On 25 June, Clare Hall hosted its Annual Cricket Match, drawing College members, friends, and family to Leckhampton Field.

The Students Team was up against the President’s XI, who were hoping to defend their win from last year. The sunny day was filled with vibrant conversation and excitement for the match, shared over delicious afternoon tea kindly provided by our kitchen team. The Students ultimately emerged victorious, with a final score of Students 245-7 v President’s XI 168-9.

For a full recap of the day, enjoy a report written by the Twelfth Man, along with photos from the match.

Grand Midsummer Cricket Match

The Grand Midsummer Match, designed to celebrate the revival of Clare Hall Cricket ten years ago, took place on the neighbourly Corpus Leckhampton ground on Wednesday June 25th. It pitted the Student Challengers led by Club President Chris Hendry against the College President’s team led by original revivalist Sam Martensz.

Chris called on a formidable array of Young Sporting Bloods – Batters, Boaters, Booters – to ensure Youth had its revenge on Age for last year’s Student defeat. Sam relied on no less than twelve Veterans of past Midsummer Matches – in his putative XV – to uphold the honour of the President.

In brief, the Students batting first, soon batted the President’s out of the match. The scorebook tells the story. Opener Ryan Williams, a 6-ball 25;  #3 Will Magarey a 28-ball 44 not out;  #4 Blue Kailen Patel a 19-ball 30;  with not-so-young opener Ben Rae anchored on 31 not out.

Among the teens that followed, Chris Hendry scored 14; Uncle Andrew Royce 18; Ed Parker & Will Gardner 19 apiece; and Glen Downie 15 not out. Skipper Sam alone took two wickets – for 25. The Students’ very grand total: 245-7.

After the usual sumptuous tea under a canopy, the President’s started strongly with a 47-run opening stand but thereafter the chase faltered. Jehangir Cama, like opener Sam Strong, repeated his last year’s feat of a 30+ maximum and Pradip Adhikari looked well set until he skied one on 11.

It was left to Seb Skeaping to remind us why he was Clare Hall’s champion player in the Silver Age at the turn of the Millennium, 18 not out, with Skipper Sam holding up the side with a defiant 15. Three bowlers took two wickets: Will Magarey, 2-13, Rishul Karia, 2-11, Skipper Chris, 2-22, ensuring the President’s total came up short:  168-9.

During the evening’s festivities, Will Gardner was named Upcoming Player of the Season, pitcher Travis Glasson its Prime Rookie. Desmond Lam, in front of a party of students he had brought from Macau, presented his Match Trophy to victorious Skipper Chris.

The Midsummer Match bisected the fullest season of fixtures the Club has ever had. Many more are to come. All are welcome to practice nets at Leckhampton on Mondays at 5.30 p.m. Anyone up for matches in July and August please contact cricket@clarehall.cam.ac.uk