Date: 20 Jun 2024
Venue: Christ’s Hospital School
Time/Result: Won by 118 runs
Match Manager: Stuart Ritchie
Umpire: Trevor Burchell
Scorer: Les Newcombe
Centurion Sam Carter leads the Martlets to a win at Christ’s Hospital
The Sussex Martlets assembled at the 1stXI cricket pitch for their annual game against Christ’s Hospital. With one of the strongest sides assembled for this fixture in many a year, the 12 Martlets present combined two generations, those in their 20s and early 30s and those with more distinguished service for the Club. Also, notable was Mitesh Patel making his debut for the Club following an introduction from the irrepressible and absent Derek Horsham.
As is traditional, the Sussex Martlets won the toss and elected to bat. Veteran Sam Carter and guest Harcharen Mudhar from Slinfold CC opened up to face Murton and Silva reprising their partnership from the year before. It was a great opening partnership and one which was unbeaten at lunch. Harcharen was the first to fall having scored a splendid 64 runs. Dilshan De Silva added a useful 20 runs, mostly in boundaries. Charlie Mifsud, a late guest, added a useful 13 runs until the highly experienced Dave Mann, released from Bedales for the day, added an unbeaten 23 runs.
This was all while Sam Carter was accumulating runs at the other end. There were no 6s after his unfortunate dismissal on 99 at The Castle a couple of seasons previously but plenty of magnificent cover drives graced the Christ’s Hospital ground. Skipper Stuart Ritchie debated the declaration with colleagues with Carter in the 80s and then the 90s. But with Mann rotating the strike in Carter’s favour, the century came with a single and the Martlets declared on 244 for 3.
The Martlets opened the bowling with Alex Collins and Felix Kenny, the irregular combination of pace with spin. The Christ’s Hospital openers Murton and O’Brien attacked well the Martlets bowling and were on the run rate at tea. However the break proved fatal with O’Brien steepling a ball off De Silva for a caught and bowled. Kenny was replaced by Ben Whelpton who the skipper was determined to give a long spell. And so the trust was repaid with Whelpton claiming five wickets for 16 runs in 9 overs.
But the denouement of the game was left to Sam Carter (who else could it be?) with the third ball of his only over taking the final wicket with the Martlets winning by 120 runs.
The fixture against Christ’s Hospital is longstanding and the school are one of our most generous hosts each year. Grateful thanks go to the Director of Sport and Cricket, Dave Messenger, and also the umpires on the day, Trevor Burchell for the Martlets, and the scorers, Les Newcombe likewise for the Martlets. Longstanding Martlet, Martin Bodenham stood for Christ’s Hospital.
Grateful thanks given, the Martlets adjourned to The Bax Castle, where Harveys is well kept and was much enjoyed.
Batted first team:
Sussex Martlets
Batted first score:
244-3 dec
Batted first leading batters/bowlers:
Batted second team:
Christ's Hospital
Batted second score:
126-10
Batted second leading batters/bowlers:
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