Grosvenor In View Magazine 2025

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U14 Cricket

Back Row (L-R): D Lozano, H McCurley, D Hamilton, M Baird Middle Row (L-R): Dr F Vasey, D Bailie, O Kane, Z Greenlees, B Cooper, E Reid, Mr A Hamilton Front Row (L-R): K Close, A Kennedy, Z Braithwaite, T Ramsey, S Bande

The season began with our annual friendly against Methodist College, Belfast. Gloomy, overcast conditions greeted us at Pirrie Park. Grosvenor won the toss and took the positive option of batting first; this would be a theme for the season. Grosvenor got off to a good start, with Matthew Baird and Dominik Lipowski the highlight of the top order. Alfie Kennedy was the standout in the innings playing a few lovely strokes on his way to 33 not out. This left Grosvenor with a defendable score of 102 off their 20 overs. Grosvenor started very well with the ball and in the field applying pressure to the Methody openers. 3 wickets for David Lozano along with 2 wickets each for Alfie and Daniel Bailie put Methody under extreme pressure from which they could not recover. Finishing on 55 for 9 after their 20 overs. A great way to start the season from Grosvenor with a resounding victory over a close rival. Off the back of this win, Grosvenor had the challenging task of an away fixture to Down High School. We knew this fixture would be challenging as this team had got the better of us last season. Grosvenor were again made to bat first and made a positive start through Matthew Baird’s 22. From this platform though Grosvenor could

not push on through the middle overs, leaving us on a mundane score of 84. We knew we would have to bowl well to defend this total, but I do not think anyone would believe the drama that was about to unfold! Grosvenor took a new approach with the ball, deciding to open with Daniel and David, this decision paid dividends as the two bowled brilliantly, restricting Down High to 18 for 3. The middle overs were kept tight through Zach Braithwaite, Dominik and Alfie, leaving Down High requiring 16 off the last 5 overs. A crucial wicket from Daniel Hamilton, followed by a wicket maiden by Zach left Down High requiring 5 off the last over to win. Daniel B was the man under pressure; he bowled brilliantly in this over but a few lucky shots from Down High left them requiring 2 off the last ball. Daniel B bowled the perfect ball, but the batter edged it over 3rd man and was able to run 2, leaving Grosvenor defeated in what was a truly dramatic encounter. There were many positives to take from this game, but we knew our middle order batting and strike rotation needed to be improved for the weeks to come. The team worked really hard in training so when we arrived at Campbell College, we knew we had prepared

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