The Sir Jack (John) Hobbs Silver Jubilee Memorial Prize
The Most Outstanding Under 16 Schoolboy Cricketer in England
2024 - Seth Essenhigh (King's School & Worcestershire)
Seth attends The King’s School, Worcester where he has just embarked on his A levels studying Psychology, Business & Physical Education. Seth is also in his 3rd year in the Worcestershire Academy as a wicket-keeper batter.
Seth played his first season for Ombersley Cricket Club in the Birmingham Premier League Division 1 in 2024, and will continue to play for them in 2025.
Seth has batted in the Top 6 throughout his career. This past season he hit 102 off 70 balls for Worcestershire U18 against Cheshire 2nd XI with 3 fours & 10 sixes, at a 145 strike rate.
In the red ball format in 2024 Seth scored 98 off 180 balls in 205 minutes playing for Worcestershire 2nds v Middlesex at Radlett.
Seth was promoted to the England U19 team aged just 16 in 2024, having played the majority of Worcestershire 2nd XI games across both white & red ball competitions. The selectors were naturally interested in his batting prowess but also his stylish and economic wicket-keeping.
Young England Lions decided to start looking at players who are under 19 for the 2026 World Cup in Namibia and drew together a young squad to play the Tri Nations Series this year in preparation with this in mind. Seth scored a maiden 50 for England v Scotland in the series where England were victorious in all 4 matches.
As if this is not enough, he has also been selected to attend the Young Lions training camps at Loughborough this winter with all the other England U19 players.
The Sir Jack Hobbs Silver Jubilee Memorial Prize is nominated by the General Secretary of the English Schools Cricket Association.
Sir John Hobbs, always known as Jack, played for Surrey from 1905-34 and for England in 61 Test Matches. With a Test Match average of 67 it is hardly surprising that one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket was known as The Master. Something for our Award Winners of this Memorial Prize to aspire to.
Past Winners
2023 - Romano Franco (Hawarden Cricket Club in the North Wales League)
2022 - Farhan Ahmed (Cavaliers & Carrington CC)
2019 - James Coles (Magdalen College School)
2018 - Jacob Bethell (Rugby School)
2017 - Rishi Wijeratne (Harrow)
2016 - Sam Dorsey (The Swinton HS)
2015 - George Lavelle (Merchant's Taylor School)
2014 - George Hargrave (Shrewsbury School)
2013 - Nick Hammond (King's School, Worcester)
2012 - Haseeb Hameed (Bolton School)
2011 - Dominic Sibley (Whitgift School)
2010 - Kishen Velani (Brentwood School)
2009 - Wilf Marriott (Radley)
2008 - Sam Kelsall (Moddershall CC)
2007 - Imran Hassan (Newport CC)
2006 - Zafar Ansari (Hampton School)
2005 - Sam Northeast (Harrow)
2004 - Greg Wood (Queen Elizabeth GS)
2003 - Ben Wright (Cowbridge Comprehensive School)
2002 - Phllip Holdsworth (Northallerton School)
2001 - Adam Harrison (West Monmouthshire CS)
2000 - T.J. New (Quarrydale Comprehensive School)
1999 - G. Scott (Hetton Comprehensive School)
1998 - N. Peng (Newcastle Royal Grammar School)
1997 - M. Dobson (Frederick Gough School)
1996 - J.D. Francis (King Edward VI School, Soton)
1995 - R. Dawson (Batley Grammar School)
1994 - S.D. Peters (Coopers School)
Past Winners (continued)
1993 - D.J.G. Sales (Caterham School)
1992 - L. Sutton (Millfield School)
1991 - R.W. Nowell (Trinity School)
1990 - R.M.S.Weston (Durham School)
1989 - M.J. Walker (King's School, Rochester)
1988 - J.N. Snape (Denstone College)
1987 - J.P. Crawley (Manchester Grammar School)
1986 - P.C.L. Holloway (Millfield School)
1985 - M.R. Ramprakash (Gayton High School)
1984 - H.R.J. Trump (Millfield School)
1983 - M.A. Atherton (Manchester Grammar School)
1982 - A.J. Goldsmith (Seaford College)
1981 - G.V. Palmer (Queen's College, Taunton)
1980 - N.J. Lenham (Brighton College)
1979 - R.J. Bailey (Biddulph High School)
1978 - R.J. Maru (Rooksheath High School)
1977 - M.J. Shults (Framlingham College)
1976 - A.P. Arundell (Ilkley Grammar School)
1975 - K.J. Barnett (Leek Grammar School)
1974 - R.T. Robinson (Manshead School, Luton)
1973 - C.S. Cowdrey (Tonbridge School)
1972 - M.W. Gatting (John Kelly Boy's High School)
1971 - P.M. Roebuck (Millfield School)
1970 - N.J. Archer (Queen Mary's GS, Walsall)
