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Jack Lovell, 1994-2024

Demijohns bitterly regret to announce the untimely and wholly unfair passing of St John’s College, Oxford alumnus and Demijohns club member Jack Lovell in January 2024 shortly after summiting Mt Kilimanjaro. Jack was a joy to be around and his loss has been keenly felt by all Demijohns with whom he played. We have extremely fond memories from his debut DJs tour of Menorca in 2022 during which he impressed with the ball (taking 2 wickets and deserving more), bat, and in the field despite sweltering heat. Jack always entertained at the post-match debrief with his infectiously positive attitude towards life and towards cricket which was much needed in the modern Demijohns era. Sadly Jack’s DJs career was cut far too short at just 5 appearances; we are sure he was to be a DJs force for the ages. Such was Jack’s contribution to his maiden Demijohns overseas tour, this year the club has inaugurated the Jack Lovell Cup – a trophy to be awarded annually to the touring Demijohn who is able to most closely invoke Jack’s cricketing talent, impish charm, and enthusiasm for the social side of touring cricket.

Jack’s funeral was attended on Friday 16th February 2024 by Demijohns President Ian Davies and wife Sara, and Honorary Club Life Member and Groundsman Ian Madden and partner Tara. Jack’s parents Debbie and Steve have advised that there will be a memorial match at Jack’s local club Felbridge & Sunnyside CC in East Grinstead on Sunday 21st July 2024 that all would be welcome to attend and spectate. Donations can be made in Jack’s memory at the link here.

Jack (bottom row, third from left) on tour with the Demijohns to Menorca Cricket Club, May 2022
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Winning return following COVID-19 enforced break

Following the cancellation of the bulk of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, an uncharacteristically youthful Demijohns began their 2020 season with a four-wicket win at Pinkneys Green Cricket Club.

Despite his cricketing whites not surviving the off-season, James Earle starred with the ball, at one point having taken three wickets without conceding a run, and finishing with figures of 8-3-20-5. After some lusty blows from Darling, Andrew Dean saw the Demijohns home with an unbeaten 74 and seven overs in hand.

Demijohns v Pinkneys Green
Pinkneys Green Cricket Club, Sunday 16 August 2020

Pinkneys Green 155 (Earle 8-3-20-5, Haines 5-1-21-2)
Demijohns 156 for 6 (Dean 74*, Darling 28)

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Demijohns break 2019 duck

The Demijohns chalked up their first win of the season against The Village, chasing down 180 with two wickets to spare.

Demijohns v The Village
St John’s College, Saturday 29 June 2019

The Village 180 (Ritter 4-0-23-3)
Demijohns 181 for 8 dec (Narayan 33, Bachelor 28, Ritter 27)

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Batting collapse x2

The Demijohns suffered two heavy defeats in their double-header this weekend, perhaps drawing inspiration from recent English efforts in the World Cup.

Saturday’s game against Mermaids saw Demijohns Club Captain Tom Parsons score a magnificent century. Unfortunately, it was for the opposition. Mermaids posted 241 all out. In reply, Demijohns were bowled out for 75: our lowest score in ten years.

On Sunday, Hetairoi batted first and declared their innings closed on 223 for 7. Demijohns were bowled out for 118.

In a weekend with few highlights on the field, Jonny Golec’s bowling (with a return of 20-2-77-6) and Tom Ritter (52 of our 193 runs, and 8-2-39-3) stood out.

Demijohns v Mermaids
St John’s College, Saturday 22 June 2019

Mermaids 241 all out (Golec 9-0-45-3, Close 4.1-0-31-3)
Demijohns 75 all out (Ritter 26, Heaton 23)

Demijohns v Hetairoi
St John’s College, Sunday 23 June 2019

Hetairoi 223 for 7 dec (Golec 11-2-32-3)
Demijohns 118 (Ritter 36)

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Close, but no cigar

The Demijohns bagged a brace of ‘winning draws’ in their double-header this weekend.

Saturday’s game against Phene Philanderers saw a swashbuckling opening partnership between Dyson and Darling, with the score racing to 134 for 0 off 20 overs. (And yes, they were batting).

The Demijohns drew their innings to a close on 215 for 8, and despite the best efforts of Jonny Golec (10-2-45-5), were unable to wrap up the Phene innings.

With Sunday came Salix, and a strange case of deja vu. This time it was a strong fourth wicket partnership between Bachelor and Adams that saw the Demijohns through to 231 for 5, before a Salix stonewall saw them through to the draw with three wickets in hand.

Demijohns v Phene Philanderers
St John’s College, Saturday 1 June 2019

Demijohns 215 for 8 dec (Dyson 64, Darling 62)
Phene Philanderers 163 for 7 (Golec 10-2-45-5)

Demijohns v Salix
St John’s College, Sunday 2 June 2019

Demijohns 231 for 5 dec (Bachelor 78, Adams 48)
Salix 130 for 7 (Ritter 5-1-19-3, Lucas 6-0-42-2)

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Seven-wicket loss to Further Friars

A patient 61 for skipper Bachelor can’t prevent the Demijohns falling to a 7-wicket loss at home against Further Friars.

Demijohns v Further Friars
St John’s College, Saturday 25 May 2019

Demijohns 222 for 8 dec (Bachelor 61, Darling 42)
Further Friars 226 for 3 (Heaton 6-1-31-1)

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Demijohns open 2019 season with loss

Despite a 61-ball 111 for skipper Adams, the Demijohns fell to a 114 run defeat in their 2019 season opener against St John’s College.

Demijohns v St John’s College
St John’s College, Saturday 4 May 2019

St John’s 350 for 8 (Balijaa 7-0-31-3, Darling 5-1-31-2)
Demijohns 246 all out (Adams 111)