Ballance Cup Awarded for the First Time

The Ballance Cup for 2021-22 has been awarded to William (Upper Sixth) for his dedication and commitment to Uppingham Cricket.

William is the inaugural recipient of this award. The Cup, kindly donated by The Uppingham Rovers, will be awarded annually to the 1^st XI cricketer who embodies the characteristics and values of Uppingham Cricket, represents the values of The Rovers and represents the Marylebone Cricket Club’s ‘Spirit of Cricket’.

William’s hard work and commitment over the last year, both on and off the cricket pitch, makes him the deserving recipient of the Ballance Cup.

Andy Siddall, Director of Cricket at Uppingham, said “William has won the award on the back of living the values of Uppingham Cricket, showing incredible commitment throughout the year, excellent support to teammates, and providing great energy to the team environment.”

Congratulations to William on receiving this prestigious award, which represents a clear link between Uppingham’s cricketing past and present.

The Cup was created in memory of Tristan Ballance (SH 29), who was Uppingham School’s 1^st XI Captain in 1934.

He was a skilful, slow left arm bowler and hard-hitting late order batsman. A fine cricketer, he represented Norfolk County Cricket Club on more than 50 occasions. Ballance also won two blues for cricket at Oxford University in 1935 and 1937, where he was captain of Brasenose College.

He had a strong record for The Uppingham Rovers, scoring 50 not out and taking three wickets on his debut against Charterhouse during the 1934 tour.

In 1939, he joined the Durham Light Infantry and was awarded the Military Cross (the first for his regiment) in World War II at the Battle of Sedjenane in North Africa. He died in action in the Battle of Monte Cassino in December 1943.