A superb 112 not out by Pete Moxom for the Old Hardyeans, including eight sixes, provided over half of the old boys’ 190 for 5 off 30 overs, in the annual cricket fixture against the modern Thomas Hardye School. Then spin bowlers Joe Power [3-25] and Pete Moxom [5-32] ripped the School’s batting apart, skittling them all out for 151 in the 28th over.
As tradition dictates, the Old Hardyeans batted first in the 30 over contest. Pete Moxom and Joe Power opened the batting and put on 20 for the first wicket, before Power was bowled by Adam Weir for 5. Josh Foot joined Moxom and scored a quickfire 21 before being caught by Danny Way off the medium pace of Casper Bailey for 21. The experienced Simon Joslin came in, but did not trouble the scorers. Moxom was by now playing very aggressively and celebrated his 50 with a straight six. Matt Porter and OH Captain Tony Foot gave him sound assistance with some big hitting in the middle order. It was however Pete Moxom who continued to steal the show, finishing a superb innings 112 not out. The Old Hardyeans completed their 30 overs with the impressive total of 190 for the loss of 5 wickets.
The School started slowly in reply and were soon behind the clock. Ryan Price was caught by Joe Power off the bowling of Mark Derrien and then the dangerous Marcus Evans was clean bowled for a duck, also by Derrien. Danny Way then showed himself to be a batsman of some promise, scoring an excellent 58 before being brilliantly caught on the boundary by Simon Joslin off the bowling of Joe Power. The spin of Joe Power and Pete Moxom, who took eight wickets between them, killed off the game as the school were bowled out in the 28th over for 151. The Old Hardyeans had won by 39 runs.
“This year’s annual match between the Old Hardyeans and Thomas Hardye School was blessed with fine weather for the first time in several years,” comments Old Hardyeans Captain Tony Foot. “An excellent game of cricket was played in good spirit and considering the unprepared nature of the wicket, no shortage of skill on both sides.”
Founded in 1905 as the Old Grammarians, the Old Hardyeans- also known as the Hardyeans Club- is one of the most successful old school associations in the county, bringing together the old boys of Dorchester Grammar School and Hardye’s School, plus ex-students of the modern Thomas Hardye School. In the times of Queen Elizabeth I, it was Thomas Hardye [with a final “e”] described as an yeoman of Frampton, who endowed Dorchester Grammar School in 1569. Hardye’s [shopping] Arcade today stands on the site. The Grammar School moved to Culliford Road in 1928- renamed Hardye’s School from 1954. The new Thomas Hardye School in Queens Avenue opened in 1992, encompassing the best traditions of the two previous schools- but admitting girls for the first time since 1569! Writer Thomas Hardy OM, who lived at nearby Max Gate, laid the foundation stone of Hardye’s School in 1927. He was no relation to Thomas Hardye, founder of the school, nor of Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy!
Michel Hooper-Immins
Photo: Back row [left to right:] Adam Weir, Scott Parker, Charlie Davies, Dan Evans, Ryan Price, Danny Way, Marcus Evans, Frank Dike [Umpire,] Ian Legg, Mark Derrien, Tony Foot [Captain,] Pete Moxom, Simon Joslin, Stuart Voss.
Front row [left to right:] Jacob Holland, Adam Barrett, Greg Holland, Casper Bailey, James Caldwell, Matt Porter, Joe Power, Josh Foot, John Bowden, James Dunham.
