Rhubarb October 2022

ST EDWARD’S

MARTYRS CRICKET DAVID DRAKE-BROCKMAN MEMORIAL MATCH 18th April 2022 T he Martyrs were once again welcomed warmly for the annual David Drake-Brockman memorial cricket match.A mid-April fixture meant the elder generation lacked conditioning, so posting 196 was deemed somewhat of a success at the halfway mark. Half centuries from Pete Ades (Segar’s, 2017-2019) and Freddie Simon (Tilly’s, 2008-2013) were highlights, along with a solid 24 fromAngus Spratling (Segar’s, 2008-2013), whilst the wickets were shared around the 1st XI bowlers, with Richardson the pick taking 3 for 30. An early wicket at the start of the 1st XI's innings got the DDB XI's hopes up before a masterful 99* from Kershaw, supported by a fine 50* from Brown and 37 from Horton, saw the School home in the 40th over. Described as "a hammering" by one loyal supporter, the day ended well with the Martyrs well fed and watered. Many thanks, as always, to the School, the 1st XI and the OSE for again hosting and participating in a special day for the Drake-Brockman family.

MARTYRS Vs MCC MATCH IN MEMORY OF JOHNWOODCOCK 29th May 2022

The MCC played against St Edward's Martyrs to mark the contribution of JohnWoodcock (Segar’s, 1940 1945) to both organisations and

MARTYRS

our great game. Batting first, the MCC got off to a good start courtesy of 80 from Simon Bell and 40 from Luke Kirsten, before a flurry of wickets (two falling to 2022 Leaver and Martyrs CC debutant Harry Trowbridge (Field House, 2017-22) just before lunch levelled things up a little. Scott deWeymarn (69*) and James Clark (50*) batted beautifully after lunch as the MCC accelerated to a competitive total of 261-4 declared. Matt Dickinson's (Tilly’s, 1984-1988) canny seam brought two early wickets, before the inevitable battery of MCC spinners got to work. James Clark (3-67) and Matt Syddall (2-49) reduced the Martyrs to 164-8, despite François Vainker's (Cowell’s, 2001-2006) fluid 59. However,William Bull (Tilly’s, 2010-2015) with 40 and Freddie Simon (Tilly’s, 2008-2013) with 57 (off just 30 balls!), put on an excellent 9th wicket stand of 80 which changed the complexion of the game and brought the Martyrs close to victory with some judicious and very vigorous hitting – exploiting the short boundary on one side to great effect. In a last, desperate throw of the dice MCC captain David Atkinson brought himself on and immediately induced a false shot from Bull, gratefully clutching the skied catch himself. Stephen Bernard brought the game to an end in the next over, leaving the MCC narrow winners by 12 runs with 11 balls to go. JohnWoodcock would undoubtedly have approved of a game played in the best of spirits, with competitive cricket played by representatives of two organisations he held very dear.

Report by James Drake-Brockman (Segar’s, 1988-1993).

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