Minor Counties Championship 1908

8 2nd XI and Durham at Blackpool, despite not being on either the main or the supernumerary list. PROSPECTS FOR THE 1908 SEASON On 17 April, The Sportsman published an article dealing with the prospects of some of the teams entering the “Second Division Championship”. SURREY, YORKSHIRE, LANCASHIRE (2nd XIs): all three will be hosting home matches at “out” grounds in order to foster interest throughout their counties. BEDFORDSHIRE: should again be able to call on Mr R W Rice (whose health broke down last year). Prospects are therefore brighter. Home fixtures will be played at Luton and at Bedford. BERKSHIRE: will miss the services of Mr L P Collins, who has rejoined his regiment in India. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: have much improved prospects owing to a generous response to the committee's call for financial help. Mr P J de Paravicini has stood down after 15 years as skipper and H E Bull has also resigned the secretaryship; their respective successors are Mr W Firth (sic) Lowndes and Dr B Abrahams. All last year's players are available and there are some promising new players including Messrs H W Priestley and R W Orton. As usual, a comprehensive programme of Club & Ground matches has been arranged. CAMBRIDGESHIRE: will again miss the services of the Rev H Gray. One home game is planned to take place at Newmarket. DEVON: Mr L Tamworth succeeds Mr H F Brunskill as skipper, whilst Captain N R Radcliffe DSO takes over as secretary from the Rev S W Featherstone. Mr J C Hartley is now qualified and the old Surrey professional, A E Street, is also available. The committee have been active in promoting cricket within the county. DORSET: Mr P F C Williams, who was skipper in 1906 but abroad last year, will resume charge of the eleven, with last year's captain, Mr H M Greenhill, himself being out of the country this year. With the remainder of last year's side available, plus paceman Mr N R Udal, batsman Mr G H Fowler and 'keeper Captain P Whetham, the county should be stronger than for some time. DURHAM: unfortunately the county has been weakened by the emigration to Chile of Mr E W Elliot, but Mr R Bousefield hopes to recover from ill health. Mr J Coulson will continue to skipper and will have the assistance of most of last year's players, both amateur and professional. The batting threatens to continue to be the Achilles' heel in the team's performance. GLAMORGAN: in addition to their group games, will play Wiltshire and will also host the fixture between South Wales and the Philadelphians. All home matches will take place at Cardiff Arms Park except for that against Devon which will take place at Swansea. HERTFORDSHIRE: are intending to play at Watford and Hitchin as well as hosting the St Albans Week. MCC will be met, home and away. All last year's team and several promising youngsters (including Mr J Leslie and Mr A F Leighton) are available. LINCOLNSHIRE: will play their home games at Grimsby, Grantham, Spalding, Lincoln and Skegness. The team will be much the same as last year, whilst Day (late of Nottinghamshire) is qualifying for the county. The club, only in its second year, hopes to significantly increase its membership of 250. NORFOLK: will play Free Foresters and Harrow Wanderers prior to entertaining Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire in the Norwich Week. They are looking forward to a successful time. NORTHUMBERLAND: are looking forward to improving on last year when they finished bottom of their group. STAFFORDSHIRE: are hoping that Sydney Barnes will have recovered from the Ashes Tour of the previous winter. All five home games will be played at Stoke.