Cricket 1885

8 2 CRICKET; A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME, a p r i l 30 ,1885. established his reputation. His slow round- arm bowling had even then proved so suc­ cessful that he was generally regarded as likely to be a great rival for Southerton, and as, in addition, he was a wicket-keeper certainly above the average, as well as a fairly good bat, his future was secured. In the revival of Lancashire Cricket and the increasing success which followed the County Club during the next six years Watson and his comrade William McIntyre, another adopted Lancastrian, who had, rather unwisely as subsequent events proved, been practically discarded by his native shire of Notts, played a very conspicuous part. The history ofthe Lancashire Club from 1872 to 1879,indeed, is one unbroken testimony to the invaluable services rendered by the two professionals. For several seasons they bore almost the whole weight of the bowling for Lancashire, and when at their best as a pair had very few if any superiors in County Cricket. In 1873, they were credited with 107 out of 117 wickets which fell to Lancashire bowlers, and as many as 635 out of 770 overs delivered during the season were from their arms. Their best records of the year were singularly both achieved in the matches with Surrey, and neither at Manchester nor the Oval was a change of bowling required, the two keeping up their ends throughout the four innings of Surrey. The forty-eight wickets which fell to Watson in 1873 were obtained at an average cost of just ten runs, a capital performance. Mr. Appleby’s ap­ pearance in the eleven in the following season caused the Lancashire bowling to be a little more distributed, and as Watson had not quite the same chance of distinction his figures were hardly as good. It was during this season, though, that he was credited with one of his best achievements with the ball. In the opening match of the year at Old Trafford, in the first innings of Derby­ shire he was credited with all the nine wickets which fell to the bowlers, the tenth being run out. Mr. Appleby, McIntyre and Watson monopolised the Lancashire bowling in 1875, but an increase in the programme the following summer again placed the burden of the attack on the two professionals. More than one noteworthy feat was recorded to Watson during this summer, and it was essentially his effective bowling at the finish which enabled Lancashire to win a very close game at Brighton, against Sussex, with only twelve runs to spare. Several successes during the early part of 1877 brought the slow bowler of Lanca­ shire prominently before the notice of the highest authorities. In the match against Notts at Old Tafford, McIntyre and he bowled unchanged throughout, and in the first innings Watson got half the wickets at a cost of only 23 runs. Though, on the whole, his figures were rather more expensive than usual in 1877, he had no superior that year among the slow bowlers, and the executive of the Marylebone Club showed good judgment in electing him to represent the Players against the Gentlemen at Lord’s. His one appearance in the greatest contest of the year was in the memorable encounter when the plucky batting of Messrs. G. F. Grace and Patterson pulled the game thoroughly out of the fire, and gave the Gentlemen a well-deserved victory by a wicket. On this occasion the Gentlemen had an exceptionally strong batting side, sosfcrong indeed that Mr. I. D. Walker was obliged to put himself in last. Watson’s success was therefore all the more creditable, and though he only got one batsman in the second innings, in the first he was credited with five of the best wickets, including that of Mr. W. G. Grace, at a cost of only sixty runs, a very meritorious record. Mr. A. G. Steel was the most successful bowler in the Lancashire eleven of 1878 , as he was indeed in first-class cricket that summer. Still, Watson was a very good second, and he was of use, too, with the bat on more thanoneoccasion, notably againstthe Australians at Manchester, when he was the highest rnn-getter on his side with a very well played score of 31. McIntyre, Barlow, and Mr. A. G. Steel shared the bulk of the attack for Lancashire in 1879. The follow­ ing season, though, Watson w»sin undisputed possession of the first place, McIntyre having practically retired, and Mr. Steel considerably reduced his connection with County cricket. TJnder Mr. A. N. Hornby’s influence the Lancashire eleven had been steadily improv­ ing in all-round play, and the summer of 1881 witnessed their attainment of the highest honours, not one match in the pro­ gramme having ended unfavourably. Good bowling, supported by brilliant fielding, con­ tributed chiefly to this unbroken list of successes, and Watson’s capital all-round cricket was an important factor in the year’s triumphs. Though the County had no lack of bowling in 1882. with Barlow, Crossland, Nash, Mr. A. G. Steel and Watson all at work, the largest share of the work was done by the last named, and during the season he delivered altogether 935 overs for 953 runs and 77 wickets—very good figures for a bowler of his pace. Despite the generally run-getting condition of the wickets in 1883, Watson’s bowling was very successful. Among many noteworthy feats during this season his best, perhaps, was at Nottingham in the first of the two matches against Notts. Seven of the ten wickets in the second innings fell to his arm at a cost of only 36 runs ; and it was, in a great measure, his effective bowling which enabled Lancashire to claim an easy victory with nine wickets to spare. Last year he was hardly as successful with the ball, although the bowling of the county generally was not so formidable, and con­ sequently his individual exertions were more severely taxed. Still, though his figures were not so good as in previous years, Lan­ cashire would have fared very badly without him, and as many as 109 wickets were recorded to his credit during the season. There are few harder or more genuine workers on the cricket field. He is a very good slow bowler, getting a lot of spin on to the ball from the off. Having great accuracy of pitch he also uses his head well, and the slow ball which he tosses high is most deceptive. At first his batting was very crude, but he has improved considerably of late years, and he has on many an occasion rendered valuable service by his vigorous hitting and p'uckv plav. He is, too, a good field, very reliable and smart at short slip, his u-u \lposition. Since he first represented Lancashire in 1871, we believe hs has tal en part in evfry match undertaken by that County, with the exc. ption of one, when he was unable to play owing to an accident. No wonder then that the authorities at Old Trafford are determined to give him a reward suitable to his merits. The match between North and South, to be played on the County ground this summer, is only a fittingrecognition of good and honest service, and everyone will hope to hear that he has reaped a substantial reward, 'lhere is certainly no professional cricketer of the present day more respected among all classes. C bicket of next Thursday will contain a portrait and biography of Mr. M. P. Bowden, of Surrey. Mr. G. F. Vernon made his first appear­ ance at Lord’s, for Rugby School v. M.C.C. and G., in 1873. His first appearance in the Rugby and Marlborough match there was in 1874. — _ ________ LOWER CLAP ION v. PHCENIX (Upper Clapton). Played at Pond Lane on April 25. Drawn. L ower C lapton . Inwood, c A. Osmond, Basil lbw, b E.B.Wells 0 b Ransum .. .. 7 Martin, b Sansum .. 3 Crook, c A. Osmond,b Griggs .................. Filli-ton, b Griggs .. Hopkins, b Griegs .. Burton, b Griggs Stocker, b Griggs .. 9 Total .. ., 74 Dalton, c G, Osmond,b Griggs .................. P hcenix . E. Griggs, b Filliston 4 4 J. Briggs, b Burton J, T. Iliewicz,b Burton 22 Extras .. E. B. Wells, not ou t.. 14 Total A. Os nond, J. E. Sansum, G. Osmond,A. Barker, J . P. Xli ;wicz, W. J. Sowerby and A. Payne did not bat. 17 Bishop, c Griggs, b Wells.......................... Brashier, not out .. E x tras.................. 54 ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE. May 2, at R.M. College, v. Buckhurst May 2, at Aldershot, v. 7th Hussars May 9, at R.M. College, v. Civil Service May 9, at Oatlands Park, v. Oatlands Park May 23, at R.M. College, v. Royal Engineers May 23, at Crowihorne, v. Crowthome May 30, at R.M. Coll ge, v. Past R.M.C. May 30, at Hartley Row, v. Hartley Row June 6, at R.M. College, v. Harlequins June13, at Aldershot, v. Aldershot Division June 20, at R.M. College, v. Butteiflies June 20, at Cooper’s Hill, v. R.I E. College Jone 27, at R.M.College, v. M.C.C. and Ground June 27, at Reading, v. Reading July 3, 4, at R.M. College, v. Woolwich Sept. 5, at Buckhurst, v. Buckhurst Sept. 12, at R.M. College, v. Broadwater N .B .-A second match will be arranged for June 6, 13, and Sept. 5. May 9, at fctaff College, Staff College v. Staff. R.M.C. June 13, at R.M. College, Staff College v. Staff, R.M.C ST. MARK’S CLUB. May 2, at Highbury, v. St. James’ May 9, at Cheshunt, v. Cheshunt May 12,at Essex County Ground, Brentwood, v. Brent­ wood May 16, at Lower Clapton Ground, Pond Lane, v. Lower Clapton May 23, at St, Mark’s Grornd, Pond Lane, v. Ralli Bros. May 25, at Youngman’s Farm, Walthamstow, v. Auburne Mayfield May 30, at Stroud Green, v. Beaumont June 6, at St. Ma k’s Ground, v. Granville June 13, at Finchley, v. Finchley June 20, at Cheshunt, v. Cheshunt June 27, at St Mark’s Ground, v. C .liege House July 4, at Ed ronton, v. College House July 11, at St. Mark’s Ground, v. St. Jude’s July 18, at St. Mark’s Ground, v. Beaumont July 25, at Finchley, v. Finchley Aug. 1, atColveston Ground, Pond Lane, v. Colveston Aug. 3, at Youngman’ sFarm, Walthamstw , v. Evering Aug. 8, at St. Mark’s Ground, v. Finsbury Au -. 15, at Higham Hill, v. St. Judea’ Aug. 2?, at Goi-pel Oak, v. Ralli Bros. Aug. at St. Mark’s Ground, v. Lower Clapton Sept. 5, at Colve-ston Ground, Pond Lane. v. Colveston Sept. 12, at Youngman’s Farm, Walthamstow, v. Granville Sept. 19, at St. Mark’s Ground, v, R. M. Holbrrn’s X I. Sept. 26, at St. Mirk’s Ground, v. Craven P iri C ricket F w E tort S heets for sending matches to this paper can be had at the Office, 41, St. Andrew’s Hill, Doctor’s Commons. Price Id. each, or 9d. dozen. Postage extra. P laying for Teddington, v. New Malden, at Bushey Park, on April 18, A. Archer obtained seven wickets in eight overs for five runs.