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www square leg.
Runs were coming at over four an over, with Ramsden hitting
six boundaries in his 56-ball 40 before missing a straight one with the score at 82.
This turned out to be a prelude to a magnificent, unbeaten second-wicket partnership of 134 with barely a false stroke between Smith - 90 off 126 balls with nine fours and a six – and George Johansen (F 11) (79 off 87 balls, also with nine fours), his first Rovers half-century, which saw the visitors to a comfortable nine-wicket win with over five overs to spare.
3rd rd: Old Malvernians 223, Oundle Rovers 207-9
By David Pimblett (S 81)
Another marvellous setting on another hot day as the Rovers took on mighty Old Malvernians for the fourth year in succession – and again they succumbed to the latter enjoying the huge bonus of home advantage, including their quirky tradition of all boundaries counting four runs, even if you clear the ropes!
Malvernians won the toss and batted with gusto, racing to 55-1 off the first 10 overs, despite a fantastic spell by Patch Foster (St A 05), who eventually claimed 2-20 in his 10 overs.
Gradually, though, the spinners found their rhythm and great Rovers fielding started to peg the home side back, with only Worcestershire's Alex Milton (79) making a decent score – 10 days before his maiden first-class century.
There were two wickets each for off-spinners Will Street (Sc 10) and Harry Ramsden (F 11), but the highlight was Ben Graves’ (F 15) second run-out with a quite brilliant pick-up and rocket throw at the one stump visible as Malvern closed short of their expectations.
In reply, Greg Smith (St A 07) (75) and George Johansen (F 11) (43) once again led the way with an excellent partnership of 76.
Then Smith added a further 57 with debutant Simon Fernandes (Ldr 18), but the Malvernians squeezed Rovers’ middle order with excellent spin bowling and fiendish fielding, restricting us to just 15 boundaries in the whole innings.
From the heights of 142-2, the pressure of an increasing run-rate without finding the rope took its toll as Rovers ran out of overs to close on 207-9 after 50 overs, 16 runs short.
However, this was another wonderfully competitive effort from a very talented and committed Rovers team. We will go again next year, but hopefully not at Malvern!
Eastbourne Tour
By Will Street (Sc 10)
Following last year’s roaringly successful (more off field than on!) Eastbourne Tour, the Rovers made the long trip back down to Sussex in July, this time with an extra day and two extra games of cricket.
After ‘kicking the bucket’ hard on the Tuesday night, 10 slightly sore heads arrived at Eastbourne School on the Wednesday morning, praying for some cloud cover to cool us down. Alas, the sky was clear and the second bad bit of news followed shortly afterwards, as captain Street lost the toss and the Rovers were to spend the next 40 overs ‘in the dirt’. In that period Eastbourne amassed 268-6, with every bowler used chipping in and Street (2-34) and Cameron Wake (L 04) (2- 17) the pick of them. As we tucked into a fantastic lunch, we
thought the total was very gettable. The captain wanted it knocked off in 20 overs and by 22 overs the game was over, so at least his instructions were nearly followed. However, the Rovers had been bowled out in that time for 114. Still it allowed us time to mentally prepare to be disappointed by the England football team, so in that respect we were not let down!
The second game was against Lancing Rovers at the wonderful setting of Lancing College. This time it was Simon Hicks’ (F 07) turn to condemn us to 40 overs in the field under the hot sun with hangovers. Lancing’s opening batsmen added a magnificent 158 to lay the foundation for a rather large total of 330-7 off their 40 overs. Plenty of Rovers bowlers came in for punishment, but Street (3-48) and Hicks (2-47) largely managed to avoid the onslaught. In reply, the Rovers got off to a flier and with a fantastic partnership between Tom Bishop (F 10) (78) and Simon Fernandes (Ldr 18) (91) building, we were in the driving seat. However, wickets fell at regular intervals and the innings eventually closed on 282-9.
Our final game of the tour was against Uppingham Rovers at the picturesque Firle Cricket Club in Lewes. At last batting first due to a gentleman’s agreement between captain Mikey Outar (L 06) and the Uppingham skipper, Oundle were all out for 241 in 35 overs. The leading batsmen were Jamie Letten (St A 11), who made a stylish 72, and Hicks, who made an even more stylish 59. In reply, Uppingham started brightly, but the old adage of wickets at regular intervals rang true again as they subsided to 211 all out, giving Oundle their first ever win on the Eastbourne Tour and keeping the reputation of Uppingham v Oundle cricket being the most one-sided sporting fixture in the world intact! Pick of the bowlers were Street (4-48) and Hicks (3-35).
A quick mention must go to all the hosts of the games, as their hospitality and warmth were second to none, and to Hicks, who for the second year running managed to organise a fantastic trip.
Oundle Rovers 176-8, Oundle School 177-0
By Mikey Outar (L 06)
This traditional game presents a great opportunity for the Old Oundelians to not only see the new breed of talent coming through but also to reminisce about how good we once were!
A crucial toss was won by Oundle Rovers, who decided to bat. The Rovers lost an early wicket, but Andrew Waters (B 81) and Harry Lawes (S 15) provided stability, before they fell for 31 and 20 respectively.
The School made the middle period very tough for the Rovers with some tidy bowling from Tommy Simeons, before the hard-hitting pair of Tristan Tusa (S 16) and Toby Lawes (F 14) came to the rescue with several big blows. This enabled the Rovers to post a respectable 176-8 from our 40 overs.
Although Tusa provided some steady bowling and stand-out fielding, the Rovers were put to the sword by Simon Fernandes, one of the most in-form school batsmen in the country. He made a hugely impressive 105 not out and Will De Capell Brook scored an accomplished 59 not out to steer the School to a 10-wicket victory. Luckily, we will have Simon on our side next year! It was also great to give him his Cricketer Cup debut at Malvern and to include him on the Eastbourne Tour.
Hopefully, the School will be able to demonstrate and develop further talent in the future.
SPORT
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