making. The game encouraged teamwork and leadership, teaching them to value differing opinions and collaborate effectively. They demonstrated an increased awareness of each other’s strengths, coordinating their efforts smoothly. This session underscored their growth in both technical skills and cooperative strategies within the game.

Thomas Taylor
Junior School PDHPE teacher and Multi Sports Coach