Old Malvernians to play Old Tonbridgians in Cricketer Cup Final

The Cricketer Cup Final at Arundel on Sunday 13 August will be between old rivals in Old Malvernians and Old Tonbridgians, two sides with 26 trophy wins between them in the 57 years of the competition.

Malvern’s win over Oundle Rovers was a real nail-biter, by one wicket in the final over. Oundle have now travelled to play Malvern on eleven occasions without a single game between the two at Oundle. Oundle were without their captain and best batsman, Greg Smith, who was on holiday, but opener Joe Austin played well for 65 and there were good middle-order contributions from Simon Fernandes 46, Tom Bishop 31 and George Johansen 30, so that Oundle posted a strong total of 240-8 in their 50 overs. Malvern were in trouble at 90-5, with Josh Haynes, Alex Milton and Mark Hardinges all out, but a magnificent 94 in 98 balls from 18 year old Tom Boorman, well backed up by 52 from another youngster in Joel Cox, took them to 209-6 when Boorman was out. Cox soon followed and a comfortable chase turned to potential panic as it became 227-8 and then 240-9 with scores level in the final over. Liam Smith then hit a four to win the game by one wicket on the third ball of that over. Ben Graves with 3-23 in his 10 overs was the pick of the Oundle bowlers.

At Tonbridge, the hosts had a comfortable win over Eton Ramblers, who were shorn of their last round match-winner, Finn O’Brien, through injury. Tonbridge batted first and a magnificent 133 from Fabian Cowdrey, in only 128 balls was the difference between the sides on a tricky wicket. This was Cowdrey’s sixth century in the competition, bringing him level with Chris Walsh (Old Tonbridgians) and Alex Milton (Old Malvernians), and one behind Andrew Bernard (Downside Wanderers). Thanks to Cowdrey and a more dogged 44 from Ed Hyde, Tonbridge recovered from 74-3 to reach 218-3, but then lost 5 wickets for only 13 runs before Joe Baldwin made 30 not out in only 19 balls to post a total of 259 all out in their 50 overs. Freddie Fox was Eton’s best bowler with 3-38 in his 10 overs. Eton’s reply quickly faltered at 34-4, with Will Vanderspar out for 17, but a spirited partnership of 103 between Ed Farley and Tom Lytle took them to 137 with a brief glimpse of a win. Farley was then well caught at long-on by Tom Elliott for 57, Lytle was stumped for 50 and the innings subsided as Eton were all out for 183 in 41 overs. The spinners Henry Cope with 3-32 and Joe Baldwin 3-39 were the best of the Tonbridge bowlers.

Tom Boorman (left) wins the MOTM at Malvern

Fabian Cowdrey (left) wins the MOTM at Tonbridge