It's a West Country Final for the Cricketer Cup - Old Cliftonians v Old Malvernians
In two contrasting semi-finals for the Beechbrook Capital Cricketer Cup, it is two teams from the West Country who will be playing at Arundel in the final on Sunday 9 August.
Old Cliftonians have played in three finals, in 1987 when they lost to Shrewsbury, in 1993 when they beat Old Tonbridgians, and then again in 1994 when they lost to the same team. In 2023 their fortunes revived when they reached the quarter-final, and then the semi-final in 2025 when they lost to the eventual winners, Old Bedfordians, so their appearance in the 2026 final is not a surprise. They have been favoured with a home draw in all rounds and now took on Old Millfieldians on the Close. Millfield won the toss and batted, but found the whole innings to be hard going. Five of their batsmen made it into the 20s but 29 was the top score and they lost wickets regularly to struggle to 178 all out in 48 overs. Clifton were missing Will Naish, the hero of the last over in the two run win over Old Hamptonians in the quarter-final, but Ahmed Syed took 5-33, Jonny Sadler 3-20 and Ryan Kilmister 2-51 to keep the shackles on the Millfield batsmen. Clifton’s prolific opening pair of Ollie Meadows and Jonny Sadler put on 40 for the first wicket, but slumped to 116-5 and were indebted to Sadler who carried his bat through the innings for 73 not out. He received great support from Louie Shaw in an unbeaten winning stand of 63 for the sixth wicket, Shaw finishing with 26 not out as Clifton won by 5 wickets in 38 overs.
By contrast the parched field of Malvern provided a run fest, as Old Malvernians chased down Old Wellingtonians’ total of 280-5 to win by 5 wickets with 8 balls in hand. Wellington had beaten strong opponents in Bedford, Radley and Monmouth but were missing some crucial players, including Ed Young (centurion at Radley), Jed Crerar (94 against Monmouth) and key spinner in JJ Dewes. Nevertheless they compiled a challenging total of 280 thanks to 98 not out from H. South, 73 from M. O’Donoghue and 48 from Ralf Beer. Angus Catto took 3-50 in his 10 overs, by some way the best figures of the day. Malvern were also missing key players and lost two early wickets, including captain Josh Haynes, but had two experienced batsmen in Freddie Wynn who made 113 and Alex Milton 94 not out, who combined in a stand of 143 for the third wicket. Malvern’s small ground makes it hard to contain a run chase, even without sixes being allowed, and Wellington’s bowlers struggled to keep control. When Wynn departed at 203-3, Milton took charge and the result never really looked in doubt to those of us watching on the livestream.
Old Cliftonians v Old Malvernians Arundel Castle Sunday 9 August 1130 start. All welcome.
John Meadows (Old Cliftonians) with MCC President Dennis Silk in 1993