Cricket 1898

358 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. A ug 18, 1898. THE NONDESCRIPTS’ TOUR. July 26 to August 9, 1898. In spite of the popularity of our North Devon tour amongst our members, we found ourselves, for various reasons, unable to get up a team able to undertake the whole fort­ night. We had not in previous years attempted so long a tour, and, in addition, we left London on July 26, the second day of the Hampstead “ Week,” thereby depriving ourselves of the services of E. L. Marsden, who, for what he calls “ business reaeons,” decided to stay in town until the week was over. H. Wade, very unselfishly, completed our team for the first two days, making the long journey to Wellington and Taunton, aud returning after the second match. Would that there were more such sportsmen. The Wellington ground always seems to be like an oven, and takes all the “ go ” out of ub. The wicket was very damp, though the outfield was hard enough, and we were surprised to be told th$t no water had been used on the pitch for three weeks. Having won the toss, however, the Wellington skipper magnanimously put us in, and when Gamlin and Ebdon made the ball fairly “ talk” to us, we began to think he knew something! There must be some springs underneath that pitch ; even the horse that draws the roller walked across the ground at lunch time to get a drink between the wickets. However, we managed to make the respectable score of 162, and, as Wellington had a poor batting side, they had to follow- on, and were defeated by ten wickets. Cobb proved very successful with his lobs, and gave us the impression of being a very clever bowler, an impression which gradually faded away before the end of the tour ! In spite of the heat, we were very sorry to leave the “ Squirrel” next morning, for we always have a good time there, and Mrs. Chipling and her daughters are model hostesses. At Taunton, we found a pretty hot side against us, including five county men, and a feeling of coolness sprang up between our skipper and the rest of the team when the former again lost the toss. This time there was nothing wrong with the wicket, and we were not sent in to bat. We had a pretty bad time, runs coming at an awful pace, and wickets very very seldom, owing chiefly to our inability to hold a particularly hard ball. We were given many moderately easy opportunities, A. E. Newton being missed five times in his century. Robson’s was a brilliant exhibition of hard hitting. Our one piece of fielding worthy of mention was McMillin’s catch, running sideways at deep square-leg, which disposed of Tyler, as brilliant a catch as one could wish to see. Taunton declared at 338 for four wickets, leaving us nothing to play for but a draw, which we did successfully. Cobb’s innings was wonderfully patient, even Tyler’s half­ volleys and full pitches could not tempt him, and it was cruelly hard luck to be badly run out when nearing time. We journeyed to West Buckland the same eyening, and gTeatly enjoyed the Jlovely moonlight drive from Filleigh to the Devon County School, where Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Challen entertained us most hospitably. Our comforts were studied in every way, and our visit was one we shall look back to with the greatest pleasure for many a long day, and one that we hope to renew next year. The splendid cricket ground adjoins the house, and is most charmingly situated, though the slight slope did not suit our bowling so well as theirs, as we had no left-hander or leg-break bowler for the awkward end. With any luck we will have one with us next year! Again we lost the toss, and all belief in our skipper was gone. Again we fielded badly, but having got six wickets down (including Challen’s) for 160, we thought we should have but a moderate score to bat against, ^tradling and Orchard, two “ old boys,” although mere youths; very soon upset our plans, and before we were rid of them and their few followers, we had the pleasure (?) of seeing 416 on the board, and the knowledge of nothing to win and everything to lose. Dinner that evening presented a festive scene, being attended by all the youth and beauty of West Buckland, while the floral decorations were equally lovely. A concert and dance followed. Our host did his best to keep us up late, but our firmness would not be denied, and we retired to gain the rest needed for the morrow’s efforts. Challen bowled so well, and was so splendidly supported by Crosskey behind the sticks, that we did badly as a team, but Haycraft, who, by the way, does not dance, played a splendid innings of 129—more than half our total. We followed on, and Hay­ craft again played well, while Cobb hit brilliantly after getting set, and scored 103 not out before stumps were drawn, leaving the game in a fairly even state. The wicket played wonderfully well, 830 runs being scored for the loss of twenty-one wickets in the two days. We had to leave our delight­ ful hosts and their other guests immediately after the match, but with the satisfaction of knowing that we should see them again at some of our other matches. A shower of matchboxes (in the place of rice) from the ladies gave us a good send off, and proved most useful to our then, and almost always, matchless team. We arrived at our favourite quarters, Marine Hotel, Instow, in time for supper, with the exception of Leigh Ibbs, who was left behind at Barn­ staple, owing to his extraordinary propen­ sity for getting shaved, etc., at the most inopportune moments. We were greeted most effusively by Mrs. Nicholls, who looked after our comforts splendidly, but who hurt our skipper’s feelings somewhat, by mistaking another member of the team for him, and giving away the best bedroom before he arrived. We spent a quiet Sunday, some slum­ bering, some going to church from con­ scientious reasons, or to renew last year’s friendships, while a few sailed up to Bide­ ford, where they were objects of great interest to the fair sex who swarmed along the parade. Our first match against North Devon introduced us again to our old friend, Frank Townsend, who, for “ auld acquaint­ ance sake,” permitted us to win the toss for the first and last time on the tour. Marsden and Hebert arrived that morning, and made a great addition to our team. Collins stood out, owing to an injured foot, which the doctor tola him might develop into consump­ tion, of all extraordinary complications! North Devon had about enough of us that day, as thanks to a fine innings of 165 by Cobb, our total reached 392. We could have topped the 400, if Pawling had not got out by instructions, in order that the other side might have a few minutes batting, which, after all, proved of no avail. On Tuesday Pawling bowled well, but was dreadfully unlucky, and our opponents totalled 242, which obliged them to “ follow-on.” We missed several catches, none of them very easy, but all quite possible. These cost us the match, for at the finish North Devon were but 16 runs to the good, and only two wickets to fall. Pawling had to leave for Yorkshire the next morning, and we parted from him sadly at Barnstaple, on our way to play Broadmead. Here we were most kindly entertained by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. C. E. R. Chanter), but as luck would have it, rain stopped play at four p.m., just when a large number of ladies had arrived to watch the match at Mrs. Chanter’s invitation. It was most unfortunate, but we enjoyed tea and music indoors, instead of tea and cricket. After the rain we were expected to get beaten next day, as Broadmead’s score of 201 was a good one on a ground where few balls travel for more than two. However, Cobb played anoth er fine innings of 72, and we topped our opponents’ score by 8. Broad­ mead collapsed in an extraordinary manner, their second innings lasting but an hour, and totalling 61 only, Hutchinson six for 27, and Marsden four for 27, bowled splendidly, and were backed by very smart fielding. The wicket played well, and there was no apparent reason for such a collapse. We were very jubilant, as we had plenty of time to win, but lost three wickets in doing so. We were invited to a dance in the Jubilee Hall, Instow, after the match, and those of us who went, greatly enjoyed it. There were to have been theatricals also, but Challen, who is the great histrion of North Devon, was unfortunately taken ill on the Monday, and had to forfeit not only his “ part,” but also two matches against us, much to his and our own regret, though his absence made our task in the field a much lighter one than it would otherwise have been. He came to watch us each day, but did not feel equal to playing. Our next match against Bideford was entirely spoilt by rain. We played an hour on Friday, in a storm of wind and driving mist, but had to abandon the match, as it rained hard nearly all that day, and Saturday. Cobb left us that day, lamenting, being summoned to to play for Middlesex v. Surrey, on the strength of his wonderful batting for us, for Bushey, and the Free Foresters, during the past month. For us, his form was most con­ sistent, 165, 103* not out, and 72, being his highest scores, while his runs at Wellington and Taunton were rendered all the more praiseworthy by the circumstances under which they were made. A peaceful Sunday was spent after th9 labours of the week, but if all we heard was true, we are lucky in not having to record a tragedy, three of the team rowing out to see the “ bar,” whi^h they fortunately did not reach, having no idea of its dangers, but returning on account of the pangs of hunger. They had no boatman with them, and it was their good angel alone that saved them from going too far. That evening our team dwindled down to eight, Hebert and Hill having to return to town. It was indeed a sad parting, for Hebert was the life and soul of the party during his week’s stay. There was no time to be serious whilst he was about. On the 8th inst. we commenced our last match, the North Devon team having the powerful assistance of Chatterton, of Derbyshire. He, however, unfortunately damaged himself while bowling, and took no further part in the match, after our first innings had fairly begun. North Devon’s score of 289 looked very formidable with our reduced batting strength, but Marsden kindly took Cobb’ s place as “ Centurion,” playing a faultless innings of 150, in which were three sixes, all very big hits out of the ground. This is the highest score he has ever made, and his swagger for the rest of the day was delicious to gaze upon. Considering his long innings, he bowled wonderfully well when North Devon went in again, and we quite hoped to win, but our other bowlers were in