2019 Cricketer Cup - Round 2

The second round of the Cricketer Cup was completed in good weather across the country. In the top quarter, Old Tonbridgians overwhelmed Old Amplefordians. Fabian Cowdrey, who had scored a century in the first round, went one better with 203 not out as Tonbridge racked up a massive 430-1, the skipper Olly Durell making 116 not out and Ant Shales 68. In reply, Ampleforth made 169. Old Tonbridgians now play Bradfield Waifs, who downed the holders, Old Cranleighans, at Cranleigh. Cranleigh batted first and were 40-3, but B. Broughton with 116 and A. Dahl with 50 took them to 273-9. Bradfield won by one wicket with an over to spare, Shelvin Gumbs top-scoring with 83, Harry Came 56 and Craig Williams 52. Last man Oliver Cox came in with 4 needed to score an important 2 not out!

Shrewsbury Saracens were at one stage 4 runs for 6 wickets against Charterhouse Friars but managed to scrape together 90, Jonny Charles taking 3-4 from 8 overs and Tom Gallyer 4-20. Charterhouse had no problems knocking off the runs to win by 8 wickets, Ollie Batchelor top-scoring with 49. They now play last year’s semi-finalists, Old Bedfordians. Bedford made 190 at Old Merchant Taylors, Shiv Patel top-scoring with 53. OMTs could only muster 124 in 43 overs in reply, Shiv Patel completing a fine all-round day with 4-12.

Downside Wanderers, recipients of a walkover from Old Cliftonians in the first round, could only score 157 in 48 overs at Repton, L. Lacey taking 4-19. Repton Pilgrims won by 6 wickets in only 18 overs, with 50s from J. Sookias and C. Brodrick. Repton now renew rivalries with Old Malvernians, last year’s losing finalists, who had a comfortable win at St. Edward’s. Malvern batted first and scored 268-8, Z. Malik again batting well with 71. St. Edward’s Martyrs in reply could only make 168, A. Woodland playing a lone hand with 60 and A. Shah taking 3-40.

In the bottom quarter, Oundle Rovers scored 225-6 against Radley Rangers, who could only reply with 110. For Oundle, Johansen scored 80 and Greg Smith 50, Outar taking 4-8 and Graves 3-22. They now play Old Brightonians, who were Cricketer Cup champions for the only time exactly fifty years ago. Brighton made 249, with Hugh Richards 102 and Oliver Gatting 50, to which Uppingham Rovers replied with 122, Jethro Menzies taking 4-29.

Quarter-Finals to be played on Sunday 14 July

Old Tonbridgians v Bradfield Waifs

Charterhouse Friars v Old Bedfordians

Repton Pilgrims v Old Malvernians

Oundle Rovers v Old Brightonians

(David Walsh)