THE CRICKET REPORT by Rob Craze
L ast summer, 42 cricket teams from Years 3 to 13 played over 200 fixtures for the College. Over the Michaelmas and Lent terms, pupils continued to enjoy a full training programme, thanks to our four-lane indoor nets facility and bowling machines and with the welcome addition of ex-England wicketkeeper and batter Sarah Taylor to the coaching team, led by Adam Riley. UPPER SCHOOL At 1st XI level, a fantastic cup run in the National T20 was the overwhelming highlight of a mixed season. Victories against Emanuel, Trinity and Wilson’s took Dulwich to the semi-final of the South London round of this national competition and set up an exciting match against Whitgift. Jacob Emler’s dominant, rapid 50 gave Dulwich hope but ultimately they were 30 light on a competitive score. This was the theme of the season: the game would be in the balance for long passages of play, but the team would then fall away. A closely fought win against KCS Wimble-
don provided a template of how the squad could play, but sadly they failed to repeat this against some difficult block Saturday opposition. Robbie Keaton led the team admirably and found his form late in the season, topping the batting leaderboard with 503 runs at 36. However, player of the season was never in doubt, as Jacob Emler provided quality with bat and ball, scoring 302 runs and taking 18 wickets at 20. These two players will be sorely missed for 2024, as will Toby Kemp, Owen Casstles and Ollie Monblat, who all provided key contributions during the season and during their tenure in the Cricket Club. Special mentions also go to Ed Warren for topping the bowling charts for the 1st XI, with two years left playing for the team, and to Roan Kennedy, who started to look at home in the batting order as a Year 9. The 2nd XI improved through the season thanks to the commitment and energy of the pupils and, equally, from
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THE ALLEYNIAN 712
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