It was a glorious summer evening on Friday 16 June as on Front Field, a cast of ex-staff and pupils gathered to celebrate Mr Brown’s 24 years at Shiplake. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces as they lined up for a special guard of honour for Mr Brown ahead of what was a well-contested cricket match.
Former teacher of geography and housemaster, Jonnie Howorth, wrote the following:
The ex-Wanderers won the toss and decided to field. Nick took to the field for the last time as a member of staff, opening the batting with his son Ollie (1st XI Vice-Captain, 2018). The two Browns took up the buffet bowling offered by former Welsh Housemaster, Alex Hunt, and current Lower School Housemaster, Tom Crisford, with Brown Jnr racing to 25 not out. Not to be outdone by the youngster, Brown Snr, who escaped being run out of the first ball of the match by an over excitable Andy Dix, made his way to 23 runs before former Burr and Orchard Housemaster Adam Mallins ruined everyone’s fun by bowling him out.
In strode former star batter Matt Dalrymple, fresh from scoring runs for Henley. Surely Mallins’ buffet offering would be easy pickings. Alas, Matt only managed to drag his first ball onto his stumps. Ex-staff jubilant; the hattrick ball would be faced by former Welsh Head of House, Callum Heppner-Logan, who held his nerve and survived. Dan Swan (Director of Sport, 2007-2012) then ran out Zach Heppner-Logan (Welsh House Head of House, 2017). With Ian Brown (1st XI Vice-Captain, 2012) racing along to 25 not out, the Nick Brown Invitational XI looked set to post an impressive total. However, wickets fell at regular intervals and tight bowling from Duncan and George Miller, and slightly less tight bowling from Brendan Pavey, Tom Walter and Tom Caston, meant that the Nick Brown XI finished their 20 overs on 142 for 8, thanks mainly to a late flurry of runs from Toby Stevens (1st XI Vice-Captain, 2013) who was ably supported by former Skipwith Head of House, Matty Fitzgerald. Surely this was too many despite the ex-Wanderers star studded batting line up.
With Simon Cane-Hardy stranded on the M4, it was left to James Gaunt (former Director of Sport) and Tom Caston (ex-staff and pupil) to open the batting. They misread the mood in the first over, dispatching Nick Brown to all parts with the sense of occasion being totally lost on them. However, when Dalrymple bowled Caston, it led to a flurry of wickets with Walter departing soon after too. Andy Dix and Duncan Miller steadied the ship turning ones into threes. But when they perished, the rusty middle order of Mallins, Swan and Howorth departed too, and it looked like the ex-Staff may come up short. However, a majestic 25 from George Miller put the scores level. All that was left was for Brendan Pavey to score the final run off the last over, which was controversially bowled by umpire Richard Curtis (also making his final appearance on Front Field before retirement). Pavey succeeded in only picking out College Housemaster Jonathan Ralph leaving the ex-Wanderers 8 wickets down with the scores level. However, Miller finished it off to give the ex-Staff a 2 wicket win in the last over.
A massive thank you to all those former staff and pupils who came to support, play or enjoy the hospitality. A truly special evening for a very special member of staff.
Ex-Wanderers XI (with a couple of long-standing current Wanderers):
Tom Caston, James Gaunt, Tom Walter, Andy Dix, Duncan Miller, Adam Mallins, Dan Swan, George Miller, Jonnie Howorth, Brendan Pavey, Alex Hunt, and Tom Crisford.
Nick Brown Select XI:
Matt Dalrymple, Callum Heppner-Logan, Zach Heppner-Logan, Ian Brown, Ollie Brown, Nick Brown, John Ralph, James Burgess, Toby Stevens, and Matt Fitzgerald.
Umpires
Gregg Davies, Richard Curtis and George Seccombe.
Former Staff Spectators
Dave Sharkey, Richard Ebbage, Richard Mannix, Tosh Farnborough, Jane Burtt, Fran and Jack Norris.
