The Old Rossallians gathered in Hampshire for the start of the August Tour.

The weather on Monday morning was very drizzly so it was touch and go as to whether our T20 fixture at Hawkley Cricket Club would go ahead but a dry afternoon meant it did so.

The OR’s won the toss and is customary in any of our matches, elected to bat.

Jonty Arundel opened the batting, probably the oldest OR ever to do so, with Matt Dryden and got us off to a good start but not in Baz ball fashion.

However, we accelerated through the innings and posted a total of 187 for three, with Arundel 11, Dryden 16, Harry MacAleer 47, Ashton Charles on his first tour 45 and Luke Williams 65.

Hawkley made a valiant effort to chase the score down, finishing on 163 for 8 with the wickets spread around the 19 bowlers used. Arundel and Amor picked up a couple each.

Sadly, Will Gair attempting a boundary catch broke an ankle in an uneven piece of ground so was out for the rest of the week.

On Tuesday we headed out into Sussex to play the Old Hurstjohnians at Hurstpierpoint College, just north of Brighton.

Having called correctly at the toss, we elected to bat in a timed, declaration game and never fully took our opportunities on a good batting track.

We amassed 184 all out, which was always going to be difficult to defend on a true pitch with a fast outfield.

James Amor scored 24, Matt Dryden 30, Tom Morrison 28 and Luke Williams 40 but as mentioned, never enough.

We would have bowl well and take all our chances which we did but in vain. The OJ’s looked to be cruising to victory with four wickets down and needing around 50 to win but a flurry of wickets put them under pressure before securing victory with 8 wickets down.

Our final fixture took us to Worth College to play the Old Amplefordians in a 30 over fixture.

Again we batted first and despite ducks for Max Laboda and James Amour, a total of 258 for 4 was posted with 63 for Henry Faj, 57 for Tom Morrison and a blistering 91 from Luke Williams looked unassailable.

And so it proved with the OA’s only able to score 163 for 7 with the wickets shared all round.

The tour in 2026 runs from 2nd to the 5th August and any player is invited and welcome to join us.