A SUMMER OF OLD BRADFIELDIAN CRICKETING SUCCESS

CRICKETER CUP

The Waifs continue to shine in the main Cricketer Cup competition. In the first match we played Monmouth School, their first year in the competition. Both Harry Came (D 12-16) and Hugo Darby (C 18-23) made runs and Charlie Gwynn (F 12-17) took 6 wickets for 17 runs, the best figures of a Bradfield Waif in the Cricketer Cup competition. On 30 June the Waifs played Bedford College in the second round on Pit, winning the match with Sheridon Gumbs (D 17-22) hitting a century. In the Quarter Final the team faced Malvern, in Worcestershire.

Malvern have been the most successful team in the competition in recent years, but Harry Came’s 90, supported by 50s from from Hugo Darby and Joe Sheldon enabled them to chase down the target with 6 overs to spare. Monty McKenzie (2-19) was the pick of the bowlers but the spinners all performed to limit Malvern to 234. Following this success, the Waifs then went on to beat the Charterhouse Friars at Charterhouse in the Semi Final which led them to face the Old Tonbridgians at Arundel Castle in the final on Sunday 11th August.

‘I am thrilled to let you know that the Waifs beat Tonbridge in the Cricket Cup final. It was an excellent match. Tonbridge won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that had quite a bit of grass on it.

Tonbridge posted 194 all out. Wickets fell steadily throughout, with only one partnership of note; Charlie Gwynn and Finn Brabham picked up 3 wickets each.

The Waifs started the chase well staying ahead of the required rate, but lost wickets in regular intervals. The Waifs old guard may argue that there were a few too many reverse sweeps. Crofton Keyes and Charlie Gwynn had good partnership before Tom Ettridge (Man of the Match) came in to hit the winning runs with a 4.’

Mark Taylor (F 77-82)

The Over 50s Cup

The Cricketer Cup wanted to give ‘the old and bold’ an opportunity to play and approached five schools to participate. In the first match Bradfield were drawn against Winchester and managed to chase 180 odd and won, the second match versus the Eton Ramblers was tougher but Bradfield still prevailed. In the final on 21 July at Bradfield the Waifs went on to win the inaugural Over 50s Cricketer Cup versus the Oundle Rovers who posted a good score of 187-5. Bradfield won by 5 wickets with former Hampshire batsman Will Kendall making 67. With more teams keen to participate in 2025 the Waifs can look forward to defending their trophy next year. Congratulations to the winning side of Peter Came, Michael Silcock (G 77-82), Will Kendall (A 87-92) Captain, Stuart Seymour (F 87-92), Nigel Ward (G 71-76), James Kendall (A 85-90), James Grant (G 80-85), Will Oscroft (A 83-88), Hugo Norman (B 79-84), Simon Gammell (H 82-86), Ben Wyatt (A 85-90).

Full information on both competitions is available on The Cricketer Cup webpage.