Cricket 1912

J une 22, 1912. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OP THE GAME. 261 The Horsham WeeK. Kent’s W eeks—Canterbury, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Dover, Maidstone—are among the factors which have made for Kent’s success. Other county committees have perceived this, and the number of weeks has increased largely of recent years. The cricket is every bit as good during these festivals, and there is a holiday feeling ab)ut them which adds greatly to their charm. Given fine weather, the latest Week of all, that at Horsham, seems assured of success. The West Sussex town is just the place for a W eek; the smaller towns around sond in contingents of enthusiasts for whom the Hove ground is too distant, and from over the border flock Surrey partisans to see their team play. a glimpse of the cricket as they 'pass—then look back ; and the chances are Joe will have scored a four or got out—no, probably not that—while your attention has been diverted. County cricket at Horsham dates back but five years. In 1908 Essex was met there. Only one day’s play was possible, but there were 5,000 spectators on that day. In 1909 the match was with Surrey, and a fine century by Robert Relf saved the home side when defeat seemed almost certain. In 19 10 Surrey was again the visiting team, and Sussex won a match which started dully but ended with thrills by a single wicket, Vincett hitting a six to finish with. Last year there was no match, owing to an agricultural show. This year Em erging from the station, the visitor sees before him a fine broad highway, gay with banners and bunting. This leads him to the clean little town—sleepy, some may say, but spacious and pleasant. Past the Town H all and through what looks lik e ;a cathedral close he goes, crosses the youthful Arun - not much of a river here—and finds him self on a ground that can give points to Tonbridge for charm. And if, once there, he cannot enjoy himself, he must be very hard to please. Suppose Joe Vine is a bit slow— “ it is his nature to,” or second nature, anyway— is there not the band to listen to? Shift your eyes from the middle, and have a glance at the lovely country around—watch the trains passing on the line hard by, and note how travellers lean from the windows for just Oxford University and Surfey are met, and, though’ possibly another county game would have been more popular than that,with the Dark Blues, Surrey is a certain draw—in a financial, not (one hopes) in a ciicket sense. E . C. Kirk, playing for L . C. & W. Bank on tour in Sussex, v. Brighton Brunswick, at the County Ground, Hove, on Tuesday, took tbe fi:st 9 wickets of the Brunswick side for only 26 ruus. The last two (twelve a side playing) fell to W. J . Samm s. Philip Cartwright, and P. G. H . Fender were among K irk's victims. Last week Ernest Relf, younger brother of Albert and Robert, played an excellent innings of 138 for the Sussex Nursery v. Ringmer. A Sussex Brother­ hood. L e ft: E. K . R e l f . R igh t: A. E. R e l f . Sitting : E. H. R e l f .