OS Cricket - Saracens

The Shrewsbury Saracens is the cricket club of the alumni of Shrewsbury School and carries on the rich cricketing history of the School.

The Saracens play competitively in the annual Cricketer Cup competition which in 2017 marked its 50th anniversary with a dinner attended by over 30 Saracens. Additionally, the Saracens play fixtures against the School 1st & 2nd XIs, against Shepherd’s Bush CC in London and cap the season with the annual week-long tour to North Devon Cricket in Instow, a tour that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the coming years.

Shrewsbury has produced many first class cricketers and most have played with distinction for the Saracens. Nick Pocock (O 1965-70) (Hampshire) and Tim Lamb (SH 1966-71) (Middlesex & Northamptonshire) both contributed heavily as the Saracens won their first Cricketer Cup Final with a comprehensive victory in 1977 against Oundle Rovers. Ten years later in 1988, Lamb was again in the wickets as Old Cliftonians were beaten by 58 runs in the Final. Narrow defeats in the 1988 (by 19 runs) and 1989 (by 8 runs) finals, both against Oundle Rovers preceded a barren few years for the Saracens but in 2012, we again lifted the trophy with a crushing defeat of Harrow Wanderers where Stephen Barnard (Rb 2009-11) shone with figures of 5-31.

Recent England International James Taylor (R 2003-08) leads the way in terms of Salopian men's cricketing achievements with 7 England Test caps and 27 One-Day International appearances as well as captaining both Nottinghamshire and England Lions until his burgeoning career was cruelly cut short through illness. James remains a big supporter of the Saracens and until his retirement had played several times for us.

Current first-class cricketers include Joe Leach (M 2004-09) (c) & Ed Barnard (PH 2012-14) (Worcestershire CCC), David Lloyd (G 2008-10) & Ruaidhri Smith (Rt 2010-12) (Glamorgan CCC) & George Panayi (Ch 2011-16) & Ed Pollock (I 2011-13) (Warwickshire CCC).

The annual tour to Devon is a highlight in the Saracens calendar with matches against North Devon CC at their picturesque Instow ground, Somerset Stragglers at The Valley of the Rocks and against the Brasenose Strollers. The tour also includes golf days at Royal North Devon and Saunton and a well-supported dinner.