The 1925 County Championship takes shape

100 Years Ago: 6 to 12 May 1925

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Cardiff: Glamorgan v Yorkshire

Day 1

Good Partnership after Late Start

YORKSHIRE 134/1 (P Holmes 79*, E Oldroyd 48*). GLAMORGAN to bat.

Heavy rain prevented any play until after an early tea, and the pitch was soft and slow. There was an early shock when Jack Mercer removed Herbert Sutcliffe for a duck in the fourth over. He bowled a ball around leg stump, which Sutcliffe tried to turn to leg, only for the ball to move away, beat his bat and bowl him out. Percy Holmes and Edgar Oldroyd played themselves in very carefully, but then began to find their form and pushed the score along, the only chance being given was when Glamorgan missed running Oldroyd out. The bowlers had some difficulty with slippery run-ups. Yorkshire were in a good position when play closed after about 2¼ hours, and would have been better had the outfield not been so slow. Both teams are at full strength, except that Glamorgan (pictured above), as so often, lack Norman Riches for business reasons.

Day 2

No Play — Rain

YORKSHIRE 134/1 (P Holmes 79*, E Oldroyd 48*). GLAMORGAN to bat.

There was heavy rain during the night and early morning, and recurrent showers during the day, leaving the pitch in such a sodden condition that no play was possible at all.

Day 3

No Play — Match Abandoned

YORKSHIRE 134/1. GLAMORGAN did not bat. Match drawn (no result). Overnight score: no play yesterday.

With more rain it was found quite impossible to continue this match today. Even when the rain stopped, the bowlers’ footmarks on the first day had cut into the pitch and patches of mud had formed, making it impossible to bowl or run over it safely. The loss of most of this match to Jupiter Pluvius has cost Glamorgan hundreds of pounds in gate receipts.

Cambridge: Cambridge University v Sussex

Day 1

Cox Heads Bowling Successes

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 98 (H J Enthoven 22, S T Jagger 18; N J Holloway 2/20, G R Cox 6/39). SUSSEX 67/9 (A E R Gilligan 22, T E R Cook 11*, G R Cox 3*; H J Enthoven 3 wkts, M R Formby 2 wkts, R J O Meyer 2 wkts).

Cecil Bennett won the toss for Cambridge University this morning and decided to bat, but before the innings could start there was a sharp burst of rain that wet the pitch and delayed the start for two hours. By then the sun had come out and the pitch had turned sticky. They began their innings with grim defence and Maurice Tate did not find the pitch very suitable for him. George Cox did, though, with his cunning left-arm slows, and soon had the University batsmen deep in trouble with his cunning variations and spin. He also bowled out K S Duleepsinhji on his University début for 4. Most of the University batsmen were beaten playing back, but when Tom Enthoven looked to use his feet and drive, he had more success than the others. Nine wickets were down for 66, but the last pair of Miles Formby and Sam Jagger hit out and added 32 for the last wicket.

Sussex did even worse, with Enthoven taking early wickets and were 22 for four before Arthur Gilligan drove boldly and made some improvement. The University handled this situation well, with good bowling backed up by fine fielding, with two batsmen being run out. By the close Sussex were still 31 runs behind their inexperienced opponents and facing considerable embarrassment.

Day 2

Duleep and Crawley Put Cambridge in Charge

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 98 and 197 (K S Duleepsinhji 40, L G Crawley 92, N B Sherwell 25; M W Tate 4/55, A F Wensley 3/22). SUSSEX 80 (T E R Cook 11*; H J Enthoven 3/7, R J O Meyer 2/27, S T Jagger 2/30) and 86/6 (E H Bowley 38, W L Cornford 18, L C R Isherwood 2*; S T Jagger 3 wkts). Overnight score was: Sussex (1) 67/9 (Cook 11*, Cox 3*).

The last Sussex pair added 13 runs this morning before the innings closed 18 runs behind the University. The latter struggled badly at the start of their second innings on a tricky pitch, losing their first three batsmen for 6 runs among them, two to Maurice Tate, before K S Duleepsinhji stood in the gap. He played cautiously but very soundly, and without him Cambridge would probably have collapsed completely. Even so, they were 61 for six when he was out for 40, caught at the wicket off Tate. Then Leonard Crawley took charge, struggling at first, but then going on the attack in fine style as the pitch slowly eased, driving powerfully. Ben Sherwell gave him just the support he needed, and the pair added 98 for the eighth wicket, the partnership that turned the match. The last three wickets fell for just one run, but Sussex were set 216 to win, the highest total of the match. Tich Cornford has kept wicket superbly in this match, taking five catches and two stumpings in all.

Sussex made an unsteady start, but the key figure as so often was Ted Bowley, the rock of their batting. But a collapse in the last few minutes of the day put the match firmly in Cambridge’s favour, with Sam Jagger dismissing Bowley and John Naumann with the last two balls of the day. Unless the last four men can work a near-miracle in scoring 130 more runs the only winner tomorrow can be Cambridge. (Or Jupiter Pluvius.)

Day 3

Sussex Fight in Vain

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 98 and 197. SUSSEX 80 and 175 (L C R Isherwood 17, T E R Cook 23, N J Holloway 17; R J O Meyer 3/52, S T Jagger 5/40). Cambridge University won by 40 runs. Overnight score was: Sussex (2) 86/6 (Isherwood 2*).

Sussex began the day with their last four wickets needing to score another 130 runs for victory. There were two good partnerships, as first Captain Lionel Isherwood and Tommy Cook added 49 for the seventh wicket, and then Bert Wensley and Norman Holloway played some good strokes in their stand for the ninth wicket. They exposed a shortcoming in the University bowling attack, as they have only four genuine bowlers to use, which is not always enough, especially on good pitches. Cecil Bennett changed them frequently and the batsmen never really got on top of them, and Cambridge won comfortably in the end.

Lord’s: M.C.C. v Kent

Day 1

No Play — Rain

There has been much rain earlier this week, and early this morning another heavy downpour so drenched the whole ground that at 12.15 the decision was taken to abandon all hope of play today.

Day 2

No Play — Rain

More rain fell throughout the night, leaving the ground in as bad a state as it had been yesterday, with no play possible.

Day 3

No Play — Match Abandoned Without a Ball Being Bowled

Again there was a great deal of night rain, and at ten o’clock M.C.C. posted a notice on the gates stating that cricket would again be impossible today. Alec Hearne has been appointed Kent scorer in succession to his relative Walter Hearne, who died recently after an operation.

Nottingham: Nottinghamshire v Hampshire

Day 1

Fine Hampshire Bowling

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 187 (G Gunn 35, W W Whysall 40, S J Staples 28, F Barratt 24; A S Kennedy 3/62, J A Newman 3/61, C P Mead 2/10). HAMPSHIRE 158/6 (G Brown 74*, L H Tennyson 43, A H Kneller 0*; F Barratt 3 wkts, T L Richmond 3 wkts).

After rain the pitch was slow but easy-paced. Nottinghamshire began well with an opening partnership of 66 between George Gunn and Dodger Whysall, but the middle order failed and seven wickets went down for 132, with Jack Newman causing the batsmen most trouble. Sam Staples and Fred Barratt then added 45 in less than half an hour, the latter hitting powerfully. Philip Mead bowled out Staples and the last man Len Richmond in quick succession to end the innings at 187.

George Brown held the Hampshire batting together but he could not find a capable partner until four wickets were down for 79, Mead having been out for 5. Then Lionel Tennyson joined Brown and hit out in his usual bold style, with eight powerful fours in his 43. Brown was still there at the close with 74, his only chance having been a difficult one in the slips at 14.

Day 2

Hampshire Take Lead Before Rain

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 187 and 2/0 (G Gunn 0*, Whysall 0*). HAMPSHIRE 225 (G Brown 97, J A Newman 18; F Barratt 4/51, T L Richmond 3/57, A Staples 2/26). Overnight score was: Hampshire (1) 158/6 (Brown 74*, Kneller 0*).

Rain so delayed the start that play could only begin at 5.15. Hampshire took the lead with the loss of one more wicket, and George Brown went on to score 97 before he was ninth out, bowled by a superb ball from Sam Staples after batting for about three hours. Hampshire took a lead of 38 on the first innings. Nottinghamshire had five minutes and two overs to bat before the close. Only 80 minutes’ play had been possible.

Day 3

No Play — Match Drawn

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 187 and 2/0. HAMPSHIRE 225. Match drawn (Hampshire 3 pts, Nottinghamshire 1 pt).

After rain during the night, a steady downpour began at about eleven o’clock and continued for two hours, leaving the pitch almost under water. Obviously no play could be contemplated.

Oxford: Oxford University v Lancashire

Day 1

Parkin Confuses Students

OXFORD UNIVERSITY 126 (J L Guise 43, J S Stephenson 20, T B Raikes 25; C H Parkin 6/31, F B Watson 2/43). LANCASHIRE 84/2 (C Hallows 26*, F B Watson 27*).

The pitch was too wet for play to start on time, but it began after lunch. The pitch had been covered, as is now permitted before the start of a match, and was very slow, but it was damp enough to become rather difficult later on as it dried. Cecil Parkin seemed to enjoy it anyway, and in retrospect Oxford probably regretted batting first. The only three batsmen to reach double figures were experienced players, with John Guise being the most impressive. Errol Holmes ran himself out for 8. Oxford seem to have two stonewallers to open the innings in Claude Taylor and Walter McBride, who amassed three runs off the first nine overs. Guise and John Stephenson improved the situation by adding 47 for the fourth wicket. Stephenson actually played the best innings of the side, although Guise, twice dropped, scored more runs. Then Parkin returned for his second spell, with the pitch now more helpful to him, and dismissed them both, running through the middle order and taking a wicket in each of five successive overs, until Tom Raikes decided to hit out and added 32 for the last wicket with George Abell, the wicket-keeper. Given the conditions, Ted McDonald did not bowl at his usual pace, but tried to bowl medium-paced cutters, without success.

Lancashire had two hours to bat and lost two wickets for 26, including Ernest Tyldesley for 1, but the Oxford bowling was inaccurate and they could not sustain their advantage. Charlie Hallows played a dogged innings and with Frank Watson saw Lancashire through to the close, though both should have taken better advantage of the loose deliveries. For these two matches against the Universities, the Lancashire captain Jack Sharp is not playing and, as last year, the former captain Myles Kenyon is standing in for him.

Day 2

Guise Fights off Parkin

OXFORD UNIVERSITY 126 and 156 (C H Taylor 17, J L Guise 63, J S Stephenson 38; C H Parkin 6/67, E A McDonald 2/29, R K Tyldesley 2/39). LANCASHIRE 159 (C Hallows 32, F B Watson 28, R K Tyldesley 34; E P Hewetson 2/32, L R Serrurier 2/23, J W Greenstock 3/46) and 2/0 (G Duckworth 2*, M N Kenyon 0*). Overnight score was: Lancashire (1) 84/2 (Hallows 26*, Watson 27*).

The pitch was if anything even more treacherous for batsmen today. The Oxford bowling was not particularly good, but the overnight batsmen did not make many more. Charlie Hallows laboured for 2½ hours to score 32, and then the middle order caved in until the score was 106 for seven wickets, and Oxford were in with a good chance of leading on the first innings. At this point, though, Dick Tyldesley decided there was only one solution to the problem, and he hit out boldly but selectively, hitting 3 sixes and 3 fours in making the highest score of the innings, and Lancashire took a lead of 33. Although he took only two wickets, Edward Hewetson was the best Oxford bowler, making the ball turn and lift sharply.

There was a short delay before the University went in again due to a sudden shower of rain, and afterwards the ball skidded through more quickly than before, an added problem for the batsmen to cope with. Oxford owed everything to their captain, John Guise, who played superbly for over two hours, rarely failing to score off the bad balls. Again he had an excellent partnership with John Stephenson, adding 68 for the fourth wicket. The score was 153 for five just before he was out, but Cecil Parkin finally trapped him lbw after a great battle between the two. Parkin and Dick Tyldesley then ran through the tail and the last five wickets fell for only 3 runs.

Lancashire sent in two night-watchmen to see out the day for three overs, which they did successfully. They need 124 to win, and much depends on the weather and the pitch tomorrow.

Day 3

No Play — Rain

OXFORD UNIVERSITY 126 and 156. LANCASHIRE 159 and 2/0. Match drawn.

Heavy rain started in the night and continued during the morning, and as the ground was by now in a very bad state there was no alternative but to abandon the match.

ARTHUR GILLIGAN

The England captain, Arthur Gilligan, spoke to a group of schoolboys today about the recent tour of Australia. He gave his opinion that Johnny Taylor was the best of the Australian batsmen, but Clarrie Grimmett was not their best bowler; the England batsmen got out to him rather because they did not know what his bowling was like. He praised Bert Oldfield, who kept wicket brilliantly and always made useful scores with the bat.

At last the English cricket season of 1925 creaks into gear, and all the counties will be engaged in first-class matches. There are no matches between Big Six teams in this round, but Sussex and Hampshire, teams with potential who did badly last season, will be looking to improve their fortunes this time in their matches against Nottinghamshire and Surrey. Our crystal ball tells us there will be one shock result.

WEATHER FORECAST: Good news — less rain after the weekend, although some pitches may well be still affected by the recent heavy rains. It will not necessarily be warm.

SURREY

The annual meeting of the Surrey County Cricket Club took place today. The county made a profit of £416, which was considered satisfactory in view of the bad weather. Regarding the new amendment of the laws to allow covering of the pitch for 24 hours before the start of a match, Surrey had decided not to adopt it, after the situation at their recent trial match, where the whole of the pitch had been covered and was hard and dry, but the outfield was so sodden that play was not possible.

The committee had decided that all old capped county players would be admitted free to the Oval; old amateurs would be given the privilege of entering the pavilion and old professionals the players’ room.

Cambridge: Cambridge University v Lancashire

Day 1

Dick Tyldesley Among the Wickets

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 260 (C T Bennett 19, H J Enthoven 78, R J O Meyer 40, N B Sherwell 40; C H Parkin 2/86, R K Tyldesley 7/62). LANCASHIRE to bat.

This is a twelve-a-side first-class match, with only eleven fielding. The pitch had been covered before the match from all the rain that had fallen during the previous 24 hours, and it played quite easily, of great benefit to the University who won the toss again. There were two brief breaks for showers. Dick Tyldesley found it was his day and bowled superbly, overshadowing Cecil Parkin and Ted McDonald, who did not find the pitch suited them. Tyldesley was especially deadly with his top-spinner, and trapped the first three batsmen, and four altogether in the innings, lbw playing back for the turn that wasn’t there. His second victim was K S Duleepsinhji, out first ball in this manner. Tom Enthoven was the first batsman to take control of the bowling, scored a superb 78 in 1½ hours, an innings notable for excellent driving and for very sound defence. He and Leonard Crawley added 49 for the fifth wicket in 20 minutes, with Parkin in particular taking some stick.

Later Jack Meyer and Benjamin Sherwell both made useful runs — Meyer should make more than he does but is too impatient — and the University’s 260 was quite a pleasing score for them. They would have done really well had not five batsmen reached double figures, but then got out before reaching 20. Tyldesley finished with seven wickets for 62 runs and seems now to have fully recovered from his Australian ordeal. The other Lancashire bowlers, for the most part, and the Lancashire fielding, were not very impressive.

Day 2

Shelmerdine Gets Lancashire off the Hook

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 260 and 53/2 (E W Dawson 22, K S Duleepsinhji 19*, W W Timms 1*). LANCASHIRE 281 (C Hallows 25, G O Shelmerdine 91, L Green 36, M N Kenyon 27, R K Tyldesley 24; H J Enthoven 2/58, R J O Meyer 5/89, S T Jagger 4/73). Overnight score was: Cambridge University (1) 260 all out.

Two dropped chances enabled Lancashire to wriggle off the hook against Cambridge University today when they appeared to be in danger of following on. The University bowled and fielded well before lunch and Lancashire were in trouble with their five top batsmen out with 74 runs on the board. But then George Shelmerdine, a former Cambridge student, was dropped at 9, and missed again when he had 48, and he went on to make the top score of 91. He shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 91 with Leonard Green that turned the innings around, showing more of his hitting ability the longer he stayed, although he tired in running between wickets later in his innings, as he rarely has time to play nowadays. Cambridge have only four bowlers, and they tired before the end of the innings. Jack Meyer was the best of them and deserved his five wickets. Lancashire eventually led by 21 on the first innings, and removed the University openers in 50 minutes before the close.

Day 3

Duleep Saves Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 260 and 172 (E W Dawson 22, K S Duleepsinhji 55, W W Timms 19, L G Crawley 26, R J O Meyer 18; C H Parkin 4/77, R K Tyldesley 4/33). LANCASHIRE 281 and 71/1 (C Hallows 25*, G E Tyldesley 41*). Match drawn. Overnight score was: Cambridge University (2) 53/2 (Duleepsinhji 19*, Timms 1*).

Cambridge began the day with a very sound partnership by the overnight pair, K S Duleepsinhji and Wilfrid Timms, which in the end did most to save them the match, together with Lancashire’s request for play to finish at four o’clock so they had time to catch an early train back to Manchester for their match against Scotland tomorrow. The pitch was now playing easily after the use of the roller. Their 54-run partnership was worth more than it seems, especially as it was followed by a middle-order collapse, mainly to Cecil Parkin and Dick Tyldesley. Leonard Crawley then led a small recovery, so in the end Lancashire were set 152 to win in 70 minutes. They did not attempt it and settled for gentle batting practice in rare sunshine.

Derby: Derbyshire v Northamptonshire

Day 1

Good Innings by Jupp

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 208 (V W C Jupp 74, F I Walden 44, J M Fitzroy 33; A Morton 3/70, J A Cresswell 2/45, G M Lee 2/22, W W H Hill-Wood 3/20). DERBYSHIRE 90/4 (G M Lee 27, L F Townsend 25*, J M Hutchinson 10*; V W C Jupp 3 wkts).

Vallance Jupp was in fine batting form for Northamptonshire today, opening their innings and scoring 74 in two hours and 20 minutes, a perfect blend between defence and attack. He shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 66 with Fanny Walden, but the most exciting batting came from the new Northamptonshire captain, Maurice Fitzroy, who hit 33 in 35 minutes, including two sixes in an over from Arthur Morton. Garnet Lee, the former Nottinghamshire opening batsman, is playing his first match for Derbyshire, qualifying by residence, and he took two wickets before having a run scored from his bowling, and then made a useful 27, opening the Derbyshire batting with Wilfred Hill-Wood, who is Derbyshire’s acting captain as Guy Jackson is unwell. Jupp beat Lee’s performance for a good all-round day, though, as he took the other three Derbyshire wickets that fell this evening.

Day 2

Wickets Tumble

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 208 and 71 (V W C Jupp 12, C N Woolley 11, F I Walden 19*; A Morton 4/38, S Cadman 4/29). DERBYSHIRE 157 (L F Townsend 46, J M Hutchinson 27; A E Thomas 3/38, V W C Jupp 3/57, P A Wright 2/18) and 62/7 (W W H Hill-Wood 25, A H M Jackson 5*, J Horsley 5*; A E Thomas 4 wkts, V W C Jupp 3 wkts). Overnight score was: Derbyshire (1) 90/4 (Townsend 25*, Hutchinson 10*).

Bowlers dominated play at Derby today, with both sides paying the penalty for some negative batting. In the morning Les Townsend and Jim Hutchinson took the Derbyshire score to 129 before the fifth wicket fell, but then the innings trailed away and they finished 51 behind the Northamptonshire total.

Northamptonshire failed badly when they went in again, taking almost 56 overs to crawl to 71 all out, with Arthur Morton and Sam Cadman bowling superbly, and being allowed to do so. This let Derbyshire back into the game, as they now needed 123 to win, less than they had made in the first innings. However, after last season, being in a winning position is uncharted territory for Derbyshire, and their top order failed badly against the bowling of Albert Thomas in particular. Wilfred Hill-Wood was the only batsman to last for long, and he took over an hour and a half to make 25, before being fifth man out at 42. By the close Derbyshire had only three wickets left and were only halfway to their target, needing another 61 runs for victory and with hope almost gone — or thrown away. The pitch, however, is not in favour of the batsmen, being rather cut up, but not as badly as the scores would seem to indicate.

Day 3

Northamptonshire Wrap Up Victory

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 208 and 71. DERBYSHIRE 157 and 87 (A H M Jackson 15, J Horsley 17; P A Wright 2/8, A E Thomas 4/38, V W C Jupp 4/43). Northamptonshire won by 35 runs. Overnight score was: Derbyshire (2) 62/7 (A H M Jackson 5*, Horsley 5*).

Derbyshire began the final day needing 61 runs for victory with three wickets left. The overnight pair of Anthony Jackson and Jim Horsley put up a good fight for a while and added 20 runs very competently. Their partnership of 26 was the best of the innings. After Horsley was out the last two wickets fell quickly to consecutive balls from Philip Wright with his first and only deliveries of the day. There was less than an hour’s play. It was Northamptonshire’s first victory since June last year, which leaves Derbyshire still without a win since 1923 — and also the first time ever Northamptonshire have opened their championship season with a victory in their first match.

Bristol (Greenbank): Gloucestershire v Yorkshire

Day 1

No Play — Rain

Yorkshire suffered their third successive blank day as Packer’s ground at Bristol had suffered severely from rain last night and this morning. The pitch was covered before the match, but the runoff from the covers had only helped make the outfield around it too waterlogged for any play to be possible.

Day 2

Bowlers Rule at Greenbank

YORKSHIRE 166 (P Holmes 43, H Sutcliffe 24, M Leyland 26, W Rhodes 39; C W L Parker 5/49, G Wedel 3/48). GLOUCESTERSHIRE 20/4 (D C Robinson 5*; G G Macaulay 2 wkts). Overnight score: no play on Saturday.

Another storm yesterday meant that play today was delayed after an early lunch, when Yorkshire chose to bat on a soft turning pitch with a very heavy outfield in cold, dull conditions. Percy Holmes and Herbert Sutcliffe made an excellent start for them in the conditions with a stand of 74 in just under an hour and a half. Holmes in particular played a fine, confident innings, but Sutcliffe struggled at first, especially against Charlie Parker. Parker was supported by George Wedel, a slow-medium leg-spinner making his début, and they slowly began to make inroads into the Yorkshire batting. The score reached 125 before the fourth wicket fell, but after that there was little batting success apart from a rather scratchy but determined 39 from Wilfred Rhodes, who was last out. In the conditions 166 was quite a reasonable score. George Dennett, who took one wicket today, has announced that this is his final season for Gloucestershire before he retires and will succeed William Woof as coach at Cheltenham College. Harry Smith, the regular Gloucestershire wicket-keeper, is unable to play in this match due to illness, but Bernie Bloodworth kept wicket very well in his absence.

Gloucestershire had 40 minutes to bat and made a very poor start in that time. Colonel Douglas Robinson opened with Alf Dipper, but the latter was run out for a single when Roy Kilner slipped on the wet field, prompting the batsmen to run and be taken by surprise at how quickly he recovered. Wally Hammond was then caught off the next ball, and two more wickets were down for 20 by the close. In a match reduced to two days, Gloucestershire need to reach 67 to avoid the follow-on.

Day 3

Kilner and Macaulay Destroy Gloucestershire

YORKSHIRE 166 and 77/4 (P Holmes 41, H Sutcliffe 16). GLOUCESTERSHIRE 82 (D C Robinson 22, P F C Williams 22, P T Mills 18*; G G Macaulay 3/34, R Kilner 4/24, W Rhodes 2/22) and 42 (A E Dipper 8; G G Macaulay 6/30, R Kilner 4/10). Yorkshire won by 119 runs. Overnight score: Gloucestershire (1) 20/4 (Robinson 5*).

The weather was dry and warm today, but the pitch was still very much in favour of the bowlers. Gloucestershire’s overnight pair of Colonel Douglas Robinson and Philip Williams survived a chance each for 40 minutes before Roy Kilner removed Williams and the Yorkshire bowlers burst through almost like a flood. Only Percy Mills of the later batsmen put up any resistance. Roy Kilner in particular bowled magnificently and his four wickets for 24 did him little justice. Gloucestershire saved the follow-on with three wickets in hand, but Yorkshire led by 84 on the first innings.

Yorkshire went in again to seek quick runs for a declaration, but the conditions made this difficult and only Percy Holmes again mastered the conditions and the bowlers. He dominated the 55-run opening partnership with Herbert Sutcliffe and enabled Yorkshire to declare with a lead of 161, which turned out to be quite ample. George Macaulay and Kilner, bowling unchanged, swept all before them and no Gloucestershire batsman could even reach double figures. Their top scorer was Alf Dipper, who was in all sorts of trouble but survived over half an hour to make 8. Wally Hammond was brilliantly caught by Sutcliffe at short leg off Macaulay for 4. Macaulay finished with match figures of nine wickets for 64 and Kilner eight for 34 in 34 overs. Emmott Robinson and Abe Waddington were not called upon to bowl at all in the match. The Yorkshire fielding was indifferent in Gloucestershire’s first innings, but in the second it was back to its brilliant best.

Gravesend: Kent v Somerset

Day 1

Great Woolley

KENT 548/8 (H T W Hardinge 50, F E Woolley 215, R T Bryan 20, J C Hubble 124, A C Wright 50, S G Hearn 54*; J J Bridges 2/110, G E Hunt 2/98, C S Barlow 2/98). SOMERSET to bat.

This was one of the days chosen by Frank Woolley to leave about 5000 spectators lifelong memories. He came in at No 4 with Kent having lost their first two wickets for 16 runs, and immediately began to play in his own beautiful forceful style, dominating the bowling from beginning to end. He batted for less than three hours in scoring 215 runs, with 8 sixes and 27 fours, his most memorable strokes being his graceful, effortless yet tremendously powerful driving. He was finally out to a careless stroke, chopping a wide ball on to his wicket. Somerset’s bowling was not particularly good, but even Jack White wilted under the onslaught as he took them apart on this small ground. He gave just one difficult chance, a high skyer that John Daniell made a fine effort to reach on the run. Apparently inspired by Woolley, Jack Hubble made a good century himself after Woolley had left, batting for 2¾ hours, almost as long as Woolley, but still a very attractive innings. 14 sixes were hit during the day.

Day 2

Somerset Go Down Twice in a Day

KENT 548/8 dec. SOMERSET 141 (P R Johnson 20, G F Earle 57; A P Freeman 4/36, F E Woolley 5/72) and (following on) 233 (A E S Rippon 27, J Daniell 30, P R Johnson 81, C S Barlow 23; G C Collins 2/57, A P Freeman 5/50, H T W Hardinge 2/33). Kent won by an innings and 174 runs. Overnight score was: Kent 548/8 dec.

About the only good thing that can be said about the Somerset team’s performance in being bowled out twice by Kent today is that at least they were entertaining about it. In their first innings they had five wickets down for 62, but Guy Earle came in and smote mightily to score 57 in half an hour, including 26 in an over from Frank Woolley, one of his sixes landing on the roof of a nearby house. He hit 5 sixes and 4 fours altogether, but Somerset were all out before lunch and had to follow on.

This time the main honour went to Randall Johnson (although Earle did hit two more sixes in scoring 13). Johnson played a faultless stylish innings of 81 in two and a quarter hours, and this time Somerset were able to make 233. Tich Freeman made the ball turn and took nine wickets during the day for 86 runs.

Leicester: Leicestershire v Glamorgan

Day 1

Glamorgan Shattered on Difficult Pitch

GLAMORGAN 60 (H Spencer 16, J Mercer 19; G Geary 4/37, W E Astill 6/23). LEICESTERSHIRE 184 (G H S Fowke 19, J H King 70, G Geary 39; J Mercer 2/34, T Arnott 3/25, F P Ryan 3/45).

After much rain play was only possible due to Leicestershire’s ingenious drainage system, which consists of a low roof over the pitch and hosepipes to deposit the rain falling on it beyond the boundary. However, some dampness was unavoidable. Glamorgan chose to bat on it on winning the toss, but almost immediately the sun came out and started drying the pitch — which quickly turned sticky. Glamorgan were soon deep in trouble against George Geary and Ewart Astill who bowled unchanged throughout the innings of 1¾ hours, moving the ball about sharply. Glamorgan had six down for 21 at one stage, but dogged batting had proved disastrous, and when Helm Spencer and Jack Mercer started to hit out they finally managed some improvement to reach 60.

Leicestershire also started badly, losing their first four wickets for 39 to excellent bowling from Mercer and Frank Ryan, but by now the pitch was improving again. John King continued his fine batting form with another excellent innings, and with Geary as partner put on 95 for the fifth wicket to give Leicestershire a big advantage. The second-highest partnership of the day was a mere 21, and they were the only two batsmen who reached 20 on a bowlers’ day.

Day 2

Glamorgan Defeated in an Hour

GLAMORGAN 60 and 36 (J C Clay 9; G Geary 7/24, W E Astill 2/12). LEICESTERSHIRE 184. Leicestershire won by an innings and 88 runs. Overnight score was: Leicestershire (1) 184 all out.

It was carnage at the Aylestone Road ground this morning as Glamorgan in their second innings were overwhelmed in just one hour for 36. That vindictive bully Jupiter Pluvius took full toll of weak Glamorgan in this match, as again there was heavy rain overnight and bright sunshine to dry the pitch this morning, resulting in another sticky wicket. Ewart Astill and George Geary bowled brilliantly, with excellent support in the field, notably two brilliant catches by their captain Major Gus Fowke, and Glamorgan were swept away. Their top scorer was Johnnie Clay, who struggled for 25 minutes to score 9. Helm Spencer slogged two boundaries before he ran himself out. Geary took seven wickets in this innings and 11 for 61 in the match, while Astill kept the other end tight and picked up eight wickets for 35 altogether. The pair bowled unchanged throughout the match, and remarkably Leicestershire did not concede a single extra in either Glamorgan innings.

Lord’s: Middlesex v Essex

Day 1

Middlesex Win Toss, But . . .

The ground was already wet after rain, but a late start was arranged. The captains tossed, Middlesex won and decided to bat, but before play could begin rain came on again and before two o’clock it was clear that no play would be possible today.

Day 2

Batsmen Struggle on Strange Pitch

MIDDLESEX 93 (H W Lee 37, F T Mann 16*; G M Louden 5/41, L C Eastman 3/30) and 34/3 (E H Hendren 14*, C N Bruce 5*; J W H T Douglas 2 wkts). ESSEX 65 (J R Freeman 16, G M Louden 14; F J Durston 3/12, A R Tanner 5/13, J W Hearne 2/10). Overnight score: no play on Saturday.

The pitch looked innocent and lifeless, but it proved to be a rogue. Both the bounce and the pace off the pitch with very variable and batsmen never knew what to expect once the ball hit the turf. A heavy outfield also cut down the scoring considerably. 23 wickets fell during the day for 192 runs. Middlesex batted first, and Horace Dales was hit painfully on the body by a lifting ball before he was out for 4. Harry Lee played an innings which was to be the only one of the day over 16, although he was dropped three times, and Middlesex reached 67 before the fourth wicket fell. After that the bowlers took over, with George Louden roaring in from the pavilion end from where the ball was very difficult to see in the dull light, taking five of the last seven wickets. Frank Mann tried to hit out, but the tail collapsed around him.

When Essex batted, the roller for a while made the pitch easier, allowing their openers to put on 29, but then the effects wore off, with the left-hander Arthur Tanner causing most problems with the ball. Seven middle-order batsmen scored 11 runs among them (5 to Johnny Douglas) and Jack O’Connor most uncharacteristically batted nearly an hour for a single, until Louden, in at 50 for eight, decided bat hitting ball was better than the opposite, and took the score to 65.

Middlesex led by 28, a considerable advantage on such a pitch, and had to bat again for three-quarters of an hour. They lost three wickets, including that of Jack Hearne for 6. Uncharacteristically he lashed out at a ball from Douglas to be brilliantly caught by Whiz Morris in the covers. Patsy Hendren and Clarence Bruce survived till the close, with Hendren looking the only comfortable batsman of the day, despite the now appalling light — remarkably, the batsmen did not appeal against it.

Day 3

Two Bowlers, Two Batsmen Take Essex Home

MIDDLESEX 93 and 61 (E H Hendren 14, F T Mann 12; G M Louden 4/26, J W H T Douglas 2/5, A B Hipkin 4/18). ESSEX 65 and 93/3 (J O’Connor 34*, J W H T Douglas 24*; N E Haig 2/15). Essex won by seven wickets. Overnight score was: Middlesex (2) 34/3 (Hendren 14*, Bruce 5*).

Fortune favoured Essex today and Middlesex went down to a shock defeat. The pitch was still most unpleasant when they continued their innings, and both overnight batsmen were out with only two more runs scored, making the score 36 for five. Frank Mann and Nigel Haig put together a partnership of 20, a major stand in the circumstances — Middlesex’s highest partnership for this match has been 22. The pitch was difficult but many of the Middlesex players’ problems were psychological — they used poor tactics or got out to poor strokes. It only took another 40 minutes to end the sorry Middlesex innings. George Louden bowled superbly again, and took nine wickets for 67 in the match; he was well supported by the left-arm spin of Joe Hipkin, and these two made possible the victory that was to follow.

Essex needed 90 to win, no easy task for Essex. But they were fortunate in that the roller between innings eased the pitch, although they still lost their openers for only 10 runs on the board. Jack Russell was out at 35 for three, but then at last came the only partnership to exceed 30 in the match. Jack O’Connor and Johnny Douglas struggled successfully for survival until lunch, which turned out to be vital. Both took such care that they took about half an hour to make their first run. They played themselves in again carefully after the break, when the pitch had mellowed, and after that for the first time in the match the batsmen looked to be on top. By steady batting for nearly an hour and a half they took Essex home to a fine but stressful victory by seven wickets, O’Connor making the winning runs with a cut for four after batting for two hours and ten minutes.

Nottingham: Nottinghamshire v Sussex

Day 1

Richmond Troubles Sussex

SUSSEX 139 (A H H Gilligan 22, T E R Cook 21, L C R Isherwood 20, J H Parks 21*; F Barratt 2/25, S J Staples 2/39, T L Richmond 5/40). NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 36/1 (G Gunn 10*, W W Whysall 12, J R Gunn 4*).

The effects of overnight rain at the start and bad light at the close shortened the day’s play. Ted Bowley was soon bowled for 5 by a beautiful off-break from Sam Staples. Sussex were unimpressive with the bat, and with the pitch starting to help the bowlers in the afternoon, Len Richmond took advantage and troubled all the batsmen. He had one of his most accurate days and varied his spin cleverly to take five wickets quite cheaply. Harold Gilligan was the highest scorer for Sussex, and he made only 22. The Nottinghamshire fielding was good.

Nottinghamshire batted for 50 minutes before bad light stopped play. Maurice Tate, yet to strike his best form after his return from Australia, and Arthur Gilligan were unable to break through, but George Cox came on and dismissed Dodger Whysall for 12.

Day 2

Sussex on the Run

SUSSEX 139 and 27/4 (E H Bowley 16*, A E R Gilligan 0*; S J Staples wkts). NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 267 (G Gunn 39, A W Carr 104, W R D Payton 24, S J Staples 21; A E R Gilligan 4/60, G R Cox 4/64). Overnight score was: Nottinghamshire (1) 36/1 (Guise 10*, J R Gunn 4*).

Although the pitch seemed fairly slow and easy, most batsmen seemed to find run-scoring difficult on it. The big exception today was the Nottinghamshire captain, Arthur Carr, who came in when John Gunn was out for 11, and proceeded to score a century, full of hard drives, in about two hours — five minutes shorter than George Gunn had taken over 39. Carr completely dominated the play, hitting 5 sixes and 10 fours, and critics rate it as one of the finest innings of his career. After he left the innings faded out as the later batsmen did little.

The pitch was coming a little more difficult when Sussex went in again, but not enough to justify four wickets going down for 27 runs. Ted Bowley stood firm, though, and Sussex’s hopes depend much on him tomorrow.

Day 3

Sussex Go Down by an Innings

SUSSEX 139 and 103 (E H Bowley 17, A E R Gilligan 28, A F Wensley 19; F Barratt 3/33, S J Staples 3/25, T L Richmond 4/39). NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 267. Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 25 runs. Overnight score was: Sussex (2) 27/4 (Bowley 16*, A E R Gilligan 0*).

Sussex caused Nottinghamshire no undue annoyance this morning as they went down in about 70 minutes’ play, failing to save the innings defeat. The visitors’ task was made more difficult by rain that fell during the night, and sunshine to dry it gave help to the bowlers, as if they needed it. Most of the resistance came from Arthur Gilligan, who came out hitting and scored 18 in an over from Len Richmond before being bowled by a fine ball from Fred Barratt that jagged back in off the pitch to knock out his leg stump. Bert Wensley also made some aggressive strokes, but overall it was another disappointing batting performance by Sussex — in both innings.

The Oval: Surrey v Hampshire

Day 1

Good Bowling by Fender

HAMPSHIRE 205 (G Brown 34, W R D Shirley 34, R Aird 45, C P Mead 24; S Fenley 2/76, P G H Fender 5/53). SURREY 103/5 (J B Hobbs 34, T F Shepherd 30, D R Jardine 10*; G S Boyes 3 wkts).

It was a cold, damp day at the Oval, but a crowd of over 5000 came to watch Surrey’s first match. Only Percy Fender of the Surrey team actually came out of the day well, though. George Brown and William Shirley opened for Hampshire with 71 for the first wicket in less than an hour, and the first four batsmen all made useful scores against rather innocuous bowling. After lunch the pitch began to dry, although it never became seriously difficult, and Percy Fender led the way with the ball for Surrey. He bowled better that he did at any time last season and his faster ball especially troubled the batsmen. The score, 153 for three at one stage, trailed away to 203 all out, and only the last pair took it past 200.

Surrey did not reply at all well. Alec Kennedy and Stuart Boyes in particular bowled well for Hampshire, but Jack Hobbs and Andy Sandham were remarkably wary of the bowlers or the pitch, or both. In half an hour they made only 9 runs, of which two were extras. Hobbs after 50 minutes had scored 5. The crowd grew vocal, and it seemed to upset Sandham, who played a bad stroke and was caught at short leg for 5 in about 35 minutes. Hobbs never really got going and was eventually out for 34 in an hour and 40 minutes. Tom Shepherd tried to get the score moving, but at the close Surrey had five wickets down and were still 102 runs behind.

Day 2

Advantage to Surrey

HAMPSHIRE 205 and 219 (C P Mead 52, L H Tennyson 55, H A W Bowell 22, J A Newman 23; W C H Sadler 4/55, H A Peach 3/35, S Fenley 2/85). SURREY 263 (P G H Fender 76, H A Peach 54; G S Boyes 6/79, C P Mead 2/34) and 66/2 (J B Hobbs 40*, A Sandham 23, T F Shepherd 1*). Overnight score was: Surrey (1) 103/5 (Jardine 10*).

This match moved on at a brisk pace today and by the end of it Surrey appear to be heading for victory in their first match of the season. They began the day badly, with Douglas Jardine losing his wicket without adding to his overnight 10, which made the score 109 for six. Alan Peach now joined Percy Fender and they turned the innings around with a dynamic partnership of 104 in only three-quarters of an hour, with Fender for once happy to play second fiddle, though hitting loose balls hard and effectively, while Peach, dropped on 10, took risks and raced to his fifty. They had overtaken the Hampshire total before he was out, and Surrey took a lead of 58.

Hampshire lost four wickets before they went into the black again, and then Lionel Tennyson joined Philip Mead and they added 66 in 50 minutes. Tennyson was as aggressive as usual with 55 in an hour, but Mead was quietly fluent and his 52 came in an hour and a quarter. After their dismissal the Surrey bowling got on top again and Hampshire could set them only 162 to win. Jack Hobbs and Andy Sandham put on 62 together in just over half an hour against some indifferent bowling, with Jack Newman especially losing his length and bowling full tosses; Hobbs hit him for 15 in one over. Surrey will expect a comfortable win tomorrow.

Day 3

Jardine Sees Surrey Home in Tight Finish

HAMPSHIRE 205 and 219. SURREY 263 and 163/8 (J B Hobbs 46, D R Jardine 32*, P G H Fender 17, H G Baldwin 14, W C H Sadler 13, H Strudwick 7*; A S Kennedy 3/49, G S Boyes 5/50). Surrey won by two wickets. Overnight score was: Surrey (2) 66/2 (Hobbs 40*, Shepherd 1*).

Only a few hundred spectators turned up to see what they expected to be a straightforward Surrey victory, 66 for two with 162 to win, but they had real value for their money. Surrey made a shaky start when their overnight pair and Alan Peach were out for just another 15 runs, leaving Surrey at 82 for five. Jack Hobbs was beaten and bowled by a superb delivery from Alec Kennedy for 46. Surrey were in trouble when Percy Fender was out at 104 for six, with Kennedy and Stuart Boyes bowling superbly. Douglas Jardine was quite immovable, though, grinding out the runs slowly in good partnerships with Harry Baldwin and Bill Sadler. Herbert Strudwick at No 10 joined Jardine with eight runs still needed amid high tension, and Strudwick had the honour of bringing victory home with a four and a two past third man off Jack Newman, who came on when Kennedy had to be rested. Jardine held the innings together with 32 not out in just over an hour and a half.

Birmingham: Warwickshire v Worcestershire

Day 1

Worcestershire Steady Batting

WORCESTERSHIRE 188/4 (Lord Cobham 30, C V Tarbox 79*, M K Foster 40, C F Root 19*). WARWICKSHIRE to bat.

Rain and bad light wiped out about half of the day’s play. The pitch had been covered and was easy-paced and the Worcestershire batsmen used it well, although the outfield was slow and damp. Charles Tarbox, well known for dogged play, went in at No 3 and batted out the day, playing a very careful and correct game. The best batting took place during his fourth-wicket partnership with Maurice Foster, who scored 40 out of 76 with Tarbox in about an hour. The Warwickshire bowling was not very good, and Harry Howell is missing from this match — not that such a pitch would have suited his fast bowling.

Day 2

Tarbox’s First Century Earns Worcestershire Lead

WORCESTERSHIRE 251 (C V Tarbox 103*, C F Root 30; N E Partridge 2/40, R E S Wyatt 3/67, W G Quaife 3/34) and 3/1 (F A Pearson 1*, C V Tarbox 2*). WARWICKSHIRE 212 (E J Smith 43, F S G Calthorpe 24, R E S Wyatt 58, N E Partridge 31; C F Root 5/78, F A Pearson 3/49). Overnight score was: Worcestershire (1) 188/4 (Tarbox 79*, Root 19*).

A boring but invaluable century by Charles Tarbox, his first in first-class cricket, was enough to give Worcestershire a first-innings lead in their match against Warwickshire. 57 overnight, he scored only 6 runs in his first hour today, and with the later batsmen going cheaply it seemed that he might be left stranded short of the hundred. He was 94 when the last man Cliff Wilson arrived, but Wilson defended sternly for long enough for Tarbox to reach three figures — which took him another ten minutes — batting for a laborious 4¼ hours altogether.

Warwickshire began badly with four wickets down for 43, three of them to Root, who was much more effective than any of the Warwickshire bowlers had been. Tiger Smith and Freddie Calthorpe began a recovery, but the best batting was seen when Bob Wyatt and Norman Partridge, mostly the latter, hit up 53 together for the seventh wicket in 25 minutes as Root was rested. Then came another slump, and Warwickshire finished 39 behind on the first innings. Before the close Calthorpe removed Lord Cobham, caught at slip off the first ball of the innings, as Worcestershire went in again.

Day 3

Worcestershire in Rare Victory

WORCESTERSHIRE 251 and 144 (F A Pearson 28, W E Adshead 51, H O Rogers 21; F S G Calthorpe 3/30, N E Partridge 2/39, W G Quaife 4/31). WARWICKSHIRE 212 and 145 (J H Parsons 31, F S G Calthorpe 41; C F Root 3/57, F A Pearson 3/26, H O Rogers 3/46). Worcestershire won by 38 runs. Overnight score was: Worcestershire (2) 3/1 (Pearson 1*, Tarbox 2*).

The play today was exciting, mainly due to poor batting by both sides, and Worcestershire eventually won a rare victory with just five minutes to spare. Although Dick Pearson played well for 28, the rest of the Worcestershire top order failed badly and eight wickets were down for 69, with Warwickshire right on top. Then came what proved to be the turning point of the match, provided by two little-known Worcestershire players. Harry Rogers came in to join Dr William Adshead, keeping wicket for Worcestershire in this match, and they chose the right tactics by attacking the bowling and adding 53 for the ninth wicket in just over half an hour. Adshead went on to complete a maiden fifty before being last out immediately after lunch, which set Warwickshire 184 to win.

They reached 48 before the second wicket fell, with Jack Parsons batting well, but then Rogers began a middle-order collapse with his medium-pacers, and five were down for 75. Willie Quaife did not help his team by taking 50 minutes to score just 7 runs. Freddie Calthorpe did his best to repair the damage with a good disciplined innings, and shared useful partnerships with Bob Wyatt (12) and Norman Partridge (18), but both got out, bowled by Fred Root, just as they looked set for good scores. Calthorpe was eventually last out for 41, bowled by Pearson, five minutes before extra time, and Worcestershire rejoiced in a rare victory over their neighbours.

TOMORROW’S MATCHES (first-class)

County Championship matches:

Lord’s: Middlesex v Somerset

Northampton: Northamptonshire v Hampshire

The Oval: Surrey v Gloucestershire

Hove: Sussex v Essex

Worcester: Worcestershire v Yorkshire

Other first-class matches:

Manchester: Lancashire v Scotland

Oxford: Oxford University v Leicestershire

No matches: Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and Cambridge University.

The county championship table scarcely exists properly yet, but Essex, Kent, Northamptonshire, Surrey, Worcestershire and Yorkshire have all won their only matches so far (discounting Yorkshire’s no-result against Glamorgan which does not count in the table), and Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire have won one match out of two. Only five County Championship matches are scheduled, midweek in May not being the most popular time for fixtures, and no Big Six clashes. Our crystal ball tells us to watch out for one surprise result.

WEATHER FORECAST: Quite dry on the whole.