Co-Ed Sport Cricket 1st XI vs Old Leightonians

The traditional end to Cricket Week was once again honoured with the Leighton Park 1^st XI Cricket Team vs the Old Leightonians. In the spirit of our Co-Ed Festival of Sport it was good to see talented cricketer Chloe (Year 11) on the team and a range of year groups represented from Year 10 to the Upper Sixth. The Festival of Sport has included cricket, football, netball, boxing, judo, tennis and rounders this year plus a talk from GB long distance runner, Mia Waldmann.

Speaking before the match against the Old Leightonians, 1st XI Cricket team Co-Captain and Head Boy, Oscar commented, “This week is Cricket Week which means there is an extra push to get everyone involved, all the boys involved and all the girls involved, and we have the game against the Old Leightonians which is always a bit of fun and I think that’s special about Cricket Week. This is my third year of playing in the match; first in Year 10 and then last year as Vice Captain and this year as Co-Captain.”

Oscar’s Co-Captain, Calder, was looking forward to the game, saying: “This is my fourth time playing against the Old Leightonians and it’s always been a good game. It’s a fun opportunity for sure to be Co-Captain this year; it’s always a nice thing to have, it’s a privilege.”

The OLCC batted first (as is tradition) with Tom Gillmor and Nick Hayles putting on 101 for the first wicket before Tom was caught behind for 65. Nat Narayanasamy and Nick then added another 50+partnership, before Nick was bowled for 60. David Bibby (back from Dubai for one game only!) survived facing the bowling of his son Calder, but it was sadly a brief visit to the middle, his departure bringing in Dylan Wood who hit a rapid 53. Once Nat also completed his half century, Skipper Gillmor ushered in his troops, declaring at 248-4 off 41.4 overs. The school used 9 bowlers and were lively in the field. The 1st XI’s reply showed good character with a number of the side dispatching the ‘varied’ OLCC bowling to all parts – a knock of 33 by Miles being the definite highpoint. The champagne moment was probably the dismissal of Calder by his father, with possibly one of the slowest deliveries ever seen, which hardly reached the stumps after taking the edge! The OLCC also used nine bowlers, with two wickets apiece for Geoff Samuels, Vikesh Patel, Shreyas Narayanasamy and Tom Gillmor. The school side were finally dismissed with a few overs left in the game for 157.