With the county season rolling into its final, weather-affected week (Surrey having already won the title – again), it’s about time belatedly to report on our match against the Old Newburians Association (ONA) last term, and some of our players’ exploits over the summer holidays.

This was the first ONA game when students who’d recently represented the school were able to turn out for the opposition, and it was great to welcome back Messrs Crouch, Greenwood, Delavere, Rutt and Butler, who have contributed so much to our endeavours lately. Unsurprisingly, under the avuncular, exacting eye of ONA captain and Falkland supremo Graham Beal, they raised their fielding levels to new heights (!) in a low-scoring but competitive game that the alumnae eventually won by four wickets.
School captain, Seb, strode out to bat averaging over 50 for us this season, so it was inevitable that the curse of the opening batters that has beset this fixture for the past three years would strike now. Callum Johnson duly had him caught behind for a duck, but the quality of Seb’s batting has never been in doubt, exemplified by the fact that he averaged over 40 in his first full season for Falkland men’s 1st XI this year. With runs proving hard to come by, St Bart’s made it to 36-3 off 10 overs before talismanic all-rounder Jimmy took the initiative. One huge six landed on the balcony of The Bowler’s Arms, and eventually he found a willing accomplice in Year 10 student, Ray. Together, their partnership of 45 saw the school scamper to a respectable 106-5 at the close.

In reply, Charlie Mabbatt and James Bloodworth dispelled that openers’ curse (no individual on either side had previously made more than four) by putting on 29 before attack leader Tom (then Y12) bowled Charlie with an absolute pearler. James went on to make 29 before Nikhil had him caught, the first of two wickets for the seamer that reminded us that cricket’s loss has been Further Maths’ gain. The unassuming wicket machine known as former Year 9, Yudeesh, then snaffled two in two overs – and an unlikely upset was almost on the cards until Johnson joined Matt Richardson and wise (oldish) heads carried the ONA to victory in the 15th. Thanks, as ever, to the ONA’s Tricia Ray for arranging the food and drink, and to Edan Camplin for organising the ONA side and sharing the umpiring duties.

In other news, it was brilliant to hear that, on the very day of the ONA game, Edan’s sister, Poppy, scored her first century (for Berkshire against Oxfordshire). She then enjoyed a successful summer with the Southern Vipers Emerging Player Programme and, in concert with another Y12, Ellie, helped to win the U19 girls’ league for Falkland. Year 10 Ava hit 58 not out for the adult women’s 1st team at Falkland this season, and another centurion was Year 10 Ray for his Saturday club. For all his various teams, Year 10 Leo reckons he has amassed more than 2,000 runs in total this year, and he was selected alongside Soorya for a Middlesex sojourn up north that meant they missed the ONA game. Both distinguished themselves with 50s on tour, and as, with everyone who represented the school in 2024, they can look back with pride on their achievements and the way that they have played and conducted themselves. We salute our departing Year 13s, Harrison, Alex and Ani, and trust they’ll keep in touch. As for the future, let’s hope the weather is kind after exams in 2025!