Schools match of the week: St Peter's, York v Woodhouse Grove

Due to bad weather the match was abandoned, but The Cricketer took the opportunity to catch up with Gareth Sharp, head of cricket at St Peter's

Cricket fans have been cursing the recent weather with several World Cup matches falling victim to the wet conditions. Unfortunately, schools cricket has also been affected and the match of the week, St Peter’s, York v Woodhouse Grove, was abandoned.

Despite the weather, The Cricketer took the opportunity to catch up with Gareth Sharp, head of cricket at St Peter’s, to hear about their season so far.

“I’m really pleased with how it has gone. We started with some strong wins over Ampleforth and Sedbergh and have since made great progress is the National Schools T20.”

St Peter’s are through to the Northern Final, where they will play either Sedbergh or Manchester Grammar School and Sharp has reason to be confident, as his side have already beaten Sedbergh, by five wickets, earlier this summer.

The York school have only lost once this term and Sharp puts that down to his squad being young but also experienced.

“Our squad are predominantly in the lower sixth but they have been a part of the 1st XI squad for the past two years. The experience they have now got of 1st XI cricket is invaluable.”

Having a squad mostly made up of those in the lower sixth also means that Sharp won’t lose many of his team to exams.

St Peter’s have a well-balanced side, with match-winning contributions coming with both bat and ball. Matty Roberts has been in sparkling form with the bat and already has two centuries to his name this summer. He scored 150 not out against Ampleforth as well as a brutal 108 not out off 47 balls in a T20 against Birkdale.

The bowling attack has been full of youthful energy, with Flynn Southgate, son of England football manager, Gareth, taking 17 wickets with the new ball.

“Flynn has bowled really well. Considering he is still an U15 he is definitely one to watch for the future.”

The side has been led by captain, Chris Wood, who has been ever-reliant with the bat, contributing several fifties.

This group’s success at 1st XI level has been no accident. They have been playing cricket together for many years as a result of St Peter’s cricket development programme.

“We have been looking at different formats and concepts to promote cricket in our prep school, St Olave’s.

“Having just technique isn’t enough, you need to enjoy the game. Our new games help children relax while playing the sport and they begin to enjoy it and want to succeed. That makes them better players later on.

“We started doing this in the prep school about five years ago and that first group of boys are now playing for the 1st XI. They love their cricket and don’t feel pressure in matches because to them it is just a game.

“The ECB have picked up on this system and I have spent the last two years working with them on creating new formats to get more children playing cricket in schools.”

The Cricketer would like to thank Durant Cricket for their ongoing support of our schools cricket coverage. For more on Durant Cricket, including booking a site visit, please click here