Cricket  Reports (1973)

PLAYED 8 WON 2 DRAWN 3 LOST 3

The loss of K. Harris, a County player, before the beginning of the season, delivered a crippling blow to the side's batting strength. Once the season was under way it became apparent that the opening bowling attack of A. Parfitt and A. Hale would pose many problems to the opposition. Both bowled aggressively in every match and often had their opponents struggling to reach 100 runs. Time and again, however, our batsmen were found to be lack in technique and temperament and were thus unable to build a winning score. The Old Boys, for example, were dismissed for the modest total of 71 with A. Parfitt taking 6 wickets for 19 runs. After losing Fazackerley with the score at nought, Rowe (18) and Sanders (17) led a fighting recovery only to see their efforts wasted by the careless stroke play of the later batsmen, and consequently probable victory was turned into a 12 run defeat. Nevertheless there were several batting performances worthy of mention. In the first match of the season against Salvatorian College S. Rowe (56) and S. Jones (46 not out) batted extremely well; C. Saunders scored a match-saving 25 against Dr. Challoners; Peter Devenish displayed many fine shots in his innings of 49 not out (which included six sixes) against Rickmansworth and M. Huddleston scored an attractive 37 against Harrow County.

Eight of the present side are leaving this year and a lot will therefore rest on the shoulders of M. Huddleston, T. Fazackerley and C. Thomas next season. Fortunately this year's Colts XI, which has been so very successful, is able to provide a number of talented players for next year's 1st XI which, though lacking in experience, should possess great potential.

Full Colours: S. Jones; S. Rowe; A. Parfitt.

Half Colours: A. Hale; C. Saunders; M. Huddleston; T. Fazackerley.

C. N. CHARLESTON

Played 7: Won 2: Drawn 1: Lost 4:

The Seconds' began the season by winning the first two matches very convincingly, by 57 runs and 5 wickets respectively. The team was full of enthusiasm and high spirits. Then what happened? Absences of 'vital' players and the lack of the necessary training and discipline in batting were the major factors in the defeats sustained.

In fairness to the players one should say that without exception they all tried very hard and in some cases a few gave their best. Though the batting was poor, Szelewski and Lowe made runs consistently. Lowe, Hartley, Harding and Johnstone bowled very well indeed. The fielding without exception was of a very high standard. However, I think I ought to mention the slip fielding of Johnstone, Hall and Plowman which was really brilliant. Between them they did not drop a catch and hardly a single ball which came their way eluded them.

Ceteris paribus, I would like to congratulate the players for turning in such a useful performance and Lowe for the way he moulded the players into a team and helped to enthuse them.

Played 8: Won 6: Lost 2: Drawn 0.

The Colts enjoyed a successful season as their playing record shows. A measure of their strength was that no opposing team managed to bowl them all out; five batsmen had individual scores of thirty-five or over during the season; four batsmen had averages of over twenty; and, of the regular bowlers, five had averages of under ten runs per wicket. But statistics do not reveal the true strengths of the side - their collective spirit, fostered by the captain, N. Round, and their concentration and application, whether batting, bowling or fielding.

The highlight of the season was a nail-biting win by three wickets in the last match against R.G. S. High Wycombe. Rice bowled well to take five wickets for eleven runs, but nevertheless 101 runs were needed for victory. Thanks to a fine fifty by Stevens, with intelligent support from Bath, Searle and White, success was achieved with ten minutes to spare. This result was all the more pleasurable since it was gained against a well-coached side, brought up on good batting wickets.

One must temper elation with realism. There are still many imperfections in the techniques of the batesmen, especially in their footwork for legside strokes and driving off the back-foot. The bowlers still tend to bowl many balls short of a length which would be punished more often if so many matches were not played on pitches of poor quality.

Nevertheless, Stevens, Bath, Round and Dane have the makings of batsmen; Thom (an outstanding prospect), Searle White and Rice have done well with bat and ball; Church and Doorbar are promising specialist bowlers; and Entwistle has emerged as a very competent wicket-keeper/batsman. Every member of the team has played a valuable part in the side's success.

Doorbar is to be congratulated on reaching the final trial for the Middlesex Colts, though with a very soft pitch he did not get the conditions needed for his slow left-arm bowling.

It is a pity that this side will have to break up temporarily to join more senior boys in next season's 1st and 2nd elevens. It has been a pleasure to have been associated with them over the last three seasons and one looks forward to seeing them united again in two years' time in the School's 1st XI.

R. G. BIRCH

Played 9: Won 2: Drawn 1: Lost 6:

Captain: C. Baker

This was a team with a number of major deficiencies though some improvement was seen through the season.

The batting depended heavily on Rice, a left hander with the ability to punish the loose ball and Kirby a solid opener. Baker, the other opener. showed some promise though faulty footwork on the offside restricted him greatly. Most of the others continually played across the line and suffered the inevitable consequences, though Knowles, Price, Page and Marshall were occasional exceptions.

The bowling had its moments and Rice, Tinsley. Pendred and Baker all showed the ability to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. As yet, however, none bowled a consistent enough line or length, all staying too frequently down the legside.

Price as a useful keeper and the teams fielding was generally quite reliable. Baker's captaincy showed thought and promise. If the team is prepared to really work at improving techniques, especially in batting, then there is no real reason why next year's record should not be appreciably better.
Juniors: Rice, Kirby.

Played 8: Won 4: Drew 2: Lost 2.

The season went far better than we expected after our first match in which we were bowled out for 11. Furthermore, we did not have a proper wicket keeper until M. Penny was chosen after playing well in house matches. He continued to improve throughout the season.

The fielding was of a high standard, and some very good catches were taken. Our bowling fell mainly upon the shoulders of K. Hale, N. Hicks, D. Mullens and J. Blakey. J. Blakey was, in fact, most successful, taking over half the wickets out of an average of 4 runs apiece.

K.Hale, J.Blakey and N. Hicks scored more than half the runs between them, and they were well supported by J. Laxton, M. Penny and C. France. J. Gibson was an excellent 12th man.

Our thanks go to the parents who gave their support, and provided refreshments, and to Mr. Taylor for all the hard work and encouragement he gave the team throughout the season.

N.HICKS (CAPTAIN).

Played 8: Won 3: Drew 2: Lost 3.

A slightly disappointing set of results after a most impressive start. We beat Salvatorian College and John Lyon convincingly at the beginning of the season, but the team lost some momentum and confidence and lost three games in a row before coming back towards the end of the season.

Costa managed the side efficiently as well as looking a good wicketkeeper-batsman. Other batsmen who showed a lot of promise were Parfitt, Searle, Smith, Wilkinson and Hartley, although most of them need to come onto the front foot more. Neal, Searle and Walton were the most successful bowlers - Neal's leg spinners are erratic, but on his day he is almost unplayable.

On the whole, the team shows a lot of potential and I for one am looking forward to next season.

M. FOUNTAIN