Lives in Cricket No 15 - Michael Falcon

Rev W.K.R.Bedford on its new ground. In 1866 it was formalised that ‘the design of the Free Foresters is to play matches with County, Varsity, College and Regimental XIs and with recognised clubs in desirable localities’. To anyone leafing through the pages of The Cricketer between the wars, it can be seen that the Free Foresters were a thriving club who actively fulfilled their mission, playing many matches, against a wide range of opponents. Certain names crop up repeatedly on the team sheet, but membership was large and many players would only play one or two matches a season. Household names such as Douglas Jardine, Errol Holmes and Freddie Brown all made appearances when they could spare the time. For the annual game at Fenner’s the Free Foresters’ teamwould contain a predominance of old Light Blues: in 1927 and 1931 ten of the team were old Blues whilst in 1933 the entire team had represented Cambridge against Oxford. Where the Free Foresters differed from the other wandering clubs was in their status when they played Oxford and Cambridge Universities. From 1912 onward, 17 these matches were awarded first-class status and assumed an important place in the Oxbridge season. Michael Falcon was involved at the earliest possible opportunity, turning out to play against Cambridge at Fenner’s on 10 June 1912. The University scored 250 and in reply the Free Foresters collapsed for 107. Seizing his chance with the new ball, Falcon then took six for 37 as he and William Greswell, bowling unchanged, shot out the students for 74. The Free Foresters’ early batting failed again, with the exception of Norman Druce, who made an unbeaten 152 out of 218 for five and carried his side to what turned out to be a comfortable victory. Michael Falcon did not play in the Cambridge fixtures of 1913, 1919, 1921 or 1924, but after this intermittent start he became an ever-present in the Free Foresters against the Light Blues until he made his final appearance in 1936, his last first-class game, at the age of 47. 18 He did not turn out in many matches against teams other than Cambridge University, preferring to play most of his social cricket in Norfolk. He did, however appear against Oxford Taking Over the Reins at Norfolk: 1911-1914 37 17 The club played first-class matches against Cambridge until 1962 and against Oxford until 1968. 18 Falcon’s final first-class game was a damp anticlimax as rain prevented any play on the first day and a dull draw was inevitable.