patient defence of Mr. Vyvyan was a notable feature of the game. Somehow or other the total did creep up to 171 as aforesaid. Just before lunch, College went in, and began well with Evans and Watts, Brice bowled, and that at first indifferently. He was accordingly punted by both batsmen in an exemplary manner. No wicket fell till 40 was on the telegraph, when Watts went for 22. Evans soon after left for 35. Brice now contrived to get some wickets, but Strachan and Wise played well (in the latter's runs there was a remarkably fine off-drive-off Brice, by the way) and Browne's 17 was most useful. The innings closed for 126, or 45 behind. When Mr. Baxter's lot appeared for their second venture Mr. Price was again unlucky, but Messrs. Turner and Vyvyan scored. The latter's defence was as obstinate as ever. Mr. Jessop, too, contributed. All out for 116. College had therefore 166 to get. The runs might very well have been obtained. It was a good match. Score: MR. BAXTER'S ELEVEN. 1st Innings. Rev. H. Vyvyan, c. Watts, b. Steuart Mr. E. A. Brice, c. Wise, b. Strachan Mr. F. S. Bullock, absent Mr. T. W. Laurie, b. Carter Mr. A. F. Payne, b. Wyatt' Rev. M. H. Begbie, b. Strachan Mr. L. Bagot, not out Leg byes 4, wides 3 116 THE COLLEGE v. MR. PRICE'S ELEVEN. This match was in a great measure a disappointment. Everyone was looking forward to it. It was the great two-day event of the half-year. The air was crowded with rumours of Rutters, with glories of Graces, and the team was to have been captained by Mr. Brindley. That gentleman, however, threw it up at the last moment, why, he best knows himself, and wrote to Mr. Price to say so, leaving him to get up an eleven as best he might in one day. Under these circumstances, our best thanks are due to Mr. Price for his indefatigable exertions in scraping men together amidst such difficulties. It was a very pleasant match, and, in spite of the disappointment, the result was-' general satisfaction.' Wise won the toss for the second time, and sent Evans and Watts as usual to the wickets, the former of whom had the temerity to try to pull Brice, and was accordingly bowled. The latter, after having made his usual hit off the same great bowler, was lamentably overcome by Mr. Price. No great stand was made until Wise and Stuart got together; these two put on 71 runs between them, but-all that's bright must fade'-their wickets were obtained, and College was out for 148. Mr. Price's Eleven, when it came in, proceeded to make notches as one man, except Messrs. Brice, Browne, and Reid Mr. Turner played a perfect innings, Messrs. Crowdy and MacCallum hit hard, and Mr. Vyvyan again exhibited an unrivalled defence. The Eleven was profoundly thankful when the innings closed for 220, the prevailing sentiment being that it might have been worse.' Full of ardour it entered upon its second trial, but began badly. Evans and Watts were both bowled by shooters, but not till the latter had secured his hit off Brice again—this time for six-and Strachan was caught off a 'bumper'—his first ball. But the Captain, with Wyatt and Graham to back him, came and stood nobly in the gap, which was also occupied for a space (to some effect) by Bradley, and the total of the first innings was passed by 4. Thus our opponents had 81 to get to win. But the requisite amount was not to be obtained in the time, and six wickets went for 51, mainly through Loudon's good bowling; his analysis here showed 13 overs, 9 maidens, 9 runs, 5 wickets. Brice this time succeeded in reaching double figures, and Hare played very perfectly, as in the first innings. Noteworthy is the unconscionable number of catches which fell to the lot of Mr. Crowdy. Mr. Palaret was understood to feel much aggrieved at not being allowed to keep wicket, for which the Captain very unfeelingly dismissed him to long leg down the hill, in spite of his touching assurances that his health would inevitably suffer; for,' said he plaintively, 'it must be damp down there.' However, he went, and fielded beautifully. We must not forget to advert to the appearance of a new star in the cricketing firmament-Strachan the Bowler-who has taken to trundling slow round with great effect: he gives promise of being a still greater light next year. But this is bad: our fielding is not yet quite up to form. Demoralisation cannot be tolerated for an instant, and there must be more bustling about and carefulness in backing up. 'Happy thought' is distinctly not Cheltenham form. Subjoined is the score:— THE COLLEGE v. MR. B. B. COOPER S ELEVEN. Played on Saturday, Sept. 25. Last foreign match of the season. Wise, although incapacitated by a bad foot from doing anything more than 'appearing' at the wicket, won the toss in a gallant manner, and, at a little past eleven o'clock, sent in Evans and Watts, according to established use. The first wicket fell for 18, when the former went out to a slow, which he missed, and was stumped. Strachan then came, but, audaciously attempting to pull the mighty Brice for six, was bowled too for 27. On the arrival of Graham a stand was made, and the score rose to 44, when the patience of Watts was exhausted. He hit a stop out into the long field, and was well caught by Mr. Baxter, after playing a remarkably good innings of 26. After this, Steuart and Hare were the principal performers, the latter fully justifying the expectations that had been formed of him on getting 30 in first-rate form. Myers added 20 well, and was left not out. Total, 149. After lunch Mr. Cooper's merry men came in, and played unproductively for some period, Messrs. Price and Reid alone doing much hitting. Brice was bowled by a yorker which very much resembled one of his own favourites! When 90 had been obtained for 7 wickets, the rain, which had hitherto kept off most considerately, fell in torrents, and put a stop to all further play. Thus the match was left drawn, rather in favour of the College Mr. Vyvyan very kindly presented a bat to the highest scorer, which was won by Hare, after a close contest with Steuart and Watts. We congratulate him heartily. A ball was also given by the same encourager of our cricket (an old Marlburian by the way,—will not some old Cheltonian go down to Marlborough, and stimulate the Eleven there to glorious exertions by similar conduct?) to the best bowler in the match. A very near thing it was between Steuart and Loudon. In fact, the contention was so sharp, that James Lillywhite with his usual liberality, gave another ball. The analyses of the two fortunate recipients were :— Steuart-32 overs, 16 maidens, 32 runs, I wicket; Loudon-20 overs, 12 maidens, 25 runs 2 wickets. With regard to the bowling on the other side: Mr. Price was overheard to remark that he had perfect command over the ball. His analysis rather seems to confirm the statement, but we don't believe it. It is preposterous. As for Brice; he said he never bowled better in his life, and he ought to know. Score: |
