James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1894

2 4 LILLYWHITE'SC R I C K E T E R S' A N N U A L. his o w npersonal observation. It is fairly easy to estimate the comparative merits of Scotch schools , for they are all included within a small geographical area , and a complete system of inter -school matches exists . The Championship goes to the eleven which loses the fewest matches, and, as almost all matches last for one day only , and are very apt to be drawn, this is no doubt the fairest arrangement . Taken all round the cricket last year shewed decided improvement , for though there were no phenomenal players , there was far more general excellence . Blair Lodge won the Championship with, perhaps , as good a team as there has ever been in Scotland , their slight weakness in bowling being more than counterbalanced by exceptional batting . W emustremember that, excluding Fettes , and perhaps , Blair Lodge, Scotch schools do not possess run -getting grounds , and it is seldom that the wicket does not help the bowler. This is abundantly evident from an inspection of the batting and bowling averages in any given year. It is, therefore , quite an out-of-the-w a ything for Blair Lodge to have three boys with averages over 20. F. N. Townsend, a brother of the Clifton celebrity , stands first , and has the reputation of being not only the best bat of the year, but a fine wicket -keeper as well ; Lenton, the captain , is a useful man, and made a good shew for Lincolnshire in the holidays ; Kingston, Jarrad , and McLaurin were probably the best of the others . Loretto had a very fair season , thanks mainly to the batting of Browne, who had the happy knack of coming off in the school matches . His most remarkable performances were a grand innings of 105 against Rossall , and the adding of 57 runs for the last wicket against Merchiston , of which his partner claimed 5 only ! H eis described as a fine , free bat, and his average of 61 for school matches, and 33 for the wholeseason, proclaims h i m no ordinary cricketer . Browne'sdoings completely overshadowed those of his compeers , but there were some useful m e n amongthem, some of whomdeserve mention in this place , notably , Woodcock for his magnificent fielding , Swanston for his all -round usefulness , Marshall and Abercromby for their bowling . The eleven , as a whole, though failing badly against more than one of the clubs , deserve our congratulations for their victories against rival schools , and especially for being the first Loretto team to win the Fettes matchin a single innings . Merchiston, the Championsof 1892, were not a very high-class eleven. T h e captain , Lumsden, was a good bowler , perhaps the best of the year, and in Mann andFormanhehada couple of serviceable assistants with bat andball alike . In batting , Turnbull stands first , and he also had the distinction of being the smartest fieldsman in the team. Our readers will be interested to hearthat, though under 16, Turnbull threw the cricket ball 118 yards at the school sports inApril last . Glenalmond are gradually improving their position , though they have to contend against the disadvantages of a very bad ground and a remote situation . Theycould only manage to win one match in last year's competition , nevertheless their crack batsman, Pryce, was one of the best of the year, and in order of merit would probably come third to Townsendand Browne. Mahonand Gordon seem to have been the most valuable of his supporters , but we should judge the teamto havebeen not very formidable. Poor Fettes had a deplorable season , and it is very doubtful if the school was ever represented by such a poor lot of cricketers . Half the team had little or no idea of batting , and there were only two bowlers of even decent calibre . Three only of the team secured double -figure averages , the best being McCombie's 15. McCombiewas captain , and we fear had but a thankless task . However, he deserves the highest credit for the splendid example he set his team in the field , and in this department of the game was undoubtedly the champion of the year. It is comforting to k n o wthat the junior elevens were uniformly successful , so that in all probability Fettes will soon regain her proper position .