On Saturday 29th June, the hottest day of the year to date, the John Lyon pupils took on the Old Lyonians' cricket challenge at Sudbury.  Neerav Trivedi (2007 – 2014) captained the Old Lyonian's First XI, fielding a team of former School sporting colossuses.  However, they were beaten by the JLS First XI who are now County Champions (see here for the full championship story on the School’s website).  Jash Ghandi led the way for the OL’s, with a strong 58 before succumbing to the heat, as they posted a total of 118/7 from their 30 overs.  A good opening partnership by Dhanesh Jegatheesan (46) and Advait Sundaram (37) ensured the win as the School ran home winners by 7 wickets. Man of the Match – Rahil Thaper for his excellent bowling spell of 2-21.



Ben Gill (1999 – 2004) also pulled together a great team who were hampered only by the heat and perhaps the cokes they were drinking to lose to the School's Second XI.  Having not beaten Gill’s XI for a number of years, the School did well in restricting them to 128 all out thanks to some clinical bowling from Shaurya Gharkel (4-24) and Rahul Patel (4-28).  Gill played the captain's role well with a solid knock of 54 but Niale Emmanuel ensured that School victory was quick with 69 from only 27 balls, supported by Patel who ended up with 46. The School was victorious again by 8 wickets.

John Blake's (1974 - 1981) side were sadly beset by injuries and, despite having a number of former cricket captains in their midst and a last minute substitution putting OLA President, Paul Matarewicz, in to bat, were defeated by the John Lyon team.  Experience from the OLs allowed the boys to bat first and this was probably regretted as they racked up 144/3 in their 25 overs; Romesh De Silva’s 71 the driving force in the first innings. In reply, Krish Lakhani took his first ever 5 wicket haul with some accurate bowling and his 5-16 ensured the run rate could not be caught; the School eventually winning by 27 runs.

The Lyonian Association was delighted to see lots of recent OLs and the members of the 6th form joining the teams and stalwart OL spectators at presentations and for the delicious barbeque provided by the School.  We hope to see them and many more OLs next year.