Saturday 21 July 2012
The match was played at London’s Wandsworth Common, on a day notable for its outstanding weather, at odds with the past 12 months of rain and misery in the Old Country. Despite the late appearance of Reds Captain Pontt making the journey (read: 3 hour tour of shame) from Oxford, having made the journey back to Oxford c. 6am following a perhaps all-too-enjoyable evening with various Reds, a full Princes compliment received red shirts in a formal presentation, then to cheers of “FAC FORTIA ET PATERE”, commenced a bowling and fielding attack to be applauded.
Fine performances by new chums Martin and Altmann with both bat and ball, intimidating bowling from Leigh “Big Bird” Schelvis, athletic fielding by Carlyle “Peter Pan” Jenkins and Trent “Hammer Arm” Smith, a near hat-trick by Mark Roma, ordinary but hilarious fielding by Colin “Super Cat” Frearson, and stentorian sledging from Messrs Hough, Schelvis and Patterson, framed an all-round fine performance by the Reds, who emerged comfortable victors in the historic first meeting.
The game was played with fantastic spirit by both teams, with all performances applauded, and new and hopefully enduring friendships formed. The match was duly celebrated with ample lubrication at the nearby County Arms late into the evening, with promises made to arrange an annual fixture, and a new group formed to commence joint PAC and Saints social events every quarter, with a casual drinks tentatively slated for this coming September.
The match was also attended by several supporters, including some Old Ignatians, culminating in discussions for a tri-collegiate fixture next year also.
Many thanks must go to Mr Roma of PAC and Mr Palmer of St Peter’s for their tireless work in bringing this together and making it happen, and were expressed to all involved for their good-hearted participation, truly reflective of the wonderful nurturing and network bestowed upon beneficiaries of these two fine institutions. We look to the coming collegiate year with renewed momentum and send our best to all at home and elsewhere abroad.
Nicholas Pontt
Back Row L-R: Mark Roma (Vice Cpt.), Craig Patterson, Leigh Schelvis, Nick Pontt (Cpt.), Trent Smith, Carlyle Jenkins
Front Row: Kieran Altmann, Hugo Martin, Andrew Hough (M.T.), Colin Frearson
The David Gray Cup
