The OVCC’s 75th Anniversary

On a picturesque Sunday afternoon in June at the King’s School Cricket Pitches, the OV Cricket Club (OVCC) and supporters were out in force to celebrate 75 years since the club’s inception.

OV Richard Cook (Cr 88-93) kindly shared a precis of the day and the match:

“On Sunday 4th June, the Old Vigornian Cricket Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a fixture between the first KSW cricket side to tour Jersey, who did so in 1989, and the leavers of 1993. As the sides arrived at the Peter Iddon Pavilion, they were greeted with blazing sunshine and cloudless skies; memories came flooding back, with the help of a fabulous collection of photographs from school and OV cricket. The nostalgia transported all participants back to their heydays and everyone took the field feeling very much as they did in their later teenage years, although it quickly became clear to some that, whilst their brains were back in the late 80s and early 90s, their bodies were very much in the present.

“The 1993 side lost the toss and were asked to bat by Andrew Underwood, leading the Jersey Tourists. After a steady start against the testing opening attack of Rob Dow and Ben Jones, Richard Cook and Tim Whitehouse started to accelerate and took the score beyond 50. Having run out his partner, Richard Cook retired for a quick, if a little agricultural, 37, bringing Nick Firth to the crease. He accelerated the scoring further as he dispatched the bowling to all parts of New Road, scoring a quickfire, unbeaten 59. Nick found willing partners in Matt Richardson and Nick Major, who took the score to 169 by the end of the allotted 20 overs.

“After a delightful lunch, the Jersey Tourists began their reply. Rob Dow and Robin Bishop rolled back the years with a fabulous opening partnership of 85. The growing crowd of OVs and Hon OVs, including former Headmaster, Tim Keyes (Hon OV), and current Headmaster, Gareth Doodes, were treated to some fantastic stroke play from Rob Dow before he was finally dismissed by Will Richardson for a well struck 80 (I don’t have access to the scorebook but it was certainly 80ish!) . After the quick dismissals of Richard Tomlinson and JJ Richardson, both deceived by the off-spin of Matt Richardson, Duncan Hughes was left to score the winning runs with three balls to spare.

“The afternoon culminated with Headmaster Gareth Doodes, OVCC Chairman Phil Mackie (Cl 73-83), and former OVCC Chairman, Alec Mackie (Cl 47-56) sharing their memories of OV cricket and reminding all of the importance of the club to those within the King’s community. The fact that they spoke on the steps of a building dedicated to a man who had been a key part in the cricketing lives of all those playing was not lost on either the players or the watching OVs. How Peter would have enjoyed the wonderful camaraderie of the whole delightful event!”

OV President’s XI

Robert Dow (Cl 84-89)
Robin Bishop (Ch 82-88, Old Hawfordian)
Philip O’Neill (W 82-91)
Richard Tomlinson (Cl 83-90)
Duncan Hughes (Wicket Keeper) (Os 84-91)
J J Richardson (H 82-91)
John Malins (K 85-90)
Ben Jones (Br 82-89)
Charles Annable (Cl 78-88)
Andrew Underwood (Captain) (S 77-87)
James Underwood (S 83-88)

Sunday XI

Tim Whitehouse (K 86-94)
Richard Cook (Cr 88-93)
Tom Guest (S 90-97)
Matt Richardson (Cl 86-93)
Nicholas Firth (Ch 86-93)
Nick Major (S 92-02)
Paul Judge (Captain) (W 83-93)
Ben Grinnall (W 82-93)
George Kendall (Wicket Keeper) (W 83-93)
Adam Nicholls (Cr 88-93)
William Richardson

You can find all the photos from the event via our Gallery.