Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

45 Raikes the International ‘Keeper’ and continuing throughout the remainder of the match. As was expected, England proved successful, but they were only able to claim a majority of two goals to none. This somewhat unexpectedly small margin was easily accounted for by the slippery state of the turf, which of course mitigated against good play. For some few minutes in the first half the Irish forwards attacked with some little vigour, but once the Englishmen had settled down to their work they proved themselves clearly to be the better side,” scoring once in each half. It is a little unclear who captained England in this match. Whilst the Times plumped uncertainly for G.O.Smith, the local press, in the shape of Irish Saturday Night and The Irish Times , awarded the honour to Raikes and there seems little reason to doubt them. He may even have captained the next international as well for there is absolutely no surviving evidence as to the identity of the skipper in the match against Wales. A week later, Raikes dodged playing in Norfolk for the last time, preferring to appear for the Corinthians in what turned out to be a defeat by Queen’s Park rather than represent Wymondham against Yarmouth Fearnoughts. Having done enough to avoid disappointing the selectors, Raikes’ third international duly followed two days later, with Wales turning out to be whipping boys. The report in the Eastern Daily Press commented: “The annual encounter between these countries took place at Cardiff Arms Park yesterday afternoon, England winning by nine goals to one. Heavy rains had converted the ground into a perfect quagmire. Both teams turned out their strongest elevens, but the opinion of regular ‘socker’ followers [had been] not who [would] win, but what [would] England’s score be … “At once England assumed the aggressive, Bassett and Bloomer ran right down the Welsh line, Sam Jones fisting out splendidly … Jones made an ineffective attempt to score, Raikes saving very cleverly.” Bloomer scored three times before half-time was called. After the interval, the “tricky running and cross-passing of the English fairly bewildered their opponents.” For the Welsh, “Morris put in a beauty, which Raikes cleverly disposed of. Wales now played up strongly, and, after a lot of loose play, Lewis scored for Wales from a free kick. The Englishmen were now taking things easily, and Raikes was called upon to defend several times, a very one-sided game ending in England scoring nine goals and Wales one. Bloomer alone scored five, a record for an Englishman.” Raikes then represented the Corinthians against Sheffield United for the fourth time in 14 months, receiving his biggest defeat (0-4) whilst in their colours. It was around this time that the International Trial Match was held; Raikes put in a performance much superior to that of the previous year and was duly selected for the Home International between England and Scotland, the most prestigious soccer match of the year. The Norfolk press enthused: “the Oxonian may lay claim to the distinction of being the best goalkeeper in England at the present time.”