Lives in Cricket No 17 - Fuller Pilch

Before playing for his new employers, Fuller had three engagements at Lord’s, beginning with the ‘Right-Handed v Left Handed’ match on 13 and 14 July during which a new addition to the Laws was first applied: ‘That the players who go in second shall follow their innings if they have obtained 100 runs less than their opponents.’ Fuller was fortunate to have Redgate as a team-mate bowling down ten of the left-handers’ wickets in the match after Fuller had initially compiled top score of 47 to help the right-handers to an innings victory. It was quite a different story a week later when the Players, including Fuller, met the Gentlemen who had their bowling line-up strengthened by the addition of Redgate and Cobbett. The Players registered their usual victory, but Redgate caused a sensation. Scores and Biographies reported it thus:- ‘In this match the renowned Fuller Pilch was first opposed to Redgate in a double wicket match, and was bowled out by him for a nought in both innings!’ The following day a single-wicket match had been arranged at H.Hall’s Ground in Camberwell with Mynn and Marsden teaming up to face Redgate and Good and there was great interest to see how Mynn would deal with the bowling of Redgate. But Redgate batted first and when missing a ball from Mynn he was struck such a blow on his knee that he was unable to bowl in the contest. As Fuller Pilch was present on the ground, hoping no doubt to have a chance to learn what he could from watching Mynn facing Redgate, he agreed to substitute as a fielder in the injured bowler’s place. Norfolk: the final years 47 High Street, West Malling in the 1880s. The George Inn, kept by Fuller Pilch from 1836 to 1842, is the two-storey building behind the man with the horse. The pub was rebuilt in the 1890s and then demolished to make way for a supermarket in 1971.