2008/09 Worthians Cricket Club Report

The 2008 season started off well, on a beautiful Bank Holiday Saturday in May 2008, with a good win over the Worth School 1st XI.  The Worthian team and guests - comprising Tom Woodman (F'07), James Innes (C'06), Ed Burrill, Max McAlister (G'02), Will Allport, Louis Mitchell, James Holt (StB'97), Michael Bilbe (StB'06), Jonny 'Yips' Smyth (R'70), Tom Bilbe (StB'06) and Jeremy Jalie (C'02) - stood up to the challenge of a 30-over game.  This was the day where the men could do no wrong!

The competitive Worthian side were even warming up before the boys turned out - and the boys were certainly unprepared for the barrage of punishment that was to head their way later on that day!

A superlative opening partnership from Tom Woodman and James Innes (48) set the trend and the Worthian team quickly reached a grand total of 182.  Following a quick turnaround and great captaincy, Messrs Allport and Jalie opened the bowling for an over each - Will Allport, taking full advantage of the new ball, managed to pick up a cheeky wicket.  Then came a procession of tight bowling from the Bilbe brothers who dominated the 'red road' end.  James Holt rattled through the top order, with support from an energetic off-side field that seemed impenetrable with the lively ball handling of Mitchell and Burrill.  Though it was Jonny Smyth who stole the show with his perfect scoring and faultless bowling - he was unlucky not to achieve a hat-trick.

 The final score recorded was Worthians 182-7; Worth School 1st XI 106 all out.

The day was enjoyed by all, and it was followed by matches against the Worth Occasionals and the Old Theonians, as well as a new fixture against St Chad's College Durham Old Boys XI.  This fixture was orchestrated by Worthian, Richard Gairdner (StB'98), and we are all set to repeat it again in 2009.  Unfortunately, the win against the school was to be our only victory of the year - despite coming very close in most of the other games!

As well as repeating all the above fixtures in 2009, we are adding a new one to the diary with a game against St Hugh's College Oxford Old Boys XI. We are often short of players and always welcome Worthians who would like to get involved.  The ground at Worth is a great pitch both for the players and any enthusiastic spectators.

The fixtures for 2009 are as follows :

Saturday 23^rd  May                Worthians v  Worth School 1st XI
Sunday 19^th  July                   Worthians v Worth Occasionals
Sunday 9^th  August                Worthians v St Hugh's College Oxford Old Boys
Sunday 16^th  August             Worthians v St Chad's College Durham Old Boys

So, if you are interested in getting involved, please contact Simon Jones at skjones@reedsmith.com.  We are always actively seeking, and welcome any new players that would like to join our team.

Simon Jones (StB'98) and Max McAlister (G'02) - April 2009