Melville. From 1932 to 1934 Sussex were runners-up and they looked certain to take the title in the final year before blowing up towards the end. The Whitsun crowd saw Duleep at his best in 1930 when he made hundreds in each innings at Lord’s, Harry Enthoven achieving a similar feat. Two more Middlesex amateurs, the fast bowling all rounder Gubby Allen and the leg spinner Ian Peebles routed the Sussex batsmen at Hove that year but the southern county’s high placings in the table were reflected by decisive victories at Hove in 1931 and 1932, Tate having a match analysis of 13-58 and making 50 in the latter game. All of this was to pale before Sussex’s performance at Hove during the August Bank Holiday match of 1933. Middlesex had won the Whitsuntide game by an innings after some fine all-round cricket from Allen. But, despite the quality of the amateurs who flitted in and out and the continuing success of Hendren and Hearne, they were now the poor relations in such fixtures. Both Bank Holidays enjoyed scorching weather in 1933 and batsmen took full advantage. The Sussex innings at Hove was opened by Bowley, who was in his 44th year and his final full season. His partner was John Langridge, younger of the two brothers, and the Middlesex bowling was mastered from the start, with Bowley scoring at a rapid rate. He reached 50 out of 82 in the first hour, passing his century 15 minutes after the lunch interval. “All the bowling, on a wicket that seemed cruelly insensitive, was uniformly innocuous,” reported The Daily Telegraph . “Nevinson, in between some rather expensive intervals, gave moments of discomfort and Haig slaved with great industry for long profitless periods. Allen, who owing to injured ribs, had been rested, was conscripted at 98, but neither his fiery onslaught nor the new ball brought any relief.” By teatime Bowley and Langridge had taken the total to 355. The 400 went up after five hours and speculation began about the possibility of a new record exceeding the 555 posted by Holmes and Sutcliffe at Leyton a year earlier. Close of play was normally at 6.30pm but it had been arranged to continue until 7pm. Three minutes after half-past six, the leg spinner Jim Sims trapped Langridge lbw for 195 (16 fours), with the total on 490. Sussex lost two more wickets in the extra half-hour and closed at 512 for three. Bowley was caught by Joe Hulme for 283, having struck two sixes, a five and 23 fours. The Daily Telegraph described Hulme’s fielding on the boundary as absolutely tireless, saying he must have saved 40 runs. Scott declared on August Bank Holiday Monday and Middlesex had a disappointing day. Hendren made 79, Haig a rapid 41 and the tail wagged but they had to follow-on 222 behind. With his second ball, Tate shattered Lee’s wicket and had Hearne leg-before first ball. Only five runs were on the board when Tate bowled Fred Price. The Sussex bowler, now in the veteran stage and forced to yield the stage to Larwood, Voce, Allen and Bowes on the recent Bodyline tour, had taken three wickets for one run. Hendren and Allen steadied the ship but Hendren fell at 45 and Middlesex closed on 92 for four. Ninety minutes sufficed on the final day to give Sussex their 14th victory of the season, although Allen resisted for two and half hours for 80. James Langridge, with cleverly flighted slow left-arm assisted by a couple of stumpings from Cornford, polished off the innings, Sussex winning by an innings and 65 runs. Gubby Allen did not forget the humiliation. A year later he wrecked the Sussex batting at Hove with eight for 58 and five for 90 although Middlesex had to hang on at the end for a draw. Lord’s and the Seaside 66