Sunday May 9 v Old Whitgiftians at Croydon - Lost by 58 runs
Old Whitgiftians 236-8; Sherborne Pilgrims 178 (R A Rydon 68*)

Heavy overnight rain and persistent morning drizzle delayed the start of this Cricketer Cup practice - as a result it became a 45 over match. It was the first outing of the season for many and ended up as a disappointing one for most. Only Springfield and Rob Rydon managed to contain the Whitgift batsmen, whilst light drizzle made the ball slippery. Chasing 236 in 45 overs was always going to be difficult, and although Turner and the Rydons looked comfortable at the crease we never seriously threatened the target. Indeed, the losing margin would have been greater but for a sixth wicket stand of 46 by the Rydons with WJ contributing a useful 28. A damp and disappointing day.

Sunday May 16 v Radley Rangers at Radley - Won by 7 wickets
Radley Rangers 149-9; Sherborne Pilgrims 150-3 (J M P C Turner 72)

The second practice match of 50 overs saw us lose the toss and take the field in damp and overcast conditions. Bagnall (2-23) and Ewen (1-38) soon began beating the bat and it was no surprise when the Rangers were 43-3. Their innings never got going thanks to good all round bowling, 14 of the 50 overs were maidens, backed up by solid fielding. Mention should be made of a class leg side stumping by de la Hey and Jones hitting the stumps for a run out. Gent was soon out to a wonderful reflex catch in the gully but Turner was getting into line and 44 was added for the second wicket. We still had a bit to do and were helped by a short stoppage for rain. We carried on in light rain, which did not help the bowlers, and Turner put on 96 for the third wicket with Haywood. Jones had to come in and get wet at the non-striker's end whilst a resounding victory was secured with 12 overs to spare.

Sunday May 30 - Cricketer Cup first round v Marlborough Blues at Sherborne - Abandoned

Sunday June 6 - Cricketer Cup first round replay v Marlborough Blues at Marlborough - Lost by 5 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 87 (S J Baillie-Hamilton 5-19, J Makin 4-21); Marlborough Blues 90-5

This first round match was postponed from the week before, when heavy rain prevented the two teams from ever taking the field in the morning. However, we allowed ourselves to be talked out of staging a curtailed game after lunch, the Blues sensing that their team would be bolstered in a week's time.

And so it proved; on a perfect day for cricket, but this time at Marlborough, it was the Pilgrims who lost the toss and were put in to bat. The first over gave a foretaste of things to come, as Matthews was bowled first ball by the Blues' quick bowler, Makin. Blackburn looked pugnacious but failed to deliver, unable - like Turner - to cope with the sheer pace of Makin. Perhaps the critical moment came when Jones and Spink, both of whom were batting assuredly, lost their way with their calling and Spink was run out by some distance. Jones batted gamely on for 34 but the dismissal of Rob Rydon with the score on 62-5 signalled the probable end to any hopes the Pilgrims had of reaching three figures.

At lunch, Gent - making an unforeseen Cricketer Cup comeback - and Bagnall were still at the crease. Marlborough did not, though, take long to remove the last wicket, Baillie-Hamilton finishing off what Makin had started, leaving the Pilgrims dismissed for a paltry 87, including four ducks. Rumours that a local witch-doctor had put the blight on a particular car carrying certain Pilgrims down to Marlborough were given little credence.

Before it might be thought that this was a batting display worthy of the national side, let it be said that the wicket was a bowler's one, and 120 would have posed many problems for the home team. Frankly, it was not good enough for a match of this importance: despite this, it should have been possible to bat for more of our allotted overs, given the ability in the top order.

Bagnall and Rob Rydon raised hopes of an improbable win when they took two wickets in as many overs, reducing Marlborough to 9-2 from three overs, but calm batting from Burrell carried the score gently on: with so many overs to complete the task, there was never any need for hurrying the match along. Will Rydon bowled tightly, but the lack of a genuine fifth bowler - Richard Springfield was sadly an injured spectator - meant that the Pilgrims were short of variety.

Interestingly enough, at the end of the 29th over, the scores were exactly the same as they had been in the Pilgrims innings: 75-5. Wry comments from Gent on the pitch about a quick maiden and then rain (which would have ensured a Pilgrims victory) were about as likely to happen as England were to win the first Test at Old Trafford. The anticipated rain never materialised, and the Blues cruised smoothly to a five-wicket win at 4.14, condemning the Pilgrims to more Cricketer Cup failure and, quite literally, an early bath. It is time the Cricketer Cup became a high priority for Pilgrims and not just another fixture: to win these matches, we really do need our best available side out in every round.

Sunday June 13 v Hampshire Hogs at Warnford - Lost by 7 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 108 (P Dunn 4-18); Hampshire Hogs 110-3

This was a most embarrassing day as we turned up two short - not the way to treat the Hogs against whom we have had many enjoyable matches since 1931. Turner (18), Matthews (21) and Tweedale gave us a good start but 70-1 turned into a sad slump. Springfield (2-26) bowled the Hogs opener with his second ball but that was our only ray of hope. Molden and Gabb put on 69 for the third wicket to steer the Hogs to an easy win far too early in the afternoon.

Saturday July 3 v The School at Sherborne - Lost by 2 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 228-6 dec (B D Atwell 78, G P Gent 67; S W Giles 4-55); Sherborne School 232-8 (A S Cossins 90)

After losing the toss the sublime combination of youth and experience in the form of Atwell and Gent opened our innings. Gent was soon into his stride continuing his good form of the season. With Atwell playing a sound supporting role they put on 124 for the first wicket with little difficulty. Gent was the first to go and the innings stumbled slightly with Ricketts and Bennett falling to Giles. At 170-4 Freeth (23*) joined Gillett and with good, and at times audacious batting, put on 50 in 36 minutes which enabled us to declare before half way. Our declaration was soon put under the spotlight when Slade had to leave the field with a bad migraine after bowling two overs. However, this forced us to get the spinners on early and we bowled 34 overs of Ricketts (2-39), Pugsley and Freeth. The School innings was based on a belligerent 90 from Cossins who took full advantage of the attacking field placings. The pendulum of the innings went backwards and forwards with 106-2 becoming 106-4, and 215-5 becoming 228-8 with three balls left before Robertson scored the winning runs to finish an exciting match.

Sunday July 4 v Dorset Rangers at Sherborne - Won by 122 runs
Sherborne Pilgrims 249-8 dec (S Gillett 87, E J Pool 84; J Thomas 5-56); Dorset Rangers 127 (G P Gent 54; R A Bagnall 5-45)

After winning the toss we were soon in trouble at 49-4. The "experiment" of opening the batting with Springfield did not really work, although he made 11, but it was the failure of Bennett and Ricketts that was unexpected. We were rescued by a wonderful partnership of 156 by Gillett and Pool, both of whom deserved centuries. The Rangers innings was ruined by a deadly opening spell from Bagnall and Springfield. They never recovered from 17-4 and it was only a spirited 54 from Gent which took the match into the final hour. Bagnall fully deserved his five wickets, Springfield and Ricketts (2-22) being the other bowlers used.

Monday July 5 v Old Blundellians at Sherborne - Lost by 8 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 274-3 dec (P J Hodges 110, P R Saunders 78*); Old Blundellians 275-2 (Y Tillekeratne 146*, M G Beard 59)

This was an amazing match that was over by 6.15pm after 550 runs had been scored for the loss of only five wickets. Bagnall, captaining the Pilgrims for the first time, started well by winning the toss but then got talked into allowing Garrett to open the batting. He must have been as surprised as everyone else when Garrett helped Hodges put on 81 for the first wicket, but also relieved that he missed the elusive 50. When Garrett was out Hodges and Saunders continued to show disdain for the Blundells bowling putting on 141 for the second wicket. Hodges had forecast that he would score a century and his 110 was a dominant knock. After his dismissal Saunders carried on attacking and we were able to declare at half time with what we all thought to be plenty of runs. How wrong we were!

After Paddy Knechtli had dismissed one of the openers, Tillekeratne (who we later found out had not seen the inside of a Blundells classroom and was on the fringe of a Sri Lankan first class side) completely dominated the innings. Following an early chance he reached 50 by tea, and after the interval treated all our bowlers with contempt. Bagnall wisely did not bring himself on to bowl and after the match agreed that the Horlicks had to be awarded to him for an over-generous declaration. It was his second award, but undoubtedly not his last.

Tuesday July 6 v Sherborne Town at Sherborne - Cancelled

The cricket week was earlier this year which led to a misunderstanding with the Town, who expected to play us on the 13th.

Wednesday July 7 v South Wales Hunt at Sherborne - Won by 136 runs
Sherborne Pilgrims 254-7 dec (T A Batchelar 87; J Lee 5-74); South Wales Hunt 118

The Hunt, fielding six Shirburnians, were once again put to the sword in convincing fashion. Cuthbert won the toss and should have been happy with a score of 123-3 from 32 overs at lunch. Our innings was based on a fine 87 from Batchelar which would have been a century but for a fatal lapse of concentration. He was ably supported by Hodges and Saunders. The Hunt's innings started with a superb catch at slip by Rix off Paddy Knechtli's (2-17) first ball. Wickets fell steadily to Slade (2-22), Saunders (2-15) and Keatinge (2-30) in his first match for the Club.

Thursday July 8 v Butterflies at Sherborne - Drawn
Sherborne Pilgrims 217-8 dec (S Gillett 79; G Coren 4-45); Butterflies 174-8 (B G Blythe 110*; P R Saunders 4-49)

Another toss won allowed us to see Bagnall trying his hand as an opener. Sadly he lasted less than an over which allowed Batchelar and Gillett to put on 49 for the second wicket. Batchelar (6) got little of the strike and it was frustration that caused his downfall. Gillett continued to provide the backbone of the innings and when he was out Rix helped ensure we could set a reasonable target. Of the seven batsmen who got into double figures only one went on to get 50 - in this respect 217 was a disappointing total. The Butterflies innings was based on a very good unbeaten century from Blythe, who had played for Loughborough in the UAU final in June. We were able to use seven bowlers, five of whom took wickets, with the left arm spin of Saunders being the most successful. The Butterflies were only batting ten and, whilst we had three balls at their last man, Blythe's innings deserved to save the match.

Friday July 9 v Rabelaisians at Sherborne - Won by 118 runs
Sherborne Pilgrims 241-7 (G P Gent 63, A Willows 63); Rabelaisians 123

Morning rain prevented a start until well after lunch so we agreed to a 30 over match. Having won the toss for the fifth time in succession, we were soon in our stride with Gent showing the way by not allowing the bowlers to find any rhythm. He put on 60 for the second wicket with Gillett and 81 for the third wicket with Willows. The innings accelerated as it progressed which is shown by 58 in the first ten overs, 82 in the next ten, and 101 in the final ten. The Rabelaisian innings was never allowed to achieve any momentum as Springfield sent back three of the first four in quick succession. This enabled us to toss the ball a little higher and even Gillett managed to get a bowl. The Rabelasians read his bowling for what it was worth and he went wicketless. Slade (2-31) finished the day by bowling the last man, as he has done so often over the years.

Saturday July 10 v Little Durnford Fonthill at Little Durnford - Lost by 5 wickets
Sherborne Pilgrims 205-5 dec (K J Pool 70*); Little Durnford Fonthill 207-5 (R Thompson 91, E J Pool 55*)

This was our first visit to this lovely ground and we brought weather to match the surroundings. An afternoon fixture arranged at relatively short notice required several guests to complete our side, and it was the guests who scored the majority of our runs off 41 overs. A reasonable declaration gave us time to get Little Durnford out, but we only got half way before they got the runs. A most enjoyable afternoon.

Sunday July 11 v Old Tonbridgians at Tonbridge - Cancelled

The OTs were playing in the semi-final of the Cricketer Cup: they beat Harrow Wanderers on run rate in a rain-affected match and lost to Old Cliftonians in the final by 75 runs.

Saturday July 17 v Honourable Artillery Company at Armoury House - Cancelled.

Friday July 30 v Old Tauntonians at Taunton - Cancelled

Saturday August 7 v Bluemantles at Tunbridge Wells - Won by 6 wickets
Bluemantles 152 (P L C Knechtli 4-29); Sherborne Pilgrims 156-4 (M C Bennett 69)

A beautiful summer's day at the Nevill, eleven Pilgrims on the ground and the omens were good. When Paddy Knechtli took the first three Bluemantles wickets, all caught behind by Tweedale, and the score was 28-3, things looked even better. Shortly after, a Knechtli bouncer most unfortunately hit their captain, Nigel Wheeler, and he had to retire to hospital. He was able to return to the match but regrettably not in time to bat. This did not help the Bluemantles' cause and tight bowling from Ewen (1-24), Will Rydon (1-40) and Simon Knechtli (2-18) meant we were only chasing 152. Bennett and Turner (19) gave us a good start with 60 for the first wicket but the spinners came on and we were soon 77-3. Morton joined Bennett and by lofting the ball into the outfield they added 58 for the fourth wicket. Bennett was out with 18 still required and this left Morton to put the finishing touches which left him one short of a well deserved 50.

Sunday August 29 v Cobham at Cobham - Tied
Sherborne Pilgrims 205-9 dec; Cobham 205 (D A Gordon 96; J R Pearson 4-24)

Having won the toss several of our batsmen played themselves in but failed to score enough. Only Isaac and Jones did themselves justice, the latter in his last innings for the Club before going to Australia for two years. Thanks to a last wicket stand of 18, with Springfield to the fore, we reached the psychological 200 figure which we felt should be enough. We soon removed one of the Cobham openers and, although the second wicket did not fall until 63 were on the board, matters still appeared under control.

However, Gordon and Phillips put on 102 for the third wicket to bring Cobham right back into the game. We thought we had Gordon caught at the wicket early on but this was soon forgotten as he began to unleash square drives which went to the boundary at alarming speed. He continued to dominate all our bowling and with the score at 201-4 it was only a question of whether he could get his hundred before Cobham won. Singles were turned down to help him in his quest and this resulted in an amazing finish. Pearson, who had opened our bowling but come off after two overs with a pulled muscle, persuaded Garrett to let him bowl the last few overs.

With two overs left the scores were level, Cobham with five wickets in hand and Gordon on 96. With all the fielders in to save one, Springfield bowled five dot balls in the fading light before bowling Gordon, having a slog off the final ball of the over. The last over was drama - Pearson bowled number seven with the first ball, the third ball produced a catch in the gully and the fifth ball a run out. The Cobham number eleven was not on the ground to face the last ball as he had left to go to work. So it was a tie - for only the second time in our history, the first having been against the Town in 1959.