The OPs struggled to put out a 1st XI team this year, with a number of regulars and recent leavers unavailable or injured. Thanks go to all those who did make it and to Jonny Wheeler, Pocklington School’s Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach, and James Harrison, current sixth former, who stepped into the breach at the last minute.

Malcolm Milne (55-62 and former staff 71-03) umpired for the OPs until lunchtime. Paul Lambert (former parent) took over umpiring duties for the afternoon session. David Byas umpired for the school.

With the weather set fair (for a change!), a terrific morning and afternoon of cricket ensued.

The OP team were asked to bat first and both openers (Suddaby and Stephenson) made good progress against a strong bowling attack. There were short cameos from Varley and Sowersby which included some lovely boundaries, however runs were hard to come by. Chris Talago (81-86) made his first appearance in an OP shirt in recent years and fitted nicely into the team. Jack Bolam as ever scored valuable runs and allowed the current staff pairing of Jonny Wheeler and Charlie Lambert to finish the innings undefeated.

The school bowled and fielded with great energy and discipline restricting the OPs to a challenging 173; an outstanding catch in the outfield by young Sam Noble was testament to the energy amongst the school boys.

The OP bowling was strong and allowed 9 of the 11 players to have at least one over. Tom Sowersby bowled with pace and wickets were picked up by numerous people. This spirited reply from the OPs met with little resistance with the school boys getting ‘starts’ and not converting into the match- winning innings required. A late rally by Edward Wraith with 27 of 24 balls very nearly saw the school boys over the line in one of the closest finishes in recent years.

Scores as follows:

OPs: 173 – 8 (C Suddaby 59, J Bolam 60, J Wraith 3 – 22)

Pocklington School 170 – 9 (J Wraith 48, E Wraith 27no, T Sowersby 2 – 28)

OPs won by 3 runs.