Second Round Review

All eight matches in the second round of the Nicholson Cricketer Cup were completed on a weekend of hot weather. Scoring was lower than in the first round, when there were six totals over 300, probably reflecting the increasing dryness of pitches and propensity to spin. All the games bar one were won by the home sides and there is a familiar pattern to the quarter-final line-up, with five of the teams having won the cup in the last ten years.

The biggest surprise, and the day’s closest game, was at Uppingham where the Rovers went down by 10 runs to Old Cliftonians, who had made the long journey from Bristol. Clifton were indebted to 76 off 67 balls by Ollie Meadows and 51 from Ben Figueiredo, Ben Harris the most successful Uppingham bowler with 3-38. Uppingham reached 168-3 thanks to 78 from Charles Sale, but they were bowled out with 8 balls to go, Joel Barber taking 3-30. Clifton’s reward is a home game against Old Malvernians, who made short work of Old Wykehamists, winning by 8 wickets with 13 overs to spare. Winchester’s 218-9 never recovered from 38-3 and 92-7 but a partnership of 85 between Freddie Egleston, who made 72, and H. Axtell 55 not out brought respectability. Opener Freddie Wynn made 53 for Malvern before Alex Milton 75 not out and O. Cox 64 not out put together an unbeaten partnership of 115 to take Malvern to an easy win.

Old Wellingtonians also had an easy win against Repton Pilgrims. Adam Dewes 71 and Joe Lewis 65 helped Wellington to the day’s highest total of 268-5. Repton then lost early wickets and were never in the hunt, Sam Daniel finishing with 4-29 in his 10 overs. Wellington travel next to Oundle, where the Rovers had a comfortable win over St. Edward’s Martyrs, who could only make 185-9 in their 50 overs. Oundle chased this down for a 6 wicket win in only 30 overs, Joe Austin being the MOTM for his 60 runs and 2 wickets.

At the top of the draw Bradfield Waifs restricted Stowe Templars to 191, winning by 6 wickets in only 40 overs. Ollie Birts with 3-34 and Charlie Gwynn 3-43 were the pick of the bowlers. Sheridon Gumbs 51 and Imran Malik 39 put on 88 for the first wicket, and then Joe Sheldon 37 and Gwynn 33 virtually took them home from 108-3. Bradfield now host Old Tonbridgians, who had a good match with Old Bedfordians, winning by 41 runs on another wicket giving a lot of help to spinners. Tonbridge were strengthened by the return of Kent players Fabian Cowdrey and Marcus O’Riordan, who had an opening stand of 92, with 53 to Cowdrey and 80 to O’Riordan. The Bedford attack was testing, Rahul Sheemar taking 3-29 and from 195-2 Tonbridge could only get to 252-8 in their 50 overs. Bedford lost early wickets but Harry Gouldstone with 66 took them to 175-4. He was then caught at the wicket off Tom Coldman whose off-spin finished off the tail with figures of 5-33

Old Millfieldians bowled out Old Cheltonians for 248 in 48 overs, James Soames top-scoring with 65 and Nick Pang taking 4-27. Opener James Seward scored 54 for Millfield, but they looked to be in trouble when Wes Durston was run out at 112-4 until a stand of 134 between Aman Rao 79 not out in 69 balls and Fin Trenouth 79 in 59 balls virtually took them home in only 35 overs. Millfield now host Eton Ramblers who made 207-9 against Shrewsbury Saracens and then bowled out Shrewsbury for only 109 on another turning pitch. Finn O’Brien and Will Vanderspar both had fine all-round games, each making 36 and then Will taking 4-23 and Finn 3-16. A brilliant run-out by Catherwood sealed the game.

The quarter-final line-up on Sunday 9 July is

Bradfield Waifs v Old Tonbridgians

Old Millfieldians v Eton Ramblers

Old Clftonians v Old Malvernians

Oundle Rovers v Old Wellingtonians

Joe Austin (left) wins the Nicholson MOTM at Oundle for his 60 runs and 2 wickets