Grosvenor In View Magazine 2025

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SPORTS TEAMS

against Sullivan Upper School and Bangor Grammar School. The Sullivan match saw GGS post 95 all out (Rickert 13, Marshall 17, McAdoo 11) before restricting their opponents to 78 all out thanks to wickets from Barr (4), Marshall (2) and Close (1). Against Bangor Grammar, the team batted impressively to accrue 155 all out from their 20 overs, with runs coming from Reid (25), Barr (24) and Marshall (23). In response, the boys again bowled and fielded impressively to restrict BGS to 133 all out from 18 overs, with wickets being claimed by Close (3/20), Barr (2/16), Marshall (2/26) and Reid (1/35). As well as these impressive victories, the team also provided much reason for optimism in their two Saturday morning defeats of the season. Away to Campbell College ‘B’ team, wickets from Cooper (3), Close (2), Osborne (1) and Barr (1) restricted CCB to 117/6 off 20. In response, the boys looked favourites at one stage during their chase, before a run of quick wickets derailed their innings. In the end, the team fell just short, finishing 102 all out with notable runs from Cooper (13), McAdoo (11), and Reid (9). And finally, in a return fixture away to Methodist College Belfast, the hosts recovered from the loss of early wickets to reach a total of 160/9 off 20 overs, to which GGS responded with 135 all out (Close 31, Marshall 30). A valiant effort in defeat. Well done to every member of the squad who represented the School so well throughout the summer months – special mention must go to Benny Cooper, who led by example as Captain, as well as to Joseph Barr, Karsten Close, Lucas Marshall, Matthew McAdoo, Jamie Osborne, Olly Reid and Josh Rickert, each of whom made many valuable and, at times, match-winning contributions throughout the season. In addition, thanks are extended to Sam Baird, Daniel Bates, Dylan Davidson, Caleb Gowing, Ollie Thorpe and Gideon Topping, each of whom displayed commitment to the cause at all times: to have to select a starting 11 each week from such a wide squad of players was a nice problem to have, with the competition for places that it generated helping to contribute to some excellent individual and collective performances. Well done to all the players who helped to make this year’s Under 13 season such a worthwhile and fruitful one – we wish them all the best of luck for the coming seasons and hope to see them excel at the crease, on the wicket and in the field over the years to come. Mr N Lendrum and Mr P Thompson

The team’s Cup campaign began with a convincing victory at home to Down High School. Batting first on a sublime Saturday morning, Grosvenor’s batsmen took advantage of the fast astroturf outfield to register an incredible 230-1 off 20 overs. Captain Benny Cooper batted superbly to accumulate 86 runs before being retired, ably supported by Josh Rickert who scored 50 before also being retired. The two half-centurions were also supported impressively by Joseph Barr, with a valuable 26 not out. In defence of their impressive total, the GGS bowling attack performed with discipline to reduce their opponents to 119/6 from their allotted overs, securing a 111 run victory in the process. Credit goes to Joseph Barr and Benny Cooper, who helped themselves to 2 wickets each, along with Jamie Osborne and Olly Reid, with 1 apiece. The team’s reward for their victory over Down High School was a daunting away fixture against perennial champions R.B.A.I. in the quarter final of the competition. Held on a sweltering Tuesday at Inst’s Osborne Park, the boys lost the toss and were asked to field first. Against an outstanding team the boys displayed great courage and perseverance but could do little as the R.B.A.I. batting lineup drove, cut and swept its way to 226/3 off 25 overs – a formidable total. At times this was a somewhat humbling experience, but the boys deserve much credit for never allowing their heads to drop and giving off their best throughout. In response, the team batted commendably; although the target of 231 never looked likely, knocks of 34 from Karsten Close, 24 from Matthew McAdoo and 21 from Joseph Barr contributed to a final, respectable chase of 99 all out. The team will be all the better for the experience that this match provided, and the boys could feel no grievance at losing to such an outstanding outfit. Outside of competitive Cup fixtures, the team also participated in five Saturday morning matches – winning three and losing two. The team’s Saturday morning campaign began with an impressive home victory against Methodist College Belfast on the astroturf surface that the boys tend to perform so well on. An impressive bowling display helped to keep the MCB batsmen in check, as Lucas Marshall led the way with an impressive 4 wickets, supported ably by Joseph Barr (2 wickets) as well as Jamie Osborne and Olly Reid (1 wicket each). Batting second, impressive performances from Benny Cooper (35), Karsten Close (16), Josh Rickert (24*) and Jamie Osborne (18*) helped the team to a comfortable victory by an impressive 8 wickets. Elsewhere, victories were also secured in away fixtures

GROSVENOR IN VIEW > 2024/25