The financial aspects of such games are evident from the balance sheets – in 1887 receipts from the Surrey match at Trent Bridge were almost four times the expenditure. But another balance, that of power, had shifted to The Oval and after a depressing 1888 season Nottinghamshire appointed John Dixon as captain, thus ending the reign of professionals at the helm. Dixon, who held the post for eleven years, led an ageing side in 1889 but he could hardly have got them off to a better start. At Whitsun Gunn (118) and Dixon (54) helped Nottinghamshire to a total of 308. Richardson and Frank Shacklock then routed Surrey for 98 and 57, the home side winning in two days to the delight of a match attendance of 16,870. By the time of the return at The Oval, Nottinghamshire were still unbeaten. On Monday, when the gate was 20,863, play was restricted to three hours because of rain. Only 13 runs separated the teams on the first innings and Shuter set Nottinghamshire 219 in 180 minutes on a drying pitch after Bill Lockwood had struck 83 against his native county. Lohmann (six for 22) ended their hopes, only Shrewsbury (25) resisting for long in a total of 84. The attendance of 49,935 was only about 2,000 fewer than the 1887 record. The 1889 season produced a triple tie at the head of the table between Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Surrey. The counties then agreed to regulate the competition themselves for the 1890 season, with losses deducted from wins and drawn games ignored. Again, it appeared all hinged on the August Bank Holiday match. At Whitsun, 11,366 paid on Monday, Nottinghamshire winning by 108 runs and Frank Shacklock having a match analysis of 10-145. Half-a-century later, Sydney Santall wrote of sitting in the pavilion and watching Lohmann bowl. “I can see him now, in my mind’s eye, running in to bowl with his fair hair fluttering in the breeze and that slight touch of labour in his otherwise beautiful action – a great artist and the hero of many a schoolboy in those far-off days.” Both teams had lost only once by the time The Oval match came around and it was Surrey who came out on top, winning by seven wickets after enforcing the follow-on. A Surrey double in 1891 was notable for Lockwood’s bowling at The Oval and the recall to Nottinghamshire’s colours of the 55-year-old Richard Daft after ten years in retirement to play in the same side as his son HB. Nottinghamshire’s eclipse was only temporary. They recovered much of their old form in 1892 and the rivalry touched new heights. By August Bank Holiday the two clubs were neck and neck at the top of the table, each having seven points. Nottinghamshire were unbeaten in nine matches, Surrey had played one more game but had been beaten at Trent Bridge earlier in the season. It was reflected in the August gate: 34,010 on Monday. “For nearly six hours this assemblage sat or stood doggedly watching every ball that was bowled, every stroke that was made, stolidly smoking all the while and all together,” said The Daily Graphic . Surrey struggled to 129 all out at little more than a run per over, Shacklock taking eight for 59. Nottinghamshire fared little better, 123 for eight at the close and all out for the addition of a single on the second morning. Lockwood, bowling unchanged, wrecked the innings with eight for 67. Surrey led by five but failed to recover from a bad start in which their first three wickets fell for 21. Shuter made a positive 43 but the bowling of Attewell, Shacklock and Flowers was too much for the others. Surrey, before a crowd of 29,370, were dismissed for 159. Needing 165 to win Notts made a poor start as the balance of this bitter struggle swung once again. Shrewsbury and Dixon were back in the pavilion with only 12 scored but Gunn and Barnes added 94 and Nottinghamshire closed at 109 for three. Seven wickets left, only 56 required on the final day but Surrey were not yet done. At 120 for five there was a sniff of victory but although Lockwood and Clash of Titans 30