The Peter Hopper Memorial Cricket Match

Date: Sunday 29 August 2010

The annual Peter Hopper Memorial Cricket Match was once again played at the school over the Bank Holiday weekend. Many thanks must go to Rob, the groundsman, who made the game playable after several days of wet weather.

The ‘all important’ toss was won by Kevin Hopper who captained a side hosting no less then eight members of his family. A St. Edmund’s XI consisting of old boys, staff and current pupils were put into bat and in sunny conditions made a faltering start, losing quick wickets and finding themselves 35 for 5 as P. Betts (3 for 7) ripped through the school’s helpless batsmen. Time for a ‘Trott-Broad’ style partnership as George Stacey (80) and Dominic Barrett (38) occupied the crease and displayed some quality stroke play in a stand of 120 runs.

With heavy rain halting proceedings and tea taken slightly early, The Hopper XI were set a challenging total of 156 in 26 overs. As the rain subsided and sunshine once again took over T.Guest (32) and R.Hopper (36) began the chase well until Daniel Gladwin had Guest caught on the boundary off his first ball. The Hopper innings lost some momentum and with tight lines bowled in the middle overs by Buckingham, Walker and De Pledge, a very close finish looked likely. With I Hopper and N Hopper needing 15 runs to win off the last over, Harry Callaway bowled five quality off-spin deliveries leaving a six required to win off the last ball.

A very good game, played with an excellent spirit, concluded with only a single run and therefore a win for the St. Edmund’s XI. Sometimes in sport the result is not as important as the taking part and this was certainly evident throughout the afternoon and evening.