Cricket  Reports (1976)

Played 10 Won 4 Drawn 3 Lost 3

It seems as though 1st XI cricket reports always begin with the statement that the team's performances have failed to live up to its potential, and this report is no exception. On paper this year's team was experienced, talented and certainly capable of going through the season without losing a match; but its results were disappointing. Modern schoolboys have, unfortunately, suffered from having to play on sub-standard wickets but, as these are the same for both sides, one is forced to conclude that our failures have been primarily the result of lack of application and competitive spirt. This team has always been notable for its loyalty and good- nature, and perhaps it was this very amiability which stopped it from playing cricket with the intensity necessary to achieve consistent success.

The captain, A. Thom, showed increasing tactical skills and continued to make useful contributions with bat and ball, but without ever being really dominant with either. Of the batsmen, C. Pitt scored the most runs, but no-one scored a fifty during the season or accumulated a substantial aggregate of runs. N. Stevens, potentially the best batsmen in the side, scored few runs compared with last season. As his batting concentration disappeared, however, so his bowling penetration improved and he finished the season with 24 wickets. A. Bath, I. Rice, N. Round and N. Hicks made reasonable scores on occasions.

The bowling sometimes looked unplayable as, for example, when N. Stevens took 7 for 19 against the Old Boys and I. Doorbar 6 for 18 against Gayton High School, but generally it was no more than tidy.

Many of our problems stemmed from poor fielding. On many occasions had chances or half-chances been held we could have dismissed the opposition's top batting in the first few overs. Entwistle's wicket-keeping was usually of a high standard, but the decline in his batting was another factor in the side's relative lack of success.

Victories were achieved over John Lyon School by 2 wickets, Pinner Junior College by 5 wickets, Orange Hill by 5 wickets and The Staff XI by 36 runs. We lost to Gayton High School by 9 runs, Dr. Challoner's by 32 runs and the Old Boys by 42 runs.

A. Thom already has full colours; and S. Entwistle and I. Rice half-colours. New half-colours were awarded to N. Stevens and C. Pitt.

R. Birch

At the start of the season S. Jackson, the captain, had a squad of more than eleven able players from which it was hoped a stable team would emerge. However, with the usual demands from the 1st XI and holidays, only about half a dozen players managed to survive the whole season. For the other places we were helped out by players from the U15 (Parfitt and Neal in particular) U14 and even U13 sides. In spite of this we managed to win two and draw one of the seven matches played.

A. R. Thacker

Played 9 Won 6 Drawn 2 Lost 1

This season was a vast improvement on the disappointment of last season. The only defeat was against Gunnersbury, when we had three key players missing.

The improvement was seen in all departments of our game, and this season a more enthusiastic approach was shown. The bowling was strengthened by the arrival of M. Chippendale who improved as the season went on. He was excellent support for Walton and Hazard, who shows great promise as an off-break bowler.

Our batting seldom failed to reach a large score, although it relied mainly on N. Searle and M. Costa. However, Walton looks as though he will become a useful batsman as well.

Finally, a mention of our fielding, which was very sharp and safe. Chippendale, Hartley and Robak all took many fine catches, and the boundary fielding of D. Neal was excellent.

M. Costa

Played 11, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 4

After a disappointing start this proved to be a rewarding season for a team whose confidence and ability improved markedly in later games.

Against Christ's College, Haberdasher's and Doctor Challoner's, the team met strong opposition and could not match the batting standard that was set by these teams. Against Haberdashers, for example, we could only reply with 30 against the opposition's score of 195 for 5.

Our first victory of the season came with the match against Vyners. After dismissing the opposition for 84 runs, Bracey taking 6 for 19, St Nicholas obtained 85 for 9 to win the match by one wicket.

A more convincing win was obtained against John Lyon when St Nicholas were able to score 77 for 2 in reply to a John Lyon total of 76 for 6. Credit must go to our bowlers in this game as well as to the opening batsmen; Callaghan taking 2 for 12 and Jones 3 for 28.

The match against St Benedict's proved to be one of the most interesting of the season. The opposition set us a score of 137 to chase. After creditable batting performances by Kirkham-52 runs, and Gislingham-33, the team went on to win the game by 4 wickets.

After a victory against Gayton High School and a drawn game against R.G.S. High Wycombe the team came to the final fixture of the season. St Nicholas, in one of their best batting performances of the season, declared at 138 for 5 while Orange Hill School could only reply with 38 runs. Credit goes to Bracey, Kirkham and Pullem for their batting performances and to Gibson and Pullem for bowling; the latter taking 6 for 13.

Our thanks must go to Bracey and Kirkham as Captain and Vice-Captain, and to all those who represented the school this season. Hird and Randall must be commended for their fielding throughout the season while Ayres continues to be an able wicket keeper. Let us hope the team will begin next season in the form that they finished this one!

R. W. Noble

Played 11, Won 4, Drawn 3, Lost 4

This was rather a mixed season, particularly considering the undoubted talent and enthusiasm. We started badly, losing the first three matches. After the first win, however, and the side gaining some confidence, performances and results improved considerably. The best win was gained in mid-season, when a strong Rooks Heath side was bowled out for a mere nineteen runs, Carter taking eight wickets. Carter deserves a special mention for his bowling, taking thirty-three wickets during the season, and he and his opening bowling partner, McKellar, took the bulk of the wickets. However, as the season continued and wickets began to show signs of wear, Sarratt and Court showed promise as spin bowlers. The batting is well balanced with two left-handers amongst the established batsmen. Sarratt, Court and Portlock in particular show promise and Hughes is particularly severe on weak bowling. Sarratt heads the batting averages, having scored 216 runs this season, and is very strong on and just outside the leg stump.

The biggest problem is that of consistency at the moment, however, both as a side and as individuals. The fielding noticeably flagged against strong batsmen, and the performance of bowlers and batsmen (Sarratt excluded) were somewhat erratic. There is, however, such a variety of talent still to be exploited that I am optimistic about the future of this side.

M. Fountain

Played 8, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 1

This was a highly successful season for a very promising young team. It is a rare first year team that scores over 100 in every innings except one.

Neal, the captain, was the leading run-maker, but Harris, Yuill, Keegan and Josey batted well throughout the season and helped pile up big scores.

Reap took a large share of the bowling and reached an excellent standard with his medium-fast left arm. He was backed up by several other bowlers including Keegan, Parfitt and Neal and by a very competent fielding side, in which Harris was outstanding.

Owen undertook the job of "keeper'' although he had never kept wicket before; he improved steadily through the season.

Several victories were by a very large margin but the most notable victory, a close one, was over a very powerful Haberdashers' Aske's side. Neal averaged 59 with a top score of 75 and Reap's best performance with the ball was 5 for 1.

A. Neal