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Annual Cricket Match - Old Boys v H.I.S.

It was gratifying that this year nearly all of those invited to play in our annual match against Hartlebury School were able to accept. In fact, only one late 'cry-off' but Mike Greenhill, approached the day before the game, agreed to turn out and so we had a full side of OEs.

Mike Cupper had brought his sons along in case we were short and both were promptly recruited to the School side. David Bolan had also arranged for Geoff and Sandra Barlow to umpire and score respectively. The well tended ground and the old School provided a splendid setting on a somewhat cloudy day but there were no rain interruptions.

Our new President, Kevin Smith, taking over the role of captain, arrived suitably dressed for a '20-20' limited game and I wondered whether I should have provided a white ball! The Old Boys elected to bat and soon found that heavy overnight rain had made the wicket quite soft on top. Both Mark Wenham and Bruce Baron had to contend with deliveries that stopped and lifted. In the fourth over Mark was caught by Alistair Cupper off Askins and then, with only 17 on the board, Bruce was caught behind off the same bowler. When Peter Mills fell lbw in the same over Richard Askins had taken 3 for 5 in his opening 4 over spell.

Peter Terry and Mike Greenhill set about recovering the position and took the score to 32 when Peter edged and was caught behind off Noakes after a forceful knock of 17. Kevin Smith helped Mike to retain the strike and add valuable runs but was caught by Noakes with the score at 53. Mike Greenhill continued to score steadily and had reached 22 when he was caught by Mullen off Malik. All the batsmen were finding the conditions difficult with the ball not coming on to the bat and when Ray Noyes departed in the following over 7 wickets were down for 58.

Geoff Thorp and Jim Cupper each struck boundaries but both fell caught and bowled to Michael Cupper. No doubt the latter was delighted to have secured his father's wicket. Last man, John Wakelam, then came in and sensibly pushed singles to give Eric Cooper the strike. Together they took the score to 100 before the allotted overs ran out with Eric contributing a well struck 21 including one big six. The School had done well to limit the score with 5 bowlers taking wickets and keeper Wilson conceding only 5 byes.

With the School having one or two experienced players the stage seemed set for an exciting second half. After a splendid tea laid on by the School, the O.Es took the field and Eric Cooper, fresh from his batting success, opened the bowling. He dismissed Dave Colwell lbw and then bowled Askins in his first over. He then bowled two consecutive maidens before his partner, Bruch Baron, bowled Wilson for 6. In his next over Cooper caught and bowled Stokes and then trapped Somers lbw to leave the School 8 for 5.

Phil Mullen then joined Noakes and they took the score to 32 helped by a wayward opening over from Ray Noyes. This was followed by much tighter overs from Noyes and Mike Greenhill. Noakes was bowled by Mike and then Ray had the final word when Mullen was caught by Terry off a ball that lifted sharply, having scored a hard hit 20 including a six and 3 fours. Malik was then run out attempting a second run, and Michael Cupper was caught and bowled by Kevin Smith for 6. Deakin and Noakes had a brief stand which ended when, with the score at 60, Deakin was bowled by Smith. A few runs were added before Alistair Cupper was caught by Terry off Peter Mills, and the innings closed on 65 with Ben Noakes not out 10 and 22 overs completed.

Mark Wenham had again kept wicket admirably not conceding a bye. 'Man of the Match' was undoubtedly Eric Cooper with his 21 not out and 4 for 2 off 4 overs, closely followed by Mike Greenhill who top-scored with 22 and took 1 for 11 off 3 overs.

The School were unable to recover from their wretched start and runs were hard to come by on a slow wicket. However, it was a much more even contest than some of the previous games and was very much enjoyed by all the O.Es. Once again our sincere thanks to the School Headmaster, David Bolan, for again generously hosting this annual sporting and social event, and for making the Old Elizabethans so welcome at the School.

H.O.E.A. XI

Mark Wenham	Ct A Cupper bowled Askins	1
Bruce Baron	Ct Wilson bowled Askins	5
Peter Terry	Ct Wilson bowled Noakes	17
Peter MIlls	lbw Askins	0
Michael Greenhill	Ct Mullen bowled Malik	22
Kevin Smith	Ct B Noakes bowled Malik	4
Ray Noyes	Ct B Noakes bowled Colwell	1
James Cupper	Ct and bowled M Cupper	7
Geoff Thorp	Ct and bowled M Cupper	6
Eric Cooper	Not out	21
John Wakelam	Not out	3
Extras		13
Total		100 for 9 wkts

Bowling: C Stokes 5 overs 0 for 18
R Askins 6 overs 3 for 8
B Noakes 3 overs 1 for 17
P Mullen 3 overs 0 for 13
A Malik 3 overs 1 for 5
D Colwell 3 overs 1 for 9
M Cupper 3 overs 2 for 15
G Somers 2 overs 0 for 10

HARTLEBURY SCHOOL

David Colwell	lbw bowled Cooper	1
Mark Wilson	Bowled Baron	6
Richard Askins	Bowled Cooper	0
Colin Stokes	Ct and bowled Cooper	1
Sam Noakes	Bowled Greenhill	1
Gareth Somers	lbw bowled Cooper	0
Philip Mullen	Ct Terry bowled Noyes	20
Michael Cupper	Ct and bowled Smith	6
Assad Malik	Run out	1
John Deakin	Bowled Smith	5
Ben Noakes	Not out	10
Alistair Cupper	Ct Terry bowled Mills	1
Extras		13
Total		65 for 11 wkts

Bowling: E Cooper 4 overs 4 for 2
B Baron 4 overs 1 for 8
M Greenhill 3 overs 1 for 11
R Noyes 3 overs 1 for 20
J Wakelam 3 overs 0 for 7
K Smith 3 overs 2 for 9
G Thorp 1 over 0 for 4
P Mills 1 over 1 for 1

Umpires: John Mills and Geoff Barlow
Scorer: Sandra Barlow and Bob Stokes

Old Boys Cricket Team June 2000, for the match against the school

Back row L-R: Pete Terry, Peter Mills, Jim Cupper, Eric Cooper, Neil Bayliss, Kevin Smith
Front row L-R: Bruce Barron, Geoff Thorp, Ray Noise, Mick Gray, David Mills

Committee Members

On a hill looking out over meadowland and wood,
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)
There standeth a school and for centuries hath stood,
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)
Of the years since her birth tho' uncounted be the tale,
Like her neighbour, the Oak, she is vigorous and hale,
Rooted deep in our hearts she hath weather'd ev'ry gale.
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)

Though ancient she be, there's no flagging nor decay,
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)
As in ages past, still go forth her sons today,
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)
In the world of work their vigour they have shown,
On the river, in the field, they have made their prowess known,
And the old School's honour they have guarded as their known.
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)

Now, comrades all! Louder yet your voices raise,
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)
May the old School flourish! Ever brighter be her days,
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)
May her sons bring her honour and be jealous of her name,
And content to do their duty, be the issue praise or blame.
In the world as in the field may they always play the game.
(Hartlebury! Hartlebury!)

Further help is available through the Old Carolians Association at www.oldcarolians.org.uk

Many thanks to all Old Boys and relatives who have contributed.

Painstakingly compiled and including illustrations, the booklet details the short lives of some 18 Old Boys who were lost in World War II. "The losses in both wars were high considering that Hartlebury was quite a small Grammar School and this was an example of the dedication to service and country of pupils from Grammar Schools", says Philip Smith in his introduction.

"Apart from those who lost their lives, hundreds served in difficult and dangerous areas of the War; many were decorated".

The booklet is available from Geoff Thorp, at the address below, price £3.00, cash or cheque with order.

When you are growing old, my son,
And your joints are beginning to crack,
When the east wind drives you in, my son,
And the damp gives you pains in your back:
You’ll sigh for your schooldays, then, my son
And envy the happier day
When you cheerfully larked in the mud, my son,
And the east wind called you to play.

Then the days of your past will your memory fill,
And, if but for an hour or two,
You’ll wish you were back at the School on the Hill
With the boys that were boys with you.

Then in some private place, my son,
Where your cherished possessions you pack,
You’ll turn up a School Magazine, my son,
And these things will begin to come back:
The match that you played that day, my son,
When you scored a useful few:
And some hint, perhaps, of your work, my son,
And the names of the boys you knew.

Then the days of your past will your memory fill,
And, if but for an hour or two,
You’ll wish you were back at the School on the Hill
With the boys that were boys with you.

Taken from the Elizabethan, Christmas Term edition, 1913

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