The Valley looked a picture as the two teams assembled on the green at 10.30am.
This much-awaited fixture between Christ’s College Old Boys and Christchurch Boys High School Old Boys, which was started 10 years ago, was now to be graced with a fine Edwardian Sterling Silver Rosebowl recently acquired from England. The trophy had been donated to the Club by the Banks and Bailey families, both of whom had strong associations with the Valley and their respective schools; Derek Banks (College) and Brent Bailey (School). Both Derek Banks and Alan Bailey have been members of the Valley for over 50 years with Derek acting as President for 15 of those years.
Having lost the toss Christ’s College were asked to bat. With good life in the wicket College worked hard to establish an excellent first wicket partnership of 52 between B Patton and T McLean. McLean would go on to reach 82 before being brilliantly run out by D Broom when a century looked very much within his reach. The Davidson brothers Michael (52) and Johnathon (21) were next to the crease both hitting strongly and freely. College lost 3 wickets on 182 but a Captain’s knock by Hugo Davison (27) and Eglinton (38) saw the total through to 6 for 258. Some useful hitting from J Thomson (20) and Gimblett (15) saw the final total reach a very impressive 290 for the loss of 8 wickets at the end of the 50 overs. D Eathorne gave everything in his 8 overs and deserved his 2 wickets but the remaining bowlers while working hard were unable to rattle a very competent College batting line up to any great degree and the two run-outs were pivotal in providing School with a fighting chance of success.
The School opener J Lewis was instrumental in the School fight back as he plundered an impressive (94) in quick time with all but 12 of his runs coming from boundaries. The Broom brothers Darren (29) and Peter (35) contributed to the fightback, ably assisted by D Eathorne (26) and H Cox (21). But in the end, it was not enough with School falling behind and finally succumbing in the 45th over to be all out for 227. Gimblett was the pick of the College bowlers with a spell of 4 for 41 and most importantly picking up the valuable wicket of Lewis. H Davison contributed a useful 2 for 53 off a shortened run.
College were the deserving winners on the day and it was a pleasure to see the Banks Bailey Rosebowl presented for the first time by Mrs Juliet Banks to Hugo Davison the College Captain.
The day was a great success and the game played in excellent spirit. We look forward in the coming years to this fixture between Old Boys. Clearly, the bragging rights sit with College which I am sure will be all the motivation needed for School to lift its game for the next encounter.
Match report: Brent Bailey
A lecture from President Scott Cartwright
The inter-team mingle pre-match
Christ’s College and CBHS Old Boys’ teams
Team pic #1
Team pic #2
The Gillens, Derek & Juliet Banks, Alan Bailey
The grandstand on the outer
(L – R) G Gillen, Alan Bailey, A Gillen
Of interest in the last photo – pictured either side of Alan Bailey are the late Sam Gillen’s sons from CBHS, Gerrard (L) and Andrew (R), wearing their father’s international blazers, as Sam Gillen played Test cricket for both the West Indies and New Zealand, “a most uncommon occurrence…”! (Scott C)
