1561 - merchant taylors' school, northwood in full swing! ... berkhamsted went on to score...

Merchant Taylors’ School Weekly Newsletter01 May 20 2016

Scissorum1561

Merchant Taylors’ School Issue 131

Cricket in full swing! see page 20


MTSThis Week

Although we are now in the midst of the examination season, life at Sandy Lodge continues with its usual animated enthusiasm. Working hard and playing hard is, of course, the life blood of Taylors’ boys, so it is fitting that, as we approach the end of a vibrant half term, I report once again on a tremendous range of activity and achievement.

We send hearty congratulations to London Marathon runners Chris Jervis and Nathan Stephenson, who have raised a princely sum for the charity Phab Kids. This is a tremendous feat for two boys in their final year at school. That boys in the younger year groups performed so distinguishably in the English Schools’ Track and Field Cup suggests that, very soon, others will follow in their footsteps.

As is becoming routine, I’m delighted to report of cricketing success, noting especially the major performances of Omar Karim for the 1st XI and, for the

U15A, those of Jack Leathem, Rafique Ossman, and Alex Thomas.

May I also take this opportunity to remind you of two flagship sporting events on the horizon. May 29 sees the start of a four-day county fixture between Hampshire and Middlesex. And on June 2, our cricket pitches will be replete with even more top-level talent as we welcome, amongst others, Steve Finn, Brendon McCullum, and Eoin Morgan for the T20 match as Middlesex take on Gloucestershire.

We are one of only two schools in the country to host such fixtures, and I do hope you and yours sons will enjoy both occasions.

From the Head Master

Sixth Formers Raise £4,000 for Phab! Many congratulations to Chris Jervis and Nathan Stephenson for completing the London Marathon in their final year at MTS! They ran in support of Phab Kids with Chris raising £1,880 and Nathan raising £2130.

Chris Jervis and Nathan Stephenson with Phab Kids


MTSThis Week

Chris Jervis

Chris Jervis and Nathan Stephenson with other Phab Kids runners

Chris Jervis and Nathan Stephenson


MTSActivitiesEquestrianBen Wood’s first experience on a horse, Jigsaw.

MTSSocietiesJunior Geography


MTSTripsThird-Form Geographers visit Amersham Field CentreOn May 17, all our 3rds went on a field trip to investigate a local river. Boys have been studying rivers: processes, landforms, and changes. Pupils visited two sites across the River chess, a tributary of the Thames. Here, fun was had on a glorious summer’s day, carrying out a range of important fieldwork techniques. Pupils learned new techniques to measure the

river flow and surface speed of the tributary. This led to much hilarity, as floating cork counters disappeared downstream and wellies overflowed with river water. Luckily the sun shone and our clothes dried. All returned, wellies and wet clothes in hand, and smiles on faces. This was a successful day covering a wide range of techniques and consolidating knowledge.


MTSTrips


MTSLooking Forward


MTSLooking Forward

https://shop.middlesexccc.com/match-tickets/merchant-taylors-festival-ticket


MTSLooking Forward

https://development.mtsn.org.uk/pages/MTS_Event_registration?srctid=1&erid=141812&trid=1291672e-f2ea-4d6b-bac3-4e57f7e3cc61


MTSMusicMusic Award Holders’ Trip to the BBC Young Musician of the Year FinalOn the afternoon of Sunday 15th May, ten music scholars and exhibitioners enjoyed balcony seats at the Barbican to witness the final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. The three finalists, 17-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 18-year old french horn player Ben Goldscheider, and saxophonist Jess Gillam, also 17, performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and were judged by a panel of experts. The atmosphere was amazing, and the tension in the room was enhanced by the fact that the TV presenters had to do their pieces to the cameras for the broadcast on BBC4 later that evening. All of the performances were outstanding, and

the MTS boys debated their favourites over an ice-cream in one of the intervals, while being entertained by the winner of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, whose cousin has played at MTS in the past. In the end, the boys all had to agree with the judge’s verdict that Sheku Kanneh-Mason, whose performance of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 received a well-deserved standing ovation, was a worthy winner. The competition is one of the most prestigious awards for amateur players, and maybe one day, inspired by the performances of these young musicians, there might be a Merchant Taylors’ musician performing in the final.


MTSMusic

mailto:sfarthing%40mtsn.org.uk?subject=Serenaders%20Jazz%20Night


MTSMusic



MTSParent 2 Parent


Support the boys tomorrow! Saturday 21st May

Cricket v Reed’s Home: 1st, 3rd, U15A, C, U14A, C, D, U13A, B, U12A (11.00)

Away: 2nd, U15B, U14B, U12B (11.00)

Tennis v v St AlbansHome: U15 IV, U14 IV (10.00)

MTSSport


MTSSportv Berkhamsted

1st XI MTS won by 2 wickets MTS – 222-8 Berkhamsted – 220-9 Major Performances: Omar Karim 68 MOM: Ashane Wijesuriya

Losing the toss, Berkhamsted elected to bat first on a good pitch. After taking an early wicket, Berkhamsted built a big partnership and wickets were hard to come by. Aaran Amin bowled a fine spell and managed to stem the run rate. Berkhamsted went on to score 220-9 from their 40 overs which was an impressive total. The MTS run chase got off to the worst possible start losing both openers Regan and Rawal in the first 5 overs. Karim and Thomas led a rebuilding partnership, with Karim being the aggressor in playing some flamboyant strokes. Karim went on to score a superb 68 runs from just 54 balls and provided the momentum needed to chase a large total. MTS faltered in their run chance losing a succession of wickets and the team required 36 runs from the final 3 overs with just 2 wickets left in hand. Ashane Wijesuriya took control and hit a huge 6 off a no ball, followed by another 6 by Randev and MTS required 15 from the final 2 overs. Wijesuriya hit another superb 4, and the scores were level with 1 over left. Randev managed to scamper for a quick single to give MTS a thrilling 2 wicket win, thanks to a fine knock of 30 by Wijesuriya.

2nd XI MTS won by 7 wickets MTS – 116-3 Berkhamsted 115 all out Major Performances: Anirudh Ramamurthy with the ball. Tom Bannon with the bat. MOM: Anirudh Ramamurthy

Having lost the toss, Taylors’ took to the field and delivered an outstanding bowling performance. Led by Anirudh Ramamurthy, who finished with figures of 3 for 11 of 5.2 overs, the bowlers got

the ball moving and made scoring runs difficult. Backed up by great athleticism in the field, most notably from George “bucket hands” smith, the home side struggled to score runs, finishing with 115 all out off 28 overs. Opening batsman Parthia Rajesh helped anchor the Taylors’ innings, allowing Charlie Aarons and Tom Bannon to bat aggressively and knock the runs off quickly. A game highlight was the epic gates versus gates battle, with MTS pupil Dan facing off against his older sister who studies at Berkhamsted. Sadly for Dan, experience beat youth, with a loose flick off the pads being caught at square leg and Felicity taking great pleasure in waving her brother back to the pavilion. But Taylors’ eventually won by seven wickets, taking 26 overs to reach their target.

U15A MTS won by 5 wickets MTS – 131-5 Berkhamsted – 127 all out Major Performances: Jack Leathem 68 not out, Rafique Ossman 4-4, Alex Thomas 3 stumpings MOM: Jack Leathem

Berkhamsted won the toss and the under 15A team were put into the field

and set the tone early. Brij Kantaria bowled a great spell of 4-0-10 beating the bat nearly every ball, followed by tight bowling from Kabir Mandir, Kailen Patel, and Veron Shah. The spinners bowled beautifully on a green wicket, bowling them out for 127. Bowlers were all backed up by tidy keeping from Alex Thomas, including three stumpings. After getting off to a steady start due to some tight bowling, the openers found some rhythm before Adam Syed was dismissed for 18 to a great catch. Wickets continued to fall but Jack Leathem wasn’t fazed, going on to score a match winning knock of 68, leaving him and Tom Steene 15 not out to finish off the run chase.

U15B MTS won by 8 wickets MTS – 132-2 Berkhamsted – 129-9 Major Performances: Rohan Ashar 3 for 9, Sam Davies 69 no, Karan Sofat 35 MOM: Rohan Ashar

By our normal standards, the U15Bs bowled and fielded relatively poorly, though St Albans were restricted to 129 off 35 overs. Dylan Bhundia bowled accurately, as did Rohan Ashar, who took 3 for 9. This was comfortably chased in

Cricket


MTSSportjust 19 overs, Sam Davies ending on 69 not out and Karan Sofat chipping in with 35. MTS won by 8 wickets.

U15C MTS won by 8 wickets MTS – 183 -2 Berkhamsted – 178 - 9 Major Performances: Dylan Cohen - 78 off 78, Dylan Pindoria - some great wickets. MOM: Dylan Cohen

Despite the ball moving across the outfield like a tennis ball on Velcro, MTS contrived to gift Berkhamsted 178 runs over 30 overs. Our bowlers acquitted themselves well. Luckily, Dylan Cohen is good at cricket. With a supporting cast of Tom Harrison, Dilan Pindoria and Lakshman Samarakoon, he frustrated and ultimately dispatched the opposition. The boys secured 78 runs off 78 balls.

U14A MTS won by 91 runs MTS 148 all out Berkhamsted 57 all out Major Performances: Kiyan Kassam, Rohan Day MOM: Rohan Day

MTS lost the toss and were put into bat on a green-seaming deck by Berkhamsted. The openers Kiyan Kassam and Samir Sardana saw off the opening bowlers and started to build a solid platform for the rest of the batting order. However, the middle order collapsed and Kassam was running out of partners with whom to bat. Kassam finally fell for a sublime 65 in the last few overs of the game. Some great late hitting from Finn Edwards got us to a competitive total of 148 off 35 overs.

U14B MTS won by 43 runs MTS – 163 - 6 Berkhamsted 120 all out Major Performances: Szostak 71 not out, Szostak 5 -26 MOM: Szostak

With the weather undecided on whether to be sunny or cloudy, it was a warm greeting from the Berkhamsted staff. Taylors’ lost the toss and where put into bat.

Some early wickets through poor shot selection unsettled the opening batsman but it was Captain Szostak who steady the ship and with Bickerstaff went on to put on a 100 partnership.

With teas looming these two took Taylors’ to 163 -6 a tough target for Berkhamsted.

One of the highlights of the day had to be the teas. We were superbly hosted and it would be amiss if it was not mentioned. In particular the Pastrami with Dijon on granary bread was delightful as were the freshly baked cakes and cookies.

After tea, it was the MTS attack that made the difference. In particular Shaan Patel bowled well causing the Berkhamsted team to shut up shop. Whilst he only took one wicket he was dropped a number of times and the ball either fell short or landed just over the fielders head. With Berkhamsted rattled they began to block out for survival. A mid-order revival did see some runs

scored, but Captain Szostak came in and took 5 for 26 to demolition the middle order. Berkhamsted did put up a fight but were left 43 runs short.

U14C MTS won by 9 wickets MTS 71-1 Berkhamsted 70 all out Major Performances: Townsend 3-0-8-3, Jegeswaran 31* Mom: Jegeswaran

Another good toss to win and Townsend and Patel reduced Berkhamsted to 25-5 after 5 overs. The spinners bowled very well but were not backed up by good catching, fortunately four run outs meant that Berkhamsted were never able to recover.

Dhawan and Jegeswaran batted well, looking for singles and hitting the bad ball for 4. Dhawan ran himself out leaving Captain Alexander-Bryan to finish things off with some flashing strokes after an early scare.


MTSSportU13A MTS won by 1 wicket MTS – 100-9 Berkhamsted 99 All out Major Performances: S Duggan (6-1-17-3), A Mehta (4-2-5-1), Z Lodhi (23), P Aarons (17) MOM: J Cameron 25

The U13A side welcomed Berkhamsted in what would turn out to be a superb display of cricket. Winning the toss, MTS decided they would bowl first. The opening overs saw a number of bad balls put away by the Berkhamsted openers however MTS were soon on top after picking up 4 quick wickets. The middle order fought back however, and the MTS bowlers had to be patient. The spin partnership of Mehta and Shah soon put pressure on the middle order with some accurate bowling under which Berkhamsted. Duggan and Aarons came back to clean up the tail, with Duggan exceptionally special with full inswinging deliveries simply too good for the lower order. Berkhamsted finally finished on 99.

The MTS chase did not get off to a good start when they had lost 3 early wickets. This however only brought Lodhi and Aarons to the crease, knowing the task in hand, they played superbly and brought the game back to MTS, finally building a partnership of 40 to

swing the game back in our favour. Both soon fell though to poor shots, and with this 4 more quick wickets fell. This brought MOM Cameron to the crease who simply took the game away from Berkhamsted with clean, crisp hitting, he was very well supported by K. Shah. When Cameron fell with just 1 required to win and 1 wicket remaining all the pressure was on the MTS 10 & 11. They managed to keep out the good deliveries before a wide ended the game in our favour.

U13B MTS lost by 18 runs MTS 131 all out Berkhamsted – 149-4 Major Performances: Rahul Gopaldas 47, Mayowa Temowo 31, Ayush Tokeria 2 for 12 MOM: Rahul Gopaldas

Berkhamsted made an impressive total, with a strong innings from their opening batsman. Some good bowling from MTS was not always helped by some errors in the field, and the Berkhamsted total was always going to be a challenge. Ayush Tokeria (2 for 12) was the best of the bowlers, with Mayowa Temowo and Rahul Gopaldas taking a wicket each.

The MTS chase was led by some spectacular big hitting from Gopaldas, who made 47, and was ably supported by Temowo, who made 31. A devastating

six wicket haul by a Berkhamsted bowler meant a middle-order collapse, and the end of the challenge.

But some outstanding hitting from Gopaldas put MTS in with a real chance, until a six wicket haul from a Berkhamsted bowler ended the challenge.

U13C MTS 25 all out MTS lost by 140 runs Berkhamsted – 165-5

In the spirit of British understatement, the U13Bs came up a little short this weekend. They came up against strong opposition who batted with guts and guile to post an impressive target of 165. In response, the boys adopted a rather defeatist stance and no-one really came to the crease with the intention of staying there come hell or high water. Hopefully they will see this as an important moment as they go back to the nets to practise their technique and their mental resilience.

U13C Taylors’ 84 for 5 after 20 overs Berkhamsted 85 for 3 after 14.3 overs

The U13C team played valiantly but fell short on sunny, albeit, slightly windy Saturday morning at Sandy Lodge against Berkamsted. Taylors’ lost the toss and were put into bat. Some tidy


MTSSport

bowling made the initial scoring slow, before a strong partnership between Myan Vaghji and Anmol Singh gave Taylors’ a foothold in the match. Anmol Singh scored an impressive 23 before the new batsman, Jasper Jobling struck the ‘shot of the match’ from the final ball of the innings, dispatching it for four, much to the delight of the home team. Berkhamsted’s opening batsmen settled quickly and began to build an impressive partnership despite some accurate bowling from Aaron Benedict and Myan Vaghji. The partnership was finally broken from a plumb delivery from Thishangar Gnanamurali. Two more wickets quickly followed, however, it was not enough to prevent Berkhamsted exceeding the required runs with five overs to spare.

U12A MTS lost by 39 runs MTS 117 all out Berkhamsted – 156 – 9 Major Performances: Shanker: 2 for 23 off 6 and 39, Sheikh: 3 for 23 off 6 MOM: Shanker

Berkhamsted batted first and were under pressure from some solid bowling from Shanker and Sheikh. They were 100 for 6 and looking nervous. A tale ender came in with some aggressive batting and a flourish of boundaries. This took Berkhamsted to 156 off 30, a big total but achievable. MTS started well with 39 from Shanker and 22 from Muralitherin. Unfortunately nobody could stick with them and we were bowled out for 117. A good game of cricket against a team that were very beatable. Many lessons learnt and plenty to work on next week.

U12C MTS lost by 48 runs MTS – 56-6 Berkhamsted – 104-3 MOM: Amaran Patel

A cold day away at Berkhamsted for a

25 over match. Taylors’ won the toss and put Berkhamsted into bat. A good bowling performance by Amaran Patel and Dylan Patel in the first 15 overs. A few too many extras allowed Berkhamsted to score 104 off 25 overs. A pacy bowling attack made it difficult for Taylors’ to get in to the match, although Luke Johnson performed well with that bat. This team will continue to improve match by match.


MTSSportSwimming

Athletics

Alfie Collins meets Mark Foster at MTS Prep

ESAA Athletics Meet at Lee Valley

On Thursday, Alfie Collins attended his old preparatory school, Merchant Taylors’ Prep, to meet and listen to Mark Foster, one of his sporting idols. Mark Foster was the longest serving and certainly most successful British swimmer to date, meeting Mark was a huge privilege for Alfie given his own achievements in swimming. Alfie attended the Rio Olympic Qualifying trials and will be looking to compete in the British Nationals Swimming trials in July of this year. Some valuable insight and lessons inspired all at the talk, helping to motivate pupils to achieve their goals, no matter how high.

Last Friday saw round 1 of the English Schools’ Athletic Association (ESAA) Track and Field Cup. Both junior and intermediate teams, comprised of boys from the Thirds up to the Divs, could boast many individual talents. In some of the most highly rated performances, Sam Bickerstaff sped around the 800m in 2 minutes and 13.8 seconds, Adam Broomhead leapt over 80m of hurdles in 12.8 seconds and Sean Duggan cast a shotput 9.92m.

Intermediate boys Amir Anwar, Max Arlen, Bert Edwards, Ben Carter, Yuki Yoshie, Sam Lee, Ruaridh Nicholls, Vishal Matthews and Arthur Gardner all secured a Bronze Awards for their individual performances across two events. Sam Bickerstaff and Adam Broomhead achieved Silver Awards. Congratulations must also go to Intermediate team members Kamran Sheikh, Josh Goldman and Patrick Brown, who all put in sterling performances with Patrick winning his round of the 1500m by a large margin.

Junior boys Mayowa Temowo, Malachi Aina, James Savage, David Kukoyi, Charlie Horridge and Alexander Jones also achieved Bronze Awards. Silver Awards were secured by Sean

Duggan and Aaron Florenstein. Congratulations must also go to Junior team members Michel Aiyetigbo, Dylan Byrne, Ush Murphy, Archie Brown, Ethan Lawes and Guganeshan Muralitharan.

Running on! by Henry William Ogilvie

The dusk is down on the river meadows, The moon is climbing above the fir, The lane is crowded with creeping shadows, The gorse is only a distant blur; The last of the light is almost gone, But hark! They’re running! They’re running on! The count of the years is steadily growing; The Old give way to the eager Young; Far on the hill is the horn still blowing, Far on the steep are the hounds still strung. Good men follow the good men gone; And hark! They’re running! They’re running on!

Alfie Collins at MTP with Mark Foster Alfie Collins with Mark Foster


MTSSport

Aaron Florenstein powers ahead in the 300m sprint

Adam Broomhead shows the competition how to hurdle as he strides his way to 1st place

Max Arlen takes it up to fifth gear in the 300m sprint

Patrick Brown extends his lengthy lead to come 1st in his round of the 1500m

Adam Broomhead shows the competition how to hurdle as he strides his way to 1st place

Ben Carter shows impressive endurance in the 800m

Members of the team cheer on Guganeshan Muralitharan as he powers his way to an impressive 3rd place in his round of the 1500m

Yuki Yoshi makes a strong start in his round of the 80m hurdles


MTSSportTennis


MTSSportFootball


MTSOMTsThe OMT touring party to the SommePhilip Newfield, President OMT Society writes:

We honoured most, if not all, of the OMTs who gave their lives at the Somme by laying wreaths either at their grave or at memorials on which their name is engraved. Verity Howard, wife of Roger Howard (OMT), spoke most movingly of how her great uncle had fought and died in the near proximity of where we were standing, and Richard Holmes (OMT) did likewise at a different location near to the scene of his grandfather’s action and death.

If this was not enough, at two of the OMT graves we visited, those of Lt F.C. Arnaud, and 2nd Lt G.A. Ward, on our arrival at both graves a wreath laid by the boys of Merchant Taylors’ on their visit two weeks ago was still in place. At both graves we laid a wreath on behalf of the OMT Society, and left our wreaths alongside those laid by the boys.

Tony Booth told us that he has been visiting the Somme battlefields regularly for more than twenty years, and he has never before seen such wreaths in place together at any grave.

OMT Commemorative Trip to the Somme Battlefields


MTSOMTsOMT U17s take Best Team Award 2016The OMT U17s were awarded the OMT Best Team Award 2016 at a ceremony in the OMT Clubhouse at the War Memorial Sports Ground last Friday. This follows a highly successful season playing against local clubs at U17 or U18. The award was made by Dick Clack, the Vice Chairman of OMT Rugby. It marks the first youth team win since the inception of the

OMT Football Club in 1882. Joining in the photo are team manager Susan Howells, Team Coach Francois Lombard, and OMT Youth Chairman Gordon Brown. The OMT U17s consist largely of current MTS players but includes 3 regular non-MTS players and OMT rugby teams are open to all from Minis to 1st XV.

OMT Best Team Award 2016 U17s

OMT Rugby 2016 U17s


MTSOMTs


MTSLooking Forward

1561 - merchant taylors' school, northwood in full swing! ... berkhamsted went on to score...

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