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Soham Grammarian Summer 1946
SCHOOL CRICKET FIXTURES
The School XI started the season successfully, by gaining a well-deserved win against a strong XI fielded by the Headmaster. The School, having won the toss, fielded first and dismissed their opponents for a total of 56. Watts and Ball were the most successful bowlers for the School, taking 2 for 5 and 4 for 11 respectively.
After tea Watts and Ball opened for the School, but Watts was unfortunately run out when the score was only four. Baker Joined Ball and they carried the score to 45 before the partnership was broken, Ball being bowled by Edwards. Baker was out an over later, and within a short time the score was only 52 for 7. Sneesby and Bobby hit out, however, and carried the School to victory. The School's total was 69.
The School's first victory was not repeated when the School played March. The School batted first and were all dismissed for the very low score of 18, of which 10 were scored by Baker. March had an easy win, scoring 44 for 9.
The School avenged their defeat a week later at Newmarket. The School batted first on an exceptionally dry wicket, and compiled 77 runs. Baker hit all round the wicket and scored 48 not out. Newmarket scored 51.
The next match was against Cambs. and County High School. The School won with their highest score so far this season. Cambridge batted first and wickets fell quickly until it looked as if they would be dismissed for a low score. Their 9th man, however, came in and scored a stylish 32 not out, which helped to bring the opponents' final score to 85. Baker and Ball bowled consistently to take 4 wickets each.
After tea, during which the pitch had been rolled, the School went in to bat. The wicket was lifeless and runs came easily. Ball scored 53 and Franklin 24. All who batted scored and stumps were drawn with the score 124 for 7.
The Second XI suffered defeat the same day. The School batted first and made 36. Cambridge batted until the close of play and made 73 for 5.
On Thursday, June 13th, the First and Second XIs played Kings' School away and at home respectively. On a sticky wicket the First XI fielded first and spin bowlers Franklin and Baker bowled throughout the innings. Kings' were a1 out for 24. The School made a total of 40 of which 19 were scored by Ball who batted throughout the innings.
On Saturday, the 22nd of June, the School suffered its second defeat, against Soham Town. The Town batted first and wickets fell regularly until the score was 46. Watson and T Fuller scored 11 and 12 runs respectively. In this match Ball was in great form and he took six wickets for 11 runs. The School's wickets fell very quickly until 5 wickets were down for 12 runs. Sneesby then went in and scored an aggressive 25, after which he was bowled by Hart. Hart took 4 wickets and Cooper 3.
Our win over Newmarket was repeated in the home game. Newmarket batted first, but they were all out for a total of 30. Baker's bowling undoubtedly did much towards our winning the game. He took 7 wickets for 14 runs and Franklin took 3 for 3. Ball and Watts went in for the School, but Ball was caught out off the fourth ball of the innings. Baker was out for a "duck," but Reed and Watts carried the score to 35, when Reed was bawled for 17. Wickets then fell regularly until Lake came in and scored 14 including a six to the square leg boundary. When he left the score was 62 and Watts was out soon afterwards for 22. Cooper and Whetstone were not out at the close of play when the score was 76 for 9. Pettit bowled well, taking 5 wickets for 21 runs. He also caught two men.
Up to the time of going to press the School have won 5 matches and lost 2.
CRICKET
May 4th SCHOOL 57 for 7 v HEADMASTER'S XI 56
May 11th SCHOOL 18 v MARCH 1ST XI 19 for 2
May 11th SCHOOL SECOND XI 17 v MARCH 2ND XI 15
May 22nd SCHOOL 77 v NEWMARKET 1ST XI 51
May 25th SCHOOL 86 for 5 v CAMBS. AND COUNTY 2ND XI 85
May 25th SCHOOL SECOND XI 36 v CAMBS. AND COUNTY 3RD XI 37 for 1
June 13th SCHOOL 25 for 5 v KINGS' SCHOOL 1ST X1 24
June 13th SCHOOL SECOND XI 52 v KINGS' SCHOOL 2ND XI 53 for 8
June 22nd SCHOOL 39 v SOHAM TOWN 46
June 26th SCHOOL 31 for 2 v NEWMARKET 1ST XI 30
July 6th SCHOOL 58 v PERSE SCHOOL 2ND XI 261ST XI BATTING AVERAGES
BATTING
*Not OutNo. of
Inns.Not
OutsRuns Highest
ScoreAverage Baker, R 7 1 93 48* 15.50 Ball, D 7 1 92 53 15.33 Sneesby, G 7 - 51 25 7.28 Reed, L 7 1 33 17 5.50 Watts, R 7 - 36 22 5.14 Franklin, I 7 - 28 24 4.00 1ST XI BOWLING AVERAGES
BOWLING Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Average Ball, D 52.5 18 76 20 3.80 Franklin 37.5 9 7 18 4.00 Baker, R 47.5 15 103 23 4.48 Watts, R 7.33 - 30 4 7.50 CATCHES
Franklin 6; Sallis 4; Ball, Sneesby 2; Reed, Sargent 1.STUMPINGS Reed 1.
2ND XI BATTING AVERAGES
BATTING
*Not OutNo. of
Inns.Not
OutsRuns Highest
ScoreAverage Bonham 3 - 22 13 7.33 Whetstone 3 1 13 8 6.5 Titmarsh T 3 19 1 2 6.33 2ND XI BOWLING AVERAGES
BOWLING Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Average Titmarsh T 21 6 37 8 4.63 Setchell 19.5 12 19 4 4.75 Morton 12 3 36 5 7.2 Sargent 6 1 21 2 10.5 1ST XI CRICKET CHARACTERS
BAKER R - A very keen cricketer and one of the mainstays of the team. He watches the ball carefully and has a wide range of scoring strokes. He has been very successful as a bowler, his success largely being due to a goad length and ability to flight the ball. Recently he has been tempted to sacrifice accuracy for speed.
FRANKLIN, I - Has shown great keenness. He is a very good first-change bowler especially on a wet wicket; he can make the ball swerve and break, and can change his pace without altering his run. He is a stylish batsman but must cure himself of hanging his bat in the air to off balls. Several of his catches in the field have been brilliant.
BOBBY, CV - Must curb his tendency to "swipe" at every ball. When he cultivates the habit of keeping his eye on the ball he should make quite a good batsman. His fielding is rather anaemic; he must show more energy and determination.
COOPER, ARW - Although his batting is still rather crude, his ability as a fielder has justified his inclusion in the team.
LAKE, P - Has not come up to the standard expected of him this year, but he still shows promise as a batsman, and is a very sound fielder.
LENANTON, AC - His batting and fielding both need more determination and forcefulness.
REED, LC - Has now established himself as wicket keeper. His batting has shown great improvement. He has a very sound defence, but needs to put more power behind his strokes, especially on the off side.
SALLIS, EM - Owes his position in the team chiefly for his fielding; he has a very safe pair of hands and has taken some extremely hard catches. Although a promising bowler he has not been needed in this capacity. His batting, at present, lacks confidence and is marred by slow footwork.
SMITH, CB - He has not yet had a chance to show his ability as a change bowler. When batting he must avoid a tendency to edge away from a ball on the leg stump. His fielding would be improved by a little more alertness and more accurate throwing to the wicket keeper.
SNEESBY, GB - His batting has improved greatly this season, especially since he has adopted a more aggressive role. He hits the ball very hard on both sides of the wicket. He is a very keen fielder and has made some excellent catches at point.SARGENT and WHESTONE - Have lately won their places in the 1st X1 chiefly because of their keenness in the field. Both are promising batsmen.
RFW
WATTS, RF Has captained the side with both skill and enthusiasm. Despite his physical handicap he has set an example of keenness in the field which could well be copied by the more naturally agile members of the tearn. He has managed his bawling strength well, bowling changes being carefully thought out and his bowlers judiciously rested. He is himself a good change bowler. His batting is very sound but in trying to stimulate others to more alertness in running between the wickets has run himself out on several occasions. Off the field he has worked very hard in the preparation of the match wickets.
BALL, DH (Vice-Captain) - is one of the best all-rounders in the team. On his day his fast left-arm bowling has proved devastating. His batting is both stylish and forceful, and he has made some very good scores.
CJF
The Captain and Vice-Captain thank LW Fleet for his keen and accurate scoring this season.
The following have been awarded full cricket colours :- Watts, RF, Ball, DH, Baker, R and Franklin, I
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last update 7 Dec 2007