Boys’ Report – Findlay G (Second Form)

Our U13 cricket tour to Guernsey was an amazing three days, filled with cricket, activities and plenty of incredible and unforgettable moments.

We left Sutton Valence School at 5am on Monday morning, which was definitely an early start for the parents! A prop plane for our flight to Guernsey was a new experience for most of us on the tour.

As soon as we arrived, we headed to Elizabeth College for our first match. We batted first and put together a competitive total before going out to field. It turned into a tight game, but we managed stay strong in the field and won by just three runs. It was the best way to start the tour. Throughout our stay Elizabeth College were fantastic hosts, providing us with many a delicious meal.

The next morning, we went out surfing. For many of us it was our first time, and although staying on the board wasn’t easy, everyone had a great time in the sea. Ice-creams on the beach were a real treat.

That afternoon, we played their U14 team. We knew this would be a tough challenge, but we were ready. They batted first, and after a good bowling performance we chased down the target in an exciting finish. Going into the final ball we still needed four runs to win, but George hit a boundary to get the win by three wickets. It was an incredible finish and one that boosted morale.

In the evening, we enjoyed fish and chips on the beach, playing touch rugby and volleyball as the sun slipped down into a magical sunset. Tired but happy we still pushed through to watch the England vs Ghana (the most disappointing result we had on tour!)

On our final day, we played one last match against a mixed Elizabeth College side made up of U13, U14 and U15 players. We batted first and then defended our score in another tense finish. With the very last ball of the match, Hugh took a wicket to win the game for SVS, completing a clean sweep of three victories from three matches.

After the match, the series awards were presented. Harry was named Best Batter, Charlie received the Best Bowler award, and Hugh was deservedly recognised as the All-Round Player of the series.

Following lunch at Elizabeth College, we spent some time shopping in St Peter Port before making our way to the airport for our 6:10pm flight home. We arrived back at SVS at around 9pm, exhausted after three busy days, but with lots of great memories from a fantastic tour.

Overall, the tour was an incredible experience and something I don’t think anyone will forget for some time. Winning all three matches made it even more special, but it wasn’t just about the cricket. Spending time together as a team, trying surfing, relaxing on the beach made the trip even better. A huge thank you goes to all the teachers and staff who organised the tour and made it possible.

Everyone had a brilliant time, and it is a trip that we will all look back on for a long time.

Girls’ Report – Mollie H, Zara H-M and Iris L (First Form)

The Girls’ Junior Cricket Tour to Guernsey was an amazing three days filled with cricket, sunshine, activities and lots of great memories. From an early start at Sutton Valence to three successful matches against Elizabeth College, it was a busy and exciting tour from start to finish.

We left Sutton Valence School at 5am on Monday morning, which was definitely an early start for everyone. After travelling to the airport, we flew to Guernsey on a prop plane, which was a new experience for many of us. Once we arrived, we headed straight to Elizabeth College, where we were welcomed before getting ready for our first match.

The first day was a great success for cricket. SVS girls batted first and set a high score of 173 for 0 wickets, with Adele G and Issy R opening the batting. They were soon retired after setting a solid score of 89 off 75 balls. Lily M and Frankie F followed and finished it off by helping the team reach a whopping 173.

After the first innings, SVS went in to bowl with high hopes. Felicity M and Adele G both took wickets, helping the team to secure a brilliant win in the first match. Winning our opening game boosted everyone’s confidence and gave the team strength going into the next two matches.

Following the match, we had a lovely dinner at Elizabeth College, where it was great to have Mr Thomas join us too. Before checking into our hotel for a much needed good night’s sleep.

Day two started with a lovely hotel breakfast, followed by a surfing lesson. We arrived at a stunning beach, got into our wetsuits and all charged into the crystal-clear sea. Some people managed to stand up on their boards, while others spent more time falling in, but everyone had a great time. One of the most fun parts was trying to run across all the surfboards without falling off. It was a brilliant way to start the day before heading back out onto the cricket pitch.

That afternoon, the girls played the Elizabeth College Year 9 team. When we arrived at the beautiful cricket ground, we applied fun colours of zinc to our faces, which looked like war paint. SVS batted first in the scorching heat, with Iris L and Zara H-M opening. Both put in strong performances, with Zara scoring 30 off 31 balls and Iris running magnificently between the wickets. Lyra G came in determined and scored 10 off 10 balls, while Poppy L hit some big shots and scored 9 off 7 balls. With Zara still in, Sutton Valence were on fire. Izzy G came in ready and prepared, and the pair played some risky but excellent cricket, with Izzy scoring 13 off 24 balls. As the scoreboard kept ticking up for SVS, Ivy Z came in and played a tactical game, scoring 12 off 11 balls. SVS finished on 121 for 6, which was fantastic.

SVS then went into the field while Elizabeth College batted. The fielding was tight, with the team working hard to prevent singles and fours, backing each other up and showing excellent teamwork throughout the innings. There were some lovely wickets from Adele G and Mollie H, while Margot S and Lyra G also took wickets with smooth deliveries. Issy R, our wicketkeeper, ran the batter out. Both sides demonstrated strong cricket and excellent support, both in the field and at the crease. SVS came away with a another convincing win.

In the evening, we went to Cobo Beach for fish and chips. It was an enjoyable evening, with volleyball and rugby being played on the beach as the sun began to set. After a full day of surfing, cricket and time on the beach, we were all tired but enjoyed rounding off the evening watching the first half of England vs Ghana in the football world cup back at the hotel.

The final day started with our last match against Elizabeth College, this time against a mixed age group side. Although the match started early, at 10am, it was already around thirty degrees and everyone was melting! SVS batted first, with Adele G and Felicity M opening. Soon after, Margot S went in to bat and scored 24 runs off 24 balls. Lily M and Issy R then batted together and collected a total of 40 runs off 41 balls. Finally, Poppy L reached 15 runs off 12 balls and finished not out.

After a quick drinks break, the second innings began with some super all-round bowling and some great wickets. There was a perfectly paced spin bowl from Issy R, a superb catch from Frankie F after some lightning bowling, and finally two wickets in a row from Mollie H. SVS, again, won the final game convincingly, finishing the tour with three wins from three matches.

After the match, the team enjoyed doughnuts and chicken sandwiches for lunch. Elizabeth College also very kindly presented some of the girls with awards, including Best Batter for Issy R, MVP for Ivy Z and Best Bowler for Mollie H. Elizabeth College were fantastic hosts throughout the tour, and we were very grateful for the matches, meals and warm welcome they gave us.

Before travelling home, the girls visited La Vallette Bathing Pools, which was a lovely way to cool off after the final match. We then had some time shopping in St Peter Port before making our way back to the airport for the flight home. We arrived back at SVS at around 9pm, exhausted after three very busy days, but with lots of great memories from a fantastic tour.

Overall, the trip went really quickly and everyone enjoyed themselves throughout their time in Guernsey. Winning all three matches made the cricket a great success, but the tour was also about spending time together as a team, trying new activities and making memories. From the early morning journey and the prop plane, to surfing, beach games, La Vallette Bathing Pools and three brilliant cricket performances, it was a trip that we will all look back on for a long time.

A huge thank you goes to Elizabeth College for hosting us so kindly, and to all the staff who organised the tour and made it possible.