Sports News Term 3 Week 2

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Monday 24th April 2016

NAS U9 Boys Cricket vs Victory Heights Primary School
NAS 245-2 : 230-4 VHPS

Wednesday 20th April 2016

The U9 cricket team faced local neighbours Victory Heights Primary School in their first gamer of the season. After a few weeks of training the team was very much looking forward to representing the school in front of a great crowd of parents from both NAS and Victory Heights and with NAS winning the toss we opted to field first.

Some fantastic bowling from Dominic Lunjevich (4A) with 2 quick wickets put NAS in a commanding position. A magic moment from Sumair Kandhari (4F) bowling the ball and Dominic Lunjevich (4A) catching it was a highlight with Sahej Kandhari (3E) also claiming a wicket to give Victory Heights a score of 230-4. After a short break NAS went out to bat and Archie Triplow (4A) was in no mood to mess around scoring 16 off the first over with a noticeable 6 along the way. Some great running from Ashton Grindrod (3A) and Javieer Amann (4B) added to NAS’s total before Arjun Nanda (4C) wrapped up the game for NAS, with some great running and a memorable 4 in the corner to give NAS an overall score of 245-2 and start the season with a win.

Mr. Thomas/Mr. Thornton (NAS U9 Cricket Coaches)
A great start to the season for the U9 squad, when bowling we need to focus more on our accuracy and ensure talk more and encourage one another when fielding. We started well with the bat and ran really well in between the wickets. We look forward to our next game in 2 weeks against WEK.

Man of the match – Archie Triplow (4A)

NAS U11 Boys Cricket vs Victory Heights Primary School
NAS Dubai 288-1 : 265-3 VHPS

Monday 18th April 2016

In our first cricket fixture of the season a confident NAS team played at home to local neighbours Victory Heights Primary School. In high spirits after a fantastic morning session with the ICC cricket academy, NAS lost the toss and Victory Heights opted to bat first.

Some fantastic bowling from the U11 captain Kai Smith (6E) and Josh Harbour (6E) put NAS on the front foot until a comeback from Victory Heights allowed them to get back into the game ending with a total score of 265 – 3.

After lunch NAS went out to bat and having lost an early wicket, Kai Smith showed why he represents the UAE by batting an outstanding 22 off the second over to ensure NAS started well. Joshua Harbour (6E) added to this total before William Hallet (6D) wrapped up the score with one or two noticeable fours to ensure NAS finished the game on top and gained their first win of the cricket season.

Mr. Thomas/Mr. Hand (NAS U11 Cricket Coaches)
A fantastic effort from all the boys in our very first game together. We need to work a bit more on our bowling but on the whole our batting was great. We look forward to our next fixture against Safa School.

Man of the match – Kai Smith (6E)

NAS U12A & U12 B vs Dubai College
NAS U12B 12.5 - 11.5 DC
NAS U12A 11.5 - 9.5 DC

Sunday 24th April at NAS.
Both the A & B U12 rounder’s teams played Dubai College in their second league fixture.

The A team started off in field closing down play immediately with DC only scoring 3 rounder’s. Mariam and Caitlin caught 2 players out and managed to get all of the DC players out before 20 good balls were bowled. NAS going into bat won the first innings scoring 6 ½ with Isabella and Bonnie scoring full rounders. Dubai College came back strong in the 2nd innings scoring 6 ½ rounder’s, but NAS scored 6 and won the game 11 ½ to 9 ½. Another great result for the A team.

The B team had a great start to their game and won the first innings scoring 7 ½ rounders with Becky Couglin being lead rounders scorer. Dubai College scored 5 ½ rounders. DC came back strong scoring 7 rounders and ended up winning the game 12 ½ to 11 ½.

Well done to both teams and all the girls that played.

Claire Chaters

NAS U14A Rounders vs Uptown
NAS 10.5 - 11 Uptown

On Tuesday 19th April the U14A Rounders team played their second DASSA league match at home against Uptown School. The NAS team batted first and scored four and a half rounders. Uptown then demonstrated some strong batting skills to score a total of six. The NAS team improved their batting consistency in Innings 2, scoring six rounders to take their total to ten and a half. Some strong fielding then held Uptown to only five rounders in their second innings.

Stand-out performances came from Ellen Coughlan who caught three players out and Tatyana who bowled with consistency and power. Mia was voted player of the match for her excellent all-round performance.

The NAS team was desperately close to their first victory and look forwards to their next game on Tuesday 26th April at home against Wellington Silicon Oasis.

Kate Duffy

NAS U11 Boys Basketball vs Regent International School
Final Score NAS 4 - 4 RIS

Wednesday 20th April 23, 2016

The game was played at a frantic pace, with both teams moving the ball around quickly. The defensive systems from both teams was proving to be effective and there was no score at half time. However, shortly after the break Nick Ghantous opened the scoring with a great jump shot. RIS responded well and they too scored a well-earned basket. Caleb Black was using his height and strength to good advantage, proving to be very strong under the basket, he collected several rebounds and kept RIS from getting the ball close to the hoop. Mid way through the second period Tommy August worked himself into an excellent position in the open, when receiving the ball he was able to sink the basket with a great shot. NAS were 4-2 up with 2 minutes left… But RIS again responded well to being behind and were able to level the scores shortly before the final whistle.

The NAS boys played a great game and were unlucky not to get the win, their attitude throughout the match was fantastic and they were once again great ambassadors for the school.

Daniel Grindrod

Year 5 & Year 6 Competitive Swim Gala @ Dubai English Speaking School

"With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination and ambition."
Michael Phelps

On the afternoon of April 14th 2016 at DESS, the NAS year 5 and 6 swim squad proved this was correct.

Swimming in Dubai takes on a new dimension as of the first week of term 3. This is what the best schools and their squads in Dubai have trained for relentlessly for the best part of eight months. This term they get to reap their reward, and their time.

Swimming is a very lonely sport and their input as a team member in some way counteracts their training for the many months prior to the summer term. It stops being about them, their personal bests and becomes about the team.

As you know we have a very young squad; not in terms of experience or age; simply put, in terms of the school. NAS Dubai opened its doors in September 2014 and established a full swim squad in March 2015. As a result our swim squad is in the lowest DASSA league group there is, Group E. I knew from the moment I took up the post as Head of Swimming that this was a mistake. Our talent and enthusiasm is immense and something that cannot be replicated in a school with an established "reputation". Our squad is truly and utterly exceptional.

The bar was set high for the first year 5 and 6 100m gala of the summer term held at Dubai English Speaking School in Oud Metha against Group A and B schools consisting of DESS, JESS Jumeriah, JPS, and Kings Umm Suqueim. Every member of the NAS squad overcame their nerves and preconceptions and swam their hearts out. I could not have been prouder of them and as usual Coach Alex had to wear her sunglasses just in case someone saw her cry!

The score points were as follows:
DESS - 146
JESS Jumeirah- 140
JPS - 90
NAS- 86
Kings- 70

The scores speak for themselves and I cannot express the pride I had and have in every single member of the team.

As of next week I will be nominating a "swimmer of the gala" and will be publishing more on the positions and notable achievements.

In sign off, I would like to thank first and foremost my Coaching Team, Alex and Jo, followed by Miss Duffy and the NAS PE department and finally the parents of all our swimmers, both Competitive and Development, for everything they contribute to our very long days.

Make no mistake, as ex competitive swimmers, we can guarantee that every word of encouragement that you shout from the sidelines is heard.

Coach Ray

Upcoming Dates

April 26

U15 Boys Cricket vs WIS (Away)
U14A Rounders vs WSO @ NAS Dubai
U14 Boys Basketball vs DBS @ NAS Dubai

April 27

U11 Rounders vs WEK @ NAS Dubai
U11 Boys Basketball vs GEMS JPS (Away)

April 28

Primary Swim Gala @ NAS Dubai

May 1

U9 Boys Cricket vs WEK @ NAS Dubai
U12A Rounders vs Repton B (Away)
U12B Rounders vs WSO (Away)
U11 Boys & Girls Basketball vs VHP (Away)
U12 Boys Basketball vs EIS Jumeirah (Away)

May 2

U11 Boys Cricket vs WEK (Away)
U9 & U11 Girls Basketball vs GEMS JPS