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Congratulations to the Wellington 1st Team cricketers on their outstanding victory over Eton, which saw them win the Cowdrey Cup for the second time in the last three seasons. The Colin Cowdrey Memorial Cup is a 55-over school competition for the top cricket schools in the South East of England. The trophy was initiated in memory of former England captain Colin Cowdrey, for the 1st XIs from Charterhouse, Eton, Harrow, Radley, Tonbridge, and Wellington College. It is recognised as one of the toughest tests in schools cricket, with many of the players going on to play Minor County, First-Class, and International cricket.
Undefeated over their five matches, Wellington started their campaign with a convincing win at Radley, and then travelled to Harrow to prevail by the narrowest of margins in a nail-biting finish. Rain curtailed play against Charterhouse, with Wellington in a commanding position, before the home fixture saw Wellington defend 247 against Tonbridge. The final game of the competition saw Eton bowled out for 179, with Wellington chasing down the total with two wickets in hand to secure the trophy. In all, 14 Wellingtonians were involved over the five games, and while Sam W-K’s century at Radley and five-wicket haul against Tonbridge may have been the standout individual performances, in truth it was the side’s collective strength, competitive instinct, and team spirit that were the most notable ingredients of Wellington’s success. Captain Sam S must take the credit for fostering such a cohesive and supportive atmosphere.
Away from the Cowdrey Cup, the side performed well in the National T20, beating Winchester to win the regional final, before going down narrowly to Clifton in the national quarter-final. The final two weeks of the season see matches against the MCC, Namibia, and Grey College (SA), before the squad travels to Oakham for the keenly contested BOWS Festival. In total, the boys will have played 25 matches over the course of the term and can look back with pride on all they have achieved. Wellington boys’ cricket has seldom been stronger, and hopes are high for the future, with the U15s reaching the county final and the U14s crowned County Champions.
And if that is true of the boys, then it is also so for the girls. The Girls’ Cricket Programme has gone from strength to strength this year, with outstanding performances across all age groups. The 1st XI enjoyed a particularly successful season, progressing to the national quarter-finals. Their match against Ipswich School was a tightly contested encounter, showcasing great skill and determination from both sides. Although narrowly defeated, the team demonstrated resilience and tactical maturity throughout the campaign.
Our U15 squad also impressed, reaching the last 16 in their competition. Despite a spirited effort, they were eventually beaten by a strong St Helen and St Katharine’s side. Their journey, however, highlighted the promising depth of talent within the programme and bodes well for the future.
A standout moment of the season was the girls’ superb victory over Bradfield—an exceptional team performance that underlined their growth, teamwork, and tactical discipline. Such victories are a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by players and coaches alike.
Special recognition goes to Rachael I, who was awarded the MCC Spirit of Cricket prize. This prestigious award celebrates her sportsmanship, leadership, and commitment to the values of the game—an inspiration to her teammates and a proud moment for the whole programme.
Cricket is a major summer sport at Wellington, supported by outstanding facilities and expert coaching. With nine grass pitches, four bespoke indoor cricket nets, 14 outdoor artificial nets, and 14 grass practice wickets—and access to elite coaching, including ECB Level 4 coaches and county players—pupils benefit from year-round, individualised development. The girls’ programme is led by a current county cricketer, and players can access strength and conditioning, one-to-one coaching, and strong county links with Surrey, Middlesex, Hampshire, and Berkshire.
Find out more about Cricket at Wellington HERE.
