Cricket 1900

Auo. 30, 1900 CRICKET ; A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME 383 NONDESCR IPTS’ TOUR , 1900. After roasting and stewing through a month of hot weather in London, we left on the 28th July with full confidence that the cool breezes of North Devon would make the heat not only bearable, but delightful, for cricket. Sunday was spent in Exeter, and our headquarters, the Marine Hotel, Instow, reached in the evening. From this time onwards the weather laid itself out to annoy us in every possible way. The only variety which we were spared was snow, and it was almost cold enough for that sometimes. Our first match was at Broadmead, against a moderate team got up by our dear friend and vice-president, J. B. Challen. Considering that every run made on the Broadmead ground is worth two on any other, we were very well satisfied with our first innings of 181, and our lead of 51, followed up by a fine innings by Haycraft and useful batting by Barnett and Gibbon, gave us the chance of declaring with absolute safety. Nothing but a miracu­ lous innings by the opposing skipper could have saved his side, and as he was out cheaply, all was plain sailing. Marsden bowled exceedingly well, and it was rather hard on him to take him off and experiment on the last few men with our change bowlers. However, to his delight, our chinges were hopeless, and we had to put him on again at the finish as a storm looked like stopping play early. W e were once again greatly indebted to Mr. Chanter, on whose ground the match was played, for his very kind hospitality. W e were also delighted to meet many of our old friends again, the ladies turning up in great force to watch the match. On August 1st and 2nd we played a strong team of North Devon at Instow, but the showery weather prevented any result, though we were very pleased at being able to top our opponents’ score in the first innings. Good bowling by Marsden, Gibbon and Hebert made their scoring rather slow, and almost the whole of the firot day was taken up by their making 274 ; but there were several short stoppages for rain. Next day the feature of our innings was Barnett’s splen­ didly-patient innings of 131. He was gre itly assisted at a critical time by It. J . Hutchinson, whose 63 might have been extended had he not got reckless. North Devon had a little over an hour to bat, and scored very fast. Everything came alike to Marks, whose bat­ ting was very fine, both here and at Broad­ mead. Challen’s century in the firot innings was a fine effort, but he might easily have been out twice earlier on. They were not e tsy chances, but no one would have been surprised to see them caught. The wind was very strong, and bothered both our bowling and fielding. In the latter our opponents were a long way ahead of us. Five of us attended a dance at Barnstaple on Thursday, having been very kindly invited by Mrs. Challen, on behalf ot the lawn tennis club. W e enjoyed ourselves immensely, but the Barnstaple men do not appreciate their own good things, for very few put in an appearance, and some of the ladies must have had a slow time, though we all worked hard, except one, who had a dam­ aged foot and could not dance. His conver­ sational powers were however in great request. W e stayed at the Challens for the night, and woke in the morning to find it blowing a gale and pouring with ram. However we had to go to Lynton, and met the non-dancing set at the station, rather to our surprise, as they had to leave Instow early, and some of them are very bad early risers. We had a perilous journey on the light railway, which we expected^would be blown over every minute. On arrival at Lynton we lunched, and then struggled through the gale to the ground; as it was simply impossible to stand, we at once gave up all thought of play, and later on we wandered up the Lyn Valley to Waters Meet. The efforts of some of us at crossing the river over the rocks reduced our feelings from the sublime to the ridiculous. On Saturday the wind was a shade less strong and we played our match out— unfortunately. Remembering last year’s defeat, Lynton secured Needham and Moor­ house to bowl for them, and they, plus the wind, were altogether too much for us. Hill and R. J. Hutchinson showed that it was possible to score a few, but no one else was happy at any part of the two innings. There was much excite­ ment over the seven “ bustlers” for specs, and, strange to say, none of them bustled in vain, though Hebert had to thank the umpire for his one run, which was a leg-bye. Hill and Barnett decided that they had had enough of Lynton and returned “ home” to Instow, but the rest of us enioyed our Sunday stroll­ ing up the Lyn Valley again. It was very hot and drizzling all the time, but we forgot these drawbacks in the beauty of the walk. Our bill of 4s. 6d. for gingerbeer at Water Meet is surely a record in the annals of the club. It was thirsty weather and there was nothing else to be had ! On our way back to Instow in the evening we si.id goodbye to Gibbon and Cipriani, who left us lamenting. Both had been exceedingly useful at cricket, and in addition, charming socially; and we hope to have them with us again, and for the whole tour next time. The 6th was another horrible day, and we only went over to W est­ ward Ho at lunch-time. Even if there were to be no cricket, we could not miss the Pebble Ridge lunch. Having enjoyed this thoroughly, we smoked and slumbered until it was decided not to attempt cricket. Bil­ liards at Bideford concluded the afternoon. Next day was cold, but not so bad for cricket, and the match being made a single-day one, we completed it, and won on the first innings “ cleverly,” as the racing papers put it. Marsden bowled wonderfully well, and we expected easily to beat iheir total of 113, but, with a strong wind to help him across, Scott had all our first six men in difficulties, and we required 76 runs, with only four wickets to fall. Beaton and Hill played a splendid game, and won the match before being sepa­ rated, but we had a fright, especially as both are slow runners, and they wasted a lot of singles. Mr. Sealy’s X L went in again, and our change bowlers had another chance. How­ ever, they all say they can’t bowl when there is no necessity to get wickets, and they certainly can’t ! Wanebrough took a century, but it was a cheap one, though he hit very well. The last 20 runs were practically presented to him in the shape of full pitches, everyone being rather anxious for the drawing of stumps, which took place as soon as the hundred was made. Mr. Sealy very kindly got up another team against us on the 8th and 9th to fill the place of the Bideford fixture which was scratched, much to our annoyance. Again the rain spoiled the match altogether, play being only possible on the first day, which resulted in fairly even cricket. The Thursday was chiefly occupied in cursing the weather and playing a ping-pong handi­ cap, which resulted in a victory for Cobb. You don’t know whatping- pong is P *‘ You will very soon ’ ’ as Stratton says. It is thebest game for a wet day that has yet been invented. Friday and Saturday, ourtwo last days, were splendid, and we realized what we had missed by not having such weather all through. Marsden and Hebert, our only crack bowlers, left us on Thursday and we expected a very bad time. Of course we lost the toss again and Challen, of course, made another century; but after his departure Eiloart bowled so well that we got rid of North Devon for a moderate score of 282. Haycraft, Cobb and Barnett all batted well and we hoped to equal our opponents’ score, in which case the match must have been drawn; but we collapsed on Saturday morning (with the exception of Barnett and Hirtzel) in our second innings. There was no explanation for it except that the constant wet weather had not helped anyone to get into form and we were all as uncertain as when We started. W e were not lucky, and one or two catches were dropped on our side while everything came off for them. Still, it was a poor per­ formance to lose the match. Barnett and Eiloart would, however, feel thoroughly pleased with themselves, the former’s batting and the latter’s bowling being ex­ ceptionally useful. A beautiful Sunday concluded the tour, and added to our regret that the rest of the time had been so miserable, as regards weather. By this time only seven of us were left, a sure sign that our time had been spoiled to some extent. We are not usually in such a hurry to fly back to town. However, we enjoyed our­ selves immensely, if not so much as usual. The new people at the Marine Hotel were exceedingly good to us, and did all they could for our comfort, and our thanks are likewise due to the Rev. J. White and all our many friends at Instow for their kindness and the interest they took in all our doings. As regards individual performances, Barnett stands out by himself as the batsman of the tour; Haycratt and Cobb being by no means in their usual irresistible form. Marsden bowled wonderfully well, but had to hit the sticks mostly to get wickets. Catches were extraordinarily few, and they were not all secured. In fact, the fielding gene­ rally seemed hardly up to form. Though moderately safe, it was seldom bril­ liant. Beaton kept wicket admirably and had the credit of winning one match by his batting. Hebert bowled well at times and so did Gibbon, but our change bowling was very poor stuff as a rule. As usual, Eiloart was not utilized enough, as he showed very clearly in the one match in which he was i»iven a long chance. Hill was very useful indeed in most of the matches, though he carries what he calls his “ goose game” to an extreme. The wind really upset us more than the rain, and we shall hope the elements will be kinder to us next year. W e shall also hope that then our skipper will be fit to play and less of a passenger, and that generally things will be “ cheery and bright ” again. 1 st M A TC ^, v. J. B CfclALLEN’S X I .—Played at Barnstaple on July 30 and 31. N ondescripts . First innings. J.8 Haycraft.c and bChall n 31 E. Barnett, c » hallen, b Lemarchan' ........... 21 It. J H u ^ ch in sob Scjtt 8 H. R. Herbert, st Richards b Challeo ... rf.. E. L. Marsden, c Fenu, b Chal en ...........24 J. Gibbon, c Be esford, b Caallen ... ...........14 R. A . Bill, b Leman hand 3 A. B Cipria'ii, b Scott . 18 A . Eiloart bBere^fird ... 7 Leigh-Iobs, not out ... 18 L. Hutchinson, lbw, b Beresford ........................... 2 Extras ... ... ... 7 Second inniogs. b Curtice ...........63 stMnrks.bCh ill n 20 cot out ...........16 u Richirds . ... 8 c and b Curtice... 45 c Crossk^v........... 11 b Lem irehm d ... 15 Total........... ...181 Extras . ... 20 Total (6 wkts) 198