The annual grudge match between the Shiplake staff team, the Shiplake Wanderers, and the College House Leavers took place on Friday 13 May. Master in Charge of Cricket Mr Jonnie Howorth offers the following report on the tense fixture:
‘The hotly contested Staff versus Leavers match took place under the darkening skies of early May. Played against a backdrop of personal duels and grudges held since Year 9 Geography, the game was played in an exceptionally good spThe hotly contested Staff versus Leavers match took place under the darkening skies of early May. Played against a backdrop of personal duels and grudges held since Year 9 Geography, the game was played in an exceptionally good spirit, with cricket being the undoubted winner! The staff team won the toss, and elected to bat first. Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt, and Mr Andy Dix got the innings off to a flying start, with the staff racing to 25 for 0 off the first three overs. Both players, however, fell in quick succession, bringing Mr Duncan Miller to the crease to join debutant Mr David Rose. Miller (11), Rose (27*) and Mr Ross Johnston (19) meant that the leavers needed 129 runs to win off their 20 overs. The leavers team reply got off to the worst possible start, with 2nd XI wicket-keeper Tom Riches being caught off the bowling of Mr Alex Duncan’s first ball on the innings. With George Atkinson and Dom Allen following suit quickly afterwards, 1st XI cricket captain Harry Ibbitson strode to the crease, with his side 8 for 3. He was joined by 1st VI tennis player Rory O’Connor, who played some lovely forehands to compile a 22 before being snared by Rose at slip off the off-spinning grenades of Mr Marcus Milburn. When Ibbitson was luckily caught out by the flapping Mr Adam Moffatt, the balance had swung in the staff’s direction. However, Alex Bradley had other ideas and compiled a superb 28 not out. Ably supported by Jonnie Reed and Billy Sayers, the leavers needed 11 off the last two overs and four off the last, bowled by Mr Gaunt. Bradley held his nerve, and the leavers won by one wicket, with a ball to spare!
A great game was followed by a BBQ on the boundary and a serious post-mortem took place in the staff dressing room…”must try harder”!’
Determined to claw back some dignity, the Shiplake Wanderers took on the 1st XI cricket team. It soon became clear that playing with spirit and gusto was not going to be enough to shake the 1st team, who were fresh from their latest match against Pangbourne. Mr Howorth describes the match below…
‘The 1st XI looked to channel their disappointment of a last ball loss to Pangbourne by inflicting a heavy defeat on the staff XI, the Shiplake Wanderers. The Wanderers won the toss, and decided to bowl – mainly to ensure the game wasn’t over in 10 overs! However, the 1st XI’s got off to a bad start with Vice Captain Callum Heppner-Logan out on the second ball of the innings, expertly caught by Orchard Housemaster Mr Adam Mallins, off the bowling of Mr Jim Reynolds. Captain Harry Ibbitson (26 retired) batted well to steady the ship, but wickets kept falling at the other end to leave the 1st XI 46 for 4. However, Miles Bridgman (27 retired), Ollie Brown (16) and Alex Bradley (25 not out) weathered some excellent death bowling from the staff, leaving them chasing 158 off their 20 overs to win. Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt got the innings off to a flying start, cruising to 25 retired inside three overs. However, poor shot selection (Mr Andy Dix, Mr Tom Walter and Mr Duncan Miller) and awful running (Mr David Rose) left the staff reeling. Head of Cricket and 1st XI coach Mr Howorth came in to bat with sledging ringing in his ears, but held his nerve to strike some lusty blows in his 26 retired. However, wickets continued to tumble at the other end and when Gaunt returned the staff needed 39 off the last two overs. It was too much even for the leading run scorer, and the 1st XI ran out winners by 27 runs! Final score: 1st XI 157 for 8 (20 overs) beat Shiplake Wanderers 129 for 9 (20 overs) by 28 runs.
A great game, and the staff continue to search for their first win of the season, with Pangbourne staff up next Friday…’