Old Leysian Cricket Club report

Now in its 16th season as a league-playing club, 2025 presented one of our biggest challenges yet. Having managed to cling on to our position in the top league in the Cambridgeshire system in 2024, 2025 promised to be another long campaign: 22 weeks of cricket against some of the best players in the region, dealing with long days, longer journeys, overseas professionals and a very hot, dry summer.

As always, the team brought grit and determination in spades, standing toe-to-toe against some very strong teams, and recording a number of impressive victories, including great wins against Wisbech and Saffron Walden. Sadly, however, we came second on a few too many occasions, and due to a league restructuring for the upcoming 2026 season, three teams had to be relegated, and we were the third. In terms of individual performances, special mentions go to Richard Bramley (516 runs at 64.5), Andrew Gale (387 runs also at 64.5), Andrew Bramley (30 wickets at 18.13) and Joe Gunn-Roberts (27 wickets at 20.11).

The team will return in 2026, already looking forward to a slightly slower pace of cricket, and will hopefully be back to winning ways in no time.

James Houlder, School 1996-2001

The club is always looking for new players to join our ranks, and we can offer regular cricket of a good standard, played at The Leys throughout the summer. For more information, please email James.

Third time lucky for the OL Tag Rugby Team!

The Old Leysian Tag Rugby Team spent the summer of 2025 battling the biblical downpours and punishing heat that Hyde Park invariably has to offer, in pursuit of a long-awaited piece of silverware. The joy of OL tag is seeing a mixture of Old Leysians (and friends of the School) coming together across a mix of ages – this summer we had 2018 leavers playing alongside 2010 leavers. In prior summers, the team had consecutively gone through the season undefeated only to lose in the final (against our closest and fiercest rival) and so this year, we had a clear goal in mind.

Last year, the team performed strongly through the whole summer, undefeated in our run up to the final. The 2025 final was played in both sharp heat and torrential rain, requiring a strong performance to beat our dearest adversary. Third time lucky, we managed to secure the trophy with a heroic performance – what a way to sign off a great summer! We look forward to our 2026 season and of course, welcome new recruits from the School who have ventured down to London. Please contact Dougie Turner if interested.

Dougie Turner, West 2008-13

Old Leysian Real Tennis Annual Tournament

The 10th edition of this tournament was held at Newmarket Real Tennis Club on 22 November 2025, marking a small but significant milestone in the life of this established fixture. Eight Old Leysians took part, coming together for a day that reflected both the competitive character and the enduring social appeal of the game.

The standard of play throughout was high and well matched, with matches contested in the right spirit. Good sportsmanship and camaraderie were evident on and off the court, underscoring the sense of continuity that has long characterised this gathering. In the end, Nick Lloyd and Tom Hartley emerged as worthy winners, their success earned through steady play, skill and composure.

Joel Humphrey, Captain, East 1992-97 & Mark Elliott, President, Fen 1977-82

The organisers are grateful to the School for its continued support of real tennis and of this annual tournament, which remains an important point of connection for Old Leysians. Any Old Leysian with an interest in the game, who would like to play real tennis or become involved with the club, is warmly encouraged to make contact. Please email Joel Humphrey.

Tom Hartley, North B 1981–83 (left) and Nick Lloyd, Fen 1966-71 (centre). Trophy presented by Joel Humphrey.