Sport News!
The tour began on 9th December to an uplifting send off. The Bano lads started the long journey of 2 ½ hours to North Yorkshire. They had an amusing arrival as dim light helped Mr. West find the beach, where he tried to make a three point turn but failed miserably. When Mr. West was questioned he sheepishly replied “No comment.” They faced their first match of the tour, against Yarm School. The high standard of Yarm School was to be expected, as they had three international standard players in the squad. The game started off with some good tackling from the Bano side. The forwards were playing for the whole team. The backs weren’t allowed to play because of the immense pressure on the forwards. Yarm School managed to score 3 tries within 10 minutes, and this wasn’t going to be the last. Bano conceded another two tries before an end came to the half.
Despite the conversion chances they did not stretch their lead missing all 5 opportunities. Mr. West and Mr. Leary gave an uplifting team talk to the lads, during the break. This gave the team a boost, and the talk seemed to be working until Yarm’s backs used the ball well and got it out to the winger to make it another try for the home side. They also converted the first of the game. The Bano boys also had a lot more possession and were increasingly forcing Yarm back into their 22. Bano had many chances to score but somehow the good defending of Yarm kept the lads from scoring. Yarm hit back with one more in the half due to a lack of concentration from the backs. The end score was a respectable 39-0. After the game the boys went to watch Middlesborough vs. Huddersfield, a north division one tie. It was a close game and this showed the boys how they were meant to do it.
They then went back to the hostel for tea. That evening saw the boys embark on a Whitby ghost walk. Reports suggest that it was an eerie night. They then went back to the hostel for what was meant to be a good nights sleep. It was an early start in the morning, heading south to Bridlington Rugby club. They arrived at the club ready to make amends. Bano showed they weren’t going to be a push over with some outstanding tackles from Dane Ansell and Harry Corrigan. They started the game quite well with some good rucking and scrums, even though Bridlington had a King Kong style front row. It was a big loss when, full back, Luke Appleyard had to go off, injured early in the half. This allowed them to score their first try, twenty minutes into the half. The Bano boys held off several more try opportunities for the home side. Then started the second half determined to level the score.
Despite getting into dangerous territory, Harry Corrigan and Alex “Panda” Palmer were committing several infringements, wasting many chances for tries. Half time arrived and Banovallum were yet to concede another try. It was a hard second half for the boys, as they were on the back foot most of time, apart from a few breaks. They got denied a try, due to double movement, which the video referee was unable to confirm. The lads couldn’t hold them off, when thirty minutes in they conceded on the left wing. It was a break from the half way line to a well finished try. The final score ended up at 14-0.
Although they didn’t win either of their two games it was a great experience for the Bano boys to play against such quality opposition, and come away with their heads held high.
Intervew with Mr Leary
What has been your sporting highlight of the year? “Mainly the rugby tour by the year Y9’s but also the Y8’s reaching a rugby final, Y10’s reaching the basketball final, the Y9 girls netball team and the Y11’s winning district basketball final.”
Who is potentially the best year group in sport? “Not sure as all years are good at different types of sport for example Y7, 8, 9’s are good at everything, Y10’s are good at basketball and cricket and Y11’s are good at basketball.”
Where do you see sport in Banovallum going in the future? “To improve the attendance at training sessions, to have more county players and to maintain the high levels that each team is producing.”
How do you think your teaching has improved the sporting teams? “I like to vary the people that I choose to represent in school teams, so everyone gets a chance, but if the children weren’t as enthusiastic as they are, I wouldn’t be able to teach as well as I can.”
If you had some serious money, what would you spend it on? “A sports hall but also a swimming pool.”
How do you think England winning the Ashes has boosted the interest in school? “The school is getting more invites for cricket matches and funding. As well thanks to Mr West it is now seen as an all round sport.”
Are there any plans of improving the sports hall? No comment.
What do you think of the rugby performances given by all years? “Different year groups perform better in different tournaments, for example whether it is 7a-side or 15a-side.”
What parts of sport do you like teaching the best? “Flight in gymnastics, but also i like rugby, basketball, athletics but also when it is a nice hot day.”
If there were any other sports you would like to bring into the curriculum, what would they be? “Swimming.”
Why did you choose to teach sport? “I like seeing the kids in different experiences and enjoying themselves and it is mainly outside.”
What other schools have you taught at before Banovallum? “A number of schools but before movingto Banovallum I worked at Lindsey school in Cleethorpes, but moved here as Banovallum has better potential.”
Interview with Arran Brindle
How did you feel when you won the ashes? “The whole team couldn’t believe what had happened, but it didn’t really kick in until a few days later.”
What was tour highlight of the summer apart from winning the ashes? “It was the first win at Stratford against the Australians. We haven’t beaten them before this, for twelve years.”
Where did you play the tests, and which test did you prefer and why? “We played at Hove and Worcester. At Hove we drew but at Worcester we won. Worcester is special to me because we won the ashes there, but Hove was more personal because I got my first century. This century helped the team to save the game.”
What position did you play? “I played better at number five and also when fielding I played either cover or point.”
If you give any advice to any young cricketers, what would it be? “It would be to always set yourself a challenge and to enjoy yourself.”
What was your highest score? “My highest score was at Hove with a score of 101, not out, this saved the game. In the last test I scored 82 hitting a 4 off the last ball.”
Recently, you have toured Sri Lanka and India, how was it? “Sri Lanka was different than we all expected they were not as good as we first thought and they played a unique style. When we went to India it was different again as it was longer and also the culture and the food were nothing like the UK.”
Was winning the ashes your career highlight? “Yes as a massive thing like winning the ashes doesn’t happen very often.”
What is the standard in women’s county cricket? “ There are three divisions of 4 teams which has decreased as there used to be six or seven. Although women’s cricket is getting bigger and more popular.”
When did you start playing cricket? “I started playing in a boys team of under 12’s and then I progressed to play for Thornton in Craven in Yorkshire. I first started playing for Lancashire when I was 16 years old.”
What was it like to take part in open top bus parade through London?“ It was great but Matthew Hoggard summed it up as he thought there would only be three men and a dog but there wasn’t there was people hanging out of windows. It was great.
Any comments on Andrew Flintoff’s condition that day? “ Well that he had enjoyed himself and he didn’t get drunk at a bar he was just at the hotel with a few friends.”
What was it like to be with British heroes at the Sports Personality of the year awards?“ We had just landed back from India and the winning of the ashes had just started to kick in then going to the awards and seeing Pele , it was just Brilliant.”
Interview with Pubudu
How are you finding the English weather? “When I first got here the weather was shockingly cold. Thankfully the weather has improved and I hope it stays the same. The average back in Sri Lanka is normally 30 degrees.”
Do you have any advice to young and up coming cricketers? “There is a lot of talent here in clubs and general so I would just that you should keep practicing.
What was your highest score? “I got a 107 not out and also 101; this was in division 2 in Colombo.”
When did you first start playing cricket? “I started playing when I was twelve for the school under 13’s team, before that though I had private classes when I was about 8.”
What clubs did you play for when you were In Sri Lanka? “The clubs I have played for are Nomads cricket club and Taumauanight cricket club.”
What is different in cricket in Sri Lanka and here? “In England there are loads of games that are popular such as football, rugby and cricket but in Sri Lanka, cricket is the only main game as it is most popular.”
How is it that you have come to Horncastle to play? “I came here because I am a friend of Mr. West; I have known him for 4 years as I met him in 2002. I came to play over here because Mr. West invited me over here to play for him.”
What was it like playing with Mr West? “ It was a fun experience as Mr West was friendly and knows how to get on with people well and I could have a good laugh as Mr West was fielding on the boundary, firecrackers were been thrown at Mr West so I had to bring him in infield because of the danger. For that game I was captain as well.”
Are you looking for an English bird over here? “NO (sarcasm) but possibly if one comes along.”
What’s the best thing you have ever won? “The best tournament I have won is the Mercantile tournament which involves all the businesses playing each other. Also we won the B division championship twice. Finally I played indoor cricket for Sri Lanka against England.”
Who is your idol? “Graham Thorpe”
What is your favourite position? “My favourite position is cover point”
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