Perseans play big part in club’s national cricket cup triumph
The Perse played a major role as Foxton Granta Cricket Club lifted the Voneus Village Cup at Lord’s for the second year in a row.
Assistant Director of Sport (Performance) Ravi Mahendra was joined by Alfie (Upper Sixth) and Old Perseans Henry Campbell, Chris Pepper and Freddie Doel in the Foxton squad as they earned a comfortable 145-run win over Stayley in the final of the national club competition.
Chris smashed an unbeaten 44 off 31 balls, including two sixes and two fours, as Granta chalked up 265 for 4 after losing the toss and being put in to bat.
Henry and Mr Mahendra both contributed with the ball, taking 2 for 18 and 2 for 33 respectively, as Stayley were dismissed for just 120 in reply.
Alfie was the youngest player in the Foxton squad, and although he was 12th man, he was still able to experience the thrill of playing at the Home of Cricket by having a six-over spell in the field.
He said: “It was quite surreal because you can believe you’re fielding at Lord’s and I felt nervous at the start. My brother and sister were there and we had quite a lot of support from Foxton, so it was brilliant to be in and around the team.”
Alfie is no stranger to Lord’s as a fan – his last visit saw Joe Root break Sir Alastair Cook’s record for the most centuries scored by an England player in the Test against Sri Lanka in 2024.
However, the Perse 1st XI all-rounder was delighted to see cricket’s HQ from a different perspective.
He said: “Going into the Pavilion and the away changing room, where we were based, was just amazing because you were sitting in the same place as all these international cricketers who have played at Lord’s in the past.
“We did a full warm-up on the outfield and also went to the Nursery Ground where I gave a few throwdowns to our players in the nets. We also had the after-game dinner in the Long Room, which was great, and the food was delicious!
“Before the game, I thought if we won or lost, the experience would be amazing, but winning made it a lot better!”
Foxton had faced some tough challenges en route to the final, not least their quarter-final win triumph at home to Leeds & Broomfield, which ended in a tie. Both sides scored 215 runs, but Foxton went through having lost fewer wickets.
Having been part of the Foxton team that was victorious in the Village Cup against Dumbleton last year, Mr Mahendra said he felt more relaxed about being back at Lord’s.
He said: “Those of us that played there last year were able to enjoy the occasion a bit more because we knew the routine for the day, but it was still an amazing opportunity to play at Lord’s for the second year in a row.
“Being able to play at Lord’s again was the aim at the start of the season and everyone involved last year was hungry and desperate to go back.
“We weren’t fazed by being put in to bat because we’ve got such a strong batting line-up. We executed what we needed to do because everyone knows their role which makers things easier.”
Mr Mahendra said he was especially pleased to have been able to share the occasion with Perseans current and old, all of whom, bar Henry, he had coached at the school.
He said: “Alfie played in the early rounds and his contribution was significant. He’s also an exceptional fielder, so that option was really important. He was 12th man for the final and we wanted to make sure he got on to the field as this run has very much been a squad contribution.
“Funnily enough, Henry was supposed to be in Spain, Chris was supposed to be on Mount Kilimanjaro and Freddie came back from university for the final.
“It was really nice being on the pitch and able to share the victory with them. They’re all very talented cricketers and a brilliant representation of the strength of Perse cricket.”