Cricket 1914

392 THE WORLD OF CRICKET. A u g u st i , 1914. had migrated to other counties. There were W. McIntyre, Crossland, and Briggs in the ranks of Lancashire, Brown playing for Cheshire, and George Bean for Sussex, so I was not a little elated at having the chance of joining a metropolitan county.” “ Surrey were fairly strong in bowling at the time, with Lohmann and Beaumont.” M. W e s t l a k e (Captain, 1914). “ And Sharpe, a little later, while there was also at the time I joined them, Mr. C. E. Horner. The best performance I did during my first season at the Oval was against the Australians— 7 for 64. But I ’m not good at remembering figures, and there’s little need to with so many of you scribes about taking notes and compiling statistics, is there ? ” “ Did you ever turn out for the county of your birth ? ” “ No, I never had that honour, but I took part in a couple of Notts Colts’ Matches (1881-2). on each occasion captaining the Twenty-two.” “ When the time came for you to leave Surrey, you were engaged by Messrs. F. H. Ayres at Aldersgate Street I remember. How long were you there ? ” “ Close on two years. Abel was there too. and very com­ fortable we both were.” “ W hat were your duties ? ” “ Oh, looking after the stock and taking orders. I often smile when I recall Bobbie going out to sell some bats and coming back because it started to snow. He said it wasn’t cricket weather, and he’d rather do a little oiling ! ” “ You appear to have quite taken root in Sherborne now.” “ Quite. I like the Dorset folk, and have a number of real good friends down here. You remember my writing and telling you how handsomely they behaved when my wife and I cele­ brated our silver wedding ? ” “ Perfectly, and the honour paid you by the Headmaster of Sherborne presiding at the dinner. But it was deserved, and you’ve always taken care never to forfeit the good opinion of all who know you. In many ways you remind me of H. H. Stephen­ son. who was held in such high esteem at Uppingham.” “ Steady on, Sir, or I shall be tempted to think that you’re after pulling my leg ! Reverting to the silver wedding and the presents, there were more presents when I resigned. No wonder I ’m proud of being associated with the school. I still go up and do a bit of bowling. It does me good and keeps me in health.” “ You must be pleased with the successes that some of the boys have achieved after leaving.” “ Never tired of hearing about any who have passed through my hands, although I don’t take all the credit. Only those who have been on the spot can have any conception of the grand work Mr. Carey has so unselfishly put in. He’s a true sport. One of the best cricketers the school has turned out of late years, to my thinking, is Mr. Eglington. It was quite an eye-opener to watch him walk across the wicket, pick the ball up at the volley, and send it square to the pavilion. He was superior to Mr. H. V. Page when the latter was at his best. He once got 175 in an hour and three-quarters against the Rev. G. B. Raikes, who played for Hampshire. Then there was R. Bamberger, who now plays for Devon county, and is a class lightweight boxer. He’s one to be proud of, if you like.” " There’s another one who plays for Northumberland and so often sees his name mutilated in the sporting dailies.” “ Ah ” replied Bowley laughing. “ you mean C. F. Stanger- Leathes. I t ’s really funny what a hash they make of his name. By the way, he’s Surrey born I believe. A couple who have played for Dorset and played well, too, are Capt. H. M. Greenhill and the Rev. J. A. Lush. “ What about this year’s team ? ” “ They’ve not done so badly, but the captain, M. Westlake, only had three first team men and one second team man left over from last year. His task has not been easy, but being a steady bat, useful behind the sticks, and keen for the game, he’s made the best of an inexperienced team. Morton has put together some good scores, while Puckridge, although on the small side, has any amount of patience and a good defence. Carr, a brother of A. W., can get runs, and would get more if he didn’t move his feet so much. Did I tell you that I had something to do with T o m . B o w l e y . Mr. Carr being given a show at Trent Bridge ? But since you’ve put your pocket book ^way I can see that I ’ve talked enough. Come along and I ’ll sliow you some of my trophies and photo­ graphs of the Pageant, which we’ve not quite done talking about even now.” Having duly examincrd good old Tom’s much prized presents and suggested that these would certainly be considerably aug­ mented when the celebration of his and Mrs. Bowley’s golden wedding comes along, I asked for my candle, and as Mr. Pepys was wont to say : “ so to bed.” Mr. M. B. Elderton, of course, has the cricket of the school under his charge, and the present professional coach, following Bowley, is E. J. Freeman, who for some years did good service for Essex. ------------ + ------------ W. G., a week after his 66th birthday, ran up 69* for Eltham Grove Park—his best score this season.