On Sunday 9th June, we hosted the biennial OB v MCC cricket fixture where in 1970 there was a record-breaking opening partnership of 210 runs (between Nigel Defty Eg 65-70 and Nicholas Gotch (Wf 66-71). Sadly, there were no similarly high scorers but it was a splendid day of cricket. We are grateful to OB cricket captain, Tom Gurney (Wn 07-12) for the following match report.
The MCC won the toss and elected to bat first. Either side of what is always a fantastic lunch, the MCC scored fluently to declare on 239 for 9 just before tea, with Charlie Williams (Sy 10-12) being the pick of the bowlers for the OB’s taking 5-85 during an 18 over spell and OB Olly Tice top scoring for the MCC with a well paced 63.
A tricky 15 minute period followed before tea, with the OB’s losing the first wicket just before the break, before Tom Gurney (27) and Scott De Weymarn (45) steadied the innings to set up the run chase. Contributions followed from James Gurney (24) and then Jonny Wilkinson accelerated the scoreboard towards what seemed like an unlikely chase, with 10 runs an over required from the final 20 of the innings, before falling for an entertaining 37 from 29 balls.
With 5 overs remaining all three results were possible, but unfortunately for the OB’s the last wicket fell to leave them 48 runs short. An entertaining game, played in great spirit, on what is always a special occasion and we look forward to hosting the MCC again in 2026.
Please click here to see all the photos.
Team: Tom Gurney (captain), Scott de Weymarn (Cr 07-12), Wiggy Gurney (Wn 10-15), Henry Hopkins (Eg 11-19), James Gurney (Wn 17-22), Jonny Wilkinson (Sy 17-22), Charlie Williams (Sy 10-12), Harry Rymer (Cr 10-15), Sam Manning (Sy 13-15) and Ed Selby-Lowndes (Staff).
