Great Cricket Matches 1772-1800

Supplementary Notes Kent v Surrey (page 40): 19 July 1773 Kent v Surrey (page 42): 16 August 1773 The two matches between Kent and Surrey, at Bishopsbourne on 19 July and Sevenoaks Vine on 16 August, were the subject of two lengthy poems that provide a great deal of interesting information, besides casting light on a cricketing controversy of the time. The first poem, Surrey Triumphant or the Kentishmen’s Defeat , by Rev J.Duncombe, curate of Sundridge, was written (as its title suggests) to celebrate Surrey’s success in the match at Bishopsbourne. This poem is printed in full in Scores and Biographies (page 9). It provoked a riposte in the form of The Kentish Cricketers , by ‘A Gentleman’, which alleges that Surrey had won the match only by dubious means. The poem claims that Surrey, on winning the toss, had opted to pitch the wickets in a hollow rather than on a level part of the ground as convention required. Fortune, the Power to SURRY gave, The Ground to chuse they’d wish to have: Far from the usual Place of Play They pitch’d the wickets for the Day Surrey, having won the toss, had choice of innings as well as ground, and batted first. The Whole of SURRY ’s skilful ’leven, Were out for Notches Seventy-seven. But when the KENTISH Men went in, Reason confess’d they could not win; For honest Lumpey did allow, He could not pitch but o’er a Brow: And KENTISH Sportsmen said, that they, Deep in a HOLE could never play. So SURRY did the Victory gain, By LUMPY, FORTUNE, ART, and RAIN. After this defeat Kent’s patron, the Duke of Dorset, challenged Surrey to a second match. The poem takes up the account. But, Oh, dire Omen! SURRY found, Fortune gave KENT the Choice of Ground; And Simmons sallied forth to pace The level Turf, the fairest Place: Candor, the KENTISH Sportsman taught, To pitch the Wickets as he ought. 274