Cricket 1894

“ Together 'joined in er-ieket’s manly toil.”— Byron • Regiaterel for TransmtaBi'on^ioroad THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 1891. P B IC E 2 d. THE LONDON CLUBS — THEIR HISTORY. THE CROYDON CLUB. The history of this club shows great develop­ ment, not always rapid, but steady and well maintained, evincing sustained activity and energy in its members- It dates from 1865, from which time until November, 1875, it was known as ihe St. James’s. It had a very small beginning with very few paying members, and but a nominal subscription. Very few matches were decided the first year in a private field in Oakfield Park, and with what result is not re­ corded. In the following season the club played on Duppas Hill, and it is tvident that thus early it had in its ranks some by no means bad cricketers, for of the eight matches played, iu which was one with the Addiscombe Club, six were won, one lost, and one drawn. At that time the ofiicers of ihe club were Mr. J. F. Moon, presi­ dent ; the late Mr. John M. Phillips, captain ; Mr. Owen Phillips, trea­ sure^ Mr. A. Henman, honorary secretary,and the principal members in the field were Messrs, T. Spencer, H. Foss, W. Henman, S. Reynell, W. Rigby, and F. N. Cowell. The last named was elected honorary rf tar7 ^ 1867, a post which he tilled with great ability until the autumn of 1£74. In 1868 the club removed to Oak­ field Park. Mr. J. G. Spencer was then president, to be succeeded in the 3 ear following by Mr. G. Andrews, who held the office untii his death in 1879. Mr. Andrew?, who had in his younger days taken part in much more important lixturep, was for some seasons most successful as a lob bowler. In 1870 the club first met the Granville, a fixture ever since in- cludtd in the match lists. In addition to some of the above named Messrs. R. D. ard E. R. Wilkinson, W. A. Aris, E. R. Henry, and W. 1 . Richards took a pro­ minent part at this pericd. In 1874 the Crojdon Brunswick having broken up, the dub decided to take the Fair- held, Upon which the Brunswick had played. I here the club continued till 1878, when owing to the railway company requiring to dig out the gravel from a part of the ground another move had to be made, with the result a settlement in Whitehorse Road. Messr ^ 1 R ntnm P!? V H ? UL thia time were essrs. it. D. and E. R Wilkinson TT n Groom, C. F. Evans, R. J, Grant, and w ! A. Winton. In 1874, too, the club numbered amongst its members Mr. H. T. Allsopp, who in the following year took part in the University match at Lord’s. A notable occurrence marked the record of the club in 1878. Mr. H. A. Roper took 5 wickets for the club in 5 consecutive balls. Yet one other removal has to be chronicled, that to thepresent ground in Frant Road, which took place in 1882, the club securing a lease which has since been renewed but at a much in­ creased rental. The acquisition of this ground M r . H . R. GROOM (H o n . S ec. C r o y d o n C.C —which was subsequently and at considerable cost got into good condition—was of the ut­ most advantage to the club, and quickly attracted many new member?. About this time Mr. A , Whitehead was of great service particularly in the bowling department. Ihe excellence of the wickets has oaused many s°orea to be made. The credit of the largest individual innings for the club. 209, not out eo far belongs to Mr. J. A. Knight (who tor several years headed the batting averages). The club’s largest score is 511 for 5 wickets against the City Ramblers in 1886. During the first season on the present ground there were only 32 matches. Since then the development has been very marked, for last season 70 matches were arranged and every one was played. The results, too, were highly satisfactory, for 37 matches were won, 17 lost, and 16 drawn. During the season the club made 10 607 runs for 691 wickets, average 15.191 per wicket, and their opponents 9,62 L runs for 690 wickets, average J3.651. Mr. S. M. Tindall was top of the bitting averages with an average of 32.14, and Mr. L. J. Turner best in the bowling with an average of 9.25 for 59 wickets. For the second eleven (of which Mr. R. Archer has been captain for two seasons) Mr. C. G. May was most successful in batting, and Mr. S. J. Ching in bowling. Centuries were made bv Mr. W. T. Grant (twice) and Mr. L. de Montezuma. Messrs. C. W. M. Feist, H. W. Wheeler, J. A. Archer, and J. Whitcomb did well in batting, and Mr. Feist and Mr. J. A. Archer also in bowling. In addition to names already mentioned, the following have during the last few seasons done good service in the field, viz., Messrs. E. H. Balch, R. Biscoe, F. Hill, A. C. Dent, P. F. and A. L. Kemp, A. W. Allan, J. C. Neech, F. J. Rolls, and C. G. Paget. Mr. T . L Roberts; the much esteemed and genial president, who has filled that office during and since 1879, has ever been a staunch supporter of the club. Tne same remark applies to many other members, particularly to Messrs. R. D. and E. R. Wi.kinson (who have been members of the club almost from its commencement), M. 13. Tate, J. Aris, F. and A. Ilili H. W. Ward, and A. L. Poulter. One end of the ground is laid out in lawn tennis courts, an additional attraction to the club, and the c ub now numbers upwards of 200 members and subscribers. ,) _Much credit for the good condi­ tion of the ground is due to F. Beaumont, who has for many years been ground man and bowler. The club has been particularly fortunate in its officers. Reference has already bfen niade I to the presidents. 'rh ® ,late . Mi. John M. f i llip s wag the nrst captain. He was sufteeded in 1870 by Mr. W . T. Richards, who in turn was re­ placed in 1873 by Mr. T. L Roberts. In 1874 m E ' B ' w -',Kinson was captain, Mr R. D. Wilkinson filing that office in 1877 and four following y,ars. In 1882 the cap- taincy reverted to Mr. E. R. Wilkinson, who