Lives in Cricket No 17 - Fuller Pilch

in a second single-innings game, got up when the first finished early, he did manage to score 10 before being bowled by Mynn. Then it was on to Brighton to play for England against Sussex on 19 and 20 August. Just over a week later Fuller was back in Sheffield, at the Hyde Park ground, with his two brothers to play for Norfolk against Yorkshire, a match eagerly awaited by the Sheffield Independent : Nothing can exceed the interest this match excites in Sheffield and its neighbourhood, and many hundreds are betted upon the event, Norfolk for choice in consequence of the three Pilch’s, who are reckoned first raters, playing on that side. The Yorkshire players, likewise, have got a tower of strength in their eleven, the best perhaps, that ever turned out upon the field. Many improvements have been made on the ground, and a large tent, which will accommodate nearly 200 persons, has been erected for the gentlemen subscribers and their friends. All eyes were on the new Champion. The Independent reported that ‘when the great gun of the south, Fuller Pilch, took his bat, a buzz of expectation ran around the ring. His batting was very fine, but an unlucky ball was cleverly caught by Vincent, who was “wide awake” and ready for anything.’ Marsden top-scored in his county’s second innings with 53 before Fuller bowled him and Norfolk needed 268 to win. Wickets fell quickly, though and the Independent reported: Fuller Pilch came next, and, with his brother, remained at the wicket a considerable time. The batting of the two brothers was a rich treat to the amateurs. Dearman bowled with wonderful swiftness, and, about five o’clock a queer ball left Nathaniel Pilch minus two stumps. Fuller still played on, but Vincent was behind him. A ball bounded from his bat over his shoulder and his backer at once relieved him from all further labour. Norfolk collapsed for 147 all out, so that Yorkshire won by 120 runs. The Independent commented: ‘Thus ended this interesting match contrary to the expectations of the knowing ones, who reckoned that the Pilch’s would carry all before them. Marsden’s playing was such as to convince the amateurs that he has no equal in a full field.’ It added that ‘Though at single wicket, Fuller Pilch, from his greater length, has the advantage, yet his practice for single wicket is a disadvantage to him in a game like this.’ The three brothers went back to Norfolk to resume their rivalry, appearing on different sides of a Brinton match at home to Norwich on 13 September that also featured William Pilch junior, making his first appearance alongside Uncle Fuller. Despite the discomfort of more lengthy rides by stagecoach from one end of the country to the other, an unavoidable price to pay by professional cricketers in those times if they wished to maintain their reputations, Fuller and Marsden were soon back in Brighton for another match against Champion of England, Part Two 40