LIves in Cricket No 31 - Walter Robins

17 ‘Young’ Jack Hearne and Jack Durston, under the captaincy of Frank Mann, because going in at 54 for two he was almost immediately bowled by Fred Root for nought. He was one of Root’s six victims in the innings, which may have given him some consolation, and he didn’t have to bat again in a low-scoring match won by Middlesex in two days. Moving on to Birmingham, he took the opportunity to show something of his fighting qualities and earn the respect of his professional and amateur team-mates. In reply to Warwickshire’s 408, Middlesex had collapsed to 95 for six when Walter strode out to the middle. Three more wickets soon fell and he was joined by last man, Jack Durston, at 112 for nine. They proceeded to add 73 for the last wicket with Walter’s 39 the top score of the innings. Bad weather intervened and Middlesex managed to draw the match. In his last appearance for Middlesex that summer, against Somerset at Taunton, he was to be involved in an even more dramatic situation. Going in at 192 for six in the first innings he was last out when the total had reached 244 after scoring 36 of the last 52 runs. But when the third day arrived with Middlesex needing 172 runs to win he went to the wicket with the score at 163 for seven. A vital partnership with Durston of five runs took Middlesex to within four runs of victory. He was desperately disappointed at not being able to steer Middlesex home when he was caught off the bowling of Bridges, but Middlesex managed to win with their one remaining wicket intact and Walter could join in the team celebrations. A place in Queens’ College at Cambridge University now awaited him but there was still the problem of finance. At that time there were no student grants or loans, but once again, Dr Johnston came to the rescue. He searched the school financial records and noted that not all of the money raised from voluntary subscriptions to erect a memorial in honour of those ex-pupils and teachers who had fallen during the Great War, had been used. He created a ‘War Memorial Scholarship’ of £80 per year and promptly awarded it to a grateful Walter Robins. Highgate and East Molesey