It has been another busy fortnight for Tiffin Cricket, with our annual internal Tiffin Cricket Festival, a host of midweek fixtures and an impressive continued run in the U15 Stokes-Knight Cup providing plenty of highlights.
The 1st XI enjoyed an outstanding run of form to round off their regular season. Last Tuesday they defeated Emanuel School by five wickets after a superb bowling and fielding display dismissed the visitors for just 76. Ayush led the attack brilliantly with exceptional figures of 4-7, well supported by Samvrit and Manav. Despite a difficult start to the chase, with Tiffin reduced to 3-3, Atharva and Ranveer steadied the innings before Ayush completed an excellent all-round performance with an unbeaten 40 to guide the side home.
On Wednesday, the 1st XI produced arguably their finest display of the season against the Incogniti Cricket Club. Another disciplined bowling and fielding performance restricted the visitors to 182 from 45 overs, with Manav claiming three wickets. Tiffin chased the target comfortably inside 35 overs thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century from Ranveer, the 1st XI’s first hundred of the season. Carrying his bat throughout the innings, he earned a well-deserved place on the honours board.
The regular season concluded on Saturday with another excellent victory over Wilson’s School. Tiffin once again impressed in the field, bowling Wilson’s out for 134, with Samvrit the standout performer with figures of 4-22. Captain Kajus gave the chase the perfect start with a fluent 44 before two Year 10 pupils, Atharva and Nandan, calmly guided the side to a five-wicket victory and an excellent finish to the regular campaign. They have a final game against the Tercels on Sunday to conclude their fine season.
The U15As continued their outstanding Stokes-Knight Cup journey by reaching the regional finals at Caterham School. Knowing two victories were required to progress, they began superbly against a strong Skinners’ side. Restricting their opponents to just 66 thanks to an outstanding bowling and fielding effort, with Rahul and Rohan claiming three wickets apiece, Tiffin chased the target comfortably for the loss of just two wickets, with Atharva scoring a rapid half-century to secure a place in the last 32 nationally.
Their second match against Queen Elizabeth’s School proved a sterner test. Nandan’s composed 41 helped Tiffin reach 117-9, while Seyon’s excellent spell of 3-19 kept the contest alive during the chase. Despite a spirited effort, Queen Elizabeth’s reached the target by six wickets. Although their cup run came to an end, reaching this stage of a national competition is a tremendous achievement and one the entire squad should be proud of.
Saturday’s annual Tiffin Cricket Festival once again showcased the depth of talent across the school. The U15As faced the 2nd XI in an entertaining contest, with the younger side producing an excellent bowling display to dismiss the 2nd XI for 108, Rahul S and Rohan G leading the attack. Matthias struck early with the ball for the 2nd XI, but Cooper’s resilient 30 helped the U15As secure a four-wicket victory.
The U15Bs and U14As then treated spectators to a remarkable run-filled encounter. The U15Bs amassed 184 thanks to a superb 150-run partnership between Rickh (60*) and Rishabh A (86*). In response, the U14As completed a sensational chase, led by captain Atharv, whose magnificent unbeaten 113 was his third century of the season and guided his side to victory with an over to spare.
The U13As rounded off their season in style with an excellent home victory over Wilson’s. A disciplined team bowling performance restricted the visitors to just 99 before Aatifuddin dominated the chase with a superb unbeaten 68, seeing Tiffin home with five overs remaining.
The Tiffin Festival also featured the U13Bs against the U12As, while the U12Bs and Cs combined for a mixed fixture. The U13Bs proved too strong, with excellent all-round displays from Elias and Oscar L. For the U12As, Rajveer impressed with both bat and ball, while one of the moments of the day came from Arthur T, who claimed a memorable hat-trick in the U12 playoff.
The final weeks of the cricket season have perfectly reflected the strength of cricket at Tiffin, with outstanding team performances, individual milestones and pupils across every age group continuing to represent the school with great skill, determination and sportsmanship.