QUERIES LOSE AT MARLBOROUGH

Jack Bramwell gallantly stepped in to skipper this team after the match manager fell out. There had been all sorts of problems raising an XI. We eventually got there with the help of a cricketer from the school, and Ninian MacGregor stepping up to the plate. On paper the top order batters looked strong however two sharp catches at gulley left us 2 down for 12 in the 5th over. Jack Bramwell and Aayarian Sen dug in for 20 overs and moved the score on to almost 100 when Sen walked past one and was stumped. Jack was caught the following over, having batted well for 66, but he was quickly followed by James Brewer, and we were 104 for 5. After that it was a struggle until we were all out for 143 in the 43rd over. The College used 9 bowlers, 7 of our wickets fell to catches and it was going to be a serious challenge to defend that total with so much time left to play.

Query spirits rose quickly when the College opener was out caught in the 2nd over, his replacement was out in the 5th over, and their other opener was out in the 8th over. Guest James MacFadyen took two of those wickets and was bowling well. Then the College enjoyed a 4th wicket stand of 60 runs at which time Jack Bramwell brought Sen into the attack and Sen took two wickets in 4 overs, however with the target just a few runs away, the writing was on the wall and a lofted boundary closed the College innings at 146 for 5. Queries had lost by 5 wickets in just 28.4 overs.

Many thanks to our guests who helped fill the side, and especially to James MacFadyen for his batting and bowling. Huge thanks to Mike Bush and the College for the fixture, the superb hospitality and catering, and to the College XI for the way they played this match. More thanks to Nigel Hill for scoring – and here is the score card