Rhubarb December 2025

Martyrs v MCS Old Waynfletes JULY 2025

(Sing’s, 2019-2023) and honorary Martyr, John Currie, helped to slow the OW’s scoring rate, but they still managed to post a competitive 202-4 declared off 36 overs. In reply, Pete Ades (Segar’s, 2017-2019), ably supported by another long-serving supporter of Martyrs Cricket, Rob Matthews (Segar’s, 1990-1995), got the Martyrs off to a blistering start – achieving a century partnership off just 15 overs! Following a drinks’ break both openers fell within 7 balls of one another, with Ades out for 70 off just 57 balls. Martyrs CC debutant Andrew Jackson (Field House, 1998-2000) quickly followed leaving the Martyrs wobbling a little at 108 for 3. Peter Swainson (Tilly’s, 1995-2000] and James Connolly (Field House, 2008-2013) steadied the ship before a further mini-collapse (something of a Martyrs CC tradition!) left the Martyrs on 173-6 needing another 30 runs off 34 balls.Thankfully Holyland and Currie played with calm heads to carry the Martyrs to a three-wicket victory with an over remaining. A very enjoyable game, played in great spirit, with OSE spanning over 30 years playing in the same Martyrs XI. A special thanks to the OWs (particularly Ross Buchanan) for hosting us so warmly.We look forward to welcoming the OWs to Upper 1 next year. Last Man Stands F or a second year running, the Martyrs entered a side into the hugely popular Last Man Stands competition. Playing in the ‘South Park Tuesday’ League the Martyrs won 8 of 12 fixtures to win the League and progress to the London Regional Finals.

O n Sunday 6th July the Martyrs enjoyed their first fixture in living memory (perhaps ever!) against the Old Waynfletes (Magdalen College School ‘old boys’) on MCS’s ‘School Field’ with its stunning views of Oxford’s famous dreaming spires. On a glorious summer’s day, an eclectic Martyrs XI lost the toss and were asked to bowl. Ben Jacobs (Sing’s, 2018-2020) returning from a season playing Grade Cricket in Melbourne, and Martyrs stalwart, Matt ‘Bombhead’ Holyland (Field House, 2004-2009) took the new ball, with Holyland (2-24 off 6 overs) making a few important early inroads. Charlie Turner

MARTYRS

NEW MARTYRS CRICKET REPS

Next season,Tom Powell (Kendall, 2013-2018),Tom Leeson (Apsley, 2015-2020), Oli Sedgwick (Tilly’s, 2018-2023) and Eliot Hyman (Kendall, 2019-2021) will be taking over the reins from Ruairi Willis (Tilly’s, 2008-2013) who has served Martyrs Cricket tremendously over the last decade or more. In addition to the fixtures reported above, the Martyrs are hoping to organise a few more fixtures that cater to OSE of all ages and (most!) standards. If you would like to be kept informed of future events and fixtures and added to the Martyrs Cricket mailing list, please contact the Beyond Teddies team (ose @ stedwardsoxford.org).

MARTYRS PADEL jarvis cup alumni tournament SEPTEMBER 2024 Report by James Dubois (Field House, 1960-1964) T he Martyrs were delighted to enter a team into the inaugural padel alumni event, held in September at Rocket Padel, a 14-court indoor arena in Bristol. 21 school teams entered and eight alumni teams, each with four players. The alumni event, played for the Jarvis Cup, was won by Millfield’s first team (they entered two) and the Martyrs came 7th. Unfortunately, our youth representative Feroz Baig (Kendall, 2009-2014), who was also our best player, tore his calf muscle a few days before the event so Simon Talbot-Williams’ Simon Talbot-Williams’ (Cowell’s,

1974-1979) wife, Sue (another type of martyr one might say), stepped-in to complete our numbers on the day. David David Garrett (Apsley, 1959-1964), a padel pioneer who built Surrey’s first padel club nine years ago in Weybridge, teamed up with James Dubois James Dubois with whom he used to play in the Teddies squash team back in 1963/64! David was feeling

unwell from the outset and had to step down from the team after two matches so for the final afternoon match James played with Darren Withey who was there as the squash coach for Aylesbury School. By way of coincidence, Darren had been the Teddies squash coach prior to Ross Gore, so we felt he was as qualified to play as a Martyr as Sue! While our two pairs only won one of their six matches on the day, we felt that a good foundation has been laid for next year’s entry. Keen padel players should drop a line to: james @ jamesdubois.com to register their interest.

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