Soham Grammarians - Cricket, School Year 1947-48
1st XI photo

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Soham Grammarian Summer 1948

CRICKET MATCHES

March Grammar School 1st XI. 34 for 7 (Franklin 4 for 12) v School 1st X1. 56 (Franklin 25).
School 1st XI. v Headmaster's XI. 22 for 6 (Sargent 4 for 13).
Cambridge and County High School 2nd XI 36 (Sargent 5 for 16, Franklin 5 for 19) v School 1st XI. 38 for 4 (Reed 11, Forrester 13).
School 1st XI. 36 for 4 wickets (Godden 14 no., Routledge 11) v King's School (Ely) 1st XI. 33 (Franklin 4 for 13).
Cambridge and County High School 2nd XI. 56 (Sallis 5 for 8) v. School 1st XI. 41 (Reed 13).
Friend's School (Saffron Walden) 1st XI. 101 (Sallis 7 for 5) v. School 1st XI. 84 (Franklin 23, Whetstone 16, Godden 11).
March Grammar School 1st XI. 35 (Franklin 4 for 4) v School 1st XI. 8 for 5 (Reed 6).
School 1st XI. 84 for 5 decl. (Sargent 26 no., Routledge 26, Godden 15) v Newmarket Secondary School 1st XI. 7 (Sargent 7 for 4, Godden 3 for 3).
King's School (Ely) 1st XI. 72 (Sallis 6 for 15) v School 1st XI. 51 for 9 (Reed 23, Franklin 10).
Soham Town CC 115 (Franklin 5 for 53) v School 1st XI. 55 for 8 (Reed 15, Forrester 13).
School 1st XI. 87 for 3 (Franklin 37, Routledge 35 no., v Newmarket Secondary School 1st XI. 32 (Franklin 6 for 19, Sallis 3 for 6).
School 1st XI. 38 for 2 (Reed 15 not, Godden 15) v Friends' School (Saffron Walden) 1st XI. 37 (Sargent 6 for 16, Sallis 2 for 1).

1st XI AVERAGES (to July 17th)

BATTING

Name *Not Out	No. of Inns.	Not Outs	Runs	Highest Score	Average
Routledge	10	2	96	35*	12.00
Franklin	11	1	107	37	10.70
Reed	10	1	89	23	9.89
Godden	10	1	72	15	5.00

BOWLING

Name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average
Sallis	42-4	17	47	27	1.74
Sargent	115-4	35	195	35	5.57
Godden	47-4	18	62	11	5.64
Franklin	101-1	22	251	38	6.61

CATCHES
Sallis 8
Routledge 7
Dewey 5
Forrester 4

STUMPINGS
Reed 4

1st XI CRICKET CHARACTERS

EM SALLIS: His slow off-break bowling has improved a great deal since last season, his flighting of the ball making him difficult to play. An excellent fielder and a sure catch, but his batting lacks force.
JP SARGENT: He has taken over the position of opening fast bowler and has been quite successful. His batting has improved since he became "a hitter." A good slip fielder.
MJ WHETSTONE: A good stylish batsman, who seems to have lost the knack of hitting the ball really hard, most of his shots now being played with the wrists. A keen fielder who has shown excellent team spirit.
GJ GODDEN: He has been successfully promoted to opening batsman. A small compact player, who has two very good shots, round to fine leg, and between point and cover. A medium-paced bowler, he also opens the attack, and is a smart fielder.
W FORRESTER: A stylish opening batsman who has some good strokes, especially on the leg side. However, he is always getting out LBW in trying to turn a straight ball off his leg stump. Has fielded extremely well at point.
MT BONHAM: A very aggressive batsman who has been rather unlucky this season. His fielding is a distinct improvement upon last season's, and has saved many runs on the leg side.
BS ROUTLEDGE: A small batsman who hooks and pulls the ball very well, and uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball. His fielding has also improved.
FF DEWEY: A left-hand batsman who should be a distinct acquisition with a little more experience; he may also be useful in a bowling capacity. Has held some hard catches fielding at deep mid-wicket.
D KERRIDGE: In the team at the beginning of the season because of his medium pace off-break bowling, but was never required: His batting is poor, but could be improved by constant net practice.
B BUMPSTEED: Recently promoted from the Second XI., he has failed to reproduce his old form. However, he is capable of scoring many runs in his usual forcing manner. A keen fielder.

IF

LC REED (Vice-Captain): Though once in danger of being nicknamed "the ancient mariner " (he stoppeth one in three !), he has proved a most valuable wicket-keeper, unobtrusive and quiet, except in his appeals. His safe keeping has made it possible for the bowlers to vary their deliveries; his captain, particularly, should be grateful for this. With the bat he has not been so successful, though his last few innings have shown that he is no mean exponent.
I FRANKLIN (Captain): This season's best all-rounder. Stylish and clean, he has made several stands when early wickets have fallen cheaply and has on more than one occasion averted a heavy defeat. His bowling has been outstanding-one might almost say "upstanding," for on a suitable wicket he can produce a ball which seems to rise vertically from the pitch before proceeding to the stumps. As a captain, he has a great deal yet to learn, but this season's lessons should prove invaluable to him.

EHT

IN RETROSPECT

Our inability to find a reliable opening pair has, this season, exposed the weakness of our batting. Batsmen further down the order have had to face bowling which has had none of the edge taken off it by earlier men; attacks which have, in fact, been made more formidable by the bowlers' early successes. There are, however, in the 3rd and 4th Forms, a number of promising bats and we are looking to them to strengthen our teams in 1949 and subsequent seasons.

Having several good bowlers, we have been able to hold our own with most of our opponents, and, to my great satisfaction, our attack has been ably backed by really excellent fielding.

Though weather and transport limitations have combined to prevent our completing the fixture list, we have had a successful and very enjoyable season. And now, as we fold our flannels and put away our pads, it only remains for me to acknowledge the willing assistance of those members of the staff who have given of their time to umpire our games, and this I do most sincerely. Particularly do I appreciate M Lowe's help in the nets and on junior games days. To our groundsman, Mr Phelps, we are indebted for the preparation of over ninety pitches during the course of the season, and I feel sure that all boys will wish to express their gratitude to him, especially those who have been fortunate enough to use the well-made wickets on the sacred square.

EHT

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last update 7 Dec 2007