The annual fixture between Bloxham School and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) produced a scintillating day of cricket which resulted in a 63 run win for the MCC on the final ball of the match.
The following match report against the most famous club in cricket is provided by Bloxham’s Cricket Professional, George Setterfield:
1st XI captain, James G, lost the toss and we were asked to field first on a cold and overcast morning. Opening bowlers Tristan A and Alex M toiled away from either end but were unable to produce a breakthrough until the 13th over, when Tristan clean bowled the opening bat to leave the visitors 58-1. Sam K-F then produced one of the highlights of the game, with an outstanding diving catch off the bowling of Ben England. Archie A then snuck a quick wicket before lunch with the score at 106-3 from 25 overs.
George D struck with the first over after lunch, and Bloxham picked up another wicket soon after with Ben E adding another wicket to his tally for the day. The MCC fought back with their middle order providing some strong resistance to the Bloxham School bowlers, declaring on 238-8 after both brothers, Tristan and Archie, claimed another wicket each.
Bloxham came out the blocks quickly with openers Oliver B and James G scoring quickly and freely to bring up their 50 partnership in the 9th over. Captain James made a well constructed 23 before being caught at short fine leg, bringing Third Former Noah C to the crease. Oliver and Noah looked to push the field for quick singles, but it proved too risky a tactic as Oliver was run out for a classy 41.
Ben E (28) and Sam K-F (16) took on the MCC bowling attack, and swung the match back in Bloxham’s favour, leaving the home team 100 to win from 15 overs. But after 5 wickets fell in the space of 5 overs, MCC turned up the pressure on the final batting pair of George D and Archie A. The pair fought gallantly for the draw, and needed to see out 10 overs of high quality bowling to save the game. Eventually, on the last ball of the match, the resistance of the pair was brought to an end as MCC took a stunning catch to seal the victory in an enthralling game of cricket.
Post match, Archie A was awarded player of the game by the MCC Captain for his defiance with the bat (6 runs from 33 balls) and match figures of 13 overs, 3 wickets for 64 runs.
We look forward to watching this team grow over the course of the term.
For photos from the match, please Click Here
