The traditional Old Bedfordian Cricket Week has become somewhat depleted in recent years with more people finding it harder to find time away from work commitments for cricket. That said the OBs still managed to produce strong sides to take on the Ousels and the School. It was a wide-ranging age of OBs taking on the Ousels – with Mike Spencer (82-87), Rich Mitchell (77-87) and Jeremey Woodrow (83-98) who were at School in the 1980s all the way up to Alfie Orchard (13-18) who left in 2018. A total of 140 from the Ousels looked a tough ask but 70 not out from Jonny McDuell (03-12) and 30 from Tim Chapman (88-98) helped the OBs to win with an over to spare.
Against the School, a typically flat pitch ensured a high scoring game as the School managed 304/5 declared to which the OBs responded with 309/9 declared with Shiv Patel (04-15) scoring 106. The School poured the runs on during the second day setting the OBs an ominous-looking 333 to win. Another half century for Shiv Patel and 44 from George Wood (83-94) meant they closed on 250/8 for an honourable draw.
Will Aitkenhead (04-09)
A big thank you to all the OBs who took part and to Will Aitkenhead (04-09) for organising the OB side.