Y8 Rounders Team are Doncaster Champions! Monday 5th July 2010     The time of year had come around for the annual Year 8 Doncaster schools rounders tournament which this year was taking place on home soil. After a narrow defeat in last years final the majority of the squad were out to go one better and keep the trophy at Balby Carr. The squad for this year consisted of Taurai Mavhuru, Josh Marshall, Jacob John, Jack Scarrott (Captain), Jacob Hartle, Luke Lowther, Sean Singh, Adam Duty, Kyle Brandon, Luke Taylor, Rhys Lilley, Curtis Corbett & Matthew Pudwell. The squad were ready for their first game looking extremely smart in their blue Balby Carr shirts and they were ready for action. The first game up was against De Warenne academy and Balby Carr decided to field first so they had a target set for them to chase down. Some fantastic bowling from Mavhuru and excellent work at 2nd base from Pudwell saw the opposition restricted to just 3 ½ rounders. Balby Carr knew this score was easily attainable so they were in a confident mood. Up stepped Jacob ‘Slogger’ John who hit the first ball so high and far that it came down with snow on the ball. Further rounders from Corbett, Marshall and Scarrott gave Balby Carr a 5 ½ - 3 ½ victory in the first game.   The next game that followed was against Danum and this time Balby Carr were batting first. Balby Carr were in a buoyant mood after their first victory and every player was buzzing. The enthusiasm of the squad was their for all to see. Rounders from John, Marshall, Duty, Taylor, Lilley, Hartle and Brandon saw Balby Carr post a fantastic 7 rounders which was the highest total of the day. With Balby having such a strong squad they were able to rotate their fielders around so that everyone had a chance at fielding. This game brought about Balby’s best fielding displaying with both Marshall and Lowther taking fantastic catches. The accuracy and power of the throws was unbelievable with Lilley, John and Singh all showing a good arm and Mr reliable Pudwell restricting the scoring at 2nd base. Balby Carr eventually running out winners by 7- 3 1/2 . Afterwards the opposition came over to the Balby Carr lads and said that it was one of the best fielding displays that they had witnessed.   The next game up was against Sir Thomas Wharton. Balby Carr once again elected to field first and the praise from the opposition in the previous game led to some very erratic fielding indeed against a good STW side. The opposition scored 6 which Balby Carr knew would be a tough score to reach. In previous games the first 3 batters all scored heavily but this time Balby Carr had lost 3 players after 3 balls. This though showed the sheer strength of the side as other players stepped up to the mantle and got Balby Carr to 5 ½ rounders with 2 batters left. Up stepped Pudwell and he played the ball over 3rd base and this was the half rounder needed to secure a draw. But at 2nd base Matthew ‘Kamikaze’ Pudwell decided to charge full pelt for a rounder to secure victory outright. This led to him being stumped out at 4th base and the chance had gone. The team had lost by 6 – 5 1/2 .   The final game was up against Hungerhill and Balby Carr once again showed they could lead from the front by scoring 5 rounders from their 20 balls. Then another fantastic fielding display saw the opposition on ½ a rounder with 4 balls left. But some erratic fielding albeit when the game was over led to Hungerhill scoring 3 more rounders but Balby Carr had won this by 5 – 3 1/2 . The team had won 3 of their 4 games but would this be enough???? The results had come in and Balby Carr had won the tournament on rounders scored. A massive 23 rounders scored had led to them pipping Sir Thomas Wharton by virtue of rounders scored. A massive well done to the team who demonstrated fantastic team-work and enthusiasm to become the Year 8 Doncaster Rounders Champions.   Mr Dodd Head of PE & Academies