Many years ago King’s was behind the setting up of an U15 Cricket Festival with three other schools. This year it was the turn of Merchiston Castle School to host the event and so we headed north in a minibus.

Having endured the eight hour journey with no issues, we settled into our accommodation in Pollock Hall (Edinburgh University) and then went into the City for a pizza supper. Afterwards, we walked up to the Esplanade of the Castle and then back along the Royal Mile.

The next morning dawned a little damp and grey but we were put into bat on a typically Scottish sticky wicket by our first opponents, Glenalmond College. In our 35 covers the boys managed to score 198 based mainly on a very solid 79 by Frost who carried his bat through the innings. Glenalmond were surprised by the strength of the King’s bowling and were bowled out for 27. The wickets were shared between Owen, Haywood, Forsyth and James with two a piece with Terry and a run out accounting for the others.

The next day, after a bracing walk up Arthur’s Seat, King’s took on the hosts in the high pressure fixture (our Headmaster having taught at Merchiston!) In a superb bowling performance King’s ripped through the Merchiston batsmen bowling them out for 31. James and Owen took two wickets a piece but the plaudits really belonged to Forsyth who took six wickets for one run, including an all bowled hat-trick.  He was later awarded the match ball by the umpire.

In the final game against a very strong Nottingham High School side, they elected to bat first. Despite struggling initially against our attack, they had two players who ‘teed off’ and put on 43 runs very quickly which swung the momentum in their direction. They ended on 153 for 8 off their 35 overs, however, mention must be made of two fine diving catches from Owen and James. In response the King’s boys managed only 109 in the 35 overs as they were ‘strangled’ by some fine spin bowling which made it difficult to score quickly. Terry top scored with 31 with Millard making a useful 23. 

So at the end of a tiring three days, two of which were played in beautifully sunny conditions, the boys had won two easily, and lost one relatively narrowly against a really good team. The boys should be proud of how they performed and for being such fine ambassadors for the School.  A fitting end to a good season.

Nick Bunday - Housemaster, Blackford House