History of Bucks CCC

first attempts had been made at forming a county club in 1864, SDMaul had played for Uppingham in 1876 and shortly after joining the Army had made 217 for Sandhurst against Woolwich. A powerful batsman, he averaged 25.94 in a Bucks career that ended in 1902. There were tantalising glimpses of talent from young players who made fleeting appearances. FH Mitchell burst on the scene in 1897, the year in which he had captained Eton. The son of RAH Mitchell, young Frank Mitchell made 98 not out against Hertfordshire at Aylesbury in his first match, but could play only six more times, scoring 96 against Wiltshire in 1899, when he shared in a fourth wicket stand of 205 with Wright, still a Bucks record. Mitchell played only three matches for Oxford, where he made more impact on the golf course, winning his blue and going on to become an England international. In later life he became Assistant Private Secretary to King George VI and earned a knighthood. The Hon CW Cavendish, son of Lord Chesham, one of the County Club’s first vice-presidents, made a promising start in 1898. He scored 32 and 87 in his first match, against Hertfordshire at Watford, but after just two more appearances, which were much less successful, he played no more and at the AGM in 1902 members heard of his death in the Boer War. Lord Dalmeny, who had made his debut for Bucks in 1899, played in five matches in 1900, his last year at Eton. Despite a good school record he made few runs for the county, averaging no more than 11.89 from seven matches, but reports suggest that he was the star fielder. He was later to play briefly for Middlesex before moving in1903 to Surrey, for whom he made two centuries. He took over the captaincy of Surrey in 1905 and was always proud to recall that during his three years in charge he was responsible for awarding Jack Hobbs his county cap. In 1929 he succeeded his father, a former prime minister, to the title of Lord Rosebery. Many years later he was president of Surrey and of MCC, and he lived to the age of 92, still able to recall his days of playing for Bucks. He died at his home at Mentmore House in1974, leaving a fortune of nearly £10 million. Like other minor counties in the early days, the Bucks selectors were quick to find a place in the team for local clergy. By 1914 eight ordained ministers had played for the county. The Rev ED Shaw had the best credentials; an Oxford blue, he played once for Middlesex. The Rev LGBJ Ford brought most initials to the team and a few runs. Another who could point to an isolated half-century was the Rev Francis Symes-Thompson, an occasional wicket-keeper, who had made just one appearance for the university at Oxford. A lesser light, but one whose name crops up in countless friendly matches was the Rev SWR Holbrooke. For the county he achieved precious little with bat or ball. It may be a flight of fancy, but the score card recording him as absent for the first innings of the Hertfordshire match at Aylesbury in 1904 suggests a man ever willing to answer a last minute summons to make up the numbers. Was there someone to be buried first before exchanging clerical collar for flannels? These occasional absentees speak volumes for the communication and transportation systems of the day. Another man of the cloth was CD Robinson. Cyril Robinson’s is an intriguing story. As a 22 year-old he kept wicket for Bucks in two matches of the 1895 season when The supporting cast 27 Lord Dalmeny