On Sunday 10 May, a Year 10 OX14 Partnership cricket team drawn from Larkmead, John Mason, Fitzharrys, St Helen and St Katharine, and Radley College took part in a fixture against Kensington & Chelsea at Holland Park, London.
The match recognised the long‑standing relationship between Abingdon and Kensington, rooted in an 800‑year shared history dating back to when Abingdon Abbey owned land in Kensington. Played in a 20‑over format, the day offered both a competitive sporting challenge and a shared experience for pupils across the partnership.
The Match
OX14 won the toss and elected to bat. Captain Tom and Kellen opened the innings, providing a steady start against impressive bowling, followed by Eve.
Kensington & Chelsea began strongly in reply, reaching 100 with only three wickets lost and appearing well placed. However, disciplined bowling and fielding, and safe hands behind the stumps from Jenson , turned the match. Catherine delivered a timely maiden and took a wicket, Kellen and Reyhan each claimed two wickets, and Lilidh bowled a decisive double‑wicket maiden. Strong fielding throughout including an impressive catch from Monty, ensured Kensington & Chelsea fell short, securing a first win for Team OX14.
Beyond the match itself, the day offered clear evidence of the value of using sport teams as a vehicle for partnership activity. Pupils from five schools came together as a single team, selecting their own captain, organising batting and bowling orders, and supporting one another throughout. Responsibility was shared, decisions were pupil‑led, and no one was left out.
The experience reinforced a sense of collective identity, with pupils speaking about representing Abingdon as a town rather than individual schools.
As the first combined team to represent Abingdon and the OX14 learning partnership in a sporting event in this way, the pupils were warmly hosted by Kensington & Chelsea, who provided pizza, medals, and a commemorative bat presented to OX14 as match winners. The day also included a conversation with Angus Fraser, who spoke about his time playing for England and about cricket’s capacity to bring communities together through his work with Middlesex Cricket in the Community.
Parents were very supportive and proud to see their children representing the town – and the OX14 partnership – in this way, with some travelling to Holland Park to watch the match. On returning, several pupils asked whether the experience could be repeated, appearing keen to build on the sense of identity and connection created through the event.
This event was only made possible through collaboration across schools, from recruiting players and communicating with families to completing risk assessments and managing logistics at a busy time of year. As ever, the success of the day reflects that collective effort.
