Sports round-up - July 2026 | Westbourne House School

A mix of reports: Girls, Boys, Athletics, Colours and Tennis

Mrs Cook - girls' cricket

It feels like we only just started, but somehow, this half term has flown by faster than normal. It has been an unusual season and we found ourselves at the mercy of some incredibly fickle British weather, watching major events get cancelled for being both too wet and too hot! While it was heartbreaking to miss out on those big days, the way everyone rallied to scramble things together was brilliant. The events we did manage to complete, at a later date, were an absolute blast and the enthusiasm from all of the pupils was infectious.

But looking back, it wasn’t the formal fixtures that defined this term for me. It was the spontaneous, joyful moments born out of that extreme heat. I will remember for a long time those extra swimming pool sessions just to keep everyone cool and the triumphant return of water rounders - truly the best (and most chaotic) way to cool off in the blazing sun.

On the home front, the inter-patrol cricket competitions brought out some fantastic performances and fierce (but friendly!) rivalry.

A huge well done to the Panther girls, who took home the crown in the intermediate girls competition.
Congratulations to the Owls for storming to victory in the junior competition.

Our Year 7 girls cricket team stepped up to a massive challenge in the IAPS cricket quarterfinals against Bede’s. While they ultimately missed out on a spot at finals day, they did the school incredibly proud. It wasn't just their performance, though their bowling was so clinical that the opposition coaches openly admitted it was the best bowling they had seen in the entire tournament, but it was their spirit. Their attitude and positive outlook on everything, even when the pressure was on, was a joy to watch. A huge well done to them and, of course, to the Year 8 cricketers, whose hard work in the earlier rounds got the team to that point.

Speaking of the Year 7 girls, they also got to try their hand at something a bit different this term with a taster padel session. It was fantastic to see them picking up the rackets, trying out the fast-paced rallies and having such a great laugh with it. It was a massive hit all around and definitely something we will look to do again.

In recognition of excellent skill, teamwork, and commitment to cricket throughout the term, full cricket colours are proudly awarded to:

Lucy A
Hettie H
Tali P
Safi T
Beatrice W
April W

We obviously cannot wrap up the year without saying a fond farewell to our Year 8s. They have had a fantastic year and worked incredibly hard across every sport. You will all be missed, but you've left a wonderful legacy behind you.

Thank you to all the pupils, coaches and parents who navigated the wild weather and made this a summer term to remember. Enjoy the break!

Mr Hanley - boys' cricket

Cricket fixtures were fairly sparse post half term due to the demands on all year groups with exams and school trips, alongside the extreme weather. However, out of the 11 fixtures played since half term, we managed to win nine with some good victories for the U10s and 11s against St. Edmunds and the Juniors against Oakwood.

Our 1st team’s run in the IAPS cricket tournament, once again disrupted by the weather, ultimately led to a bowl-off to decide the final place at National Finals Day at Stamford School.

Traditionally, a bowl-off involves five players delivering one ball each. However, this did not feel a fitting way to decide a match of such significance. Both schools agreed that all 11 team members would bowl three balls each; having reached the semifinal together, it was only right that they would progress or fall as a team.

With two balls remaining, the scores were level at 11 hits each. One more and we were through. But we couldn’t quite manage it, sending us into a ‘sudden death’ style finish.

Three bowlers. Two balls each.

The boys were offered the chance to have a go and up stepped George H, Charlie LS and Rupert G. The pressure was immense - honestly unlike anything I’ve experienced before! After five balls, we had hit the stumps four times and had an unassailable lead.

Finals day secured!

A special mention to Rupert who hit five out of five on the day, an extraordinary effort under pressure.

Finals day itself was an amazing experience. A strong win against Chigwell in the semifinals resulted in a final against Bedford school, a school steeped in history in this event. We bowled amazingly as a team, restricting them to 111 for 1 in their 20. We were managing the game brilliantly and at 81-3 looked to be cruising through to our first ever national title. However, with cricket, you’re only ever two balls away from the game being flipped on its head and unfortunately this is what happened to us.

Bedford hung in and hung in, got their chance and took it brilliantly. We finished three runs short.

Reaching the final was an outstanding achievement and a real testament to the group. There was, of course, disappointment at the end, but also invaluable learning…lessons that will undoubtedly make each of the boys stronger cricketers moving forward.

Off the back of this and a great season, further colours were awarded:

Freddie T
Alastair K

As the year comes to a close...

Thank you to my staff who work tirelessly in both games and on match days. Their energy and flexibility really makes such a difference, particularly to the pupils. Without their efforts, our matches would certainly be less regular and would without doubt, lack the infectious energy that we see around the school on our match days.
A thank you to all the children. They remain a pleasure to work with and their desire to play and get better is what pushes us to give them more of the opportunities that they crave.
A thank you to you as parents. Understanding team selection, managing the impact of it all on your children and, finally, dealing with last minute changes to the match details is not easy. We very much appreciate both your trust and understanding in all sporting matters. Without it, the programme we offer wouldn’t run as smoothly as it does.

Special recognition to...

School sport is about opportunity, growth and enjoyment, but there are moments when performance at the very highest level deserves to be acknowledged.

Our Year 8 cohort leaves with an extraordinary sporting legacy. They leave us as one of the strongest and probably most successful groups of young sportspeople that I have worked with in my 20 years (gulp) at Westbourne.

ISFA national football finalists at U11
IAPS rugby winners at U11 and U13
IAPS national hockey finalists
The number 1 ranked rugby prep school in the country
IAPS National golf finalists
2nd place in the national IAPS cricket finals

Their achievements speak for themselves, but it is the consistency of their effort, resilience and commitment to improvement that have set them apart. It is this determination ‘behind the scenes’ which I have talked about with the younger pupils, and which demonstrates the way for these pupils to achieve their own moments of greatness, at whatever level.

Our Year 8 cohort have been outstanding role models and have shown exactly what can be achieved through hard work. They leave having made a lasting mark on sport at Westbourne House, and with every reason to be proud.

Athletics (Mixed)

The athletics team has enjoyed a remarkably successful season, filled with individual triumphs, broken school records and a massive medal haul from the local tracks all the way to Nationals.

The county competitions began at Hurst with the Year 4 & 5 teams. Year 4 embraced their first athletics competition brilliantly, while Year 5 were excellent role models throughout the day.

Medal winners were:

3rd: Lucian (Shot Put), Jack (600m), Murphy (75m & 150m)
2nd: Jack (Long Jump), Amber (75m)
1st: Amber (150m), Millie (Long Jump), Lexi (75m & 150m), Year 4 Girls Relay, Year 5 Girls Relay

Both the Year 4 boys’ and girls’ relay teams broke school records. A special mention goes to Lexi, who was named Top Year 4 Girl Athlete after winning two individual events and helping the relay team to victory.

The senior county championships took place at the K2 in Crawley, with 30 pupils from Years 6-8 qualifying. Winners automatically qualified for the National Finals, while several runners-up also secured places through qualifying standards. We were delighted that all of our first and second place athletes qualified, meaning half of our team reached the National Finals.

Pupils who qualified for the nationals were: Harrison C (U11 shot put), Max W (U11 75m and relay), Otis M (U11 relay), Ozzy T (U11 relay), Walter M (U11 relay), Ella C (U11 shot put), Toba A (U12 high jump), Isaac B (U12 long jump and 200m), Archie P (U13 100m), Mimi G (U12 hurdles and discus), Mirabelle G (U12 javelin), Al K (U14 hurdles and relay), Rory OC (relay), Oscar Z (relay) and Stan C (relay).

School records were also broken by the Year 8 girls’ relay, the Year 6 boys’ relay, Otis in the Year 6 75m hurdles, and Toba in the Year 7 High Jump.

The finals brought some unforgettable moments:

The Year 8 Boys Relay Team (Rory, Stan, Al, and Oscar): After flying through K2 with a time of 50.6, they pushed themselves even harder at the finals, shaving it down to an incredible 50.4 seconds - agonisingly close to the county record and a well-deserved silver medal.
Al: Doubled up his success on the track, running a brilliant hurdles race to secure a silver medal in the finals.
Loftus S: Put on a powerhouse display in the discus, narrowly missing out on gold but coming home with a highly respectable silver.
Mimi: Had a busy and successful finals, competing in the discus and taking a superb second place in the hurdles.
Mirabelle: Showed incredible skill and form to qualify and compete in the javelin.
Toba:Showed great athleticism, qualifying in the high jump
Isaac: Almost flew his way into the finals with his speedy 200m and impressive long jump.
Max: Sprinted well in the 75m heats but unfortunately injured himself in the final although still pushed through to finish.
Harrison & Ella: Both showed immense strength to qualify for the shot put.
The Year 6 Boys relay team had to alter slightly following injury. Harrison stepped in for Max and joined Walter Moffatt, Ozzy, and Otis). A fantastic effort from our younger runners, proving the future of our track team is in safe hands.

For their outstanding dedication, performance and leadership on the track and in the field this season, full colours are proudly awarded to:

Lucy
Stan
Alastair
Rory
Tali
Loftus
Safi
April
Oscar

Tennis (Mixed)

Since the last write up, tennis picked up a bit of speed with masses internal school matches and inter-school matches and tournaments. Our first congratulations is to the U13 girls IV, who travelled over to Bede’s school on the final day before half term. After some amazing performances they came away as winners of the Sussex Shield tennis tournament. Our first victory in this event! Well done to April, Safi, Roxy and Mimi.

Our U13 boys finished runners up in the Lancing College Prep Schools tournament, narrowly losing to Brighton College on points countback in the final. Silver medals for Rory, Alastair, Michael S and Senna W. Finally a really good performance from our senior girls with comfortable victories for both our U13 and U12 teams against Highfield. Our tennis goes from strength to strength and we hope for more fixtures next summer.

Congratulations to the following children for winning our internal tennis tournaments this year:

Intermediate Boys’ Singles: Otis M

Intermediate Girls’ Singles: Tabitha G

Intermediate Boys’ Doubles: Jack B and Otis M

Intermediate Girls’ Doubles: Tabitha G and Ella C

Senior Boys’ Singles: Michael S

Senior Girls’ Singles: Roxy P

Senior Boys’ Doubles: Rory OC and Freddie F

Senior Girls’ Doubles: Roxy P and Mimi G

Rackets colours were awarded to the following boys and girls for elite performances in a combination of squash, real tennis and tennis over the year: