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SOCIETY ISSUE 01 2022
Sports reports
CRICKETFOOTBALLGOLFHOCKEYREALTENNISSAILINGSHOOTINGROWING
Cricket
MARK MITCHENER (B93)
With Covid-restricted cricket hopefully a thing of the past, the Cygnets enjoyed our most successful season on the field for years – though sadly our first without long-serving umpire Merrick Wilkinson, who passed away in late summer 2021 and will be much missed by us all. A first victory over the School since 2017 was set up by “Cygnet of the Week” Tom Boon (S15), who struck 15 fours in his 105 as the Cygnets racked up 218-7 from 40 overs, before the School were bowled out for 134.Veteran seamer Ken Mead (C81) starred with the ball, taking a miserly 3-12 from six overs, well supported by Jamie Mitchell (C17) (3-42).
retain the Max Biles Memorial Plate, with Tom Nichols (F14) and Tom Darby (M10) hitting fifties, before both teams were entertained to a barbecue by the Headmaster in his garden. The Jesters were indebted to Saj Zaib’s unbeaten 116 as they declared on 215-8. Charlie Anstee (M21) led our reply with 78, including a century stand with Darby (M10) (52), before Ben Parkin (W21) and George Vessey (L21) saw us home in a tense finale. The Jesters’ revenge came in winning the post-match “boat race” for the first time in eight years. Bryanston were halted by a magnificent spell of five
Boon added an unbeaten 50 against Sherborne in the semi-final of the Twenty20 Stour Cup as Canford made 192-4. Although Joe Atkins kept the Pilgrims in the hunt with a swashbuckling century, the Cygnets sneaked home by 11 runs. But while Harry Anstee (M11) (50 not out) and Ben Boon (S13) (38) helped us post 158-3 against Bryanston in a repeat of the 2021 final, it never felt enough – and so it proved. Bryanston lifted the trophy after Tom Saunders smashed 73 from 28 balls, only perishing when Ben Upton (F10) and Charlie Anstee (M21) combined for an acrobatic relay boundary catch, unquestionably the Champagne Moment of the Week. Back on Mountjoy for four home games in five days, a strong Cygnets attack kept Clayesmore in check as Rob Graham (F10) took 4-25 and Jon Marsh (W09) 3-18, while the Cormorants took 57 overs to make 180-9 declared. Canford only needed 27 overs to seal a six-wicket win and
wickets for six runs by Rob Graham, but the Butterflies’ tail-enders nearly doubled the score from 71-8 to 140 all out. Those late runs proved crucial as the Cygnets were skittled for 71. However, the week ended on a high against Sherborne, who were bowled out for 185, Marcus Senior (S10) capturing 3-23. Charlie Anstee (42), George Hayward (L11) (41) and Alex Mitchell (C19) (36) ensured the Cygnets wrapped up a five-wicket win with 12 overs to spare. Thanks go to Tom Darby and Rob Graham for their hard work in organising the week, and to the Headmaster, the Canford ground staff and caterers, and all who help make it a success. We always welcome new players of all ages (and cricketing abilities) – if you want to play next year, email cygnetscricket@yahoo.co.uk or contact us via the Canford Cygnets XI Facebook group.
