The new pavilion hosted schoolboy cricket’s toughest opponents on Saturday – Bedford. Winning the toss, Ben Graves (F) put Bedford into bat on a good wicket. Tight, economical bowling meant Bedford were 54-3 at lunch, including a fine cutter from James Fischer (F) who continued his excellent start to the season with the ball to dismiss their danger man. A series of dropped catches and missed run-out shouts enabled Bedford to capitalise and mold a strong 4th wicket partnership. As lunch drew near, Oundle snatched 3 quick wickets including a catch at gully after some excellent field placing which left the game finely poised. In the afternoon, an even session ended with James Bourn (C) taking the final wicket to leave 216 as the target to chase. Particular mention should go to Fischer who bowled superbly to reel in 6 wickets.
In reply, Oundle were weak; despite Graves anchoring one end to reach 60, wickets steadily fell at the other and despite some dogged late resistance from Freddie Johnsrud, (Ldr) we were bowled out for 141.
As with all 1st team sports, the schedule is relentless – particularly in the cricket season. The next day, the current XI took on an OO side, which included former high-scoring Oundle batsmen Dave Walder, Tom Harrison and Cameron Wake. Amid a great buzz surrounding the official opening of the new pavilion, the OOs, batting first, were bowled out for 185 just short of their 40 overs, thanks to some impressive bowling efforts from Graves, Fischer and in particular James Bourn.
After the lengthy tea interval, Charlie Fernandes (Ldr) and Ben Graves set a fine foundation for the rest of the game. The fall of Fernandes did not trouble Oundle as Ben Curry cashed in on runs too. When Curry eventually fell for 43, Fischer joined Graves who soon reached his third century of the season, a fitting way to mark the occasion. Fischer fell, which allowed Tristan Tusa (S) to wrap up the game with a booming six over cow corner.
The 2nd XI too played a tough Bedford side who managed to bowl Oundle out for 114, despite a valiant 63* from Charlie Fernandes. The innings looked set with a strong start from Freddie Heaton (Ldr) and Fernandes, however the Oundle middle-order failed to deal with Bedford’s seam attack. Bedford chased the total quickly, although some hassle did occur from the Oundle attack with Bertie Stocks (F) taking three early wickets. Mr Liston’s 3rd XI won convincingly over Bedford with Alec Bruce-Gardyne (Ldr) crafting a 97 before being caught on the boundary. Adam Oliver (StA) too chipped in with a gritty 74. The 4ths too were victors with an upper 6th partnership winning them the game, Andrew Watson (G) and Toby Winter (L) both reaching half-centuries.
The 1st and 2nd senior girls tennis managed to complete wins over Oakham. Despite a powerful Oakham service game, Kitty Pertrides (D) and Flo Garnett (D) took on the windy weather and won their game 3 sets to 1. Lucie Baker (L) and Grace Easterbrook (Sn) had a convincing win against their own pair (6-3) and narrowly lost out on their other two sets (4-6 and 5-6). The Oundle third pair, Millie Marks (D) and Annie Hall(N) won two sets and lost only one. To their own pair they won 6-0 and to the opposition pair an impressive 6-2. The 1sts managed to win overall with 5 sets to 4!
U14 As third match produced a variety of results. Oundle 1st pair, Pippa Bourne (L) and Teanna Puthucheary (W) comfortably won all their matches with an array of commanding aces and aggressive forehand play. The second pair won two out of their three fixtures 6-4 ad 6-2. The clean sweep was denied as they lost their 3rd fixture 6-4. The third pair of Ella Foreman (W) and Emily Trevelyan (K) managed a huge scalp over Oakham’s 1st pair but slipped up over their 2nd pair and losing the 3rd pair on a tiebreak.
The U14 B girls tennis won overall 5-4 on sets, despite a new selection of partners the girls were able to adapt. The U15 A won all their matches by a clear margin.
The senior boys 1st and 2nds tennis produced immaculate displays over Bedford in response to their loss over Rugby the week before. They did not lose a set against Bedford, winning 18-0.
Rounders fixtures against Rugby also took place at the weekend. The 1st rounders team put in a fine performance against Uppingham to win 14.5-13. The Oundle girls were a real credit to the school and showed great maturity and skill. The team adapted well to a slight change around in the field and really came together batting. A great catch was taken by Boo Baker Munton (D) and particularly impressive fielding was shown by Phoebe Alexander (L).
The U14 A team faced a tight fielding display which included smart catches and stumpings. Oundle began to put pressure on Rugby fielding as they pushed for sly rounders in the latter stages of the innings. This resulted in the first innings the score being to 8.5-4.5 to Oundle, the second innings proved improved and our fielding was tighter keeping them to 5.5 rounders and Oundle replied with 8.5. The end score was 17-10 to Oundle. June Coke (D) played particularly well, scoring 2 rounders.
The boat club attended the Nottingham regatta, a renowned national event where we had a number of deserved wins. The Nottingham regatta has six lane side-by-side racing, and it is a short race, only one kilometer long, but it certainly doesn't feel short when you are on the course.
The J16 A boys quad won their event, against some difficult opposition. Anna van de Braak (L) also won comfortably in her single, an impressive achievement. The Fifth Form also did exceptionally well as they (the J17 boys A quad) took the trophy for their event, and Anthony Orr (F) also won the J17 single sculls event. These successes are very encouraging, and are testament to all the hard work that all of the rowers have put in over the year, not only the crews that came first, but those that just missed out, coming second or third. It sets the club up well for good results next weekend at the National Schools Regatta, the most competitive event of the year.
The 1st VI sailed in the BDRSA regional Easterns, and after what was an extremely exhausting day considering wind, had a very strong performance. By average points, Oundle won most notably over the Ipswich 1st VI, but also against Haileybury, Rugby, Stamford IIs, and the Royal Hospital School IIs.
Doug Russell (Ldr)