NEWS & REPORTS

Borderers vs Yorkshire Gents
27th July 2025

Result: Borderers won by 169 runs

  • Match report for Borderers CC v’s The Yorkshire Gents, 27th July 2025

     

    On an overcast Yorkshire day an enthusiastic and youthful Borderers team gathered eagerly at Cliffe CC to take on the YG’s. Thankfully the YG’s captain called the toss wrong and the Borderers selected to bat.

    The debut opening pair of Joshie Gibson and Billy Morgan got off to a tremendous start dispatching the ball to all corners of the pitch. They bought up their 100 partnership in just14 overs, and shortly afterwards Joshie was out caught for a fluent 43. Billy went on and forged some good partnerships with Sam Brown (21) and Fergus Odd (38). When Billy fell for a faultless and graceful 114, the Borderers where on 225. Some big hitting against tiring and unamused bowlers from Harry Inken (31*) and Alfie Gibson (12*) took us to a grand total of 294-6 of 35 overs, an impressive strike rate of 140.

    A delicious tea was enjoyed, and we took to the field. The left arm quick Stephen Pitman found the edge on his very first ball for the Borderers, and Fergus Odd took an unbelievable catch at gully. On his third ball Pitman got their number 3 to chip one to extra cover. We had them 2-3 from 4 balls, the team was on a high and the nut wagon was rolling!! The energy levels and pressure were at an all-time high for any Borderers team I have played for. The wickets kept tumbling and catches were safely taken. Although Alfie did shell a dolly only to be exonerated by Hugo Odd the very next ball who took an outstanding diving catch off the bowling of Nick Orpwood. Charlie Murphy marshalled his team well, and all 8 bowlers took wickets! It was a pleasure to captain such an energetic and talented team. I know the YG’s were aggrieved with such a heavy defeat and will come back stronger next year….

Borderers vs Manderston
6th July 2025

Result: Borderers won by 1 wicket

  • Manderston v Borderers 6th July 2025:
    Following a delicious lunch at The Allanton Inn, The Borderers arrived at Manderston for a 35 over game and lost the toss; the hosts electing to bat first.
    Peter Jeffreys and Ollie Farr opened the bowling for The Borderers, bowling probingly and economically. Ollie finished with two wickets.
    First changes were Christian Thompson (newest member) and James Townshend, bringing some excellent swing bowling to the fore.
    Then the second changes came on, Leo Harper Gow and Ollie Knight. This is where The Borderers bowling performance went from a good one to an exemplary one. Both bowled with dogged consistency (ending with three maidens each from their six overs) and the pressure paid dividends to Ollie Knight who finished with four wickets. Finally, George Farr had a few overs at the death to clean up the tail.
    The Borderers bowled Manderston out for 102 off 34.4 overs.

    After a delicious tea The Borders commenced their chase of 103 with Fergus Godfrey-Faussett and Richard Thomson opening the batting. Both openers played patiently and saw off the Manderston opening bowlers.
    Fergus and Richard (were out trying to accelerate the scoring) before giving way to Will Townshend who played fabulously (top-scoring with a gritty 27). After a brief interlude from Ollie Knight, Ollie Farr took to the crease, who built a 50-run partnership with Will Townshend. 
    As The Borderers looked to be coasting to their target of 103, the entertainers that we are elected to liven the game up a little by losing five quick wickets. 
    Amongst the chaos, Leo Harper Gow came to the crease with a sense of calm, anchoring The Borderers chances of a successful run chase.
    In the 32nd over, the Borderers lost their ninth wicket so Jamie Farr (c) joined Leo with a tricky 13 runs to get. The Manderston death bowling was tight, but thankfully after a few loose deliveries the game was won with three balls to go.

    A belter of a game. Man of the match: Leo Harper Gow.

Borderers vs Matfen, 25th June 2025

Result: Borderers won by 10 runs

  • Match report: Matfen 25/06/25

    The Borderers batted first against some high quality Durham bowling from a certain Lizzie Scott. Despite losing an early wicket, fine innings from Robin Witchell and an injured James Thompson, both of whom retired on 30, gave us a solid foundation for the rest of the innings. The tail rallied, with Tom Kirkup clearing his front leg and pounding the ball onto the legside boundary. That set up a decent total of 152 from 20 overs. 

    As we galloped out to the field, the clouds followed us, bringing optimism that the ball may swing at right angles. It did a little bit - but perhaps mainly because of the unique Lords like slant that Matfen’s wicket has. The rain and gloomyness came, but the umpires remained resolute that it was safe enough. The now hobbling James Thompson took 3 wickets for 12 runs off his three overs, and Marcus Stewart, who hasn’t played cricket for over a decade, managed to take two as well, both snared brilliantly by Thompson at slip. Matfen ended the game just 10 runs shy of our total. 

Borderers vs Kelso, 22nd June 2025

Result: Borderers lost by 40 runs

  • Match Report: The Borderers vs. Kelso – Sunday 22nd June

    On a rather wet Sunday, 22nd June, the Borderers took on Kelso in a spirited fixture that defied the Scottish summer. Despite the uncooperative weather, we were fortunate to enjoy a full afternoon’s play. Bolstered by enthusiastic reinforcements from Chatton and Manderston, the Borderers fielded a team full of fresh energy and new faces.

    Having lost the toss, we were sent into the field. Kelso’s openers began cautiously, but the tempo soon lifted - largely thanks to a sensational innings by one of their young players. The teenager delivered a commanding century at better than a run-a-ball, bringing up his hundred when the team total was just 136. His outstanding knock laid the foundation for Kelso’s eventual total of 183 from their 30 overs - a solid score in the damp conditions.

    It was encouraging to see so many juniors in the Kelso ranks, which may have contributed to their otherwise modest team total. Among our bowlers, Eddy Richards and Henry Bateson stood out, claiming two wickets apiece. There were strong supporting spells from Campbell Fraser, Scott Marshall, and Peter Emmerson. A few dropped catches and missed chances crept in, but Peter Sharwood-Smith’s tight bowling helped redress the balance.

    As the first innings wrapped up, the heavens opened with a characteristically Scottish downpour. Fortunately, Kelso’s match teas were excellent - worthy of note - and we waited optimistically for clearer skies. For a moment, the dramatic weather felt like a sign: perhaps it was going to be our day.

    Sadly, it wasn’t quite to be. Chasing 183, we came up around 40 runs short. Despite excellent batting from Peter Emmerson, Campbell Fraser, and Scott Marshall, we struggled to build a decisive innings. A heavy rain interruption midway through the chase didn’t help matters. While our lower order showed spirit, the wickets lost early on left the tail with too much to do. We were eventually bowled out with overs remaining, just shy of the mark.

    Despite the result, it was a thoroughly competitive and enjoyable match, played in excellent spirit. We’ll take plenty of positives into our next fixture - with special thanks to all who turned out in challenging conditions.

Borderers vs Mowden, 18th June 2025

Result: Borderers won by 19 runs

  • Match Report: Mowden 18/06/25

    Prematch was typically chaotic with committee member Hugh Murphy booking himself to play for both teams and very few Borderers deciding this was on their schedule. Thankfully Sam Brown stepped up and brought new blood into the club and James Richie came out of retirement after a two years.

     When we got to the ground it turned out that Hugh wasn't needed by Modwen who were oversubscribed and could play for us and he relegated James to umpiring, although I suspect this was his preferred option.

     We lost the toss and were put into bad on an overcast evening. With the light clearly going to fade further, this is a poor decision from the new Mowden Headmaster. Dickon Wood and Sam Brown were a fantastic big and little opening combination with both reaching 30 before retiring. The next two bats both got to 30 before retiring. Hugh Murphy, coming in at 5, got his comeuppance for his lack of loyalty, getting out for a duck to a plum one that got him LBW . There was similar due reward for Borderer James Thompson who was playing for Mowden who shelled a catch in the covers, not far from where the waiting Borderers were congregated. The Borderers ticked along nicely throughout the innings without really ever being too aggressive and only lost two wickets to reach their total of 165 (needs checking). The total was helped by extras from the new modern headmaster who decided that as it was his pitch he would open the bowling despite not having played cricket in about 5 years as he was keen to tell us all.

     We defended our total with some standout bowling from the Sutherland Brothers (Harry and Arthur) and Charles Downs, who was playing in golf shoes, with an ably supported support cast.

     Hugh Murphy got an impressive wicket by bowling someone with a full toss that looped down from shoulder height onto the top of the bails. I don't know what Shane Warne would have called it but there was impressive flight and guile from him.

     Sam Brown finished things off with a wicket with the last ball to top off a fine performance. Nick Orpwood bowled with real zip and there were a couple of wickets for Tom Solly who was denied a hattrick by a dropped catch.


Borderers vs Aysgarth, 8th June 2025

Result: Borderers lost by 63 runs

  • Match Report: Aysgarth 08/06/25

    Aysgarth School Head Masters XI beat the Borderers by 63 runs. 

    An excellent afternoon of competitive cricket saw Aysgarth post a mighty 231/3 on a small prep school pitch despite some tidy bowling from the Borderers, particularly Tom Kirkup. After a solid start to the chase from our openers Will Bonas and Hugh Murphy wickets started to fall as the run rate increased. A brisk 46 from Henry Bateson in the middle order kept the Borderers in the game but ultimately the impressive first innings total form Aysgarth proved too good on the day. 

Borderers vs Bamburgh, 18th May 2025

Result: Borderers lost by 4 wickets

  • The Borderers played Bamburgh on Sunday the 18th of May. Batting first, we managed to score a solid total of 183, with Joe Townshend scoring a wonderful 100*. Bamburgh, like they often do, batted well, and took it down to the last over. On a knife edge, they got the winning runs. A mention to George Farr and Nick Orpwood for their 2 wickets each.

Borderers vs Manderston, T20 – 15th May 2025

Result: Borderers lost by 5 runs

  • Borderers lost the toss and were asked to field on a glorious, if slightly chilled, evening. The bowling overall was accurate and challenging. Manderston were very efficient, scoring off any slightly wide or short deliveries. Neil Johnson, a Borderer and Manderston member turning out for Manderston, opened the batting and top-scored with 62. Dropped on 44 by Richard Thomson (a Manderston and Borderers member playing for the Borderers), the missed chance possibly proving costly. Peter Jeffreys was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 15. Fred Huddleston excelled in the field with a stunning diving catch in the covers to dismiss the accelerating Johnson.

    The top four scored 110 between them, while the remaining seven batsmen contributed a meagre 12 runs—equal to the extras total—leading to a final score of 134. At 114 after 14 overs, a score of 150+ looked likely. A decent return for the bowlers. 

    Fielding second proved tougher due to low, glinting sunlight. Fred Huddleston and Ian Purvis started powerfully and composed, keeping up with the required rate of 7 runs an over. The foundation was well set at 65 for no loss after 10 overs. Fred walked in the following over, having feathered one behind, and the innings began to stall. Jamie Farr was caught and bowled for 7, and Peter Emerson was run out backing up without facing a ball. The collapse continued - Peter Jeffreys and Chris Wilson departed for 6 and 2, respectively.

    The fall of wickets used up valuable overs and left Will Townshend (31 Not Out)  to rebuild and push for the win. Needing 20 from the final over, he managed to hit 12 and pick up a couple of extras, taking the game much closer than Manderston would have expected just three overs earlier.

    A fine evening’s sport and an enjoyable game of cricket with real ebbs and flows, where the outcome remained uncertain until the final few balls were bowled.