Cricket 1908

F eb . 27, 1908 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 31 C R IC K E T IN AN T IGU A .. CHALLENGE CUP COMPETITION FOR 1907. At the end of the year 1906 the leading cricket clubs of Antigua formed themselves into an Association for the purpose of playing a series of matches between themselves for the possession of a handsome silver Challenge Cap which had been purchased by subscription amongst the cricket clubs and their friends outside interested in the welfare of cricket in the island. The winners or holders of the Cup were in each year to be decided by the majority of points to be gained in a series of matches in which each club played every other one two matches (out and home), when, following the scoring adopted in the English Minor Counties Competition, two points are allowed for a win on the first innings in an un­ completed match, and four points for each completed match. The season for the com­ petition embraced the whole year. The competition during the past season has excited considerable interest in the cricket community in Antigua, and several very close finishes resulted. The winners proved to be the Wanderers C,C., who played off a tie match (of 16 points each) with the St. John’s C.C. on 26th of December last, which they won easily in an inning3, thus securing the coveted trophy for the first year of its existence, and being entitled to hold it throughout 1908. It should be mention that the Wanderers C.C. are also the holders of a former Challenge Cup, which they won outright in the late Mr. Davey’s time. The competition resulted as follows :— 1. Wanderers C.C. .. 20 points. 2. St. John’s C.C................16 „ 3. Victoria C.C. .. .. 12 „ 4. Antigua C.C. . . 1 0 ,, 5. Antigua Grammar School 8 ,, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Bick- ham Sweet-Escott, K.C.M.G., who is Presi­ dent of the Antigua C.C., kindly gave away the Cup to the successful competitors, in the Pavilion, on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, during a match between the Antigua C.C. and the St. John’s C.C., in the first round of the competition for 1908, in the presence of a numerous gathering of members fcevera,l ladies, and congratulated the Wanderers C.C. on their consistently good all-round play throughout the season. His Excellency also presented the trophies for the pest batting and bowling averages obtained in the majority of matches played by the respective clubs, and for the highest indivi­ dual score made in the competition, which had been kindly offered by His Honour the J^hief Justice, Mr. M. J. Camacho, and Captain J. Becke, A.D.C., and were won by Mr. R. H. Malone, of the Antigua C.C., His Honour J. S. TJdal of the same club, and Mr. B. Willock of the St. John’s C.C. respectively. . ^ table of the batting and bowling averages « appended* ° ° ° To those who have followed the play of e various clubs in the competition during e past season there can be no doubt but batt’ host team won. Although their 'ing may not stand out pre-eminent, it will }o seen that out of the first five highest wicrs in the average libt the Wanderers in °* *he Victoria C.C. were not received believpH 5 ® 1“ cluded in the list, but it is they do not affect the principal averages. C.C. have supplied three; whilst it is clear that it was their superior fielding to that of any other team that put the issue beyond doubt. The St. John’s are mainly indebted for their high place for the plucky way in which they have played the game after losing several of their best men at the very com- mencement of the competition, and more particularly in the match against the Antigua C.C., in which, after their opponents had declared at 186 for eight wickets, they knocked off the runs within a few minutes of time. Mr. Willock’s (their captain) score of 124 is not only the highest ever made in Antigua but is probably under the circum­ stances the finest innings ever played on the Antigua C.C. ground. The "Victoria C.C. wag most unfortunate in the later stages of the competition. Though the newest of all the clubs entered they started in a way which, at one time, looked as if they must certainly win the Cup, having won their first five matches right off, but after the loss of two or three of their best men they appeared to fall to pieces, and were unable to pull themselves together for the rest of the competition. It is much to be hoped that with the advent of the New Year they will make every attempt to retrieve their position. The position taken by the premier club in the Island, the Antigua C.C., is very dis­ appointing. A glance at the averages will show that they possess, probably, the strongest batting team in the competition, their mem­ bers supplying seven names out of the first dozen, whilst strange to say they have secured both the batting and bowling trophies. This may, perhaps, be due to the winners of these trophies having only just played the necessary number of matches to enable them to qualify. But what is, perhaps, stranger still is the fact that,although theyobtainedonlythreevictories two of them were over the winners of the Cup. If a little more life and accuracy in the field, and more cohesion as a team be shewn during the present season there is every reason to believe that the Antigua C.C. will take a much higher place at the end of it. The Antigua Grammar School, being largely composed of young school boys, could hardly be expected to do otherwise than bring up the rear. They have played, however, most pluckily throughout the season, and appear to have excellent material to go upon. They have at least this satisfaction that as their older boys leave them to strengthen other clubs that play against them they will have, as seems probable, a succession of younger ones quite able and willing to fill their peaces. The result of the competition has clearly shewn the strong interest that exists in cricket in the Island, especially amongst native players, and it is not difficult to believe that before many years have passed new clubs will be started, actuated by a strong deter­ mination to wrest the trophy from the hands of those now most likely to hold it for a while. It is much to be hoped that under the new City management every assistance will be given to clubs willing to take up and keep in order certain sections of the Victoria Park, for such a course would confer a benefit not only on those who play in the games, but also on the occupants of all houses in the neighbour­ hood. As a result of the success attending the competition just brought to a conclusion, we may trust soon to see established that larger and more important contest between the different Presidencies of the Colony for a Presidental or Governor’s Cup, which we feel sure will tend to create a generous rivalry betw een th e Islands w h ich can on ly m ake fo r the general w elfare o f th e C olon y. Batting and Bowling Averages of those playing in the majority of the matches played by their Club. BATTING AVERAGES. No. Times Most of not Total in an inns, out runs inns. Avor. R. H. Malone (A.C.C.)t 6 ... 1... 108 ... 37 ... 21-60 V. Brookes (A.G.S.)... 12 ... 1... 221 ... 48 ... 20*00 His Hon. J. S. Udal (A.C.C.) ................... 5 ... 1... 80 ... 32* .. 20-00 B.Willock (St.J.C.C.): 10 ... 1... 300 ... 124 ... 20-00 E. Pereira (W.C.C.)... 7 ... 2... 95 ... 39*... 19-00 W. Christian (W.C.C.) 13 ... 1... 219 ... 46 ... 18'25 R. Camacho (A.C.C.) 8 ... 2... 108 ... 37 ... 18-00 C. Malone (A.C.C.)... 11 ... 1... 166 ... 42 ... 16-60 A. Boon (A.G.S.) ... 8 ... 1... 110 ... 32 ... 15-71 T. E. Walter (A.C.C.) 9 ... 0... 137 .. 46 ... 15*22 J. S. Watt (A.C.C.) ... 13 ... 1... 178 ... 30 ... 14*83 W. G. Davey (A.C.C.) 11 ... 1... 147 ... 31 ... 14*70 A.J. Camacho(A.C-C.) 9 ... 1... 112 ... 37 ... 14-00 J. J. Martin (W.C.C.) 12 ... 5... 88 ... 24 ... 12*57 W. Heath (St. J.C.C.) 16 ... 2... 168 ... 51 ... 12*00 C. Sweeney (W.C.C.) 10 ... 1... 94 ... 23 ... 10*44 J. Martin (W.C.C.) ... 11 ... 1... 103 ... 28 ... 10*30 Aub.Camacho(A.C.C.) 8 ... 1... 69 ... 21 ... 9*85 R. Stephens (W.C.C.) 9 ... 2... 69 ... 35 .. 9-85 F. S. Bishop (A.G.S.) 12 ... I... 106 ... 48 ... 9-63 J.Gonsalves(St.J.CC.)lG ... 1 ... 127 ... 50 ... 8-46 F. Martin (W.C.C.) ... 12 ...2 ... 81 ... 27 ... 8*10 L.Camacho (A.G.S.)... 16 ... 1 ... 113 ... 41 ... 7*53 W.England(St.J.C.C.) 16 ...1 ... 113 ... *29 ... 7*53 R. Kelsick (A.G.S.)... 16 ...3 ... 96 ... 22 ... 7’38 C. Pigott (St. J.C.C.) 16 ...0 ... 106 ... 33 ... 6*62 A. Shepherd (A.G.S.) 9 ...0 ... 59 ... 19 ... 6*55 D.Armstrong(A.G.S.) 8 ... 2... 38 ... 11 ... (5*33 R. Joseph (W.C.C.) ... 9 ... 1...50... 22... 6*25 G. Davis (St. J.C.C.)... 12 ... 1... 65 ... 12 ... 5*90 D. Christian (A.G.S.) 14 ... 1... 75 ... 14 ... 5*76 F.E.Camacho (A.C.C.) 6 ... 1... 24 .. 18 ... 4*80 W. Camacho (A.G.S.) 14 ... 1... 62 ... 16 ... 4*76 C. Gomes (A.G.S.) ... 12 ... 2... 46 ... 18 ... 4*60 F. Malone (A.G.S.) ... 15 ... 2... 51 ... 13 ... 3*92 W. Malone (A.G.S.)... 9 ... 2...27... 1 0 ... 3*85 G. Nisbett (W.C.C.)... 6 ... 0... 14 ... 4 ... 2*33 S. Gomes (A.G.S.) ... 15 ... 0... 32 ... 5 ... 2*13 J. Nisbett (W.C.C.)... 6 ... 1... 7 ..! 4 ... 1*40 * Signifies not out. +Winner of trophy given by His Honour J. S. Udal for best batting average. t Winner of trophy given by Capt. Becke for highest individual score. BOWLING AVERAGES. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Aver. His Hon. J. S. Udal (A.C.C.)* ......... 53 G. Davis (St. J.C.C.) 117 R. Sweeney (W.C.C.) 31 . W.Christian(W.C.C.) 139 . T. Buckley (W.C.C.) 73 . J. Gonsalves (St. J .C .C .).................. 107 . L. Camacho (A.G.S.) I ll . F. Malone (A.G.S.)... 118 J. J. Martin (W.C.C.) 29 T. E. Walter (A.C.C.) 67 A. Boon (A.G.S.) ... 46 J. S. Watt (A.C.C.)... 26 . Aub.Camacho(A.C.C.) 61 E. Pereira (W.C.C.) 66 R.H. Malone (A.C.C.) 43 . C. Malone (A.C.C.)... 62. C. Pigott (St. J.C.C.) 109 . S. Gomes (A.G.S.) ... 43 . * Winner of trophy given by Mr. M. J for best bowling average. 6 .... 106 .... 23 .... 4*60 21 ... 276 .... 50 .... 5*52 9 ..,. 85 . . 15 ..„ 5 66 38 .,.. 314 ..,. 54 .... 5*81 18 .... 166 .. . 21 ..,. 7*90 19 ..,. 259 .. . 31 ..,. 8*46 34 .... 274 .... 31 . 8*83 9 .... 425 .,,. 47 ..,. 9*04 7 .,. 56 .. . 6 . .. 9*33 12 .... 173 ..,. 18 .,.. 9*61 10 ... 135 .... 14 ..,. 9*G4 2 .... 88 .. . 9 ., . 9*77 1 .... 169 .., 16 .. . 10*56 5 .,.. 179 ..,. 16 ..,. 11*18 11 ..,. 128 .. . 11 .. . 11*63 10 ..,. 196 .. . 16 .. . 12*25 18 ..,. 269 .. . 21 .. . 1*2*80 10 ..,. 122 .. . 7 .. . 17*42 Camacho ANTIGUA CRICKET CLUB AVERAGES FOR 1907. BATTING AVERAGES. (In not less than ten innings.) No. Times Most of not Total in an inns. out. runs. inns. Aver. T. E. Walter .......... 13 ... 1 ... 247 ... 46 ... 20*5S R. H. Malone ... ... 14 ... 3 ... 201 ... 37 ... 18*27 F. Gomes .......... ... 12 ... 1 ... 190 ... 36*... 17*27 Capt. J. B eck s.......... 1*2 ... 1 ... 157 ... 46 ... 14*27 W. G. Davey ... ... 15 ... 2 ... 180 ... 31 ... 13*84 A. J. Cam acho...........11 ... 2 ... 119 ... 37 ... 13*22 R. Camacho ........... 13 ... 3 ... 132 ... 37*... 13*20 C. Malone ........... 20 ... 1 ... 244 ... 42 ... 12*84 J. S. Watt ........... 22 ... 1 ... 218 ... 30 ... 10*3S Aubrey Camacho ... 11 ... 2 ... 91 ... 21*... 10*11 *Signifies not out. The following batted in less than ten innings His Hon. J. S. Udal, 9 ; F. E. Camacho,9 , G. Edwards, 9 ; H. F.Holme, 8 ; N. S. Johnston, 7 ; T.