Lives in Cricket No 11 - CP Lewis

thrust producing examples of poor sportsmanship and even scuffles between rival sets of supporters, each eager to see the honour of their clubs upheld. There had been suggestions as well that the Cup had fuelled tensions between the east and west, so for 1882, the Challenge Cup was divided into eastern and western districts, thereby keeping apart the rival factions until the final. Llandovery College had a first round tie with Llanelli, with St. Helen’s yet again the neutral venue. The school made 146, with C.P.Lewis scoring 10 at number three. Llanelli were reduced to 47 for eight, but were saved by the rain. Lewis had five of those wickets – four bowled and one leg-before: Owen Jones took two. According to the South Wales Press, ‘the day was anything but suitable for cricket, rain falling nearly the whole of the day. Llanelli won the toss and sent in their opponents. The wisdom of so doing has been the source of much argument, but when it is known that the wicket at that time was under water and necessitated a wait of three-quarters of an hour there can be no doubt that they did wisely.’ This game was replayed the following Tuesday. ‘The wet appears to follow Llanelli players. Llandovery on this occasion won the toss and sent in their opponents, Cattell played up in fine style for 29,’ reported the South Wales Press . Llanelli only got 79. The Press added, ‘C.P.Lewis began in earnest, and runs came at a rapid rate, and it was soon apparent that Lewis had got his eye in, and after an hour and ten minutes play, the game was won.’ Lewis had led from the front with an undefeated 53. The win gave them a bye in the next round, when Swansea qualified to meet them by defeating the Swansea Working Men. In this rainy year, Swansea was another indeterminate match: Llandovery 119, Swansea 61 for four. The replay could not be held until 16 September, when Swansea, on their home patch, duly won by 21 runs, but then lost to Cadoxton in a three-day final which was not completed until 30 September. The 1882 season proved to be Llandovery College’s last year in the competition, but before another year was out, Lewis had left schoolteaching and was starting a new career, having achieved his goal of seeing the young scholars defeat many of the top clubs in the region and lift the Challenge Cup. He had brought sporting glory to Llandovery, and helped establish the College as an academy with, among other things, a fine sporting record. A Gentleman of South Wales 67