Cricket 1890

458 CEICKET: A WEEKLY EECOED OP THE GAME. NOV. 27, 1890. the County Clubs takes place at Lord’s, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, there is, however, little reason to doubt that the necessary particulars will be soon, if they are not already actually on the way. The names of those who are likely to constitute the team will, I should assume, be forth­ coming at the same time. OLD SURREY CRICKETERS. T he following interesting sketch of some of the famous old cricketers of the past, more particularly associated with the Redhill and Reigate district, appeared in a recent number of the Surrey Gazette : It is superfluous to say that Surrey is, and has been for many years, the natural home and the nursery-ground of English cricket, and no one will dispute that the justly pre-eminent position which our county has attained among cricket-play- ing counties has been won by the match­ less skill of our batsmen and the all­ round excellence in all points of the game of the most popular players for the Surrey Club. But it is not generally known, except perhaps among those who take something more than a theoretical interest in the game, that Reigate and Redhill from the very earliest history of cricket— when historians began to collect materials about notable players and notable matches—were honourably associated with first-class cricket, and have con­ tributed some of the most famous players who adorn the pages of cricketing annals. From a varied library o f works on cricket—many of them extremely rare and valuable—compiled by that indus­ trious and assiduous collector, Mr. Thomas Padwick, of Station-road, Red­ hill, we have extracted, by the kindness of the owner, some interesting informa­ tion about famous local cricketers which is not easily accessible to the ordinary lover of the game. To begin with, there was Lambert, who was the cricketer of his day, and whose equal has not been produced since. He died in 185J, at the age of 72 years. By the chroniclers of cricket he is spoken of as one of the most successful cricketers that has ever yet appeared, excelling, as he did, in batting, fielding, and wicket-keeping, and also m single-wicket playing. His batting—he always raised his bat over his shoulder—was tremendous, his chief aim being to take the ball at the pitch, and the bowler, instead of attacking him, always seemed at his mercy. It must, however,^ be observed (as was the case with cricketers of former days) that he had during the greater part of his career smaller wickets to defend than were afterwards used, as well as having only underhand bowling to contend against. He is the only cricketer, we are told, who has made 100 twice in the same match (Grace is the only cricketer who has since emulated Lambert), which feat he per­ formed in 1817, scoring 107 not out, and 157, against two of the best bowlers of the day, E. H. Budd and Howard. He was also a famous single-wicket player, and it is recorded of him that in 1800 he played a single-wicket match at Godstone against a Reigate man, who failed to get him out after two whole days’ play. The match was brought about in a somewhat amusing way. Some repre­ sentatives of the Old Bank at Reigate— it was then Neale’s Bank—went over to Godstone. They went into the White Hart—now the popular hostelry known as the Clayton Arms—and the conversa­ tion turned upon cricket. One of the Godstone men informed the visitors that they had a “ b o y ” there who could play any Reigate man. A single-wicket match was accordingly arranged, Lambert and Holcombe, two Godstone youths, oppos­ ing Neale, Sparks, and Moore from Reigate. For two whole days these Godstone youths remained at the wickets, and successfully defied the Reigate men, who were so disgusted with the state of affairs that they failed to turn up the third day. Lambert made 75 in the second innings, receiving 530 balls, and making 459 hits. He scored more than the three Reigate men, besides bowling five wickets out of six. This match was practically the commencement of his career as a cricketer. His bowling was rather slow, but was very successful, being an approach to round, his arm being slightly extended from his side; in fact, it was a high underhand delivery, twist­ ing in from the leg side. His fielding was also very fine, he having huge hands (described as resembling legs of mutton), which was a great advantage to him. This great cricketer has been surpassed by few. His name will be found in the great matches at Lord’s up to 1817, and after that he was not allowed to appear at that ground any more owing to his having (atleastso it is said) “ sold” the England v. Nottingham match of that year by not playing his best. He, however, continued to participate in minor matches at Reigate and the vicinity till he was CO years of age, but the scores of them are nearly all lost. His actual last match took place, it is believed, in 1837, at Crabbett Park, Worth, the seat of the Blunt family. About 1837-8-9 his son Alfred played for Reigate, and owing to the absence of initials in the old scores it is sometimes impossible to say which of the two was playing. Lambert the elder lived at Nut­ field, where he followed the occupation of a miller, and he was also in the fuller’s earth trade. He was also a great bell- ringer. He died at the top of Linkfield- lane, Redhill, on April 1J, 1851, but no tombstone has been erected to this famous man. Mr. Padwick has also gleaned some interesting particulars ahout Lam­ bert from local residents who remember him. "While engaged in the Fuller’s earth trade at Nutfield, he had many business transactions with Dr. Grece’s father, who lived at Chart Lodge ; in fact, he purchased from him the stone with which he built the “ Prince of Wales.” At Outwood, Dr. Grece has a distinct recollection of Lambert, whom he saw play about the year 1850. Mr. John Moody, of the Greyhound Hotel,Brighton- road, Redhill, also well remembers Lam­ bert when he was in business at Nutfield. At that time Mr. Moody was serving his apprenticeship at the old smithy opposite the Crown Inn, Nutfield, upon which now stands the lodge leading to Mr. James Hudson’s residence. Lambert frequently brought his horses to be shod there, and during the interval of waiting. Mr. Moody used to bowl to him. There was also at that time a farmer living at Wiggey who boasted of being a sportsman, and he made a match between Lambert and another man at single-wicket. Lambert easily eame off victorious. As to his relatives, it is known that his parents kept what was called a pig farm at Out­ wood, and Lambert and his sister used to play cricket on Outwood common. Reigate has also produced another great cricketer in the person of William Caffyn, who is still alive and hearty, and resides at Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire. He was born at Reigate on the 2nd Feb­ ruary, 1826, and was one of the best bats England ever produced. He was mostly known for his splendid cuts from the wrist. During his career he made some enormous innings, several of over 100, and has also topped 150 more than once; a feat performed by few modern players. His style of playing was also very elegant. His bowlingwasround arm. Caffyn played at all the important matches for his county, and has been justly styled one of the most accomplished cricketers ever seen. In 1860 he was at Winchester instructing the school eleven there. In the spring of last year, by the instrumen­ tality of Mr. Padwick, Caffyn, who was in somewhat reduced circumstances, secured an annuity of 15s. per week from the Surrey County Club. Thomas White, of Reigate, or “ Shock,” and also “ Daddy,” as he was called, was also a noted cricketer about the year 1772. He was a stoutly made man, and his average in the few matches in which his name is found is very good. He was also a successful change bowler. He is the cricketer of whom it is recorded about the year 1776, he brought a bat to play with in a match, it being the width of the stumps. He successfully defended his wicket from the bowler, and, in consequence, a law was passed by the Hambledon Club (then the law-givers) limiting the future width of the bat to four inches and a-half, and an iron frame statute-width was constructed for and kept by that club, through which bats of sus­ pected dimensions were passed and allowed or rejected accordingly. He was a great admirer of the noble game, and used to frequent all the great matches in the vicinity of Reigate up to the time of his death. His tombstone stands in Rei­ gate chuchyard. It is also on record that in the first recorded match a Reigate man, Dingate by name (probably Dungate, of whom several by that name still live in Reigate) played for All England against Kent on the Artillery Ground, London, in 1746. There are also many other noted local cricketers who deserve mention had our space permitted. For instance, there was Mr. Martingale (uncle of Mr. John Mar­ tingale, connected with the management of Laker’s hostelry), who was one of the best round arm bowlers of his day. Mr. W. W. Read, of Eeigate, is so much in NEXT ISSUE, DECEMBER 27s