Welsh Work the Wickets

Despite the rain this week causing cricket fixtures to be cancelled, the glorious sunshine across the previous weeks meant that House cricket went ahead, with defending champions Welsh House working hard to maintain their title for another year. With Master in Charge of Cricket being Welsh Housemaster Mr Jonnie Howorth, the pressure was really on for the Welsh cricketers to take on other house teams and prove their worth! Thank you to Mr Howorth for providing the following report:

‘In the first round, Welsh had a bye to the semi-finals, so it was up to the other six houses to battle it out for place in the last four. Joint favourites Burr looked to have a favourable draw against Skipwith Wells-Furby in the first round. Lead by Captain of Cricket Harry Ibbitson, and with a host of 1st and 2nd players, Burr bowled first and restricted Wells-Furby to 78 for 5 off 10 overs. The chase started well for Burr, with Ibbitson and Todd Harman, and they were soon 35 for 1. When skipper Ibbitson retired, the run chase fell apart… Left needing six runs off the last over to win with five wickets in hand, 1st XI wicket-keeper Ollie Brown bowled a double wicket maiden to secure an unlikely win.

In the other first rounds matches, Orchard Lapping overcame a spirited Everett side with Ben Westbrook-Burr and Alex Bradley starring. In the third round match, Miles Bridgman lead an inexperienced Skipwith Eggar line-up against fellow day house Orchard Bevan. Despite setting a respectable 74 to win in 10 overs (with Bridgman scoring 25 not out), Bevan chased the target down with an over to spare, Ollie Simpson with the bulk of the runs.

In the semi-finals Welsh entered the fray with 5 1st players in their ranks. They batted first against Orchard Lapping and set a daunting 120 to win over 10 overs. George Gundry, Freddie Davis and Joe Tucker all scoring 25 not out, with 1st XI tail ender Zach Heppner-Logan even getting in on the act with 17 runs. Lapping were never in the game, and ended on 80 all out. In the second semi-final Skipwith Wells-Furby secured a commanding win over Bevan, with Lewis Bishop and Charlie Bertram both scoring 25 not out. Some tight bowling and excellent fielding saw them book their place in the final.

On the day of the final, news from the Wells-Furby camp was that skipper Ollie Brown had come off second best to a dodgy takeaway and was unable to play, further handing the initiative to clear favourites Welsh. Welsh won the toss and elected to bowl. Soon Wells-Furyb were in trouble, with Lewis Bishop being caught for 6. However, 2nd XI batsman Sam Neil batted all 12 overs of the final for his excellent 26 not out to set Welsh 70 to win. The reply started badly, when Gundry was bowled by Bishop, but 30* from Joe Tucker and some lusty hits from Freddie Davis saw Welsh defend their title for the loss off just two wickets.’