Cricket

On Thursday 29th June some of the world's most prolific cricketers played against the College 1st XI. Chris Crosbie - a guest of Guy Bradshaw (R. 1979-84) - sends us this report...

The official opening of the magnificent new pavilion at Preston Nomads’ ground in Fulking turned into something of an Old Brightonian reunion - as these things so often do! The pavilion was opened by an emotional and engaging Robin Marlar - occasional scourge of Clare Connor’s England team, President of the MCC, and son of E A G Marler (OB. 1916-19).

This was an eventful year for the OB cricket team. We drew Radley Rangers in the 1st round of the Cricketer Cup, playing them for the first time in the competition. After a confident start we made only 200 odd and with Hutton of Radley on 50 and going well we were delighted to snap him up the ball before tea. Perhaps surprised is a better word than delighted here since it was Chris Sweet (D. 1983-88), keeping wicket, who snaffled him. Nevertheless, Radley lost their way and the experience of the OBs saw us home.

The Cricketer Cup draw was not kind to the OBs this year with a home draw against Sherborne Pilgrims. Sherborne batted and made a respectable 240. With several new faces in the side a new confidence abounded and we knocked them off for 4 with 9 overs remaining. 50’s came from Chettleburgh, Woodbridge & Burton.

The Cricketer Cup is now in its 38th Year and is the premier Public Schools Old Boys cricket competition. Although the Old Brightonians won the competition back in 1969 with the legendary ABD Parsons, it has been dominated by the likes of Tonbridge, Malvern, Oundle, Charterhouse and Harrow. At the beginning of this season we were sitting 13th in the national rankings. Having reached the ¼ final stage 8 times in the last 20 years the college hoped this year to proceed further and perhaps emulate the heroes of 69.

The College made history this month by playing two girls, Holly Colvin and Sarah Taylor, in the College 1st XI fixture against Wellington.

This year we are celebrating the 160th anniversary of Brighton College’s foundation, and both the Headmaster and the Old Brightonian Association are very keen to celebrate this occasion fittingly. Hence there will be a number of events arranged at the school to mark the achievements of Brighton College, events which we hope will enable Old Brightonians of all ages to renew past associations and friendships.

Clare Connor MBE (W. 1989-94) captained England's women to their first Ashes series win in 42 years with a triumph over Australia in the second and final test in Worcester on Friday.