Old Malvernians | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

For the fourth year in succession, the brains trust of the Martlet Over-40s section had achieved a pre-season, bank holiday tour itinerary, starting with watching the Sussex Women at New Road, Worcester on the Saturday. Alan Newman had done his usual great job with the fixtures, and a small hard core assembled on the first day to watch Sussex overcome the Worcester ladies, largely thanks to a brilliant century by Mollie Adams. Pictures were taken with the victorious team, once the Martlets had been admonished for stepping on the hallowed turf which, even after the game, seemed as protected as a minefield.

A long session in the garden of a hotel just along the opposite bank of the River Severn ensued, a jug or two of Pimm’s de rigeur, before the team repaired to a mix of accommodation. The AirBnB was very central and comfortable (thankyou Degsy), the only issue being it “slept 8” on only 4 beds ! One of our original number decamped on that basis …meanwhile Degsy manfully slept on the floor !

We headed out to Malvern College Sunday morning and met up with the Old Malvernians social team, tentatively called the Griffins, a rather younger profile, but then we enjoy a challenge. “The Senior” is a beautiful ground, although narrow boundaries mean that 6’s are counted as 4’s; this did not constrain their openers much, both scoring 50s and retiring. Phil Savage was the star with a stumping and a catch, keeping to a “mixed” bowling display. Johnny Wills, all the way from Jersey, was one of the better bowlers, whilst Paul Lack was, as ever, unlucky: Jeremy McGahan was the most economical, except for Degsy, who bowled 7 overs for 26 (7 wides!), as the Malvernians got to 205-6 off their 34.4 overs. The highlight was a hat trick by our very talented ringer, Ian Jones, right at the end of the innings !

Batting, Jones, opening, was expected to contribute much but hit his second ball straight to fine leg. Other early season shots followed, and the Martlets never quite looked the part, except when Arran Aris was in the middle. With 44 off 23 balls, including 7 fours and a six, it seemed as if he might take the game away, but when he was out at 106-4 our relatively thin batting line-up was under immediate pressure. Dan Jackson had scored a solid 33, David Mann a sprightly 19, and Phil Savage hit 20 quickly, but we were always losing wickets and the Malvernians emerged deserved winners by 19 runs, as Martlets closed at 186. Tom Whyte ended on 15 n.o. after three lusty boundaries, returning some of the treatment his bowling had been given !

A happy time followed in the very convivial “Morgan” pub, which made one member particularly pleased, and the team relaxed over an Italian meal back in Worcester, followed by various hostelries which did not quite hit the heights of Bristol last year !