The Oundle Rovers played their quarter-final Cricketer Cup Match against Old Millfieldians on Sunday 10 July 2022 and narrowly lost by two wickets in a game that veered back and forth all day.
Ben Graves (15) and Rory Osmond (34) made a quick start. Simon Fernandes (46) and Greg Smith (52) both played important innings and Charlie Fernandes (28) added some improvisation and acceleration to place the Rovers on target for 250 plus with ten overs remaining. Sadly the set players did not kick on and the lower middle order found things much more difficult than at Rugby. Veteran Jules McAlpine (12) provided some quality hitting in the last overs but the Rovers were a little disappointed with a total of 231. McAlpine started the Millfield innings as he had finished Oundle’s, clean bowling the ex-captain of Surrey CCC and Sussex CCC for single figures.
The visitors were always ahead of the required rate, but Oundle’s spinners posed problems and took regular wickets. Tommy Simeons (5-69) became only the ninth Rover to bag a five wicket haul in Cricketer Cup history and Graves (1-40) and Charlie Fernandes (0-32), supported by Esler (0-17) all bowled very tidily. Harry Boston (1-10), on Cricketer Cup debut, removed Oundle’s 2021 nemesis late in the game, but considerable damage had already been inflicted. Simeons reduced Millfield to 207 for 8 with a double wicket over, but a stubborn ninth wicket partnership saw Millfield over the line.
The Rovers were sorely disappointed, but rightly proud of another impressive run. We go again next year.
Match report by Tim Elliot (St A 77), Rovers President
