The Sixth Form Bolton Cricket Academy Team have been extremely successful in the AoC Sport North West T20 Cricket pool beating Xavarian in their final game. Impressive knocks from Ismael Patel and Aryian Ashraf sealed the victory with the bat. Being the North West Cricket T20 cricket champions moved them to the Quarter Final stages of the competition. The final eights of the national competition meant the college represented the north west against the other regions. Regions in the final eights consisted of teams from London, Midlands, South West, South East and Yorkshire and Humber.
The Sixth Form were drawn against Sandwell College who had links with Warwickshire County Cricket. The Midlands group one team had an impressive starting line-up scoring a strong 97 runs with their opening contracted batter to add to their 180 final total. It was a difficult run chase for The Sixth Form who gave a gallant effort with Sam Hall scoring 41. As the end of the game closed The Sixth Form lost vital wickets and were bowled out trying to get the boundaries, they needed to chase down the big total set.
Craig Thomas, Teacher of Sport and the Course Leader of Sports Academies at The Sixth Form was really impressed with the team saying:
It has been a brilliant experience for our young cricketers competing against the best in the field. The difference in the Quarter Final game was missed chances as their opening contracted batter was put down on 36 and 68 which would have been a massive difference to their finishing total. This impacted on the overall total and gave use a really difficult mountain to climb. Being North West champions has given our students the opportunity to test themselves against the best young cricketers in the region and outside of the county. We hope to go one better next year and get to the final fours which takes place each year at Spondon Cricket Club Derbyshire. We have previously been to the final fours and hopefully with our new 2023 September intake mixing with our current Year 1 cricketers this can be achieved next season.
The Sixth Form Cricket Academy offers students a fantastic opportunity to develop and excel in cricket. They have partnerships with the Bolton Cricket League and are supported by the Lancashire Cricket Board. Paul Tebay, the Head Cricket Coach, is an ECB Level 2 Coach and a former cricket professional. He gained valuable experience and vast knowledge as a cricket professional and coach. He has coached several young players, most notably Sajid Mahmood who has gone on to represent England at International level.
It is open to any Sixth Form students who already play cricket competitively.
Ismael Patel, first-year Triple Vocational Sport Science student and Team Captain has really enjoyed being a part of the Cricket Academy at The Sixth Form saying:
I was really happy to join the Cricket Academy at The Sixth Form. I love cricket and have always enjoyed playing it. As well as playing for The Sixth Form, I am also the Captain of the Under 18s and Open Age Senior and Junior teams at Astley Bridge Cricket Club. I chose to study at The Sixth Form because I knew about the Cricket Academy and I was really keen to be coached by Paul Tebay. I’ve really enjoyed being the Captain this year and have loved competing.In the future, I would like to study Sports Science at university and progress to become a PE teacher. Being a member of the Cricket Academy will definitely help with this.
In addition to the Cricket Academy, The Sixth Form also have a Football Academy and Rugby Academy Player Development Pathway. Find out more here.
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