James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1876

37 England and University Elevens than the members of any other schools. This advantage was less marked in the County teams, hut existed there numerically, although, Gloucestershire recruits herself nearer home. That this numerical superiority is greater than exceptional advantages can account, is to our mind clear, and effectually disposes of the slur some­ times thrown upon the quality of cricket played by Eton and Harrow boys at Lord's. If the form shown there be so below par, how can the same executants merit the praises they naturally gain, when a year after they are found contending in first class contests? On the other hand we observe that younger schools have in the last year or two fully equalled their older rivals. The names of Sandford, Cooper, Francis, Yarclley, cum mult-is alihi, speak volumes for what Rugby was a year or two back, and but for their premature retirement, she would have been to the fore. Eton may be said last year to have sent forth one Lyttloton to do her credit at Cambridge, to have retained another and now famous member of that cricketing family, whose batting and wicket keeping were of the highest class ever seen at school, to have possessed a first rate cricketer in Forbes, and an excellent steady left-hand bowler in Haig Brown. The last we fancy will prove of great service in future years. That the rest of the Eton Eleven should have been somewhat unreliable and uncertain in the field, is in our opinion to be accounted for by their youth and unexperience, rather than to any real falling off in style. Anyhow, the fielding improved so much at Lord's that the Light Blues sustained tlieir high reputation in this department. More than one unsuccessful batsman will yet, we believe, make a mark, although we do fail do see successors to the Lyttleton family. Since 1857 it has always been the same story. A. Lyttleton has been in the Eton Eleven and his prowess been admired by friends and dreaded by foes. Sometimes the crack has come off. Frequently he has become a victim to the chances of the game, but in the long run, excellence, and natural aptitude for cricket have told, so that now Wykehamists and Harrovians (who have no particular cricketing families at present to choose from) may possibly meet their opponents on improved terms. At Harrow the cricket lias been creditable to all concerned. It has been—in betting parlance— long odds against them from the start an I they have gained the reputation of being an average team. The young members of their eleven specially distinguished themselves towards the close of the season, and steady cricket was shown which augured well in future. There was no Webbe amongst the Harrovians, hut the Captain (Kempe) did all he could to encourage good cricket, himself playing an innings at Lord’ s which was of the utmost value to his side. To Chater and Tyssen, however, does Harrow owe it that the Eton match was saved, and obi Harrow cricketers were the better pleased by the patience and good hatting that brought about this result. If the present appreciation for fielding and belief in its determining influence over the game continue at Harrow, we shall at any rate see well contested matches at Lord’ s and the Etonians will have to look to their laurels. It was currently reported that Winchester had an Eleven fully equal to the task of lowering the Etonian colours. Notwithstanding last year's crushing defeat, and the general ill success which has attended the W yke ­ hamists since the days of Moyle and Raynor, so improved was said to be the team led by Mr. H. R. Webbe that the much required confidence in their own powers was said to he current in the Winchester Eleven. Perhaps*