Old Denstonians win the Cricketer Trophy

17 teams entered the Cricketer Trophy and on Sunday 2nd August Old Denstonians (Denstone College, Staffordshire) and Old Foresters (Forest School, London) met to contest the final, which was hosted by Old Georgians at St George’s College, Weybridge. For both teams this was their first final, so a new name would be on the Trophy at the end of the day.

Old Foresters won the toss and elected to bat. Sachin Sagger and Jeevan Singh put on 80 for the first wicket, but Old Foresters top order could not build upon this opening stand and found themselves at 134-5 after 34 overs. A 61-run 6th wicket partnership between Jack Feather and Pete Miller saw Old Foresters to 195. The lower order couldn’t push forward and a collapse saw Old Foresters at 198-9. The last pair, Caspian Coupe and Sam Miller salvaged some pride and Old Foresters were all out for 226 in the last over.

Set 227 to win, Old Denstonians found themselves at 48-2 after 9 overs with both openers dismissed. Rohan Vallabhaneni (85 runs) and skipper Greg Cork (69 runs) put on 161 of 139 balls for the 3rd wicket. With 17 runs required and 18 overs left, Old Denstonians only needed 11 balls to secure victory.

Rohan Vallabhaneni, Derbyshire 2nd XI, ended with 124 off 94 balls including 4 sixes and 15 fours to take the Player of Match accolade.

Despite 17 teams entering, there were again concessions by schools during the competition, with both finalists progressing to the final after their semi-final opponents (Old Millhillians and Downside Wanderers) withdrew.

Captains and umpires at the Cricketer Trophy final