Nicholson Cricketer Cup - Second Round Report

The Cricketer Cup has now reached the quarter-final stage as eight teams advanced from the completed second round. Old Cheltonians made the long journey to Ampleforth and were rewarded with a comprehensive win thanks to a fine 146 from Ben Ringrose and 3-17 from Joe Coley. They now host Charterhouse Friars but then game has been transferred to Charterhouse because of a clash with the Cheltenham Festival.. The Friars are the only one of eight teams to have advanced from the preliminary round and had an equally easy win at Brighton, thanks to 96 from O. Batchelor and 5-29 by J.Charles.

The holders, Old Malvernians, were also easy winners at home to OMTs, their captain Josh Haynes making 117 and then taking 5-13 in a great all-round performance. They will now host 2022 winners, Bradfield Waifs, who chased down Old Bedfordians’ 255-7 to win by 5 wickets with nearly 3 overs to spare, Sheridon Gumbs unbeaten on 102 not out.

Old Wellingtonians finally put an end to Old Hamptonians’ run from the preliminary round, but only by the tightest of margins of 8 runs. Wellington were indebted to Ed Young’s 93 off 107 balls in their innings of 245-9. Hampton were always in with a chance thanks to 83 from Tanmay Thanawalla but fell just short, Oz Henry the best Wellington bowler with 3-27. Their opponents in the quarters will be Haileybury Hermits who had an impressive win at Cranleigh. A steady start by Old Cranleighans saw them reach 133- 2 but they could only reach 214-9, B. Lane taking 4-39. This was never going to be enough on a good wicket, especially as England star Sam Billings was playing for Haileybury Hermits. He made 21 but Lane with 51 and A.Neal with 76 not out off only 49 balls saw Haileybury win at a canter.

The two games in the bottom quarter were perhaps the most remarkable. Old Tonbridgians won the toss and batted but were reduced by Harrow Wanderers to 55-6 and 81-7 before Tom Coldman, coming in at number 9 scored 78 off 68 balls, helped by Joe Baldwin with 57 not out. This allowed Tonbridge to reach 238 all out. Harrow started well to reach 83-1, thanks to an attractive 62 off 61 balls by D de Silva, but they then succumbed rapidly to the Tonbridge spinners, Coldman completing a great day with 3-13 in 7 overs.

The game at Radley was much closer, the margin only 2 runs. Old Millfieldians made 255. with A. Rao 70 and Callum Harvey 60, George O’Connor taking 4-25. in reply Radley Rangers were always up with the clock, but the last wicket pair needed to make 11 to win and could only make 8, Christian Hollingsworth the last man out for 66 with 3 balls to spare.

The quarter-finals will be played on Sunday 14 July

Old Cheltonians v Charterhouse Friars (this game will be played at Charterhouse as the Cheltenham Cricket Festival is that weekend)

Old Malvernians v Bradfield Waifs

Old Welingtonians v Haileybury Hermits

Old Tonbridgians v Old Millfieldians

Josh Haynes is presented with the Man of the Match award by Bryan Richardson at Malvern