Dimming of the Day

in a position to enlist (the original upper limit after all was 30 and married men were not being taken). The last match to be found in Harrow was a match played on 5 September between Harrow Derelicts and Harrow Wesleyans (!). This was the only match reported in the 11 September issue of the Harrow Observer . The Oxford Times took a decidedly different view on 15 August, I wish to make a strong appeal to those cricketers and outdoor sportsmen who are not engaged directly or indirectly, in military operations. It is to continue to indulge in their favourite pastime and so occupy to the best advantage their time. While any hilarity or excitement is to be deprecated, there can be no harm in a game of cricket, golf, tennis, etc. provided the main reason is to get healthy exercise. For this reason I, like many others, regret the precipitate action of the Airey Cup 39 committee in abandoning their competition for the season. It would have been far better to have played the matches as friendlies, charged a gate, and to give a percentage of the takings to the Mayor’s Relief Fund. In this way cricketers could have done something for their colleagues who have gone to the front and the dependants they have left behind, besides indulging in a game warranted to keep them fit for any call that might be made on them later. It is essential that we should continue our daily routine as if nothing was happening. This is the best way to help, and is far better than prejudicing our unoccupied time by prohibiting games. Of course if it can be shown that outdoor sportsmen can help their country in any other way, I am sure the suggestion has only to be made and cricketers etc. will immediately respond to the call. There is no greater patriot than the sportsman when the necessity arises. This was followed by quoting similar opinions from Athletic News and The Sportsman , and the message was reinforced the following week, I have been both surprised and delighted during this week to find the number of gentlemen of standing in the City who disapprove of the action of those misguided and selfish individuals, who tried to stop all sports, on the ground that they were invidious during the stirring times through which we are passing. When young men are not involved in war duties, they are continuing their games, and so occupying their spare time in the best possible way. In this crisis they have shown more sense than those who profess to be their leaders. This was 22 August. On 29 August it was reported that league clubs in the Oxford area were trying to finish their fixtures and a week later that they had done so. There were unfinished games but they did not affect the leading positions. On 19 September in Oxfordshire a list of local cricketers who had enlisted 39 The Airey Cup (established in 1890) continues to this day as a knockout competition for local clubs. Recreational Cricket 105