Saturday April 30 v Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester - Abandoned

Sunday May 15 v Dorset XI at Sherborne - Lost by 58 runs
Dorset XI 247-7 (T J Murrills 114, D R Baty 59); Sherborne Pilgrims 189 (A I C Wilson 61, E P J F Lyons 59; G R Rendell 5-17)

This match was intended as a joint trial, the Pilgrims for the Cricketer Cup and Dorset as a prelude to their excursions into the NatWest Trophy. Opinions may vary as to the extent to which it fulfilled its purpose! Dorset, with partnerships of 105 for the first wicket and 101 for the second, always dominated our bowling although Andrew Wilson plugged away in his inimitable style just short of a length for 11 tidy overs. The absence of Blackburn, who was playing for Dorset, meant that our batting lacked steel and it was not until Lyons came together with Wilson at 46-4 that much mettle was shown. Together they put on 103, Lyons so straight and graceful and Wilson so forceful and strong. After Lyons was out a brief flurry from David Wilson (24) offered hope of survival at least, but our last four wickets collapsed for only eight runs.

Sunday May 22 - Cricketer Cup first round v Old Cheltonians at Cheltenham - Abandoned

Sunday May 29 - Cricketer Cup first round replay v Old Cheltonians at Sherborne - Won by 85 runs
Sherborne Pilgrims 194-9 (T D W Edwards 51); Old Cheltonians 109 (Edwards 4-31)

The match was a replay of the one abandoned because of the weather the week before. Cheltenham won the toss on a cold and overcast day and put us in on a slow wicket. This was just as well since Bev and Rob Symondson did not arrive until lunchtime, having gone to Cheltenham by mistake. In the annals of Pilgrims history this will rival the failure of one Pilgrim six years ago to disembark at the right station in Oxfordshire until the game against Charlbury was complete.

After Lough had scored four off the first over, Leakey was caught first ball of the next - a dangerous long hop if your correspondent was not much mistaken. Jerry Edwards was unluckily run out at the bowlers' end from a deflection and we were 24-3 when Tim Edwards joined Lyons to put on 48 for the fourth wicket. Progress was slow but needed to be in the conditions, and with patient stands of 39 between the brothers Symondson for the seventh wicket and Bev Symondson and Paul Madley of 44 for the ninth wicket, Madley scoring a cameo 22, our total in the allotted 55 overs was quite reasonable.

Fish marked his return to the side with a devastating opening burst, sending back their first three batsmen for only six runs. Blackburn chipped in with two wickets at the other end, bowling seven overs for only three runs. Cheltenham descended to 19-5 and, despite a brave stand of 51 for the sixth wicket, never recovered with drizzle and bad light adding to the misery at the end of their innings.

Sunday June 12 - Cricketer Cup second round v Charterhouse Friars at Sherborne - Lost by 7 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 166-9 (J F Blackburn 52*; M W G Doggart 4-29); Charterhouse Friars 170-3 (W R Bristowe 75*)

A second successive Cricketer Cup match at Sherborne was a novelty indeed but Charterhouse's rather greater experience of the later rounds of the competition, and their all round superiority, led to a comfortable win. We started slowly and badly losing three wickets for 18 after ten overs and half the side were out for 54. Rob Symondson and Blackburn doubled the score but it was a pity that others lacked the application and professionalism they showed. Our total was never going to be enough against a side of Charterhouse's calibre on an easy paced wicket and fast outfield. Although they started slowly, tied down by some excellent "limited over" bowling from Edwards who bowled seven maidens in his 11 overs, Bristowe and Hooper put on 119 for the second wicket and Charterhouse reached their target with seven overs to spare.

Sunday June 19 v Radley Rangers at Radley - Drawn
Radley Rangers 279-6 dec (P R J Anderson 111); Sherborne Pilgrims 168-8 (C R Pritchard 4-39)

As evidenced by an opening attack of Lyons and Redfern we were rather short of bowling and Radley put on 93 for the first wicket without apparent difficulty. After this partnership was broken by a smart stumping by Madley, standing up to Gent, Bulford who had clearly gained inspiration from the sight of Botham at Old Trafford the day before, ran out their dangerous number three. It was a pleasure to see Rowe get a bowl and a greater pleasure to see that it was a short one. His innovations of line and length set Radley a difficult decision of when to declare. In retrospect it might be said that they batted a little long, but it was only 3.40pm when they declared, the Pilgrims having bowled 61 overs. We started shakily, losing the openers for only eight. Saunders joined Brearley at 24-3 and they put on 62 for the fourth wicket but were both out to careless shots, and 86-3 became 104-8. Lough and Gent came together and batted out time without difficulty against moderate bowling on a good wicket.

Saturday July 9 v The School at Sherborne - Lost by 48 runs
Sherborne School 170-7 dec (R A Rydon 65); Sherborne Pilgrims 122 (I P M Sharpe 4-23)

Although we had gathered a stronger side than in recent years against the School, the result was the same - a comprehensive defeat. The School lost two quick wickets but then Rydon and Thorne put on 98 for the third wicket. After they were parted, the School crawled a little. In reply we lost our openers for ducks and it was left to Turner, first with Ford and then with Blackburn, to repair the damage in stands of 29 and 46. At 86-3, after not many overs, we looked in with a chance but it was not to be against tidy bowling and good catching.

Sunday July 10 v Marlborough Blues at Marlborough - Lost by 13 runs
Marlborough Blues 193-9 dec (J G Hall 68*; J H Stebbings 5-50); Sherborne Pilgrims 180 (R A L Leach 67*; O T Gravell 5-58, Hall 4-42)

Something in the Marlborough wicket seems to bring out the best in Stebbings who was at his most exhilarating again, this time delighting in the speed of the track and aided by excellent close to the wicket catching. He took the first three wickets to fall and, at the other end, Cuthbert wheeled away taking 3-29 in 13 overs. Marlborough were in a lot of trouble at 83-7 but then Hugh Walker came on with his unique brand of bowling labelled "hit me to the boundary", and so they did. However, this was all part of a careful ploy to make the match more even. Although we started badly, losing four wickets for 32 and five for 57, Leach and Blackburn, in a stand of 98 for the sixth wicket batted enterprisingly showing how to deal with the modest Marlborough bowling. At 155-5 we looked set fair for victory but then threw it away with Gravell, brother of the well known Welsh centre Ray, picking up three wickets in seven balls to finish off the tail.

Saturday July 16 v Honourable Artillery Company at Sherborne - Drawn
Sherborne Pilgrims 213 (N C R Isaac 110); Honourable Artillery Company 165-9 (J E Gay 4-49)

The HAC arrived in some disarray, several of their team having been involved in a car accident. Fortunately there were no serious consequences, except for their depleted attack which suffered considerably at the hands of the rejuvenated Isaac, who batted very well, if a little nervously in the nineties, for a much deserved hundred. It was just as well he did because after opening with Lough (18), nobody else reached double figures until Powe came in at 108-6. All the rest threw their wickets away. Powe added 63 for the seventh wicket and our final total, with Isaac last out, was just about good enough. Our attack, despite its quality on paper, was also exposed by some sensible batting on a typically good batting strip on the Upper. The HAC reached 124-2 without any difficulty but then fell apart trying to deal with Lough and Gay. Time after time they were beaten for pace, particularly by Gay whose ability to delay the arrival of the ball until the batsman had completed his third effort to hit it caused constant problems. Unfortunately Hume, with his usual appreciation of the tactical requirements of the situation, failed to bring back the fast men in time to break the last wicket partnership.

Sunday July 17 v Sherborne Town at Sherborne - Drawn
Sherborne Pilgrims 213-4 dec (J C Mason 77*, M M C F Jones 52); Sherborne Town 184-7 (J R Homfray 71; W J Rydon 4-99)

A fine batting display by Jones and Mason, who put on 88 for the second wicket, saw us to a good total. Jones, making his debut for the Pilgrims, attracted the attention of the selectors while Mason's qualities were already well known. We were quickly on top of the Town's batting, Rydon and Lyons sharing the wickets, as they slumped to 84-7. It must then be recorded that the captain made some surprising decisions in letting the Town put on an unbroken partnership of 100 for the eighth wicket. He persisted with the same attack which quickly became familiar to the Town's tailenders. A draw was grabbed from the jaws of victory.

Monday July 18 v Somerset Stragglers at Sherborne - Drawn
Sherborne Pilgrims 212 (M M C F Jones 50; D Langford 6-52); Somerset Stragglers 182-9 (G P Gent 6-49)

A slightly disappointing batting display from the Pilgrims despite a good start. After an opening partnership of 65 between Isaac and Jones, who scored his second successive 50, our batting rather fizzled out as we failed to take advantage of a solid foundation. Perhaps it was a preoccupation with the need to avoid getting out to Hugh Walker, who was bowling for the opposition, that prevented anyone else taking a grip. The Stragglers did well to bowl 70 overs at us and it was a pity that we could not match their enterprise. Our opening attack of Stebbings and Will Rydon suffered somewhat from the Stragglers' evident frustration as they scored 57 from nine overs before tea. Afterwards, though, the oldest pro of all and still the best, "le pétit", came on and tantalised the opposition with his flighted long hops and teasing full tosses. Mirabile dictu he managed to prise out Hugh Walker who was stumped by Rice as he threatened to win the game. Hardly a moral victory but a draw is better than nowt as they say on the Yorkshire Cricket Committee.

Tuesday July 19 v Dorset Rangers at Sherborne - Lost by 60 runs
Dorset Rangers 145 (P L Garlick 4-20); Sherborne Pilgrims 85

Defeat by the Rangers in such a manner as this can scarcely be relived without a sigh. Older hands were saying that they could not remember so dismal a batting display. After making our task easy by a competent display in the field we threw it away with some careless batting, of which the less that is said the better.

Wednesday July 20 v Old Cliftonians at Sherborne - Won by 26 runs
Sherborne Pilgrims 235-7 dec (A D Brearley 106, J F Blackburn 53; S J Y Scott 5-40); Old Cliftonians 209 (C L R Cottrell 55; G P Gent 5-74, J H Stebbings 4-47)

Amid stores of depression and melancholia in our dressing room, we showed the sort of character later to be emulated by our peers in New Zealand and Pakistan, and came good. After the early loss of Gent, Blackburn, who seemed to take personal responsibility for the defeat the previous day, and Brearley, who batted as only he can, put on 121 for the second wicket at more than five runs an over. Clifton tried eight bowlers in an attempt to break their stranglehold, but to no avail. Stebbings demolished the Clifton innings in his first over taking two wickets without a run being scored and an alert and industrious all round fielding performance saw Clifton fall to 90-5 until a partnership of 61 for the sixth wicket temporarily boosted their hopes. Then their number two, who had survived the Stebbings onslaught, was finally stumped by Rice off Gent and, wisely co-ordinated by Isaac, the bowlers finished it off.

Sunday July 24 v Old Tonbridgians at Tonbridge - Lost by 6 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 208 (R J W Proctor 62; A M Spurling 5-64, D C P Roberts 5-86); Old Tonbridgians 211-4 (N Heroys 59)

Although not humiliated this time we were again comprehensively outplayed in all departments by the OT's. Where do they get all these cricketers from! Perkins played jauntily and well to score 43 out of a partnership of 60 with Proctor. Thereafter progress was generally slow but needed to be against a tight attack. Curbing his natural enthusiasm for the big one Proctor, if not the oldest pro of all then certainly the most distinguished in ways, concentrated on placement rather than power. Useful contributions from Gay and Wilson, who hit a robust 30 in even time, saw us to a reasonable total, albeit in 66 overs. Unfortunately, the OT's were never troubled by our attack, although treating Garlick and Proctor with some respect. They reached their target in 44 overs.

Saturday July 30 v Hampshire Hogs at Warnford - Lost by 5 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 211-8 dec (J D Lloyd 61); Hampshire Hogs 212-5 (P R C Came 124)

A rather disappointing performance saw only Lloyd emerge with much credit from our batting line up. Although we were never unduly threatened by the Hogs attack, it took us 57 overs to accumulate our total. Came dominated the Hogs innings being out just before the end after guiding them to victory. Dudley bowled with his usual flourish to the delight of all interested spectators who watched the end of the day's proceedings in the idyllic cricket setting of the Warnford ground.

Saturday August 6 v Bluemantles at Tunbridge Wells - Drawnl
Bluemantles 241-6 dec (M J Wheeler 126; N A C Dudley 4-50); Sherborne Pilgrims 238-7 (C R Martin 64; N L Thomson 5-54)

An excellent game and much closer than in recent years mainly because of a rather stronger Pilgrims line up. Dudley was the only bowler who measured up to the task of containing the batsman and Wheeler really had free rein. But it was in our batting that the difference showed with scintillating stroke play from the elegant Waite and glorious hitting from Martin who hit four sixes in his innings. In the end we fell just short but the spirit of our play was typified by David Leakey who could not resist the temptation to play for the Pilgrims on the morning of his wedding. As we batted second he did not, in fact, make the scoresheet but let us hope he was more successful later in the day.

Sunday August 21 v Cobham at Cobham - Lost by 6 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 232-8 dec; Cobham 233-4 (R F Symondson 80, R J Doughty 59*)

As usual the Cobham side was filled with several Pilgrims, and a County player in the shape of Doughty. We batted well but Cobham batted better. It was a game of two halves: our innings and theirs, with the batsmen generally dominant.