THE CHELTENHAM MATCH, 1879. JULY 16TH, 1879. The Cheltenham Match has now been played twenty-four times, and for the first time Marlborough has equalled her opponents in the number of victories. Cheltenham led off in '52, '57 and '58 with 3 wins, and have kept ahead till Saturday last, when, thanks to good bowling and fielding, Marlborough was returned the victor in the struggle. When A. G. Steel left us, many thought our star was dimmed entirely, but the last two victories over Cheltenham have shewn at least that now and then his mantle turns up, vide the bowling performances of Gostenhofer and Hardwick. However, the match just concluded claims notice. The visitors arrived on Thursday evening, July 3rd, and on Friday at 11.15 Peake and Forrest tossed for innings. There had been much rain, but, on winning the turn of the coin, Peake decided on taking the innings. He deputed Hitchcock and Kitcat to first represent us, and the bowling was begun by Forrest (right hand, medium slow) from Lyne's end. The field was arranged thus; Clowes, wicket; Jenkins, slip and bowler; Francis, point; Cooke, short-leg and long-stop; Kemble, deep field and third man; Oliver, cover-point; Glass, slip and long-on; PRICE 3d. Brown, long off and long leg; Tonge, long leg and mid off; Llewellin, deep field and mid-on; Forrest, slip when not bowling. At ten minutes before twelve Hitchcock received the first ball from Forrest. From the latter's third delivery a single was made to cover-point. Jenkins then bowled a maiden. Forrest's next over realised a three through the slips to Kitcat. This was his only contribution as Jenkins "yorked" him in his fourth over. One for six. Leach filled the vacancy, but through playing forward on a dead ground, put one up to mid-on, which Glass accepted. Two for six. This was a bad beginning, and it was made still worse when Hill quietly played forward into Francis' hands at point. Jenkins had thus taken three wickets for one run. Three for six. Marlburians here began to wonder when enough rain should have fallen to enable our bats to become proficients in wet-weather cricket. Peake succeeded Hill, but after scoring a single was smartly caught by Clowes at the wicket off Forrest. Clowes had before this given evidence that he was not to be trifled with behind the sticks. Four wickets down for nine runs! Bengough came in, and made a single off Jenkins, and put Forrest into the slips for a brace, when he was clean bowled hitting to leg. Five wickets for 14. Booth joined Hitchcock who over. Glennie made two more singles and then gave a half chance to cover-point which resulted in two runs. Booth was not idle, and it was hoped that the stand of the innings was to be made. When the score was 37 Llewellin (left hand medium) bowled vice Jenkins. Booth put him to square leg for a couple, and a bye here intervened. The telegraph now showed 40. Maiden now succeeded maiden, Booth monopolizing Forrest, while Glennie was observing Llewellin. He was "yorked" by the left hander, and Hodgson came in. Seven wickets for 40 runs. The new comer hit Llewellin for two to the on, and one, very lofty, to leg. Both bats here had opportunity to lay on runs, but they contented themselves with stopping the straight balls and doing nothing with the crooked ones. In course of time runs came from Llewellin, Hodgson hitting him well to leg for a couple. Cooke here was conspicuous for a fine piece of fielding at long-stop. Booth spoilt a series of maidens from Forrest by putting him past point for a single. After two more maiden overs he put a ball into Francis' hands at point off Jenkins, who had resumed at his old end two overs earlier. Eight wickets for 47 runs. Booth's 15 comprised four twos, two of which were good free off drives. Fasken came in, and after snicking Jenkins for a single was bowled by Forrest. Hodgson was joined by Hardwick, who batted steadily while his partner hit. The latter was finally caught at point and the innings closed for The Cheltenham fielding was good as a rule, although point ought to have held two or three more men. Clowes was excellent at the wicket. Tonge mastered the subtleties of saving the ball before it cleared the bank, and threw in well. Brown did well what he had to do, and Cooke was a good longstop. With the moderate score of 59 against them, Cheltenham sent in Francis and Kemble, in opposition to Hardwick and Peake. The men were placed thus Hardwick bowler and mid on; Peake, short leg and bowler; Fasken, mid on and deep field; Hodgsen, long on and third man; Hitchcock, long off and long stop; Kitcat, square leg and mid off; Bengough, wickets; Hill, forward cover and short leg; Booth, mid off and long leg; Glennie, square cover and cover point; and Leach, point. Hardwick (right hand slow) sent Francis a maiden from Lyne's end, and Peake was slipped by Kemble for one in his first over. In his succeeding over Francis played him for two to the on; and then Kemble cracked Hardwick to the on. Hodgson saved the bank well, and two only resulted therefrom. A long hop of Peake's was laid under contribution by Kemble for a couple on the slips, and Francis hit the slows to the on for a single. In Peake's next over, Hardwick at mid on, ought to have held Francis. In recognition of his escape, Francis sent Hardwick over the bank for a triplet, and in the succeeding over gave a hot chance to Peake at forward short leg. Had it been taken the catch would have been exceedingly brilliant. Soon after 20 appeared on the telegraph, Kemble was smartly stumped off the slows by Bengough. One for 21, towards which number the retiring batsman had contributed just double figures, consisting of a three, two twos, and singles. Forrest, the Cheltenham captain, now came in, and Hill (left hand fast) bowled vice Peake. We started with two maidens and then rain drove the players into the Pavilion for half an hour. It cleared just for a few minutes, during which the Cheltenham score was increased by half a dozen runs. Rain again, but not for long, and runs came fairly fast, Francis especially being in good form. He hit the slows well to leg for 3, and then turned his attention to the fast bowler by making two twos in one over. Booth ought to have caught him at long leg, but 40 went up on the telegraph without any alteration of the middle figure. However, at 47, the same field did what he could to make amends by holding Forrest off the slows. Oliver, left handed, now filled the vacancy, and a critical time was felt to be near, as he was known as a severe punisher of any bowling at all loose. Francis made a brace of twos off Peake, who had resumed instead of Hill, and then a hearty cheer announced that Oliver was easily stumped by Bengough, when going in to drive the first slow Hardwick sent him. Three for 51. Clowes then appeared and cracked the slows well for a quartett. He also drove the same bowling well to the off for a couple of twos directly afterwards. These were his three efforts however, for Hardwick clean bowled him. Four for 61. Glass now joined Francis, who cemented the partnership by cracking the slows over the bank for 4. Glass skyed Glennie to leg, the latter bowler having superseded Peake at 55. Then Hill relieved Glennie for a couple of overs, and Glass hit him well to cover, but Glennie saved more than one run by his quick fielding. Peake came on again at 74, and almost immediately afterwards stumps were drawn for the day, the time being six o'clock. On Saturday morning at half-past ten the opponents faced each other again. Hardwick bowled the first over, and Kitcat distinguished himself by a smart piece of fielding. Two overs later, a full pitch of Peake's disposed of Glass, who had made five singles. Five for 76. At the same total Francis was unaccountably missed by Fasken at mid on, off the slows. The batting became more spirited; Tonge had joined Francis and runs came apace. The latter batsman cut Peake for two, and hit Hardwick well to leg for a like number. He might have been stumped in the next over, but the chance was not taken. At 83 Hill took Peake's place, but Tonge and Francis made a single each in his first over, and the former cut him grandly for three in his second. Hardwick was sending down maiden after maiden, and changed over to Sun Lane end at 88, and Francis got him to leg for one. Peake took the ball from Hill, and bowled from Lyne's. Francis hit him for two, and in the following over, a fine piece of fielding by Fasken was duly applauded. Hodgson also distinguished himself in a like manner immediately afterwards. Hardwick here took Francis' wicket, who was held at mid-off by Hill, and retired amid general acclamations with the score at 97. His 50 was not gained without chances, but comprised good leg-hitting, driving, and cutting. His figures were one four, two threes, eight twos, and singles. Six wickets for 97. Three runs later and Peake bowled Cooke. Seven for 100. With three runs added Tonge was bowled by Peake, and at the same total Llewellin was well taken at the slips by Hardwick off Peake. 8 aud 9 for 103. Brown had time to make a brace of threes, and Booth misjudged a catch at square leg. This, however, did not much affect the score as Hardwick bowled Jenkins with the telegraph at 110. The bowling analysis reads thus : There were individual cases of good fielding, as already pointed out, but six or seven misses detract considerably from the merit of the above individual cases. Hardwick's bowling requires special mention. At one period on this Saturday morning he delivered 60 balls for one run and one wicket. In a minority of 51, Marlborough entered on their second innings at 11.50, Hitchcock and Kitcat going first to the wickets, opposed by Forrest and Jenkins. Hitchcock despatched Forrest for 2 and 4 in his first over. Kitcat, not to be outdone, drove Jenkins well to the off towards Sun Lane for 3. Then some steadiness, after which a three from each batsman, and at 21 Hitchcock went out of his way to place a long hop into coverpoint's hands. Forrest here changed over to the Sun Lane wicket. After Booth had made a single he followed his predecessor's example and presented the ball to Oliver at cover-point. 2 for 23. Hodgson took the vacant place, and Llewellin bowled vice Jenkins. the telegraph denoted 28, (this increase being much assisted by Cooke who let a cut of Kitcat's through his legs for 3) the bowlers changed ends, and maiden followed maiden. Hodgson hit one four When and was then bowled by Llewellin. Three for 34. Leach now came in and after ten more runs had been added, lost the company of Kitcat, who was easily caught by third man. He had made 19, mainly by good off drives. He was not afraid of opening his shoulders. Four for 44. Jenkins now superseded Llewellin, and his second over was productive of five runs to Bengough. Forrest however again proved the latter's master by bowling him exactly as in the first innings. Five for 50. Peake came in, and immediately made his presence felt by hitting Jenkins to long on for a quartett, Two singles then followed, one to each batsman, and Llewellin replaced Jenkins. Peake hit him for a brace of threes to the on, but Leach was caught in the slips by Forrest shortly after for a patiently played 14. Six for 72. Glennie was busy for an over or two, making three twos in rapid succession when, after one chance to cover, he was caught at the wicket. Seven for 79. Peake kept on making runs, and Brown took the ball from Llewellin. At The 87 Peake was bowled by Forrest, his score of 19 consisting of 2 fours, 2 threes, 2 twos, and a single. Eight for 87. Neither Hardwick or Fasken troubled the scorers, and Hill carried his bat for 7. innings closed with the total at 92, leaving Cheltenham 42 runs to get to win. This second essay of Marlborough was characterised by much more dash than had been shown in the first innings, though the three strokes which disposed of the first three batsmen were mild in the extreme. The runs were made from the following bowl Forrest's figures, it will be seen, were very good, he having captured 11 wickets for 53 runs. The only question now was, "how many wickets shall we get down?" In the interim, however, the Marlborough team were reminded that in 1870 five Rugby wickets were got down for 6 runs, and they went out determined to sell each run as dearly as possible. Sad must have been the hearts of those who had let Francis off in Cheltenham's first innings! However with two hours in hand the visitors went in to knock off 42 runs. Peake, with the wind behind him, bowled the first over from Lyne's end. Francis and Kemble were deputed to bat, and the former received the first over of Peake. The first, second, and third balls passed without noteworthy incident, but the fourth, a full-pitch, was instrumental in bowling Francis. The cheering was tremendous as the redoubtable bat of the first innings was dis missed without scoring. One for 0. Oliver now joined Kemble, and every ball was breathlessly watched. Hardwick sent two maidens to Kemble and Peake one to Oliver. The latter in Peake's next over hit him for 1 to leg. He hit the slows over the bank for 4, and if Glennie had been nearer the bank there would have been a chance of a wicket, but four runs were made from the hit. Hardwick's next ball realized one run from the same bat. Peake however, was not to be denied, and he sent Oliver's sticks flying with a "yorker". Cheers were deafening at this juncture. Two wickets for 6. Forrest next appeared, to stem the torrent that had begun to burst. Kemble made a single off the slows in consequence of Kitcat's misfielding at mid-off. Forrest also made one in the same over. He repeated the performance two overs later off Peake, but Hardwick bowled him with a curly one before another run was added. Three wickets for 9. It was now felt that with luck Marlborough might make a considerable hole in the remaining Cheltonian wickets. Clowes came to the assistance of Kemble, but he was well caught by Leach at point, without scoring. Kemble had previously made one to cover, so the telegraph ( showed four wickets for 10 runs. This great beginning was most inspiriting to the partizans of Marlborough, and now or never was the struggle to be made! Glass came in, and Kemble was playing "like a book." He hit Hardwick for 3 to leg, and Glass assisted by a wild over-throw made a couple in the same over. An appeal was made for something at slip, but "not out" said the umpire. Peake was bowling maidens, and Glass made a single off Hardwick. Fasken here fielded well. Glass got hold of a long hop of the Marlborough Captain's and scored two. Peake then changed over, and bowled a maiden to Kemble, who was steadiness itself. Glass, after one more run was added, was out "leg before" to Peake, and the match became intensely exciting when the telegraph denoted 19 runs for 5 wickets. Tonge came in and made a single to mid off, off Peake, and Hardwick then captured him 1.b.w. Six wickets for 20. "Now," thought Marlborough, "if we could only get Kemble, we might do it yet." In Hardwick's next over, Hill had a chance of running Cooke out, but one run resulted instead. Kemble then hit the slows for 3. Peake was now tremendously on the spot, and Kemble played him most patiently. Bengough, who was in grand form behind the sticks caught Cooke in Hardwick's next over. The applause which greeted this feat was uproarious. Seven for 24. Kemble was joined by Llewellin, and made an uppish single to leg; it was his last effort however, as Hardwick drove him on to his wicket the next over. Eight for 25. Kemble had played most steadily, but the bowling was very deadly. Added to which the tail of the visitors was now reached, and Llewellin succumbed to Hardwick's skill with an unaltered total. Nine wickets were now down for 25, and Jenkins went in to partner Brown in the hope of making the required 16 runs. The latter got Peake away to leg for a single, and Jenkins played the rest of the over. Hardwick sent a maiden to Brown during which Bengough and Fasken distinguished themselves, the latter by well fielding a good on drive. Peake's next over was unproductive, and the history of the rest of the balls runs thus :-Hardwick's first ball was played to point, where Glennie fielded it; the second went to Peake at short leg; the third and fourth balls failed in accomplishing anything. Peake's over following was one of Peake's own:-1st ball, almost wide; 2nd a "yorker," well stopped; 3rd, a full pitch, and 4th, to the off. Hardwick's next over, ran-1st ball, Brown played to Glennie; and 2ud to Fasken, and the next-to the great delight of all Marlburians-and the nextdisarranged the wicket. The scene that followed baffles description. The bowling analysis is : Overs. Maidens. Runs. Wickets. Francis, when he disposed of all our wickets in the second innings for 36 runs. All credit is due to Marlborough in playing so determinedly an uphill match. It is very evident that in Hardwick we have a bowler who, with more experience and command over pitch and pace, will do us yeoman's service. Peake is to be congratulated on his tactics of the second innings. He changed ends at the critical time, and "things" came off. For Cheltenham Kemble's innings was most praiseworthy, and the conclusion to be drawn may be that there was something in the bowling, and that something of the nature of a panic must have set in. Score appended: Total ..................110 00-18 There have been 24 matches played between the two Schools. Those played in 1852, 1857, 1858, 1861, 1863, 1868, 1870, 1871 and 1874 were won by Cheltenham. The matches of 1860, 1862, 1864, 1866, 1867 and 1875 were drawn. Marlborough bas won now an equal number with Cheltenham, viz., 1859, 1865, 1869, 1872, 1873, 1876, 1877, 1878 and 1879. Next year ought to produce a stern contest. in |