Cricket  Reports (1968-69)

The First Eleven enjoyed their most successful season for many years, winning nine matches in all. Since all but Orchard, the captain, are back at school the prospects for next year are bright indeed.

Orchard was an attacking, and, on occasions, an inspiring captain, capable of getting the best out of all members of the team. To him goes the credit for the happy atmosphere within the side, which undoubtedly helped on the field. He is also to be congratulated for two quite superb individual performances. Against Vyners he was practically unplayable, bowling them out practically single-handed, and finishing with figures of 9 overs, 8 maidens, 1 run, 8 wickets. Later in the term at Dr. Challoner's, he made a match-winning 38 not out in the last seventeen minutes of the game.

The batting early on in the season was very uncertain, but matters improved until, towards the end of the term, much more stability had been achieved. Knight could generally be relied upon to make runs, while Warby looked a better player every time he went to the middle. In addition R. Harris, R. Lott, Orchard, Sampson and Wickison all made runs when it mattered.

The bowling was always very tight if a little lacking in variation. The side lacked a good accurate spinner, the type of bowler who can create havoc in schoolboy cricket, as the team found to their cost against Richard Hale, However, A. Lott, Newing, and Orchard bowled consistently well, with one or other of them seemingly always among the wickets.

The out cricket was generally good, with Probert proving a 'find' at slip, and R. Lott behind the stumps was generally safe, if a little too eager at times. A good year then, which ended with a most enjoyable staff match, with the boys recovering from a bad start to win quite comfortably. My thanks go to Orchard in particular, and to the team in general, for their enterprising approach to the game and for their co-operation. Thanks also go to R. Martin, our jovial scorer, and to 'Arthur' for his hard work on the square. which played admirably all summer. Looking forward to next year, one can see no reason at all why this season's results should not be repeated, if not bettered. Let us hope the weather allows them to be.

I. R. CLARKSON

Under Attfield's captaincy, the 2nd XI enjoyed one of their more prosperous seasons. There was an excellent spirit in all departments of the game: keen fielding, tight bowling, attractive batting and above all a sporting atmosphere that made playing for the 2nd XI a pleasant experience. We were luckier with the weather this year too, only two games being cancelled because of impossible conditions, although unfortunately two further fixtures did not take place because of our opponents inability to field an eleven against us. Much of the credit for the side's success is due to Attfield, who not only led the team with distinction but made many vital contributions with both bat and ball to swing a game in our favour. For the rest we must have a special word of praise for Oliver's wicket-keeping throughout the season and for Pearce's excellent nine wickets for three runs against John Lyon. In general however, this was a team success which augurs well for the coming season.

D. DIXON

Despite a disappointing record, the season was not without its highlights and achievements. The first match of the season was a tie, the game against Copeland was lost in the last over with three runs needed for victory, and rain intervened to save Salvatorian College from almost certain defeat. The side's batting was usually reliable, if rather slow, and Knight, Phillips and Fenton all had good performances to their credit. The main weakness of the side was its bowling which lacked penetration and depth, though Lowe and Rowe showed signs of promise.

J. WHEATON.

There was so much promise in the team this season that it was a bitter disappointment to have several matches cancelled because our opponents found themselves unable to field a team to meet us. This year, at least, the weather did not interfere very much to curtail our fixture list.

The season began with a drawn match against Richard Hale School, a match which could have been won with brisker tactics. The highlight of the game was a splendid 47 by K. Harris, who captained the side and kept wicket. Other successes were achieved against St. Benedict's School, Salvatorian College, and Copland School. In the last of these matches, in which each side batted for twenty overs, the school scored 105 for one wicket (Bond 54, Harris 45) while our opponents scored 50 for 9, Haynes taking all but one of the wickets.

The team showed great keenness throughout the season despite the frequent disappointments of cancelled fixtures. There is considerable talent, latent as well as developed, and the future looks bright for senior cricket in the seasons that lie ahead. Harris is an outstanding batsman and wicket-keeper and T. Bond was the "discovery" of the season, a very competent batsman and another excellent wicket-keeper. Worthy of encouragement are the developing abilities of Henderson as a slow spin bowler and Jones whose medium-paced left-arm bowling could be very accurate. The team boasts a number of all-rounders, among whom Parfitt was most impressive. The fielding was not always of a consistent quality, but at its best was extremely keen.

AJT.

Because of a regrettable loss of fixtures, the Minor XI played only three games and consequently they had little opportunity to display their prowess. However Lowe showed considerable promise as an all-rounder, while on occasion, Hall, Thomas, Horton and Simmons all acquitted themselves with no little credit. The fielding was good and a commendably keen attitude prevailed at all times.

E. A. COX