Cricket 1907

J u ly 18, 1907. CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OP THE GAME. 279 E T O N v. HARROW. Played at Lord’s on July 12 and 13. ROYALTY PRESENT. Two separate Hundreds by Bird. Harrow won by 79 runs. The Lord’s wicket had recovered splendidly from the previous heavy rains, and that runs were not difficult to obtain is evident from the fact that on the opening day as many as 539 were made for the loss of twenty-three wickets. The weather was everything that could be desired and among the many spectators—7,709 paid for admission—were their Royal Highnesses Princes Albert and Henry of Wales, who watched the game from the Secretary’s box. Eton had six old choices, the newcomers being Mulholland, Tennyson, Twining, Bury, and Cart­ wright, but of the Harrow eleven only Bird, Falcon, Lang, and Royle appeared at Lord’s in 1906, The Eton fielding was very poor on the opening day, several catches beingmissed. Falconand Mumm, whoopened the innings, were both let off, but the former was bowled at 10for a single and the latterat49for 16. The association of Bird and Cowley produced some bright cricket, the pair putting on 55 during the half-hour they were together. Cowley—a grandson of R. J. P. Broughton, who had played for Harrow against Eton as far back as 1832, and who completed his ninety- first year on the 11th inst.—made his 50 out of 94 in an hour and a-quarter, his forward play being very good : he was, however, missed in the slips by Tennyson when he had m.ide 36. Lang assisted his captain to put on 45in forty minutes, and Earle, who is only fifteen years of age, remained in whilst 54 were added for the eight wicket in twenty minutes, the batting during that period being of the brightest description. When the last wicket fell, Bird, the captain, was left to carry out his bat for a faultless 100, made out of 173 in two hours : he made thirteen 4’s and hit well all round the wicket. Hatfeild, with four wicketfe for 34, was the most successful of the bowlers. Eton lost Twining, caught at the wicket at 16, but Gibson helped Benson to add 62 in forty minutes, whilst Mulholland a left-hander, remained in with the last-named whilst 64 were put on for the third in thirty-five. Benson, who cut well and hit ten 4’s, played a very stylish game, and made 74 out of 142 in an hour and a-nalf before being caught at mid-on off a full-pitch. Curtis and Naylor, both old colours, were in partnership half-an-hour, during which time they put on 63,whilst later the former and Hatfeild put on 44in similar time. Curtis hit well and pluckily, and, without being defeated, made 64 out of 132 in an hour and ten minutes. The, Eton innings lasted a trifle over three hours, and realised 69 more than that of Harrow. In the last forty minutes of the dgy the School fared badly, dosing three wickets for 26 : Falcon again failed,and Mumni and Mekant were both bowled by Cartwright in one over. On Sajburday, therefore, Harrow, .when play commenced, were 43 runs behind with three wickets down. Everything naturally depended upon what the first few batsmen would do,*and, in the circum­ stances, it would'scarcely.b.e possible to praise the cricket of Cowley, Adair, and Bird too highly. The two first-named played a splendid up-hill game, adding 103 together for the fourth wicket in an hour and a-half, and establishing a lead of 51 for Harrow ere being separated. Their side, however, was far from being out of danger even then, but the splendid work they did was most ably continued by Bird, who put on 48 for the fifth wicket in half-an- hour with Cowley, and 164 for the sixth in an hour and three-quarters with Anson. Cowley again played an admirable innings, and gave every promise of developing into a first-rate cricketer. He made his 75 out of 155 in one hundred and fifteen minutes, hitting a 6 and five fqurs, and playing very strongly on the off-side. When he was caught at the wicket, Harrow, with half the side out, were 99 runs on. Anson was content to play a quiet, defensive game whilst his captain hit. The latter made some powerful and beautiful off-drives, and played a very attractive innings. For the second time in the game he made three figures, thus establishing a record for the match. After reaching his hundred he hit at everything, and, before falling to a catch at mid-off, had made 131 out of 212 in one hundred and thirty-five minutes, being sixth out at 332. He hit fourteen 4’s, and gave no chance. Earle made 20 out of 25 in ten minutes, and at 3.40 Harrow declared at 382 for eight wickets. Anson played a most valuable innings, scoring 73 out of 214 in 130 minutes, and hitting five 4’s and two 3’s. When he had made 12, however, he was missed by Mul­ holland in the slips, and, as event proved, the mistake probably cost Eton the match, for had the catch been held the sixth wicket would have fallen at just over 200, instead of at 332. It had been decided that, in the event of a finish being found possible, play should continue until half-past seven. Eton, therefore, had 314 to win and 200 minutes in which to make them. Benson, who made 40 out of the first 50 in thirty-five minutes, remained in until the stand for the first wicket had realised 59 in three-quarters of an hour, and was then bowled. Gibson met with a similar fate five later, and, when the score was only two short of the hundred, Twin­ ing was caught by the wicket-keeper standing back. Mulholland hit hard, but when he had assisted Bury in adding 38 in half-an-hour was the fourth to leave, at 136. Naylor was fifth out, in the slips, at 163, after which a welcome stand was made by Curtis and Bury, who added 50 for the sixth wicket in an hour and a-quarter. The last-named played a valuable and vigorous game for 65, making his runs in seventy-five minutes and hitting a 7 (four over­ throw). He was the sixth to leave, at 213, and seven later Curtis, who had played so well in the first innings, was stupidly run out in attempting a run which woidd have been of practically no value had it been obtained. The loss of so good a wicket at such a critical time, and in such an unfortunate manner, was deplorable. The last three wickets were all caught by Lang, the wicket-keeper, the innings coming to an end at twenty minutes past seven—ten minutes before stumps were drawn— leaving Harrow victorious by 79 runs. During the day 590runs were made for fifteen wickets, as many a s1,129 being made in the match for 38. The game will always be remembered on account ®f Bird’s superb all-round cricket: he made 231 runs without a mistake of any kind, took five wickets, and cap­ tained his side with great skill and judgment. He was very happy in making his bowling changes, and declared the second Harrow innings closed at the right moment. For him the match was a veritable triumph. When the game was won there was a scene of the greatest enthusiasm, a large crowd cheering in front of the Pavilion for quite half-an- hour. lt was a great match. Score and analysis H arrow . r t First innings. *M. Falcon,’ b Cartwright... 1 J. E. ^fun/m, b Sprot ... 16 R. B. .Cowley, b Hatfeild ... 50 i *M. C. Bird, (capt), notout 100 v f " ’ ' Hon. R. Anson, b Hatfeild 0 *A. H. 'Lang, b Cartwrightl9 / • *J. S. Royle, lbw, b Cart­ wright..................... . ... 1 J. V. Adair, b Curtis ... ... 1 G. F. Earle, b Hatfeild ... 24 F. M. Carlisle, c Naylor, b - Hatfeild ... ... ..ry... 3 A. V. Makant, lbw, b Sprot 0 B 5, nb2 ... *•... » 7 Second innings, c Cartwright, •>b i Sprot ' .T. b Cartwright ' "f.t 91 c Gibson, b Cart" ! wright ; ... 75 c Sprot, b Tenny- 1 son ... .’........ 131' not out ..........73 c Sprot, b Cart- | wright ... ... 5 c Benson, b Cart- ] wright .......... 51 c Twining, b i Tennyson ... 40, not out ..........20' b Cartwright ... 0 BIS', lbl, wl,nb2 17 Total .................222 Total (8 wkts)f3S2 t Innings declared closed. E ton . First innings. *R. L. Benson, c Mumm, b Carlisle ....................74 R.H.Twining,cLang, bBird 5 *K. L. Gibson, b Earle ... 28 Hon. H. G. H. Mulholland, c Adair, b Carlisle......... 40 H. S. E. Bury, b Earle ... 4 ♦J. M. Naylor, b Bird ... 33 *T. L. C. Curtis, not out ... 64 *H. S. Hatfeiltj, (capt), lbw, b Earle ....................21 *H. M. Sprot, c Lang, b F a lc o n ... . . - ............... 5 G. H. Cartwright, c Lang, b Earle ........ ........ 9 Hon. L. H. Tennyson, c Lang, b Bird ............... 1 B 4, lb 2, nb 1 ' ... ... 7 Second innings. b Falcon ......... 43 c Lang, b Earle... 30 b B ird................. 0 c Bird, b Falcon 25 c-Anson,bCarlisle 65 c Anson, b Earle 17} run out ........ 23 c Lang, b Earle... 8 c Lang, b Bird ... 4 not out .......... 4 c Lang, b Earle... 1 B 8, lb 5, w 1 14 Total ..........291 * Played last year. H a rrow . Total Cartwright Tennyson... Sprot ... .. Curtis Hatfeild .. First innings. O. M. R. W. 26 8 69 3 , 16 6 7-4 2 13 2 9 3 44 0 ... 15 2 ... 53 1 34 4 Second innings. O. M. R. W. ........33 7 114 5 1 88 2 3 102 - 1 3 41 0 1 17 0 0 3 0 Mulholland 1 . . . Cartwright bowled two no-balls and Tennyson two no-balls and a wide. E ton . First innings. Second innings. O. M. R. W. O. M. R. W Bird ........ ) ... 18 5 5 60 3 ... Makant .......... 11 0 48 0 ... 1 68 2 ... 2 67 4 ... 0 21 0 ... Carlisle Earle Anson Falcon , 16 18 . 3 3 1 20 1 18 5 41 2 . 7 0 . 9 0 42 22-1 5 60 . 7 1 11 3 31 0 1 16 80 Carlisle bowled a wide, and Makant one no-ball. The following interesting summary of Saturday’s play was contributed by “ An O. E.” to the Evening Standard :— No one who was not thore- and practically every one who was there stayed to the very end—can realise the hungry excitement of the end of the Eton and Harrow match, which, always an interest­ ing game, went out in a positive blaze of emulation. One was in the mood on Saturday morning to be­ moan Harrow’s unhappy position. Three wickets down for 26, Bird having already made his effort, Cowley surely unequal to a second big score—it would be all over before one could get to the ground. Really, it was hardly worth going up to Lord’s after a morning’s work. One would only see, if anything, the tail end of a match, and be in the awkward position of not knowing whether to slip away home or try to insist on the lunch offered one the day before. Feelings, however, underwent a curious change after the ground had been reached. They may be analysed in diary form. 12.30.—Another nice day—ground very full and gay. Harrow still in, and doing well. Come, come, this is quite as it should b e; there will be a good finish after all. 1.15.—Enough is as good as a feast. This sort of thing becomes wearisome. Couldn’t they enliven the monotony of the proceedings with an occasional wicket ? 1.25.—Harrow doing very well—too well. If they don’t have these fellows out soon we shan’t win. It’s going to rain. The day has turned to villainy. Large rain drops falling. Even lunch becomes doubtful. 1.45.—O, hang it a ll! This is too much. Of gpurse, one was only a wet-bob. But really any fool might have held that catch. J.54.—Eton is going, to the dogs, sir. Our youth is'Slack. Miserable, namby-pamby creatures. Onfy been fielding, for. some three hours, and clearly getting tired. Monstrous and absurd ! , . •, ,2.0 p.m.—Lunch. That’s something. No doubt things will improve afterwards. 3.0 p.m.—What ? Not out yet ? O tempora ! O mores ! We shall never get the runs. 4.20.—Demoralising affair, a declaration. Hope to goodness they’ll play out time ! • 4.40.—Ass ! What’s the good of taking risks like that ? Ah—oh—these nervous excitements are fatal to middle age. 5.40.—Well hit, sir—and another, well run. .We shall do it yet! Floreat Etona ! Good shot, sir. 6.30.—Great goodness ! Why,'I could have played that ball myself. Wonder whether these fellow's are aware that thousands of respectable and middle- aged Etonians are hanging on their bats like a popular murderer oif the chance of a reprieve. If they realised the dangers of a sudden seizure at my time of life they would never attempt short runs and hit wildly at rising balls beyond the off stump in this light-hearted way. 6.50. Ten more minutes. We shall do it. And yet—rather hard on.Harrow. "7;5'.—They’re going on.’ Good fellows. Light atrocious, but never mind. Play the game; and lftt the Hill win if it can. 7.10. Can’t stand much more of this. Every ball a knife in a gaping wound. Really Hatfeild needn't have thrown .that wicket away. Of course he’s nervous. But it can’t be as bad for him as it is for us. 7.16. Last man in. That's right? cheer away. Shriek when he blocks a ball, make him so paralysed with nerves that he hasn’t a chance of playing. That’s the Way to win, or not lose. 7.17.—Still in. Once the last two men stayed in for half-an-hour and drew the match.' — *—-** 7.18.—Extremely sorry I kicked you, sir. Didn’t mean to. Only that confounded shave for his leg stump. No, no. No personal animosity, I assure you. Your fellows did very well. 7Tl9.—My good tJoy, don’t fidget so. Madam, if your young Harrovian son waves his handkerchief in my face again, I’ll—this is not a beanfeast—for us. 7.20.—All over! Noble game —fine fellows — British sportsmanship—shouldn’t have tried to get the runs—well played, Harrow, confound them !— very late—dinner spoiled —hurry away—horrid squash. If so much excitement was ever before squeezed into the last day’s play, it takes a long memory to recall it. Bird’s two centuries, the holding off of the rain, the extension of time in shocking light to finish the match, the bad bowling and vigorous batting on both sides, and the masses of people who waited on, dinnerless but determined, until the last ball had been sent down and the mound belched forth its crowds of young furies and hero-worshippers in a mad rush to the pavilion—all these surely make this match unique. Anyhow, it was great. If the best side won, it was a plucky side that lost. And honour is reasonably safe.