MALVERN College came desperately close to defeating Repton School, their traditional rivals in an annual fixture that dates back to 1871, but eventually lost by the margin of 19 runs.

REPTON SCHOOL v MALVERN COLLEGE

Though the rain put paid to any cricket in Malvern, the sun shone brightly in Derbyshire, particularly on the two Malvern spinners, Robert Price and Ollie Griffiths, who pegged back the Repton batsmen with some accurate and aggressive bowling. Price took the wickets (4-36) but Griffiths bowled just as well with no luck.

At no stage did Repton feel able to cast off the shackles and it was not until the 63rd over that they were confident enough to declare at 199-6.

Malvern were always intent on going for the victory. Despite the loss of two early wickets, Ollie Griffiths attacked from the word go, unleashing a flurry of sweetly timed blows to all corners of the ground. His technique may not be thoroughly orthodox but he has a quick eye and he swings the bat with menace.

Eventually he perished for 51, aiming one extravagant shot too many, but the gauntlet had been thrown down and the Malvern middle-order picked it up willingly enough.

However, the Repton bowling remained commendably tight under pressure, wickets fell in little clusters and Malvern were forced to concede the initiative and finally the match.