Semi-Final Review

The Nicholson Cricketer Cup Final at Arundel on Sunday 7 August will be between Bradfield Waifs and Old Millfieldians, the holders. Both won closely fought semi-finals to set up a much anticipated final.

At Wellington, Old Millfieldians won the toss and batted on a pitch which took spin all day. They lost both openers early but Jamie Baird with 32 and George Hankins with 23 put on 56 runs. At 80-5 both were gone as was quarter-final hero Nick Pang. Harry and Charlie Ellison led a brief rally but at 110-7 Millfield were in trouble. It was captain Ali Easton who rescued them with 55 off 62 balls, helped by Charlie Vickery in a partnership of 82 for the 8th wicket. The innings closed at 204 all out in the last over. JJ Dewes with 3-23 and Sam Daniel with 2-19 were the pick of a tight bowling attack. Old Wellingtonians must have had hopes of chasing down this modest total on their home ground, with Adam Dewes and Joe Lewis putting on an opening stand of 34. However wickets fell steadily, with most batsmen reaching double figures but no-one getting past 30. At 77-6 and then 118-8 Wellington were struggling but a last wicket stand of 42 between Daniel and G Henry brought them closer before they were all out for 178 in the 47th over. Nick Pang with 3-26, Charlie Vickery 3-29 and Ali Easton 1-45 did the damage, along with three run-outs in a superb fielding display..

At Cheltenham the semi-final was played on the pitch used the day before in a County Championship match and it proved to be another great contest. Old Cheltonians, at home for the first time this year, won the toss and batted. At 27-4 they looked down and out but Ben Ringrose and J Soames rescued the innings with a stand of 142, Ringrose adding 87 to his impressive run of totals in this year’s competition. When he was out at 169-5, the innings rather subsided and Cheltenham were bowled out for 221 with nearly 3 overs to spare. Oliver Smithson with 3-8 off 7 overs, Charlie Gwynn 2-46 and Monty McKenzie 3-48 led the bowling attack. After the early loss of Duncan Irens, Sheridon Gumbs and Hugo Darby took the score to 73-1 before Darby was out for 34. 3 more wickets quickly fell to leave the Waifs on 100-5, but through this period Sheridon Gumbs, who only left school this year, was playing a composed innings. Tom Ettridge with 31 and Monty McKenzie 34 off 26 balls gave him good support but at 208-8, the result was still in the balance. Gumbs, who finished with 92 not out off 117 balls, and Oliver Smithson then completed the run chase with 3 overs to spare. Although Bradfield prevailed in a tight match, Old Cheltonians can be very pleased with their success in this year’s Cricketer Cup and will hope to keep their team together to go further in 2023.