5th July
The world of Cricket was shocked last Thursday evening when the news broke that David Moss, former Master i/c Cricket at Manchester Grammar had died suddenly. I knew him primarily as a colleague when I taught with him at Manchester Grammar School around 20 years ago, but his influence went much wider.
David studied Chemistry at Trinity College, Cambridge before joining the staff at Manchester Grammar in1977. It quickly became clear that David was a gifted teacher with a real empathy for those boys, who struggled with the complexity of his subject. David remained at MGS for his whole career until his retirement in 2017. It was also evident that he was a gifted cricket coach, despite being a modest cricketer himself, and had become Master in charge of Cricket by 1979, when Wisden first started publishing the names of masters i/c and coaches. David once disclosed to me that he disliked the term “Director of Cricket” that many ex-pros working in independent schools are now titled.
David went on to unearth a huge amount of talent at MGS including Michael Atherton, John Crawley and his brother Mark, Mark Chilton and current Merchant Taylors’ cricket coach Gary Yates. David was also known to many as the manager of various Lancashire age group sides, especially the Under 19s over the years and there are many hundreds of players competing in the various leagues all over Lancashire that were discovered by David’s eye for talent.
David was also a former chair of the Schools Cricket Committee when it was under the auspices of the HMC and one of the instigators of the National Schools Boys Under 18 T20 competition. David was still involved in the organisation of this competition as North West organiser. It was poignant that his old school, MGS had made it to Finals Day at Arundel Castle last Sunday for the first term ever.
David had emailed me to say he was looking forward to attending and dare say he would have been immensely proud of seeing MGS take the field on what I regard as one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world.
I was asked to lead a tribute to David before the start of MGS’s first match at Arundel where I spoke briefly of David’s legacy after which a minute’s silence was observed by players, officials, and sizeable crowd. This was followed by applause led by Mark Williams, one of the umpires for the day and a direct contemporary of David’s at Trinity, Cambridge. Sadly, Manchester Grammar were unable to progress beyond the semi-final, being beaten by Tonbridge, though I am sure David would have looked on with pride had he been there.
I enjoyed working with David and had the pleasure of winter coaching with him while at MGS, hearing him use his mantra of “balance is power”, a phrase that I still use when coaching! We regularly used to chat at break time in the common room and often discussed the Comp that he took an interest, especially the exploits of young players. Eventually, he invited me to become one of his talent scouts especially when I took up umpiring while teaching at MGS.
In his retirement, he was still heavily involved with Lancashire as he was elected as a vice-president and became their Pathway manager and Head Scout. He followed England around the world during the winter and often sent me emails from far flung places.
David was an inspirational coach, and a massive influence on many youngsters teaching them the values of the game and to play it in the right spirit that hasn’t always been evident of late.
Rest in Peace David
The news in cricket this week has been dominated by the Bairstow dismissal at Lord’s on Sunday and the debate that has followed. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the whole affair, it does once again bring in to question the ‘Spirit of Cricket.’ I am pleased to hear that many games played in our schools this year have been played in an admirable spirit, especially as we introduced the General Conduct Regulations, initiated by the ECB for recreational cricket, into schools’ cricket. This was evident at the National Schools T20 on Sunday where batsmen walked before being given by the umpire and ‘fielder noise’ was limited to encouragement.
With boarding schools in particular, finishing for the summer at the end of last week, many schools are playing in festival and after term games. In a season where the first three weeks were washed out, many schools played no cricket until after the Coronation. It’s a testament to many masters i/c cricket that they have prioritised cup competitions to get a conclusion before the end of term.
Next week’s column will feature the various festivals taking place around the country such as the Silk Trophy and the BOWS festival. Masters i/c are also reminded that the paperwork for Wisden has dropped into their email inboxes in the last week and I would be grateful if this can be completed and sent back as soon as possible and definitely by the cut-off date of the 11th August. After this date, we cannot guarantee inclusion in next year’s Wisden.
We have enjoyed some glorious weather this year once again, though with the best will in the world, the elements often have had the last laugh as it did at Shrewsbury last Thursday when the finals day for the Cricket Paper National Girls Under 18 Hundred took place. Heavy rain interrupted the first semi-final between Repton and Rugby, with the former winning on DLS, before washing out the day and three of the four teams will have to return to Shrewsbury in September.
The Cricket Paper National Boys Under 17 had its semi-finals last week with the final scheduled for last week, Shrewsbury secured their place with a victory over Repton, while Winchester beat Forest to set up an enticing final at Loughborough University in September.
The National Schools Boys Under 18 T20 was played to a conclusion at Arundel on Sunday in cool but dry conditions. The first semi-final featured Manchester Grammar and Tonbridge, with the latter setting a par target of 158, that the Northern champions failed to overhaul. Perennial qualifiers King’s Taunton met twice winners Malvern in the other semi final with the South West winners swamping the Midlands representatives by overhauling the modest 110 run target in the 14th over, for the loss of only 2 wickets.
This set up an enticing final with a new winner of the trophy assured. King’s got off to a flyer and set the highest total of the day, a seemingly impregnable 168 to win. As has happened in most years since the Finals day moved to Arundel in 2011, the side batting first managed to defend their target, with Tonbridge all out for 134.
Scores:
National Schools Boys Under 18 T20
(held at Arundel Castle)
First Semi-Final
Tonbridge 158-6, Manchester GS 136
MGS 1st XI vs. Tonbridge 1st XI Nat T20 semi final 2.7.23
Second Semi-Final
Malvern 109. King’s Taunton 113-2
https://kingscollegetaunton.play-cricket.com/website/results/6024588
FINAL
King’s Taunton 167-7, Tonbridge School 134
https://tonbridgeschool.play-cricket.com/website/results/6025213
The Cricket Paper National Girls Under 18 Hundred
(held at Shrewsbury School)
First Semi-Final
Rugby 107-7 (90 balls), Repton 110-3 (90 balls)
Match shortened to 90 balls – DLS target 111)
Rest of day washed out- Replay in September Date tba
The Cricket Paper National Boys Under 17
Semi-finals
Shrewsbury 202-6 (35), Repton 176
Forest 160, Winchester 161-1
Final to played at Loughborough University in September -date tba
Wednesday (20 overs unless otherwise stated)
Hertfordshire Under 18 130, Berkhamsted 133–8
Berkhamsted 174-7, Buckinghamshire Under 18 109
Birkenhead 112, UCS 116–2
Solihull 327–5 (40), Bishop Veysey’s 92
Brighton Grammar (Aus) 151–3 (30), Brentwood 154–5
Bromsgrove 255–5 (50), Canberra Grammar (Aus) 246–7
Canford 306–9 (40), The Rifles CC 122
Charterhouse 133 (50), Westminster 69
MCC 238–3 dec., Christ’s Hospital 167–8
Eltham 157–7, Dulwich 132
Durham Pilgrims 231–9 dec., Durham 235–4
Eltham 148–7, Trinity 145–7
Marcellin College (Aus) 172, Eton 176–5
Portsmouth Grammar 165–7, Gordon’s 166–3
Gravesend Grammar 160–7, Staff XI 163–9
Gresham’s 225–7 (30), George Watson’s 114
Hampton 252 (50), St. Kevin’s College (Aus)106
Harrow 276–7 (40), Scotch College (Aus)135
MCC 235–8 dec., KE Camp Hill 171–8
KE Five Ways 115–2, QMGS 110–5
KE Birmingham 199–9 dec., XL 128–8
Trinity 150–5, KCS 136
Nathan Lyon Cricket Academy 186–4, Kingston Grammar 187–7
MT Crosby 126-7, Wirral Grammar, 109–3 (DLS Wirral win).
MCC 266–7 dec., MT Northwood 188–4
King’s Parramatta (Aus) 262 –8 (45), Millfield 232–5
- Oxfordshire Amateurs 161, Pangbourne 162–9
Abingdon 179, Radley 183–7
RGS High Wycombe, 136–7, St. Benedict’s 133–6
Rugby 234 and 155–5 dec., Marlborough 163 and 227–20 (2-day)
Nathan Lyon Academy (Aus) 111–0, Sevenoaks 112–8,
Band of Brothers, 249–6 dec., St Lawrence 251–5
RGS Newcastle 136, GSAL 138–4
King’s Canterbury 211–9 (45), Caterham 159
Eltham 148–7, Trinity, 145–7
Grey HS (RSA) 163–4, Wellington College 87
Wellington School 158–9 (40), All-rounder Academy (RSA) 155
Exeter 261–2 (40), Wells Cathedral 126
Devon Dumpling, 215–5 dec., West Buckland 146
Old Boys 125–6 (20), Wilsons 126–3
Winchester 168 (50), Cheltenham 172–9
Worksop, 147 (40), Scarborough 148–3
Beechen Cliff 123, Wycliffe 127–6
Thursday (20 overs unless otherwise stated)
King’s Auckland (NZ) 130, Berkhamsted 131–2
Old Brentwoods 167, Brentwood 170–8
Canford 139 (50), Cygnets CC 141–2
Newenden CC 125–6, Cranbrook 126–2
Cranleigh 226–9 (40), Newington College (Aus) 156
MCC, 210–4 dec., Culford 182–8
Old Alleynians 156–8, Dulwich 146–8,
Eltham 193–5, Melbourne Grammar (Aus) 117–8
Solihull 254 (50), Monmouth 190
Haileybury 211–8 dec. and 133, Cheltenham 135 and 172 (2 day)
Menlo Park (RSA) 210, Harrow 211–7
Waterkloof (RSA) 183 (45), Millfield 184–5
Devon Dumplings 200, Mount Kelly 145
Bedford Modern 324 (50), New Hall 325–3
MCC 196, Oundle 195
MCC 217–9 dec., Pates Grammar 80–9
XL 271–2 dec., (40) Queen’s Taunton 267–8
Reeds 279–4 dec., Trinity 104
King’s Parramatta (Aus) 154–9 (40), RGS High Wycombe 88
Scarborough 312–8 (50), SedberghH 184
MCC 249–3 dec., St Edwards 2 37
Canterbury Academy, 161–2, St Lawrence 138–7
St Peters York 324–9 (50), Warwickshire Academy,180
Winchester 273 (50), Marcellin college (Aus) 224
Gloucestershire Gypsies 214 – 2 dec., Wycliffe 215–5
Friday (20 overs in this otherwise stated)
St Augustine’s (Aus) 191 (40), Bedford 192–2
Bradford Grammar 175–8, Old Boys 153
Cranleigh 258–8 (40) Old Cranleighians 130
Waterkloof (RSA) 189–4 dec., Dulwich 81– 8
Shropshire Gents 117, Ellesmere 123–5
Old Exonians 197–5, Exeter 195–7
HaileyburyH 210 (50), Cheltenham 170
All-rounder Academy (RSA) 176 (45), Millfield 112–2
Oundle 242–7 (40), Oundle Rovers 203–7
Lindisfarne (Aus) 209–1, QEH 184–6
Solihull 404–9 (50), Wellington School 120
MCC 274–3 dec., St Albans 133
King’s Canterbury 225–3, Simon Langton 100
Sevenoaks 142, King’s Canterbury 83
Winchester 274–5 (35), Melbourne Grammar (Aus) 170–6
Saturday (50 overs, unless otherwise stated)
Bedford 322–5, Haberdashers 170
MCC 230–7 dec., Berkhamsted 223–8
Bradford Grammar 197–7 (40), St Peters 198–5
Sir Thomas Rich’s 221–9 (45), Bristol Grammar 222–4
Clifton 231–8 (40), Abingdon 211–8
Durham 176–7 (30), Dame Allan’s 129
MCC 131, Haileybury 132–9
Whitgift 146, Hampton 147–4
Warminster 139, KE Southampton 140–5
MCS 246–9 (46), MT Northwood 247–9
Marlborough 228, Marlborough Blues 176
Pangbourne, 151–7 (20), Old Boys 136–8
Old Boys 172, Plymouth 173–3
QEH 84, Kingswood 87–4
Camberwell Grammar (Aus) 128–6 (100 ball), Queens Taunton 168–5
Repton 254, Repton Pilgrims 223–6
Monmouth 283–6, RGS Worcester 284–5
360 Academy (Aus) 277–5, Stamford 263
Kings Canterbury 154–5 (20), Staff XI 136–4
Tiffin 177–7 (40), Wilson’s 178–3,
Trinity 223–9, KCS 211
Warwick 20 (40), Wellington School 21–0
West Buckland 140–9 (20), Old Boys144–6
Wycliffe 192–4 (20), Pate’s Grammar93– 4
Sunday
Berkhamsted 200–9 (30), Old Berkhamstedians 178
MCC 240–1 dec., St Edmund’s Canterbury 175
Girls
Framlingham 100–6, Stamford 91–5
Nathan Lyon Cricket Academy (Aus) 186–4, Kingston Grammar 122–8
Pate’s Grammar 61–2, King’s Gloucester 60–4
Seaford 114–6, Stamford 140–2
MCC 214–4 dec., St Edwards 161
Staff XI 114–8, Berkhamsted 115–4
Somerset Stragglers 128–5 (15), Wellington School 69–7
Lord Wandsworth 123–1 (100 ball), Llandaff Cathedral 107–4
Bedford Modern 107–7, Stamford 86–8
Bristol Grammar 116–5, Wellington School 93–8
Repton 140–3, Repton Pilgrims 115–6
RGS Worcester 138–5, Hereford Cathedral 90–6