Cricket  Reports (1964) - results to be added

1ST XI

By Mr. K. J. WALKER

(Captain: G. Harding)

Played 14, Won 3, Drawn 4, Lost 6, Abandoned 1

1964 was a season of promise rather than of fulfilment. It began on a gloomy note at St. Albans in cold, damp, miserable conditions. The School was unable to overcome the difficulties of batting on a slow, rain-soaked pitch and therefore went down to an inferior side. This was not the only occasion when the St. Nicholas batsmen did not seem to have sufficient confidence in their own ability to seize the initiative in aggressive fashion. There was no doubting the tenacity of their efforts in fighting rearguard actions but there were times when It seemed that the team was more concerned with not losing than with giving itself a chance of winning. However, a re-shuffling of the batting order gave more solidity to the start of the innings and with this came growing confidence and some departure from the previous, defensive frame of mind. The bowling was rarely menacing but was always reliable and steady and, as the season progressed, there came several outstanding performances with the bat.

The highlight of the season was a narrow but deserved victory over St. Clement Dane's, a school with a considerable sporting reputation. This, it is to be hoped, is a taste of things to come. Already the School has produced a number of individuals well able to hold their own in club cricket but, as yet, the 1st XI has not quite established itself as a real power in school cricket. The flashes of real promise shown already by some of the team suggest that St. Nicholas could, next season, make useful progress towards this goal.

Colours were awarded to D. Byrne and R. Froggatt. D. Byrne achieved the distinction of being chosen to play for the Middlesex Grammar Schools' team, although injury kept him from actually appearing.

K. J. WALKER