Taunton student comes second to Olympics diving star Tom Daley (From Somerset County Gazette)

Taunton student comes second to Olympics diving star Tom Daley

11:10am Friday 23rd November 2012 in Taunton

A TALENTED sportsman from Taunton School has been highly commended at a national award ceremony.

Tom Abell, 18, who is making waves in cricket, hockey and rugby, came second to Olympics diving star Tom Daley in the Male Pupil of the Year category.

The teenager, who played for cricket for Somerset’s second team for the majority of last season, described the ceremony as “a brilliant day”.

He said: “It was really good to be in that environment with so many big names.

“To be able to chat to people like Tom Daley, Will Greenwood and Jessica Ennis was brilliant and they were all really nice.”

“I was surprised to even be nominated, so I was really happy to come second and get highly commended.”

Tom was nominated by Taunton School cricket teacher Simon Hogg, who said he had always represented the school with such pride, and is respected and admired by teammates and opponents alike.

Tom, now at Exeter University, said he has just learnt to cope with juggling sport and study.

He said: “It has had its challenges, but if you’re organised it’s fine.

“Sport has always been massive for me, and I think I’ve maintained my studies and sport well.”

Tom finished with a total of 3,630 runs for Taunton School first XI, scoring an impressive 17 centuries, and last season amassed 1,156 runs in 11 innings.

He passed 50 on every occasion, hitting seven centuries and averaging a staggering 193.

The School Sport Only Matters Awards ceremony was held Lords Cricket Ground in north London.