Old Millfieldians and Old Brightonians win through the preliminary round

Both preliminary round matches were completed yesterday. At Sherborne Old Brightonians beat the Pilgrims by 30 runs. Brighton totalled 199-6 in their 50 overs, with Jethro Menzies making a fine 105, and Hugh Richards 35. They put on 136 in 25 overs against a tight Sherborne attack. In reply Sherborne slumped to 75-8 but a ninth wicket partnership between Vitali and Cooke added 40, and then Vitali and last man Walliker another 52, before Vitali, having gone to an excellent fifty was caught behind with 30 runs to get in five overs. Menzies was named Nicholson man of the match for his century, two wickets and a fine boundary catch. Brighton will now be at home to Old Merchant Taylors in the first round on 12 June..

At Malvern the heavyweight clash was won surprisingly easily by Old Millfieldians. Old Malvernians won the toss on a good wicket but played a succession of poor shots, with four batsmen getting to 20 but none to 30. At 112-5 their top batting had gone and their most experienced player, Mark Hardinges, was then left on 19 not out when the final wicket went with nearly six overs to go. Tom Bevan with 3-31 was the most successful bowler. In reply Tom Bevan launched the innings with some big shots in his 45, but it was a partnership of 111 between Harry Ellison (70) and Jamie Baird (53 not out) which effectively finished the game, Millfield winning by 6 wickets with nearly 13 overs to go. Harry Ellison, whose 70 included eleven fours, deservedly won the Nicholson man of the match award of a bottle of gin! Millfield will be at home to Charterhouse Friars in the first round.