Old Ruymian Cricket Week 12th-16th August

(NB: Old Ruymians – Former students of Chatham House and Chatham and Clarendon GS)

The Old Ruymian Cricket Week took place once again this year in the second week of August (as it has done for over a hundred years). It was brilliant that the ORs could return to the Chatham House site, the home of OR cricket. An excellent week of cricket and socialising saw ex-students of many different generations come together under (mainly) glorious skies to take on a variety of opponents of differing standards. For the first time for nearly 20 years, the “week” had a full fixture list which bodes well for the future. Thirty players and two guests, (one the father of ORs and the other;  the son, grandson and nephew of ORs) aged between 15 and 69 turned out for the ORs over the week, but there is always room for more. Hopefully, the success of 2024 will encourage more ex-students to return and take part in some enjoyable cricket with some old and new friends. Josh Walton had travelled furthest, from New Zealand, but Luke Palmer (Melbourne) and Dhesh Padiachey (California) ran him close. A visit from another old boy, Jason Crosson (Florida) just indicated how the OR diaspora still hold close feelings for this most atmospheric of cricket venues, watched over by a stunning pair of peregrine falcons.

Many thanks need to go to Clive Bowden, Old Ruymian and long-term groundsman at CCGS. Clive has limited resources but produced good pitches against the odds. His skills cannot be lost if cricket in Ramsgate is to survive. Hopefully the ORs can support the school in saving cricket. Clive’s skills and experience should not be wasted and need to be passed on to a new generation. The site staff were really helpful, as were the PE Department and management of the school. The OR cricketers were certainly grateful to return home.

Monday 12th August, 2024 v Nelson CC

This fixture is over 30 years old. The bonds between Nelson and the ORs is strong. In this fixture, 5 Old Ruymian players are current Nelson members and 5 of the Nelson players are ORs.

Batting first in hot conditions, Nelson scored a competitive 219-7 in 40 overs against a useful bowling attack. Opener, Rhys Quieros (34) gave Nelson a positive start. Josh Christian (32) and Charlie Cotton (64, at more than a run a ball) ensured a competitive total. Jim Shoobridge (14 overs 3-41) and Luke Palmer (1-31) bowled well and Craig Alder picked up some late wickets (3-37).

In reply, the ORs were indebted to Craig Alder (62) and Josh Mirams (23) and skipper, James Williams, (19) for a recovery, having lost both openers to ducks and collapsing to 45-5. Despite these efforts, the ORs were finally dismissed for 174, with all but one of the Nelson bowlers taking a wicket. Dan Williams (2-13) and Callum Edwards (2-29) had caused the early problems. Mark Goode (2-29) and Charlie Cotton (2-11) made sure their efforts did not go to waste.

Both sides enjoyed a drink or two in the East Kent Arms garden before moving over to Broadstairs Folk Week. A good start to a great week.

Result: Nelson WON by 45 runs: Nelson 219-7 (declared); Old Ruymians 174 all out

Nelson’s Charlie Cotton scoring freely 

Glorious view and glorious surroundings

The ORs and Nelson enjoy a classic cricket tea in the welcome shade of the old pavilion, on a wonderful day

Tuesday 13th August, 2024 v Thanet Wanderers RUFC

A mixture of experienced and social cricketers from the rugby club arrived to take on the ORs in two 20/20 matches, both of which the ORs won comfortably. It is hoped this fixture will develop as, once again, our local rugby club has a very close affiliation with the ORs. In fact, many of the TWRUFC team are ex-students of Chatham House School.

A strong OR side was never going to be troubled on the day, so the shorter format of T20 was felt most appropriate. An innovation that maintained cricketing interest.

In the first match, the ORs chased down the 131-8 set by the Wanderers, built on a bullish 43 not out from skipper, Dan Clement. Ben Buckingham overcame his disappointment from Monday with a fluent 40, but the star was Seth Simmons, whose quickfire 56 ensured a comfortable victory for the ORs.

In the second match, Pearson Hulks (43), Craig Alder (50) and Reggie Baskaran (40*) made sure the ORs posted an imposing 188-6 in their 20 overs. The rugby club did their best to chase this down, but fell 11 short, in a mess of a finale!

Hopefully next year, a longer format match will be introduced, to save the scorers from the chaos!

Results:           Match 1: ORs WON by 6 wickets: TWRUFC 131-8 ; Old Ruymians 135-4

                        Match 2: ORs WON by 11 runs: Old Ruymians 188-6; TWRUFC 177-7

Hon Sec. Senura Ratiyala bowls against the rugby club

Wednesday 15th August 2024 v  London Strollers

The traditional win/lose/draw format allowed both captains, Dave Walton for the ORs and Owen Walton for the visitors, to share the bowling around and manipulate batting orders to enable everyone to get a game. With a maximum of 75 overs in the game, the ORs hoped to score quickly and set a challenging target. However, at 42-5 this did not look likely. Fortunately, Shivay Sachdeva (34) and Dhesh Padiachey (31) had other ideas. Their partnership of 55 rebuilt the innings. Then,  Ben Stephens’ quickfire 42 (8 4s, 32 balls) ensured a competitive total was possible. A last wicket stand of 25, between the two players aged 60+ in the side, Dave Walton (21*) and Andrew Signorell (a dogged 0) meant the ORs finished at 196 all out. George Luckhurst was the pick of the visiting bowlers with 5-24 from his 6 overs. The “Strollers” were left to chase 197 to win in a maximum of 41 overs.

On a slow pitch, the ORs decided to start with spin and it broke the back of the opposition. Shivay Sachdeva (3-10) and Signorell (3-34) made early in-roads, backed by some excellent fielding. From 27-4, the “Strollers” struggled to come back into the game. A partnership of 55 for the 5th wicket, between Luckhurst (18) and opener, Tom Turner gave the visitors some hope. But with Luckhurst’s dismissal, Turner was left to marshal a long tail, which he did with great skill, reaching 82 off 74 balls before falling, last man out, to an excellent catch by Pearson Hulks, off the part-time leg-spin of Josh Walton.

RESULT: ORs WON by 72 runs: Old Ruymians 196 all out; London Strollers 124 all out

Dhesh Padiachey, all the way from Los Angeles, goes for his shots in rebuilding the OR innings

Another classic image of cricket on the main field: the school and pavilion in the background, taken during the match against London Strollers

Thursday 15th August 2024 v XL Club

It was wonderful for the Old Ruymian Cricket Week that the prestigious “Forty Club” returned to play, this year, at Chatham House. The visitors brought a relatively strong side and this match proved to be the most exciting of the week. The ORs, captained superbly by Neil Roby, needing 5 off the last over, won with  two balls to spare.

Batting first, the “Forty Club” started well, with an opening stand of 149 between Stuart Faulkner (81) and, Old Ruymian, Bob Green (47). With Faulkner’s removal, by emergency opening bowler, Matt Williams (1-59 off 13 overs), the visitors consolidated and pushed on to reach 222-5 declared.

The ORs replied aggressively, with all the batters making runs. James Williams (27) and Keith Sandwell (49) gave the home side a great start. They were backed up by Reggie Baskaran (41) and Ben Buckingham (20) as the ORs moved closer. At 160-4, the innings could have stumbled, but Gareth Redmond (27) gained valuable support from youngsters, Will Roby (13) and Luke Harrop (12). With 2 overs left and 8 runs required, both Harrop and Redmond were dismissed. Despite these setbacks, Matt Williams took the glory by hitting two fours for victory on the third and fourth balls of the last over.

After such a wonderful match, it is hoped that the XL Club become a long-term fixture for cricket week.

RESULT: ORs won by 3 wickets: XL Club 222-5; Old Ruymians 226-7

Makeshift opener, Matt Williams attacks the crease and Captain, Neil Roby attempts to make a breakthrough against the XL Club

Friday 16th August 2024 v Alexandra Park CC

AP has been touring Kent since 1921 and first played the ORs in 1929, when they were encouraged by their greatest player and OR, Con Davies, to do so. With a few obvious exceptions, the match has been played on the Friday of cricket week ever since. AP love playing at Chatham House and were very happy to return in 2024.

One issue for the visitors, after a long week, was how quickly they could recover from celebrating a rare and thrilling victory over Broadstairs the day before. Despite a positive start to their innings, it soon became obvious they were not able to deal with the quality of the OR bowling. The collapse from 100—3 to 127 all out was disappointing. Guneet Singh did most of the damage with 5-40 off 12 overs. He gained valuable support from Josh Mirams (1-12), whose bowling improved match on match over the week.

In reply, the ORs lost early wickets, putting the run chase in doubt. At 28-3 and 42-4, there  were some concerned looks amongst the home side. There was no need to worry, however, as the best batsman of the week, Craig Alder, scored 72* off 42 balls, including eight 4s and three 6s. He received back-up from James Williams, who scored four 4s in his 22*, meaning victory by 6 wickets.

This positive result ended a brilliant cricket week. Main organiser and Honorary Secretary of the of Old Ruymian Cricket Week, Senura Ratiyala, deserved all the credit for his hard work in securing the fixtures, putting sides together and ensuring teas were provided.

RESULT: ORs WON by 6 wickets: Alexandra Park CC 127 all out; ORs 128-4

The winning OR side versus Alexandra Park CC

Back Row (l to r): Josh Mirams, Matt Williams, Dennis Hester, James Williams, Brian Langridge (umpire), Senura Ratiyala, Luke Palmer, Ian Flower (umpire) Front Row: Guneet Singh, Ben Buckingham, Craig Alder, Callum Doody, Mark Goode

Guest of honour on Friday was legend of Chatham House cricket and hockey, retired teacher, Tommy Thomas. Such an inspirational figure, Tommy is in his 90s. During the 70s, 80s and 90s, Tommy and his family ensured that cricket week was an enjoyable festival for all involved. His enthusiasm and commitment are still such a positive influence on everyone he meets. The picture below is of the Chatham House school team and the Old Ruymians, in 1947. Tommy is seated third from the right!

This photograph is courtesy of Tommy Thomas. The wildlife and Monday photographs are mainly from Stuart Cotton.

All other photographs were taken by David Carr. A retired sports photographer, David is also an Old Ruymian. He has just completed the publication of his book entitled:

And Finally..

There were 32 players participating this year, ages ranging from 15 to 69. For many, this year ensured they became full members of the Old Ruymian Club for the first time. The cricket committee can only thank the OR Club for the depth of their support.

Appearances: Ben Buckingham (5); Craig Alder, Dennis Hester, Josh Mirams, Luke Palmer, Senura Ratiyala, James Williams (3); Reggie Baskaran, Josh Christian, Joel Duraisingham, Luke Harrop, Pearson Hulks, Josh Walton, Matt Williams (2); Pat Briscoe, Callum Doody, Mark Goode, Mark Lewis, Dhesh Padiachey, Simon Parrish, Gareth Redmond, Neil Roby, Will Roby, Shivay Sachdeva, Keith Sandwell, Andrew Signorell, Guneet Singh, James Shoobridge, Seth Simmons, Ben Stephens, Dan Vinson, Dave Walton (all 1 each).

Looking Ahead:

If anyone is interested in supporting the ad-hoc committee by participating as player, official and organiser, or as a sponsor for the 2025 Old Ruymian Cricket Week, please make contact:

Senura Ratiyala           (Honorary Secretary, OR Cricket Week) senura.ratiyala@gmail.com

David Walton

August 2024