As Cricket Week 2025 takes place, we chat to the man responsible for its organisation over the past 20 years  – Tom Moulton
(Fleur-de-Lys – 1986)

Cricket Week was founded in 1920 by M. A. Pitcher. Since then, it has had only two further managers: George Hill (Former Staff and Chevron – 1951), who ran it from 1973 until 2005, and the current manager, Tom Moulton, who succeeded him.

We caught up with Tom just before this year’s Cricket Week to learn more about this cherished OJ tradition and the man responsible for keeping it alive. Cricket Week takes place every August, with the OJs playing a variety of opposition, including other alumni sides such as the Eton Ramblers and Old Rossallians, as well as wandering teams like the Sussex Martlets - a fixture since 1922. In addition to Cricket Week, the OJ side also plays against Hurst each May, and competes in the Cricketer Cup in June, a competition involving 36 alumni teams.

Tom explained that his connection to Cricket Week began early. His father, Roger Moulton, taught at Hurst for many years and, as a boy, Tom was always involved in the week’s events. Upon leaving the College in 1986, it was only natural that he began playing straight away. Though originally a male-only event, Tom emphasises that what makes Hurst’s Cricket Week so special is its sense of community. The week brings together not just OJs, but also their friends and families, many of whom camp on Manyweathers to watch and support the matches. This inclusive, family-oriented atmosphere is largely thanks to George Hill. When he became Head at Llandaff School in the 1970s, he wanted to continue attending Cricket Week - so he brought along his caravan, and his family too.

Tom also shared some of Cricket Week’s enduring traditions, including the legendary "Duck Club", for players who score zero in a match, and humorous awards like ‘Duck of the Year’ and ‘Best Dropped Catch’. He's passionate about encouraging young players - both boys and girls - to join the OJ side. A recent donation from Tony Travers (Martlet – 1964) has helped support this, funding attendance for players under 25.

Over the years, there have been some unforgettable moments. In 1985, torrential rain forced the week to be abandoned by the Wednesday, with Neil Sayers (former Head Groundsman) towing stranded cars off Manyweathers. The 2020 Centenary was marked by a Celebration Dinner at Lord’s - but sadly, due to Covid, the actual Cricket Week was cancelled for the first time since World War II. Tom also fondly remembers two standout matches. In August 1984, the OHJ side played the Buccaneers who batted first and made 218. The OJs went out to bat and the first three balls of the innings saw a hat-trick taken by the Buccaneers opening bowler, Richard Gwynn (victims of the hat-trick were Keith Jenkin, Bill Baxter and Alistair Subba Row).  Watching this carnage at the other end was the number two batsman, John Goodacre.  Further wickets fell, with the OJs at one stage being 40 for 6, and later on 111 for 8, but John stood firm.  He made 152 not out, adding 47 with the last man, Jeremy Rawlins (2 not out), to win a thrilling game by one wicket.

Then in 1987, the OHJs played the Eton Ramblers. The OJs batted first, with Martin Rose making 106 not out, and Clem Davey a belligerent 55.  Willie Welch declared, setting the Eton Ramblers 220 to win. An easy victory for the Ramblers looked on the cards as they reached 203 for 2.  At this point, Willie Welch had the number four, Boden, caught behind by John Bettridge (203 for 3).  The new batsman, Pettifer scored a single before being bowled by Dick Smart (204 for 4).  Nichols then holed out to Angus Stewart off Welch (205 for 5) and when opener, Robins, edged a catch off Smart to Bettridge for 141, the Ramblers had collapsed to 205 for 6 and were in some disarray.  At this point, players who had not expected to bat and had already got changed, had to hurriedly don whites and pads.  One player came out and had to hand car keys and other items from his pocket to the umpire, before taking guard.  A couple of them had wet hair having had to rush out of the shower.  The last four wickets fell for no additional score and the OJs had won by 14 runs.  The Eton Ramblers had lost their last 8 wickets for two runs in 25 balls.  As Roger Moulton says in A Tale of Three Managers, "For the old firm of Smart - four for 23 - and Welch - four for 41, this was their finest hour."

We wish our Cricketing OJs a very enjoyable week!