Cricket 1895

“ Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil.” — Byron. T H U R S D A Y , J U L Y 25 , 1895 . MR. L. H. GWYNN. THE CRICKETER FROM DONEGAL. It needs hardly more than a glance at Mr. Lucius Gwynn to settle any doubts which may have occurred as to his nationality. The expression is beyond question Irish to the full extent of Hibernianism. And yet the name had so far im­ pressed me with the likelihood of his forbears having come from gallant little Wales, that the first question I put to him was : “ Of what nationality are you by extraction, Mr. Gwynn ? ” “ Irish. My father, the Rev. J. Gwynn, is Regius Professor of Divinity in Trinity College, Dublin, and I was born at Ramelton, co. Donegal, which I may be forgiven for believing is in Ireland.” “ Quite so, and what was the date of that event ? ” “ May 25th, 1873 ; I have thus just completed my twenty-second year.” “ Your family house in in Dublin, I believe ? ” “ Yes; at Thorndale, Temple Road, Dublin.” “ Were you at School in Ire­ land? ” “ I passed most of my school life at S. Columba’s College, Rathfarndane, near Dublin, which I joined in 1886 and left in 1890.” “ Of course you played for your school both at cricket and football?” “ I was in the eleven from 1887 to 1890, and also in the fifteen during the same years. I gained the top batting average for one year, and had the best bowling analysis twice. It was as a bowler I was most thought of at school.” “ You went on at once on leaving school to Trinity Col­ lege?” “ Yes, I entered in October, 1890. In the foliowin* year I was given a place in the University eleven, and have played for the team in ’ 91, ’92, ’93, ’94, and ’95. I did not obtain a place in the football team until after Christmas, ’92, when I was put in as full back, but in ’93, ’ 91, and ’95 my place was centre three-quarter.” “ Will you tell me about the success you gained for the Dublin University eleven ? ” ‘ ‘ My batting averages for the last three years have been 26 in 1893, 27 in 1894, and 47 in 1895. My best scores in thoseyears 147 v. Curragh Brigade in 1893, 112 v. County Kildare in 1894, and 106 and 63 v. Cambridge and 153 (not out) against Leicestershire this year. In two years, 1893 and 1895, I have also secured the best bowling average.” “ You have represented Ireland at Rugby football?” “ Yes. I was first chosen in 1892 for the second International match of the year against Scotland at Belfast as a wing three-quarter, and in 1893-4 I played in all three matches as centre three-quarter with S. Lee. In that year we won all three games. I never scored in any International match. Early last season I was disabled, and was not sufficiently re­ covered to take part in any of thesematches.” “ Had you played cricket in Englandbefore your very successful appearance this year?” “ In 1893, Trinity sent over an eleven and we played Warwickshire Club and Ground, Leicestershire Club and Ground, and Essex County. We drew the last and won the other two. We got Warwickshire out for 15 in their second innings. My own scores were : at Leicester 7 and 29, at Warwick 0 and 51 (not out), and at Leyton 22 and 8, but in all I took only eight wickets.” “ May I ask if we are likely to have the pleasure of seeing you play for an English county ?” “ I am afraid that it is not at all likely that I shall be able to do so.” “ I have no record of your height and weight ? ” ‘ kI am about 5ft. 9in. in height, and now weigh a trifle over 11 stone.” “ Your brother, Mr. A. P. Gwynn, has also distinguished himself at cricket and football ? ” “ Yes. He won the average bat at school for three years, and entering Trinity College, Dublin, in 1891, he has played for the First Eleven and the First Fifteen from the next year. His averages have been 26 in 1893, 28 in 1894, and 31 in 1895. His best scores have been 70 (not out) against Leicestershire Club and Ground, 40 v. Warwickshire Club and Ground, and 49 against Essex in 1893, and in this year 80 agains M. C. C. and 130 v. Cambridge University. He has frequently kept wicket for the Eleven. He won his International cap at Rugby football last season, play­ ing against Wales. He was first reserve centre three-quarter, but was also first reserve for half, which is his regular place. He played, however, at three- quarter.” “ I believe cricket is not regularly played at schools in Ireland in the same way as it is in England?” “ It -is by no means as carefully taught. The two big Roman Catholic collets, Clon- gowes and Blackrock, alone amongst Irish schools have good grounds. I believe the only schools besides these which engage profes- MB. L. H. GWYNN. Fi'om a photo by Summons •& Thiele , 60, Chancery Law , London.