As usual, the CRG season began with a pre-season net at Lord’s on 16 May 2023, kindly sponsored by Magnus Eriksson, who was joined by Charles and Conor Gallagher, Ed Krarup, Ollie Vartan, and Harry and Oliver Wise.

The CRG’s first match was played at the St John’s College Ground in Cambridge on 29 July. This was a 35 overs match, 12 a side.

The CRG’s youth policy swiftly showed its worth. Two fine cricketers of the younger generation strode to the crease: Kit Goodfellow who appeared in the Rugby 1st XI batting averages recorded by Wisden more formally as C.R.D. Goodfellow; and his brother-in-law, Duncan Graves, formerly of the Perse School 1st XI and Oxford Authentics. They faced strong opening bowling from Benn and White, backed up by energetic fielding. Goodfellow and Graves both retired soon after passing 50. Harry Wise, Magnus Eriksson and Philip Gallagher were then dismissed in quick succession; but captain Ed Krarup and Ollie Powell made an undefeated partnership of 95, and CRG’s innings closed on 207 for 3.

In reply the Carthaginians began briskly, reaching 37 for 0 after 6 overs. Several batsmen managed starts; none exceeded Robson’s 37. The wickets were shared by six CRG bowlers: Kit Goodfellow, Ollie Vartan, Ollie Powell, James Powell, Bill Krarup and Ed Krarup. The Carthaginians closed on 163 for 10. CRG won by 44 runs and were presented with the Hannibal trophy.

Afterwards, a magnificent dinner was held at the Pitt Club.

And so to Almeley for the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend. CRG first played Almeley 30 years ago. The captains agreed to play two 20 over matches.

Richard Williams, a longstanding Almeley player in this fixture, retired at 50.

When CRG batted, the Almeley opening bowler Evans’s returned the very tidy bowling analysis of 4.2.3.0. Digger Duggan, a longstanding doughty opponent of CRH had the even more impressive analysis of 3.1.4.3. Philip Gallagher top-scored for CRG with 21, CRG mustering a total of only 61. The first match was won by Almeley by 65 runs.

The second match was much closer. CRG batted first, with both Ollie and James Powell retiring on 25, and CRG finished on 118 for 7. In a tight finish, Almeley won by four wickets with only one ball to spare. The pick of the CRG bowlers was Ollie Penney, who took 3 for 20. There were some fine CRG catches, including one by CRG newcomer, Steven Mapp, on the boundary, one handed to save a six. Captain James Powell described it as one of the best catches he had ever seen live.

The season was notable for the enthusiastic and successful involvement of the younger players; but it is pleasing to note that alone of the old stagers it was once again Charles Gallagher who played both at Cambridge and Almeley. This year Charles’s sons, Conor and Philip join their father in the CRG all-time batting averages for the first time. Appropriately for such a close family, they appear consecutively at seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth, with the senior Gallagher averaging eleven hundredths of a run more than Conor. Philip must take consolation from his being the only Gallagher appearing in the bowling averages; his most eminent victim being the then recently retired Test cricketer, Graeme Swann, in 2016.

Oliver Wise