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Despite being outplayed for much of the cricket match v the Old Witleians the School's tail end batsmen defend well to ensure a draw.
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Sunday 20th June was the date for this year's annual cricket contest against the School 1st X1. The sky was overcast as the game started with the OW side electing to bat. Storm Lindenburg started really well and his pace, bounce and variation caused the early batsmen all sorts of trouble. In form Tim Copeman could only watch in dismay as his top edge was caught comfortably by keeper Will Taylor. Nick Reynolds fell soon after when his powerful drive was caught by Ben Lewis at Mid off. Skipper Venay Jethwa tried to settle the side but he was deceived by the bounce and movement and he gallantly walked knowing that he had the slightest of edges. At this point the OW's were in real trouble at 31 runs for 4 wickets. Storm's figures of 4 wickets for 12 runs were a just reflection for a really spell of aggressive but intelligent bowling.
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Adam Judd had survived this opening period and when Ben Copeman joined him their first task was to survive until lunch, which they did. After lunch they really set about the School's bowling and they had a stand of 132 before Ben was caught and bowled by Alex Dickerson. Ben had been in fine form and his lofted drives over mid off are worthy of mention. Ben scored a very fine 74 and he was ably supported by Adam on 66. Alex Manley came in next and he quickly amassed 23 runs before being caught of the bowling of Jeremy Leahy. The OW's declared before tea on 192 for 8.
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The school's innings started badly when an aggressive ball from Lindsay Newsted was edged by Ben Lewis to the keeper. Skipper Adam Appleton and Matthew Vowles started to accumulate runs and Adam looked in fine form before he was caught trying to pull a ball to mid wicket. After this wickets began to fall regularly and Dominic Dawson accumulated 25 runs with some impressive batting before he finally was caught off the bowling of Alex Manley. With the wickets falling largely to pace bowling the OW's changed tactics and brought on the spinners of Copeman and Nethula and a very attacking field was set with lots of close fielders surrounding the batsmen. However despite all their efforts and appeals Massimo Lomuto and Storm Lindenburg managed to deny them any further wickets and so the game ended in a creditable draw for the School X1.
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I would like to thank both teams and umpires for an entertaining and sporting match and in particular OW skipper Venay Jethwa for managing the side over the last few years. He has decided to step down and Adam Judd has agreed to take on his role from next year.
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Gwyn Phillips
