We know that summer is well and truly upon us when our traditional and hugely popular school competition, the Randall Catching Competition, takes place.
The much-loved contest is named after former cricket professional Derek Randall who worked here supporting our then Master in Charge of Cricket, Jeremy Farrell who started the competition during their tenure. It is quite literally a simple cricket-based catching competition where balls are hit by the teachers for the boys to catch and when they drop the ball they are out. Once out they then sit on the Langham Pavilion benches to support the rest of the boys until the last four boys are left standing. This is when the competition ramps up a notch and the ball is hit much higher from the pavilion viewing area and the winner is the last boy left in the competition after everyone else is eliminated for dropping the ball.
Director of Cricket, Gary Steer said, “Derek Randall was a fine England cricketer who served as the cricket pro at the school for many years. So, to have this catching competition every year, is a fitting way to remember the impact he had on so many former boys in the cricket nets and on the field. This competition brings the whole Bedford School Cricket Club together and provides some high-quality catching, which is thoroughly enjoyed by both the boys and the teachers every year.”
This year, congratulations go to Upper Sixth Former Rohan Mehmi, Captain of the 1st XI who will have his name engraved on the Randall Cup.
Rohan explained that he has always wanted to win this competition, and despite being on exam leave, he said, “It felt right to participate”. Rohan spent the winter months promoting the development of fielding in school, wanting to set an example to the rest of the boys. This hard work has certainly been reflective in the 1st XI’s performances so far this season which has seen some superb fielding on display.
Rohan went on to explain, “In cricket, everyone must field, and those who play cricket should enjoy doing it. The catching competition helps to emulate this by being open to all, no matter what level you play cricket at, and there is an element of competitiveness as well as being put under pressure in tough situations. The competition is so important, and I hope that for many future generations this is something that they look forward to competing in and I hope that they find enjoyment in doing it.”
Interesting Facts
Derek Randall is an English former cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire, and Tests and One Day Internationals for England in the late 1970s and early 1980 before retiring to become a coach and cricket writer.
He coached first at Cambridge University before coming to Bedford School. He was the pro here when OB and England Cricketer Sir Alastair Cook (98-03) was at school, and it was Derek who recommended that the young Alastair be picked for the England Cricket Board National Academy.
Derek’s books include The Young Player’s Guide to Cricket and his autobiography, The Sun Has Got His Hat On.
