2023 Nicholson Cricketer Cup Final

Old Malvernians triumphed yesterday over historic rivals Old Tonbridgians in a hard fought, high class match, watched in the sunshine by a large and appreciative crowd on the peerless Arundel Castle ground. A feature of both sides was their youth, with several recent school leavers and only one or two players on each team the wrong side of thirty. Both sides fielded well but Malvern’s was exceptional, especially the speed and accuracy of their ground-fielding, well orchestrated by Alex Milton’s experienced wicket-keeping.

Malvern won the toss and batted, a decision Tonbridge would also have taken. From the start the Malvern openers, Josh Haynes and Freddie Wynn put the Tonbridge bowlers under pressure, going through and over the field to post an opening stand of 85, the first 50 coming off only 44 balls. When Haynes was lbw to his fellow skipper, Hugo Snape, Olly Cox continued the assault with a run-a-ball 40, so that Malvern had 150 in 23 overs and 200 in 31 overs. Opener Freddie Wynn was the cornerstone of the batting around which cameos were played and he went to an excellent 100 off only 125 balls before being bowled by Fabian Cowdrey as the 8th wicket down at 274. Malvern’s position had been so strong at the 30 over point that a total of 350 looked on the cards, but Tonbridge checked things by dismissing Milton and then later Mark Hardinges for golden ducks, and it needed a late flourish from Dan Holland at number 9 with 42 not out off 35 balls to get Malvern just over the 300 mark. The Tonbridge bowlers had their moments but all went for more than 5 an over and they did not help themselves with 31 wides. Snape, Olly Howick and Henry Cope each took two wickets.

A run chase of 306 in a final is a tough ask, even in excellent batting conditions, and it needed someone in the upper order to lead with a century. However the Tonbridge innings got off to the worst possible start when their talisman Cowdrey was bowled by Hardinges for 7. This exposed an inexperienced middle order which struggled to impose itself and keep up with the required run-rate against brilliant fielding and tight bowling. Freddie Geffen played his highest Cricketer Cup innings with an attractive 61 at a run-a-ball but wickets fell around him and, when he was out at 124-5, only Olly Howick with 39 and Sam Baldwin 21 not out delayed the inevitable. The wickets were evenly shared, Angus Catto bowling a lively opening burst and Mark Hardinges returning the best figures of 2-17 in 6 overs as the young players he had coached at Malvern did him proud. Josh Haynes and Ben Twohig kept things tight with their slow left arm and the promise of leg-spinner Josh Dickenson was also evident. The winning margin of 94 runs certainly did not flatter Malvern who proved to be much the better side on the day and took their eleventh title, but the Tonbridge youngsters will benefit from a long and successful run in the 2023 competition and will come again.

The President of the Cricketer Cup, Nick Pocock, presented the cup to Josh Haynes and the Man of the Match award to Freddie Wynn. He thanked Nicholson for their generous sponsorship of the competition and for all the ways in which they had made the final a grand occasion. Among the large number of spectators were the heads of not only Malvern and Tonbridge, but three other schools in the competition, as well as a host of alumni, parents and other well-wishers supporting both sides. The day and the game were a great advertisement for a competition which is now in its 56th year and gives a showpiece platform to some of the best amateur cricketers in the country as they represent their schools.

Malvern - Nicholson Cricketer Cup Winners 2023

Freddie Wynn (Malvern) Man of the Match

Nicholson and the Cricketer Cup