Cricketer Cup Second Round Report

The second round was completed yesterday, replete with centuries and fine individual performances and, unusually, six away wins out of the eight ties played.

There were two particularly noteworthy run-chases. In the first, Old Hamptonians knocked out last year’s finalists, Old Tonbridgians in south-west London. Tonbridge posted an impressive 276-8 in their fifty overs, Ed Hyde leading the way with 104 and Harry Bevan-Thomas a rapid 63. Hampton cruised past this total in only 43 overs with Guy Harper, captain of Maori Oxshott in the Surrey Championship, carrying his bat for 131 not out. He was given good support from Matt Avant-Smith 41, who also took 3-38 in the Tonbridge innings, and T. Wallace 36 not out.

An equally impressive chasing century was made by Ed Young of Old Wellingtonians. On a flat Radley wicket, the Rangers posted 287-7, with an opening stand of 167 in 29 overs between Jamie Dalrymple 93 and Ethan Berlusconi, who went on to make 133 not out. Wellington chased this down in 46 overs, Ed Young making 126 off 89 balls and Eddie Campion 64, putting on 171 for the fourth wicket.

Wellington now travel to Monmouth, who had an impressive win at Eton. Old Monmothians made 247-7 in their 50 overs, Harry Friend contributing 114 out of 197. The Ramblers, after their impressive comeback win at Shrewsbury in the first round, never came to terms with their own tricky wicket and were bowled out for 116, Arthur Newington-Bridges taking 5-20.

Old Hamptonians’ prize is a trip to Bristol to take on what is looking like a powerful Old Cliftonian team, which made the semi-finals in 2025 and now hopes to go at least one better. Clifton contained Charterhouse Friars to 240-8 and chased this down with eight overs to spare and only two wickets down. Luke Griffiths made 54 for the Friars before an opening stand of 152 between the prolific Ollie Meadows 84 and Jonny Sadler 103 not out sealed the game for Clifton.

Oundle Rovers prevailed in the lowest-scoring game of the day at Eastbourne. The hosts batted first and could only muster 140 in 39 overs, Jules McAlpine taking 3-28. Jacob Esler got the Rovers off to a flyer with 65 off 41 balls, but, when he was out at 99-2, they slumped to 121-8 before the ninth wicket pair took them home in just 24 overs. Jacob Smith with 4-42 was the best Eastbourne bowler.

Oundle’s reward is a trip to Millfield, who had a second close shave in successive rounds, overcoming Felsted Robins in Essex. At 112-6 Millfield were struggling until Ben Hooper, better known as a hockey player and a last minute recruit to the team, came in at No. 8 and made 82 off 60 balls, well supported by Nick Brothers with 47, so that Millfield managed 244 all out. Felsted started very quickly with C. Huntington making 83 off 59 balls. They were always well up with the over rate, but wickets fell, mainly to Ned Dunning with 6-40, so that they finished on 194 off just 37 overs to lose by 50 runs.

The other quarter-final features two recent winners of the competition, Bradfield Waifs and Old Malvernians. Bradfield travelled to Marlborough, where the Blues made 225 in 48 overs, mainly thanks to 86 from Ed Kilbee. This seemed below par but Bradfield lost wickets regularly and only won by 2 wickets with 2 overs to spare. Arthur Mills had a good all-round match with 4-35 and 53 runs.

Malvern batted first at Harrow and were indebted to a partnership of 158 between Joel Cox 88 and Alex Milton 80 in reaching 261-9, Jay Madan taking 5-38. Harrow in reply were all out for 219 in 45 overs, although Madan completed a fine all-round match in opening the innings, making 101 and being ninth out.

The quarter final draw, to be played on 12 July, is

Old Cliftonians v Old Hamptonians

Old Millfieldians v Oundle Rovers

Bradfield Waifs v Old Malvernians

Old Monmothians v Old Wellingtonians

Old Wellingtonians, winners at Radley

A breathless hush as the game at Clifton ends