Kiran Carlson made sure Whitchurch High School remains the centre of the sporting universe as he guided Glamorgan to a crucial victory on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old batsman struck a maiden T20 half century to guide his team to a thrilling four-wicket win against Surrey at The Oval.
His innings ensured Glamorgan are still in the hunt for a quarter-final place in the Vitality Blast as the tournament reaches its halfway stage and means his old school can toast more success from another former pupil.
Geraint Thomas has illuminated sport in Wales to the far corners of the globe in the past few days by winning the Tour De France – just as his former schoolmates Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton have done in football and rugby.
Now, Carlson – a decade younger than the famous trio but another product of the school and its sports staff, led by Steve Williams – is keeping the Whitchurch HS brand in the public eye.
“It’s great for Geraint Thomas to get that win, shame about Warby having to retire,” said Carlson.
“I loved Whitchurch and my time there, I’m still in touch with my old rugby coach Steve Williams so I’m sure I’ll get a message off him.
“But there’s plenty of time to go before I even think about reaching their levels, I’ll have to keep cracking on!”
Despite being without their captain leading run-scorer Colin Ingram, the visitors extended their unbeaten run over the hosts at their London ground to seven matches as they chased down 195 in style.
Nic Maddinson’s 70 had looked to put Surrey in a commanding position at the half-way stage on a wearing pitch, but Carlson (58) and Graham Wagg changed the course of the match when they hit eight boundaries in five overs.
“We knew it was a good wicket with short boundaries and a quick outfield, so we backed ourselves,” said Carlson.
“It was nice to get over the line and pick up momentum, so hopefully we can keep on going for the rest of the campaign.
“It’s always nice to contribute, but Graham Wagg batted brilliantly and Craig Meschede’s innings at the top was priceless.”
Having chosen to bat, Surrey openers Aaron Finch and Jason Roy shared their ninth 50+ partnership of the season before the Glamorgan’s spinners struck with the pair falling in consecutive overs to Timm van der Gugten and Andrew Slater respectively.
Just as the visitors looked to have muscled their way back in to the match, Ben Foakes and Australian Maddinson found their flow, exchanging boundaries as they shared a 57-run third-wicket stand before the wicketkeeper was caught off Wagg.
The Glamorgan bowler then put down a simple return catch chance off Maddinson and missed out an easy run-out chance next ball – with the hosts’ batsmen making the most of his reprisals as his 70 off 45 balls saw Surrey post 194-4.
Captain Jade Dernbach gave the home side the perfect start, as Aneurin Donald was caught for a two-ball duck, before Tom Curran removed Usman Khawaja.
Spinner Gareth Batty was struck for three sixes by Craig Meschede but got his man as the Glamorgan batter fell for a rapid 43 off 19 balls.
Surrey looked to be on top when wicketkeeper Chris Cooke picked out Curran on the deep square leg boundary to leave the visitors 94-4 after 10 overs but Carlson and Wagg smashed 63 off 25 balls between them to turn the match back in their favour.
Veteran seamer Rikki Clarke had Carlson caught for 58 and Surrey restricted Glamorgan to just 12 runs in the next two overs to send the run rate to nine an over but Nick Selman came in and fired Curran for three boundaries in four balls as the away side reached their target in 19 overs.