Friday 23 June saw the Old Viking Society return to Shiplake College for the annual cricket match against The Wanderers (Staff Team). With some great players on show from both teams it was built up to be quite the thriller, and it didn’t disappoint. Thank you to the Head of Cricket Mr Jonnie Howorth for the following report.
‘The Wanderers fielded first and got off to a bad start with the Old Viking Society taking 51 off the first 24 balls of their innings for the loss of no wickets.
2007 Captain Graham Braithwaite and 2016 captain Harry Ibbitson both making a quick fire 25 not out (retired). However, after their departure the Wanderers started to pick up wickets with Mr Duncan (Skipwith Housemaster) and late replacement Year 12 Tom Ibbitson taking two each. Ian Brown, former Head of Skipwith, and son of current Deputy Head Nick Brown, took the attack to the staff bludgeoning 25 not out.
With the OVS score standing at 125 for 8, Braithwaite and Ibbitson returned and some lusty blows, including two onto the neighbouring marquee from Braithwaite ensured that the OVS finished their 20 overs on 161 for 9.
The staff’s response started steadily with Mr Brown and his other son, current 1st XI wicket-keeper Oliver, keeping the score board ticking over. When Oliver departed for 16 and Nick 15 the wickets tumbled and the staff fell well behind the run rate. Despite some late hitting from Mr Reynolds and Mr Johnston the staff finished 29 runs short of the total and their tales between their legs.
As ever it was wonderful to see so many Old Vikings returning to the College.’
