St. Ninian's Year 7 cricket team rounded off a superb season in style, winning all five matches at the Isle of Man Year 7 Cricket Festival at King William's College to finish the day unbeaten.
The Saints opened against Castle Rushen, the only team to have beaten them earlier in the season. Batting first, J. Chadwick struck an unbeaten 27 from the six-over innings, with L. Kershaw providing excellent support as the pair ran brilliantly between the wickets to post 45.
Castle Rushen looked in control of the chase until F. Seyum produced a superb caught-and-bowled dismissal to remove their top scorer. With the match going down to the final over, J. Chadwick held his nerve to secure a dramatic one-run victory.
Against the hosts, King William's College, R. Roberts produced one of the innings of the tournament, smashing 22 runs from a single over, an outstanding achievement at any level of cricket, and powering the Saints to another convincing win.
Ballakermeen were the next opponents, but an excellent partnership between B. Bradshaw and N. McKee, backed up by disciplined bowling from J. Cregeen and E. Mackie, secured another victory.
The toughest challenge came against Ramsey Grammar School. After a difficult start with the bat, captain J. Chadwick swung the game back in St. Ninian's favour with three crucial wickets before L. Walmsley bowled superbly to seal another hard-fought win.
The Saints completed a perfect day against QEII, with strong batting from R. Roberts, J. Chadwick and N. McKee, alongside an excellent spell from L. Kershaw, securing a fifth win from five matches.
It has been a fantastic season for this talented Year 7 squad. Many of the boys were new to cricket at the start of the year, but their enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to learn have driven outstanding progress. Congratulations to all of the players on an unbeaten tournament and a superb season.