Cricket 1885

18 CRICKET; A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME, feb .26,1885. and the highest score attached to his name in the nineteen matches in which he represented Lancashire was one of 30 at Old Trafford, against the weak bowling of Somer­ setshire. The summer of 1883, however, showed that his falling off was not due to any permanent loss of form. He opened well in the first match against Derbyshire, at Old Trafford, with a freely hit 55, and his best contribution was in the return with the same shire, at Derby, where he was this time the highest scorer with 60. His plucky hitting, too, in the second innings at Old Trafford, against Surrey, did much to turn a game, which when he came in looked most hopeful for Surrey, in favour of his side. Against Oxford at Oxford he played good cricket for 34 and 52, but this was only one of several good performances, and his average of 21 for 15 matches, was a very respectable one. Briggs opened last season in brilliant style with a finely hit innings of 74 against M.C.C. and Ground at Lord’s, and this he followed up with a still more noteworthy display in the next match. His hitting, indeed, against Derbyshire at Manchester, was particularly vigorous, and he made as many as 112, his first hundred for the County, out of 172 while he was in without a chance. Throughout the season he played consistently good cricket, and few finer displays of batting were seen than his first innings for Lancashire against Yorkshire, in Allen Hill’s benefit match, when he contributed 75 not out, to the total of 170. His form last season was qnite good enough to give him a chance in some of the representative contests, and he played in all five times against the Austra­ lians, in addition to the Lancashire match. He helped the Players against them both at Sheffield and the Oval, besides representing the North at Manchester, and was also selected as one of the Players in the match against the Gentlemen on the Surrey Ground, his debut in this important fixture. When it was announced that Shaw, Shrewsbury and Lillywhite had chosen him as one of the team to visit Australia during the present winter, their choice was generally regarded as a wise one, and so it has proved. He started well indeed with scores of 12 and 31 not out in the opening match at Adelaide, and some generally good scoring culminated in a most brilliant innings of 121 against the combined eleven of Australia, on New Year’s day, one in which he gave no chance till he had made 104, All round, taking his exceptionally fine fielding also into account, he has proved one of the most useful mem­ bers of the team now starringin the Colonies. In describing Briggs’ brilliant innings against the Combined Eleven of Australia, the cor­ respondent of the Sporting Life claims him to be “ the finest hitter for his inches in the world.” Those who have seen much of his play will admit that there is little, if any, exaggeration in this assertion. When set he bats with extraordinary freedom, and his hit­ ting, particularly on the off-side, is very clean and hard. On a fast wicket he is, against any bowling, a very dangerous bats­ man. In the field he is exceptionally good, and at cover-point has few, if any superiors, his return being especially smart. He bowls fast round-arm, left, with a slight break from leg, but in this department has yet done little. An exceedingly well-conducted youngster, Briggs is very popular among cricketers of all classes. C bicket , of March 26, will contain portrait and biography of M b . C. E. H orheb (Surrey). LAW CLUB. A most jovial and unceremonious evening was spent on Friday, February 6, at the Freemasons’ Tavern, by the members of the Law Club and their friends, on the occasion of their annual Smoking Concert. In a oompany numbering nearly 200, and comprising learned counsel of all ages (and sizes), and well-known and little-known solicitors, officials of the Royal Courts of Justice—and cricketers all (or most)—it is impossible to individualise, but “ we” were there. Amongst other appropriate items of the programme was a sketeh written by Mr. E. F, Turner for the occasion, and read by him. It was entitled “ A Law Club Scratch Match,” and by his kind permission we give a few extracts :— “ The judicial, official, and professional elements were strongly represented in both elevens. Fielding at square-leg, I noticed at once Mr. Baron Huddle­ ston. Several ladies were seated on a bench be*ide him, and with characteristic thoughtfalness he had placed an office copy of the Laws of Cricket in his Belt. Carrying my eye beyond him, I noticed the lithesome form of Mr. Pope, Q.C., at long off, while Vice-Chancellor Bacon was equally conspicuous for his agility at cover-point. The towering frame of Lord Justice Cotton at short-leg, and the deep-toned voice of Lord Justice Bowen as third man, could not be mistaken. “ The Lord Chief Justice of England had himself,1was informed, intended to take part in the game, but having been detained at home by urgent domestic affairs, a gentleman who happened to be on the ground in person, and whose name I understood was Adams, very kindly took his place in the field. This led to rather a curious incident in th^ course of the game. A catch was hit very hard to point, which Mr. Adams secured (though it nearly knocked him over), but the batsman not wishing to leave the wicket, where he had greatly en­ joyed himself, appealed to the umpire at that end, who happened to be Mr. Justice Manisty. That learned judge at once called the eleven in the field and the umpire at the other end, making twelve in all, together, and addressed them thus:—‘ Gentlemen, I have the highest possible opinion of your impartiality, your patriotism, your knowledge of the game, your unflinching resolution never to call a ball which is not a bump ball a bump ball, or any ofher opprobrious name, but to do your duty without fear er favour. I auk you, in full reliance on your noble qualities, and with a most confident belief in your infallibility, was this a catch or n o t? ’ To this stirring apreal the twelve replied as one man, ‘ It was.’ *Then,’ said Mr. Justice Manisty, ‘ all I’ve got to say is, It’s not out I ’ The Master of the Rolls was batting at one end, and every hit made by him was vociferously applauded by a veiled lady, who persisted in standing within the play, and would not even listen to the threats and entreaties of Mr. Justice Wills, who was long stopping. When she was ultimately turned out she turned out to be Mrs. Weldon. “ In a corner of the ground remote from the match pitch several players were practising. Among them I observed that Mr. Marriott, Q.C., who was bowling to Mr, Robert Romer, Q.C., knocked the latter’s middle stump clean out of the ground with a *Yorker,’ or as he for some reason facetiously termed it, a 4Brightoner.’ Mr. Romer, who seemed a little vexed, said it was all very well, but it was impossible to play a fellow who used always to bowl slows with his left and now bowled break backs with his right, and that he (Mr. Romer) should turn it up and go and practise with Chitty and Macnaghten.” A glee party of the Moray Minstrels were there, and sang as only they can. It is needless to say they were much applauded, as was also Mr. F. C. Coxhead, of Free Forester renown, with his comic songs ; Mr. H. F. Dickens (son of the author), who recited an extract from “ David Copperfield,” and, last but not least, the Chairman himself, who brought the house down with “ Old King Cole.” Mr. Foster Cooke, one of the first, if no* the first, amateur violoncello players of the day, played two pieces most exquisitely, and a most enjoy­ able evening was brought to a close about 11 o’clock. O n Dec. 13, at Christ Church (N.Z.), for Addington v. United, Hailey took all nine wickets in latter’s first innings. One bats­ man was absent. O n Dec. 13, at Auckland (N.Z.), W. E. Barton scored 190 for Auckland against United. In a match between the second elevens of the same clubs his brother, H. O. Barton, made 100. “ N ew C ricket P hotograph ,” just published, containing portraits of ninety of the leading cricketers of England. Cabinets, Is.; large size (lOin. by Tgin.), 2s. 6d. “ It is one of the best things I have seen.”— Sheffield Daily Telegraj. h. “ The best shillingsworth ever entered at Stationers Hall.”— Cricketer's Herald. “ The likenesses generally are excellent.'’— Cricket . —M. Huser, 28, Church Street, Sheffield,—(Advt) BICKLEY PARK CLUB. Mav 1, at Biciley Park, v. Mr. Leslie Wilson’s Eleven May 2, at Bickley Park, v. Upper Tooting May 9, at Biokley Park, v. Beckenham May 16, at Plaistow, v. Plaistow May 28, at Bickley Park, v. Esher May 25, at Bickley Park, v. Crystal Palace May 80, at Bickley Park, v. Blackheath Morden June 6, at Wormwood Scrubs, v. Kensington Park June 10, at Bickley Park, v. Guy’s Hospital Juno 18, at Bickley Park, v. Kensington Park (return) June 19,20, at Richmond, v. Richmond June 24, at Bickley Park, v. Ne’er-do-Weels June 27, at Farningham, v. Farningham July 4, at Bickley Park, v. Bexley July 6, 7, at Bickley Park, v. Incogniti July 8, 9, at Bickley Park, v. B.B.’s July 10,11, at Bickley Park, v. Richmond (return) July 18, at Beckenham, v. Beckenham (return) July 21, at Bickley Park, v. Law Club July 25, at Bickley Park, v. Plaistow (return) Aug. 1, at Bickley Park, v. Farningham (return) Aug. 2, at Bickley Park, v. Chatham House Wanderers Aug. 8, at the Palace, v. Crystal Palace (return) Aug. 15, at Bexley, v, Bexley (return) Aug, 22, at Bickley Park, v. Mote Park Aug- 29, at Tooting, v. Upper Tooting (return) The annual week will commence on July 6, and will bo formed of three two-day matches against the Incog­ niti, Band of Brothers, and Richmond. Mr. W. B. Pattisson, The Graylings, Beckenham, is now the Hon. Sec., vice Mr. B. H. Latter resigned. S. Apted is for the twelfth year the professional to the Club. HORNSEY CLUB. April 25, at Hornsey, opening match May 2, at Blackheath, v. Blackheath Morden May 9, at Hornsey, v. Hampstead May 16, at Hornsey, v. City Ramblers May 16, at Highgate, v. Highgate School May 19, at Willesden, v. Law Club May 28, at Bruce Castle, v. Bruce Castle May 28, at Hornsey* v. University College School May 25, at Hornsey, v. Hampstead Nondescripts May 80, at Hornsey, v. Upper Clapton May 80, at Finchley,v. Christ’s College Juno 3, at Richmond, v. Richmohd June 6, at Hornsey, v, Upton Park June 6, at Tottenham, v. Trafalgar Juno 9, at Hornsey, v. M.C.C. June 18, at Clapton, v. Clapton June 18, at Hornsey, v. Christ’s College June 16, at Hornsey, v. British Museum, Mr. Tate’s Eleven June 20, at Willesden, v. Willesden June 20, at Hornsey, v. Highgate June 27, at Upper Clapton, v. Upper Clapton July 2, at Hornsey, v. Stoics July 4, at Hornsey, v. Clapton July 4, at Finsbury, v. Hon. Artillery Co. July 11, at Southgate, v. Southgate July 11, at Hornsey, v. University College School July 18, at Wanstead, v, Wanstead July 18, at Hornsey, v. Upton Park July 21, at Finchley, v. Finchley July 25, at Hampstead, v. Hampstead July 25, at Hornsey, v. Trafalgar Aug. 1, at Acton, v. Pallingswick Aug, 8, at Hornsey, v. Finchley Aug. 8, at Highbury, v. Highbury Aug. 8, at Hornsey, v. Willesden Aug. 11, at Hornsey, v. Bank of England Aug. 15, at Hornsey, v. Southgate Aug. 18, at Guildford, v. Guildford Aug. 22, at Hornsey, v. Highbury Aug. 22, at Highgate School Ground, v. Highgate Aug. 29, at Hornsey, v. Hon. Artillery Co. Sept. 5, at Hornsey, v. Blackheath Morden Sept. 12, at Hornsey, v. Pallingswick Geo. C. Rayner, Hon. Sec., 10, Osborne Road, Stroud Green, N. The C ricket F ield. By Rev. James Pycroft. The Standard Work on the Game. Cheap edition, just out, cloth bound, price 2s. 6d. , post free, 2s. 9d. Contains :—Origin of the Game of Cricket; The General Character of Cricket; The Hambledon Club and the Old Players ; Cricket generally established as a National Game by the end of the last Century ; First Twenty Years of the Present Century ; A Dark Chapter in the History of Cricket; The Surrey—its History ; The Zingari—thtir Origin ; Battalogia, or •the Science and Art of Batting; Hints against Slow Bowling ; A Chapter on Bowling ; Hints on Fielding ; The Gentlemen and Players Matches to end of 1883.— Wright and Co. (Cricket Press), 41, St. Andrew’s Hill, Doctors’ Commons, London, E.C. R eading O ases — (cloth boards) for holding four numbers of C ricket , 2 s ., can be had at the office, 41, St. Andrew’s-hill, Doctors’ Commons, E.C. Next issue of Cricket March 26-