St Ambrose College in Cheshire recently enjoyed its annual celebration of a golden cricketing summer when the school took on the battle-hardened players from the Marylebone Cricket Club, better known as the MCC.
Consisting of top local club cricketers, the MCC sends teams to schools across the country to share their love of the game and ensure the game continues to be played in the right spirit. Though the young men from the Hale Barns Catholic grammar school stood toe-to-toe with their more seasoned rivals they still came up just short.
The MCC batted first and made an exciting 214 for 6 with Mark Lomas from East Lancs Cricket Club (CC) cracking a belligerent 82, Aaron Lynch from Mere CC adding an elegant 42 and Michael Neff from Urmston CC a powerful 35.
Young paceman Tom Moncur was the best school bowler, taking for 3 for 37 with some accurate and at times fast-paced bowling.
But the game hinged on the opening spell of Prestbury CC seamer Matthew Gray who blitzed out Ambrose's two top order batsman with a lethal spell of 3 for 19. Robert Conville proved difficult to dislodge, compiling a hard-fought 53, while Tom Holloway made 26 as the Ambrosians reached 147 all out.
Andy Snook, MCC skipper, said: "It's always a fantastic day with a wonderful dinner and tea."
