The Old Hardyeans XI yet again won the annual cricket match against a Thomas Hardye School XI, this year by only ten runs. At the conclusion of the fixture, Old Hardyeans President Peter Foster presented the new Colin Lucas Cup to old boys’ skipper Tony Foot, commenting on the excellence of the cricket played by both sides. The late Colin Lucas was Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Hardyeans Club.
The Old Hardyeans batted first and got off to a slow but steady start in the face of accurate bowling from Adam Barrett and Ryan Chase. James Dunham and Rhys Cole added 16 for the first wicket, before Cole was bowled by Barrett for nine. This brought Josh Foot to the crease. He lost partner Dunham, caught by Dan Morris, off the bowling of Peter Horne for 12.
Foot was joined by Dan Belt and the two of them proceeded to attack the bowling, scoring freely all round the wicket. Foot was eventually dismissed to a fabulous caught-and-bowled by Adam Weir for an excellent 53. Peter Moxom was bowled first ball and Fergus Guppy- having been dropped on the hat trick ball- was then dismissed by Marcus Evans in the next over. Dan Belt was eventually caught on the boundary by Ollie Thomson off the bowling of Marcus Evans for a stylish 60. Stuart Beasley added a quickfire 31 not out for the Club to post a very competitive 186 off their 30 overs.
The School replied in similar fashion, starting slowly against the opening bowling of Dan Belt and Peter Moxom. Luke Voss’ wicket fell early, taken well in the gully by Lee Ames off Dan Belt. Marcus Evans then took the attack to the Club’s bowling, scoring seven fours and a six in an impressive innings of 43, before caught low down at cover by Captain Tony Foot, off the bowling of Stuart Beasley.
Needing to score at eight an over for the last 15, the School were always behind the rate despite an aggressive innings of 43 not out from Adam Barrett. However he lost partners at regular intervals. Josh Foot adding a stumping and two fine catches. The School finished 176 all out, ten runs short of their target, giving victory and the new Colin Lucas Cup to the Old Hardyeans.
“This was one of the very best Thomas Hardye School teams we have played against,” comments winning captain Tony Foot, playing in his 38th. Old Hardyeans match. “Blue skies, a light breeze and a recently cut outfield all favoured the batting side, which resulted in a high scoring and very entertaining match.”
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 a “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 in 1569, nor of Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy!
Michel Hooper-Immins
Photo: The Old Hardyeans XI [right] and the Thomas Hardye School XI [left-]
Standing: Harry Dike [umpire,] Peter Horne, Ryan Chase, Ollie Thompson, Luke Voss, Adam Weir, Adam Barrett, Adam Kepple, Marcus Evans, Peter Foster [President of the Old Hardyeans,] Rhys Cole, Stuart Beasley, Peter Moxom, Fergus Guppy, Tony Foot, Dan Belt, David Trotter, Frank Dike [umpire.]
Kneeling: Dan Morris, Dan Evans, George Kirby, James Dunham, Simon Mitcham, Lee Ames, Josh Foot.
Photograph by Michel Hooper-Immins.
