Rhubarb 2024

volunteered to fill the gap but, having found the M4 was closed, he did not arrive until shortly after the start of thematch. Having lost the toss and being asked to field, captain Ruairi Willis (Tilly’s, 2008-2013) thought that it might be a ‘spinners wicket’ and asked Hugh Rogers (Cowell’s, 1973-1978) to open the bowling. Hugh, having played his first Cricketer Cup match in 1980 (!), took it in his stride and bowled

THE CRICKETER CUP: MARTYRS V OLD MONMOTHIANS 19th May 2024 Report by Julian Lawton-Smith, President of the Martyrs Cricket Club (Mac’s,1967-1971) F or the first time the Martyrs were drawn in the Bye Round of the Cricketer Cup.The opponents were the Old Monmothians who were making their first appearance in the competition. With the match to be played at Monmouth School, the majority of the Martyrs XI elected to stay overnight in Monmouth the night before the match in order to avoid the long journey on the Sunday. If one hoped that they would therefore arrive fresh and raring to go on the morning of the match, it was not to be. A rather bleary eyed group assembled outside the pavilion having spent the night watching the Fury v Usyk boxing match on TV, with some not getting to bed until 5am! Memories of our trip to Blundells in 1981! To add to our problems, one of the Martyrs players had to drop out late on Saturday night.The President of the Martyrs, Simon Talbot-Williams (Cowell’s, 1974-1979), kindly

MARTYRS

Hugh Rogers and Simon Talbot-Williams.

respectably but the OMs scored quickly to reach 92 before the first wicket fell. Ruairi produced a magnificent spell of 4 for 27 from his ten overs as the Martyrs reduced the OMs to 140-6. After missing a simple chance, Eliot Hyman (Kendall, 2019-2021) brought off a wonderful diving catch to dismiss the batsman he had dropped earlier. Some late hitting from the tailenders raised the total to 224 when the OMs were all out in the final over. The Martyrs reply got off to the worst possible start with Feroz Baig (Kendall, 2009-2014) out to the first ball of the innings, getting a thin edge to a ball down the legside.The innings never got going, with a regular fall of wickets. Alfie Turner (Sing’s, 2020-2022) made a determined 41 and was last out while Brandon Allen (Segar’s, 2015-2017) struck the only six of the day in a lively 27.The Martyrs finished on the very disappointing total of 109. The OMs were ‘up for the game’ as they wanted to put in a good showing having spent years trying to get a place in the competition, and on the day proved too strong. As for the Martyrs, it’s on to next year!

MARTYRS CRICKET DRINKs 12th JULY 2024 O ver the summer, OSE who were lucky enough to watch the England vs West Indies Test Match at Lord’s Cricket Ground piled into a pub round the corner afterwards,The Clifton NW8. With thanks to one of our cricket reps, Ruairi Willis (Tilly’s, 2008-2013), for spearheading the event, we look forward to this being an annual fixture and seeing more Martyrs there next year!

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