A strong OW Cricket X1 outscores School side in a thrilling forty over game.
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On Saturday 4th July the fixture between the School and the Old Witleians was revived. This became difficult to arrange in the past because of the short school cricket season and the impact of a longer exam period in the summer term.
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There was an interesting blend of youth and experience in the side that Venay Jethwa took out to field and quite a wide range of ages from 19 to 60! Fortunately there was a respite from the very hot conditions that had prevailed throughout the week so the OW side was able to maintain alertness, despite the antics of wicket keeper Tim Copeman. James Mott and David Wright opened the attack and pinned down the school openers, who were not able to score freely. The breakthrough came in only the second over with Adam Appleton cleaned bowled by James Mott. There then followed a good partnership between Captain Andrew Phillips and Ben Lewis who took the score along to 58 until Andrew was caught at cover off the bowling of Craig Atkinson. Alex Dickerson promised much but he fell to the testing off spin of Craig so it was left to Matthew Vowles to bring some stability to the school’s batting. A solid partnership of 67 took the school to 142 until the patient Vowles succumbed to the bowling of Aussie Harry Down. Ben Lewis had anchored the school’s innings and once he past fifty he started to bat really aggressively and achieved his highest score of the season of 75 before he was caught going for a lofted drive over bowler Down. James Mott ensured the runs were kept down with a first ball dismissal of Storm Lindenburg and then dispatched Head Boy Ed Willis. So the school set a modest target of 157 for the OW’s to reach in their forty overs.
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The School Caterers provided a substantial lunch that was enjoyed by players and spectators alike and after team photos were taken the OW pair of Tim Copeman and Adam Judd went out to bat. The conditions had changed by this time and the school side had to endure full sun for all of their innings. Tim was in cavalier style batting freely and it was fortunate that he was caught early off the bowling of Adam Appleton, but by then he had amassed twenty one runs. Adam Judd was showing all the patience of an opening bat by not playing balls that he didn’t have to and this must have been frustrating for Storm Lindenburg who was used to tempting school batsmen to play when they shouldn’t. Warren Marr was in aggressive mode and he particularly punished the bowling of Andrew Baxter with a series of boundaries including one massive six. Andrew got his revenge when Warren played a half shot and was caught at mid off. Skipper Venay Jethwa came to the crease with the OW’s total looking very healthy and it seemed that Adam and Venay would finish the match undefeated. This was not to be and Andrew Baxter finally trapped Adam LBW who contributed a very valuable forty runs to the OW’s total. It was left to Craig Atkinson to complete the task in the twenty eight over.
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A feature of the game was the friendly banter that ensued and the sportsmanship and appreciation that both sides showed to good play. It is hope that next year that the school will be able to field a stronger side as they were depleted by absences due to holidays and cup matches for local clubs. A special thanks goes to Stuart Todd for umpiring and Colin Gould and his ground staff for preparing a fine wicket.
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School X1:
Adam Appleton, Ben Lewis, Andrew Phillips (Capt), Alex Dickenson, Matthew Vowles, Storm Lindenburg, Patrick Wilkin, Edward Willis, Andrew Baxter, Michael Chevalier and Fred Pennel.
OW X1:
Tim Copeman, Adam Judd, Warren Marr, Venay Jethwa (Capt), David Wright, Craig Atkinson, James Mott, George Tarrant, Harry Down and Gwyn Phillips
Umpires:
Stuart Todd and Gwyn Phillips
