James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1888

P U B L I CS C H O O LCRICKETIN 1887. 1 5 best he was really good, and showed more promise behind the " sticks " than any one whohas been at Repton for a good manyyears . T h e r ew a sn o o n ein theRossallt e a mof '87 w h ostoodoutm u c ha b o v ehis fellows ; they were a fairly good lot , but there was no one to compare with the "giants " of old times . Theywere good enough to easily dispose of Shrewsbury , but failed conspicuously in their first innings against Malvern, and as a result had to put up with defeat . The best feature of the season was un- doubtedly the bowling of Hughes, whose average stamps him as being much above the ordinary . Heath also was most useful with the ball , and is probably better than his record would imply. W elearn that the bowling was not managedas well as it might have been, and, if this is the case , averages are boundto suffer . In batting , Marriott , this year's captain , was the most con- sistent and successful performer ; but he was never a large scorer , as his highest total was only 32 ! The school ought to do well this season , as there is a sufficient nucleus of old hands, manyof w h o mgive promise of great improve- m e n t. Thecrushing defeat of Rugbyby Marlborough came as a great blow to the supporters of the Midlands ' school , but a very legitimate excuse maybe offered for the defeat in the fact that Bradby, whowas far and awaytheir best and most dependable bat, was unable to play at Lord's ; apart from this however w emust allow that the play at Lord's was most disappointing , the second innings especially being an utter fiasco . In complete contrast to their play in this match, wemust mention their splendid performance against Clifton , but as w ehave already hinted , we consider the victory as muchabove, as the defeat at Lord's was below, their proper form. Five of the eleven are nowin residence at the 'Varsities , and weexpect Bradby and Wilson to confirm their school reputa- tions . Wilson's bowling in '86 was thought very highly of, and during the past season he fully maintained this form, securing 67 wickets for 11 runs apiece . Withsuch precedents as these , he ought to have a good trial at Cambridge ; andw ehope that his namewill be added to the long list of Old Rugswhohave distinguished themselves in first -class cricket . The list has been rather at a standstill of late years , but there is no reason whysome more Pauncefotes , Yardleys, Francises , and Vernons should not be trained on the Old Close . To return to last year's team, wefind that Dickson proved himself to bea most use- ful bowler; he was considerably more expensive than Wilson, but as he has another year at school , he ought to makegreat improvement. The eleven for this year will comprise eight newchoices , so competition ought to rule high , and thekeenness thus engendered ought to lead to victory . Poor Sherborne !! Another unsuccessful season has to be recorded , and -this in spite of the constant efforts of the well-k n o w nSpillman. Is it fromwant of enthusiasm that Sherborne cricket has fallen from its once high place ? W e are afraid that we must answer, Yes. Year after year the school is strong at football , and weakat cricket . This need not be, and wesincerely trust that the Sherborne boys of the future will show energy insummeras well as in winter , and raise the school to the position it ought to hold, as a nursery of cricket . M a n ya good cricketer has learnt the rudiments of the gameon the Sherborne ground, and as we are told " there are as good fish in the sea as ever cameout of it," w elook forward with confidence to the future , believing that the school will soon recover its lost laurels . In justice to the team of this year, it should be borne in mind that they were terribly handicapped by the absence of their captain , for though Fendall did his best , the effect of such a loss on the morale of anyteamcannot well be overestimated . W ehear that the Clifton match is to be dropped, for a time at all events . This is a step we have always advo- cated , as w ebelieve that the feeling of almost certain defeat , in the one regular school match of the year, has told very hardly on Sherborne cricket . Let us hope that another school match maybe started , and that Sherborne mayhave its full shareo f victories. W eare afraid that we must place the Shrewsbury eleven rather low in the list of merit , while no single memberof the team seems to have risen above