A Week of Grit and Growth at the RGS Cricket Festival
The annual RGS Cricket Festival, hosted this year by Lancaster Royal Grammar School, brought together six Royal Grammar Schools: Colchester, Guildford, High Wycombe, Lancaster, Newcastle and Worcester, for a week of competitive one-day Cricket fixtures. Across five matches, the RGS Worcester 1st XI faced varied conditions and strong opposition, gaining valuable experience and delivering some standout performances.
The Festival opened with a challenging fixture against RGS High Wycombe, played at Netherfield Cricket Club in typically damp Cumbrian weather. After reducing High Wycombe to 10 for 2, a resolute 80-run stand shifted momentum before Worcester’s bowlers regained control. Freddie Ammonds (4–19) and Reuben Townes (3–37) led the attack, helping dismiss the opposition for 138. In reply, Worcester’s innings began cautiously but faltered under pressure, and the team were bowled out for 91 despite a determined effort from Ammonds (17*).
Day Two saw Worcester face RGS Lancaster on the same ground. After winning the toss, Captain Tom Odell’s decision to bowl first paid off. A disciplined effort with the ball saw wickets shared among the attack, with Ciaran Hession-Wilson claiming two important scalps. Lancaster posted 172. In worsening conditions and steady rain, George Heywood (74*) and Odell (48*) produced an outstanding unbroken 123-run partnership to chase down the target and seal a confident victory.
Against RGS Colchester, Worcester’s spinners once again impressed. Ammonds delivered a remarkable performance, taking 6–27 to help dismiss Colchester for 136. However, the chase never quite settled, and a series of soft dismissals saw Worcester bowled out for 83.
By Day Four, fatigue began to set in. The match against unbeaten RGS Newcastle proved to be a tough test, with Worcester struggling to apply themselves with the bat. A disappointing innings saw the side dismissed for just 58, and Newcastle secured a comfortable win on their way to claiming the Festival title.
The final fixture, against RGS Guildford, was shortened to 40 overs due to rain. Guildford posted a competitive 188, with Townes and Hession-Wilson each taking three wickets. In response, George McMillan (48*) and Heywood (30*) formed a composed and promising partnership before the weather intervened. With Worcester ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern calculation, they were awarded the win, ending the week on a positive note.
While the results were mixed the week offered valuable lessons in resilience, adaptability and teamwork. Among the highlights were Heywood’s unbeaten 74 against Lancaster and Ammonds’ six-wicket haul against Colchester.
The Festival also marked a poignant moment as several Upper Sixth players, Tom Odell, Freddie Ammonds, George Hallam, Charlie Stanley, and Tristan Dawes, made their final appearances for RGS Worcester. Their leadership and commitment over many years have left a lasting impression on the cricket programme and they depart with sincere thanks and every good wish for the future.
Our thanks go to all players, coaches, parents and staff who supported RGS Cricket throughout the week. We now look ahead with excitement to next summer, when RGS Worcester will proudly host the RGS Cricket Festival 2026.
Head of Cricket, Mr Liam Smith
