Sunday saw the Club 1541 Cricket and Netball teams battle it out with King's for the Freeman Cups at Archdeacon Meadow, thank you to all who came back to take part in two excellent matches both played in great spirits. Click on the image below to see the best photos from a fantastic day.

Cricket Match Report written by Mr Bressington:

It was a proud and memorable return to Archdeacon for many of our Club 1541 members, as the Old Boys took on the current Kings XI in this year’s Freeman Cup fixture. The match was not only a competitive and entertaining contest but also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and relive fond memories of school days past.

Batting first, Club 1541 posted a strong total of 163 for 5 from 20 overs. The innings was built on solid contributions from across the order: George Ayland opened with a composed 20, while Alex Morgan and Captain Josh Barnes both retired on 31, demonstrating the depth and experience in the side. A late flourish from James Ayland (28*) ensured the scoreboard kept ticking and gave the bowlers a solid total to defend.

In response, Kings showed resilience, with Jacob Bennett (29) and Captain Ellis Sabbagh-Holt (32) leading the charge. However, the turning point came through a brilliant spell from Cerys King, whose figures of 4 wickets for 19 runs were instrumental in halting the school’s momentum. Kings finished on 146 for 9, falling just short of the target.

The match was played in excellent spirit, with both sides enjoying the occasion and the chance to celebrate the enduring connection between past and present pupils. It was especially heartening to see so many Club 1541 members back at Archdeacon, sharing stories and enjoying the game from both sides of the boundary.

On this occasion, it was Club 1541 who lifted the Freeman Cup, but the real triumph was the sense of community and tradition that continues to thrive through fixtures like these.

Netball Match Report written by Ms Gabriel:

What a fantastic game of netball! A huge thank you to the Old Girls who returned with a bare but brilliant squad of seven. Despite limited numbers, they brought plenty of experience and spirit, giving the current King’s team a fast-paced and highly competitive match.

The King’s side was a mix of 1st XII players and those preparing for the upcoming netball tour to Singapore and Malaysia. It was a great opportunity to try out different combinations on court and give everyone a chance to rotate through positions. The players adapted well and worked hard to gel as a team throughout the match.

The game started evenly, with both sides showing sharp attacking play and impressive defensive turnovers. The first half was tightly contested, with very little separating the teams. In the second half, the King's squad began to pull away, finding more rhythm and consistency. They eventually secured a 35-25 win after a fierce, dynamic and highly contested match.

A big thank you once again to the Old Girls for returning to play - it was great to have you back on court and see you take on the current squad and challenging them. We hope you enjoyed catching up with old teammates and familiar faces. We also appreciated having some of our recent leavers involved and look forward to welcoming them back as alumni in the future.