James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1876

58 (6) Eton v. Harrow. Lord’s, July 9 and 10. J\ain effectually spoiled tho greatest, or at least, the most important meeting, speaking financially, of the Marylebone season. Everything boded well for a larger assemblage than ever. Every seat had been taken in the grand si and for weeks previous to tho day, and even those provided in an additional temporary structure were swallowed up immediately on issue. In spite of the rain, moreover, in the two days 30,000 persons visited the ground, and of these 13,522 paid tho admission fee of 2s. 6d. So much for tho “ gate.” The game itself, a matter of less moment, was utterly spoiled hy the weather. Eton were strong favourites, and no doubt their position was justifiable. At one time it seemed as if there would be no play at all on the first-day. A short cessation of rain, however, forwarded matters, and at twenty minutes to three o ’clock Eton went in. It was n great slice of luck, this winning the toss, as tho ground was sodden with rain outside the wickets, while tho hatting ground, thanks to the tarpaulin, was dry and in good order. The howlers could not stand and the field were sliding about in every direction. Wliat advantage there was to be bad was entirely witli the batsmen ; and tbe Hon. A. Lyttelton and E. Harding stood and hit merrily. Fortunately for the Harrovians rain again interfered when 6Gruns had been made in 35 minutes without the fall of a wicket. No more play for that day, hut on the morrow wdthmorc favourable weather the game pro­ ceeded briskly. Eton reached 202 and Harrow failed at 110. Indeed, but for Messrs. Cochrane, Cliater, Clongh-Taylorand Grundy, the Harrow aggregate would have been most insignificant. Six wickets were down for 31, and Mr. ( hater’s not-out score of 30 alone redeemed the innings from mediocrity. 11arrow followed on with 92 runs to save the innings and at one time it seemed a* if they would surely never roach even this small sum. Twro wickets for 19, three for 21, four for 29 and five for 56. Such wTas tbe progress of affairs for the first half of the second innings, and it was not calculated to inspire confidence. A plucky and creditable innings of 33, by C. W. M. Kemp, the captain, turned the scale, and six wickets were down for 85. Still there was an excellent chance for Eton, as there w*as ample time it was considered. L, (.’hater and A. C. Tyssen, here fronted each other, and the former before he had made a run was missed by Haig-Brown at short-leg. It was a lucky escape for Harrow, as events proved, for no attack after this affected the nerve of the batsmen, and they remained undaunted at the wickets until time was called, Tyssen with 39 and Chater with 35, two sound and pains­ taking innings throughout. So the Public School match of 1875, ended in a draw. Eton 202. Harrow, 110 and 155 (six w’ ickets) ; total, 265. ETON. Hon. A. Lyttelton b Meek . 59 *E. Hording c Wilkinson b Cochrane . . • . 2 6 A. Haskett-Smith b Cochrane . 3 *W. F. Forbes b Kemp . . 47 *E.W . B. Denison c Banbury b M e e k ................................. B *E. Ruggles-Brise b Kemp . . 0 *J. Wakefield c and b Kemp Hon. A. De Grey run out . J. M. Post c and b Meek • H. Whitfeld not out . C. Haig-Browm b Meek Byes 7, 1-b 5, w 9 Total . , 202