FIRST XI MATCHES

The first XI had a most successful season. Only two matches were lost - those against the Headmaster's XI, and against the Masters. No school match was lost; so with nine wins and three draws there was cause for very great satisfaction. In every way excellent progress has been made. Workman, with scores of 93, 43, 32, 29, 25, 51 was the most successful bat, but Byrde, Scarbrow and Munro also had some very good individual scores. Scarbrow bowled better than in any previous season and he was ably supported by Davies, T. J., and McCulloch.

The improvement in fielding was very pleasing, and was often commented on by masters in charge of opposing sides. The team, led jointly by McCulloch and Workman, also showed the right sort of fighting spirit on the few occasions when things were going badly; it was good to see no signs of a dull playing-for-safety. First XI colours were awarded to McCulloch, Workman, Davies T.J., and Scarbrow.

We can, I hope, look forward to a good 1956 season. Most of the recognised bats will be with us, and many others are showing much promise. The bowling, perhaps, lacks bite and aggressiveness, but there are younger boys who no doubt will be knocking on the door of the team. It is clear that success in cricket comes more slowly than in other games, and so it was very encouraging to see the fruits this year of our early struggles.

UNDER 14 XI

This was rather a disappointing season after a good start. In spite of the mediocre results the team shows a great deal of promise. Once again some very good bowling, backed up by reasonable fielding, was let down by unreliable batting.

Smith G. captained the team well and used his bowling intelligently.

Without picking out too many personalities, mention must be made of the outstanding bowling of Poyntz and also of his excellent half century in the match with Brentwood.

Although the record of the team was not very impressive, several of the members showed promising ability. Blake was a thoughtful captain whose batting could usually be relied upon, and whose bowling, although at times somewhat erratic, proved often puzzling to the opponents. When batting Hickman always bit the ball hard and his style gives promise of better things. His bowling was usually well-directed and often most effective. King, Brookman, Walker, Goody, Stevens, Vinall and Weinberg all figured as batsmen; Stevens, Goody, Banwell as bowlers; and Leach and Banwell as wicket-keepers.

The final game, although drawn, was in several respects the best. Played on a perfect wicket, and despite Hickman's surprising dismissal by the first ball, Blake and Stevens settled down to take the score along at a brisk rate. Their stand realised 111 attractive runs, of which Blake contributed 48. When the team declared at 146 for 2 Stevens was undefeated for 58. Holbrook accepted the challenge nobly, and were 106 for 7 when stumps were drawn. Hickman took 4 for 34. The ground-fielding and throwing were better than at any other time during the season, and all felt the tension and the will-to-win spirit that infected the team. Had more emulated the example of Hickman, Goody and Blake in the field earlier in the season, possibly some of the results might have been reversed. Finally, a word of thanks to our conscientious scorer, Snell.

By far the most exciting match of the season was played between Hansons and Johnstons, when good batting was shown by both sides, and the result was always in the balance from start to finish. Hansons might consider themselves unlucky to lose by so narrow a margin, but the issue was finally settled by Johnstons' fielding, which was better than any other in the House competition.

Johnstons also batted well against Corners to put up the score of 76 before declaring with 9 wickets down, the only declaration of the season. Sustained hitting all through the innings saw Corners home at a good fast rate.

Halls brought off a notable victory against Hansons, who were never quite the force they were in 1954, and put up worthy performances against both Johnstons and Corners, but couldn't manage to bring out the bowling that might have seen them through.

So to the last match of the season - Corners v. Hansons - deprived of its annual importance because Hansons were clearly out of the running for the cup. The wicket was a vicious one, with the ball popping alarmingly, and once even it got up to shoulder height after pitching inches short of the popping crease. Hansons batted first and lost wickets quickly to some good accurate fast bowling. Steady batting against bowling that lacked venom on a very useful wicket, saw Corners through to victory and the House trophy.

Corners finished top, I think, because they had the bowling to back up a score of 60 or 70, and their fielding was not scrappy. Their batting easily equalled that of any other house. Johnstons' strong point was their batting. and, as I have already said, their fielding was the best of the lot. In bowling, however, they lacked that extra bite, which was so evident with Corners. Halls had a satisfactory season, and, as shown in the match against Hansons, were a force to be reckoned with. Clearly Hansons had an off season, and disappointed. They have potentially some of the best cricketers in the school, and will no doubt challenge much more strongly next year.

Brian Workman