CH 1st XI Cricketers Pick Up Prestigious Award

Christ’s Hospital’s first XI cricket captain (2024–25), Raffy, joined Head of Cricket, Dave Messenger, and 1st XI coach, Sam Bennett-King, at Lord’s for The Forty Club Annual Dinner, where CH received the 2025 Surrey & West Sussex Forty Club Schools Award.

Since 1986, The Forty Club has recognised the school or youth team in each of its 12 UK districts that delivers the most outstanding fixture against them each season. Matches are judged on sporting values, performance, individual and team skills, conduct on and off the field and overall presentation and turnout. Detailed reports from team managers and umpires inform the shortlist, which is then reviewed by a small committee to select the district winners.

Head of Cricket, Dave Messenger, said: ‘It is a tremendous honour for the school to win this award, and testimony to the manner in which the CH 1st XI approached their cricket last summer.’ He added: ‘Sport at CH is used as a vehicle to develop individual qualities as well as skills. Within cricket we aim to help our students develop as players, but above this we support them to develop as better people.’

1st XI captain, Raffy, now at Cambridge University reading Geography, reflected on the occasion: ‘I have been to Lord’s a few times to watch cricket, but I had never stepped foot inside the Pavilion before this evening. To attend this awards presentation in the Long Room and receive the trophy on behalf of Christ’s Hospital from Chris Cowdrey was an amazing honour.’

Alongside a three-course dinner, guests enjoyed a series of entertaining and insightful speeches, notably from The Forty Club President, former Kent, Glamorgan and England cricketer Chris Cowdrey. The evening also offered an opportunity to meet heads of cricket, coaches and captains from across the 12 districts.