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June, and against Wiltshire on the two following days will be selected from the following:-Messrs. J. A. Bourdillon, A. G. Courage, W. J. Ford, R. S. Jones, T. R. Marshall, G. Palmer, E. J. C. Studd, C. A. Wilkins, with Attewell, Mycroft, Wootton, and G. G. Hearne. The Wiltshire match will be played on the Savernake Forest Ground instead of at Swindon as advertised.

In Memoriam.

ROBERT GRAHAM ALEXANDER, BORN MAY 12TH, 1869, DIED JUNE 16TH, 1884.

Early on the morning of Monday last, after a lingering illness borne with the patience of a true, loving, Christian boy, Robert Graham Alexander passed peacefully to rest. He entered Marlborough, in January of last year, as a boy of great promise. Second on the list of Foundation Scholars in December, 1882, he was elected first Junior Scholar in the year following, and, before his last illness, there had seemed to be an almost certain hope that his name would appear first of the Senior Scholars elected a few hours before the close of his short life. Gifted with rare intellectual acuteness he had used his talents faithfully, while he entered happily and heartily into the games and general interests of his school life. The frank, homelike simplicity of his conduct, his trustful obedience, and the earnest purpose of his character, had won the affectionate regard of those here who knew him best. This early ending of his life may seem the disappointment of many high hopes, but he had found time in it, as he had learnt in his childhood, to give himself steadfastly to the highest service, to arm himself for the life in which, had he been spared, he might perhaps have borne a distinguished part, and yet to be prepared for that call which otherwise might have seemed too early and too sad.

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son, who may leave London as soon as the Rugby match is over; for on this condition alone does the Master allow the match, that there be no compulsion about it. I wished to give publicity to the fact that such a match had been arranged, but in doing so made the mistake of omitting any distinction. But while on the subject I should like to find time to answer a few points in a letter of "a former member of the XI" which appeared in your last number but one. Of the Surbition C.C., he says, he knows nothing. I will not insult the Surbiton C.C., by explaining who they are. I might add that O.M.'s figure in their list of members. However he concludes that "Surbiton has no greater claims upon us than any other suburban or village club in Europe." I was not aware that a club needs to have claims upon another, before a match can be arranged. Your correspondent has also a deep-rooted fear of defeat, which he calls 'needless disgrace,' except when at the hands of the M.C.C.or the Marlborough Blues. This seems to me very funny. The great are defeated, when they meet a greater: and is there then necessarily disgrace ? Our team will, he fears, be not representative of Marlborough College, as some of the XI. may have to go off home immediately after the Rugby match. Well, our matches are never otherwise published than of Marlborough College Cricket Club, to which every member of the school subscribes and belongs. This may sound a quibble; I think it is not so. However, if we are not a representative eleven, I have no doubt we shall be pleased to assume any combination of revellers' or 'grovellers,' etc., which your correspondent might suggest. Suffice it to add that the match was not arranged without the approval and support of the nucleus of our team.

By the way, I forgot to notice that another complaint was that the match is to be played for the 'enjoyment of the individuals composing the XI.' Why not? Finally if the eleven, who ultimately play in this much-questioned match, turn out not to be all in the XI, nor deemed worthy to be claimed by Marlborough College Cricket Club, then let the sovereign people disown us, and we will be proud not to mention our Marlborough connection.

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To the Editor of the Marlburian.

DEAR SIR,-My attention has been called to some letters in the previous numbers of your periodical this month. In or about the years 1866 and 1867, as far as I can recollect, there used to be a regular cricket week up in London and the suburbs; these matches were I think one of the very few occasions on which many members of our team displayed their true form; they were not against inferior clubs, one was the Surrey Club and ground, and Richmond was I think another. The sole objection to the week was that it was rather expensive and was therefore abolished. I maintain that the more we play up at London the better, since that brings the school cricket more before the general public. One match surely may be allowed. Besides fellows are not obliged to

reasons.

play, now-a-days at least because two years ago I knew a fellow in the XI. and he did not play, as he had an engagement elsewhere. Again when the club at Marlborough was started it was called Marlborough College Cricket Club, therefore any team coming from Marlborough, were it even an eleven from A House, is at liberty to style itself Marlborough College. One of your correspondents says it would be no disgrace to be beaten by Marlborough Blues. I differ from him, for the following Has not this club performed two cricket curiosities in the course of its existence? Do they not often go down to play some matches without a decent bowler, and only finding this when they reach their destination, do they not all go on in turns? Finally was it not proposed to abolish the club in consequence of the inability of those usually composing the team to play cricket? If it is no disgrace to be beaten by such a club, surely it is not a disgrace to be beaten by a good club like the Surbiton. The same correspondent asks what conceivable interest is it for the school to play Surbiton. What conceivable interest have we in playing any club, Liverpool for instance; there is no interest, looking at the matter from that light, in playing anybody. I would not abolish the Liverpool match for worlds; but only take it as an example. This is only one harmless match, a one-day affair too; why should not the Eleven, if they like to play a match, do so? I know many fellows who liked it and I daresay many do now. The only thing is that there ought to be a week's cricket beginning with the Rugby Match and two good two-days matches to follow; there would then be some chance for fellows to show the public how Marlborough fellows can play. Hoping your correspondents will recover from their temporary insanity,

I am, yours truly, "ANOTHER FORMER MEMBER OF THE XI."

Liverpool.

To the Editor of the Marlburian. SIR, I have only just seen the Report of the last match between the M.N.F.C. and the Blackheath F.C. which appeared in your issue of 14th ult.

As one who saw the match throughout will you kindly allow me to say that in my opinion the play was not obnoxiously rough. I did see one or two cases of individual rough play on the part of one or two of the Blackheath men, but there was nothing to my mind to call for particular comment.

Our

That we had the best of the game as stated I deny. team played well and pluckily, and the actual score made by Blackheath was not I think a true test of the relative strength of the two Clubs, but beaten we were, and that on our merits. It does seem to me a great pity that the Club instead of accepting their defeat properly should go on endeavouring to excuse it by abusing their opponents.

That these opponents had no wish to and did not underrate them is proved by their having enlisted 8 International players in their team, and I think the Nomads ought to feel proud that anybody should have thought it necessary to get together so formidable a fifteen against them.

In venturing to make the above remarks, I have assumed that your report was furnished by a member of the Club and not by an independent and impartial observer, and as I understand that it has reached the Blackheath F.C., I wish to express with your permission my strong individual disapproval of the mode in which the match has been reported and commented on from the beginning, and the abuse which has to my mind been improperly hurled at Blackheath.

"Curses like chickens come home to roost," and abuse will only recoil on our heads and render us unpopular, and justly so if it be improper.

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SIR, The Committee for making arrangements for the Old Marlburian Triennial Dinner will be obliged if you will kindly notify in your next number that the dinner is fixed to take place at Willis' Rooms, King Street, St. James', on Wednesday, the 30th July (the first day of the Rugby match)-Tickets 21s. each (including wine).

The committee have been fortunate in obtaining as Chairman a most distinguished O.M., the Rev. Dr. Wace, the Principal of King's College, and it is hoped that a goodly number of O Ms. will attend and support him on the occasion.

We shall be glad to receive on behalf of the Committee the names of any O.Ms. who would be willing to act as Stewards-the only liability being to subscribe 10s. towards the expenses of advertising, &c., but it is hoped that every steward will endeavour to be present at the dinner, and will do his best to induce other O.Ms. to come.

The Committee consist of the following gentlemen, viz: Mr. E. L. Bateman, Mr. J. A. Bourdillon, Mr. H. W. Bradford, Mr. T. H. Carson, Mr. J. M. Chapman, Mr. F. I. Currey, Mr. E. C. Nepean, The Rev. J. S. Thomas, and Mr. J. D. Vans Agnew. Yours faithfully,

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Cricket.

PROMOTIONS INTO XXII.

June 11th.

H. M. Cairnes H. F. Hayhurst

S. A. P. Kitcat

THE LIVERPOOL MATCH.

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Whit-Monday, as usual, found a strong eleven from Liverpool eager for action and confident of victory, and their confidence seemed justified, when it was known that Kewley had solved the conundrum of Padwick's lucky coin, and proposed to bat on the true and fast wicket; and a very good wicket it proved to be, though the strain on it was severe. The meteorologically inclined may be interested to know that the first day was bright, but windy, with a falling barometer, so that Tuesday's rain was not wholly a surprise. Cox and E. E. Steel were the first to appear, and a bold front they showed for the of some seventy-five minutes. Sale and Keeling opened the bowling, and nothing notable happened-except a very brisk piece of fielding by Meyrick-till 20 was hoisted, when Cox cut Keeling very nimbly for four, and Steel dropped Sale over the bank for five. At 35 Sale abdicated in favour of Dett, and was sent to field at long leg by way of a rest, while shortly afterwards Cheales took Keeling's place and began to bowl very steadily, but, notwithstanding some good fielding, the runs came quickly from either. batsman, a square-leg hit for six to Steel being most conspicuous, till just before lunch Cheales caught Cox tripping, and the first wicket fell for 83, Cox having made a thoroughly sound 37, which included a couple of neat cuts for four. Hornby followed, but Sale soon had his bails off, and H. B. Steel appeared, full of strength and confidence. He soon lost his brother, bowled by Sale, for an excellent 47, and in revenge drove Cheales twice and Sale once for fours, all excellent and lusty hits. Encouraged by this, he attempted to treat Keeling, Cheales' successor, in like fashion, but, mistaking a "Yorker" for a halfvolley, found a sad gap in his stumps,-leg-stump gone,--and had to retire for a dashing 31. Four for 122. Nicholson made a capital drive for 4 off Keeling, but made ample amends by returning him an easy catch, while Brancker, after hitting two fours off Sheppard, was easily caught at mid-off for 20; total

160, at which period Dale gave Padwick another easy chance which, gratefully and gracefully, he accepted. But the end was not yet, for Melly and Timms played some cautious and slow cricket, till the latter was bowled, and the former caught for a carefal 29, which included a leg-hit and drive for 4 each. The last wicket added 10 more, and the innings was over. Total 208, of which but 10 were extras, and this, though we had no regular wicket-keeper, Sheppard standing back to the fast bowlers. Meyrick and Cheales opened the batting, but it was not their day, as the former was bowled by Nicholson's second ball, a regular "teaser," and the latter cut Hornby's first into his wicket. Two for 0. Padwick and Buchanan soon changed all this. The former played with unwonted and almost supernatural caution, and Buchanan was not much more lively, but the score rose gently, till Padwick lashed out at Hornby and put him over the bank for 4, while his partner made three leg-hits for 4, 4 and 5 off conse cutive balls of Nicholson, keeping the pot boiling by cutting Hornby for another 4, completing the 50. This brought Brancker on, whose peculiar mode of delivery we must decline to call it "bowling"-so puzzled Padwick that he gave one whole and two half chances off the first two overs, while Buchanan so far forgot himself as to put his leg where his bat should have been, which resulted in his retiring for a very creditable 38, got just when they were most wanted. A little more hitting on the off-side and a little less flourish, and he will make a capital bat. Keeling came in, was missed, and eventually caught, by H. B. Steel at the wicket. Four for sixty. Firth appeared and the cricket was slow, till Padwick hit Brancker to the off for four, (one short!) and E. E. Steel for 3, being bowled next over for a cautious, but useful 27. Sale came in, full of vigour, and in rapid succession hit Steel and Hornby for 6 and 5, and then put Steel over the bank twice for 4, rattling up a very merry 31 before Kewley caught him off a skyer. Ashfield stayed long enough to see Firth gird up his loins and crack a full pitch of Hornby's for five, before he was himself bowled by Steel for 9. Purcell, after a lucky 4, was easily caught off a very poor stroke, while Bett after hitting a three, in a fit of temporary insanity, ran Sheppard out. The latter had played a a most plucky and excellent innings, and it was very hard lines on him to lose his wicket in such a

manner.

With 43 runs in hand, Liverpool sent H. B. Steel and Cox to the wickets. Steel soon showed his mettle by driving Keeling's first ball deliciously for four; either batsman scored a single and then Steel made another huge drive for five. Eleven off the first over! an ominous beginning! Sale, not to be outdone, tossed up a half-volley to Cox which departed, via the gap between Ashfield's legs, for 4. Steel got the third ball over the bank for 6, and 20 were hoisted as the result of the first three overs. Cheales took Keeling's place, and for a short time kept the scoring down, but Steel was merrily inclined, and fours and fives were plentiful as black-berries, in fact 96 runs had been made in rather less than an hour, before Sale found a hole in Cox's bat and with a fast yorker sent him home for another good innings. By lunchtime Steel had made 90, the result of some 75 minutes' batting, and did not take long to add the necessary 10. He then, whetted by lunch, made some mighty hits, conspicuous both for height and length, till at 174 Meyrick, put on as a forlorn hope, beguiled him into hitting a half volley into the tenacious grip of Cheales, where, of course, it stuck fast. Steel had played a very powerful and masterful innings, in the course of which he had treated the many bowlers with a noble impartiality. His hits were one 7, three 6's, three 5's, eight 4's, seven 3's, five 2's and nineteen singles. E. E. Steel joined Brancker, and soon showed he was in earnest by hitting Sale to leg for 4, but was nearly caught next ball by Firth, who made a fine effort to pull off a very difficult catch. Shortly afterwards Sale caught Brancker most beautifully at slip with the left hand, after he had made a good and lively 36. Nicholson and Steel gave the fields plenty of work till the latter was bowled by Cheales for 47, including a 6, three 4's, and only three singles. But there was no peace for our eleven, as Hornby came in and began to hit fairly, while Timms playing a thoroughly "Barlow" game, took "a deal of shifting," and when Hornby departed-very smartly taken, low down, by Meyrick-Melly began to take an interest in the bowling, and after a narrow escape at cover went on merrily till he had made 38 (seven of them by a slashing leg-hit), at which period Sheppard reappeared, and in four overs finished the innings. for the unpleasantly large total of 351. Half-anhour was left for play, and it seemed that Cheales and Meyrick would play out time, but at five minutes

to six, the latter had the bad luck to be caught at the wicket. Sheppard had just time to raise his average by making a hit for two when the stumps were pulled up and the game drawn, Cheales being not out for a careful 15.

It would be superfluous to say that the match was drawn in favour of Liverpool, still we may comfort ourselves with the somewhat meagre consolation that we made a good fight on the first innings. It was only natural that a colossal and powerful bat like Steel should make runs on the fine and fast wicket, especially when the rain that fell somewhat liberally made the ball sodden and slippery in fact we were naturally out-matched throughout. But what we wish to call special attention to is the stubborn way in which the XI. stuck to their work. It is no joke to field out for 350 runs on hard and often slippery ground, but notwithstanding, very few runs were lost by bad fielding and very few catches missed that might reasonably have been held. Padwick, Keeling and Cheales worked like blacks, and Buchanan was always safe, and often brilliant, at point. The number of extras given was ridiculously small-only ten-which speaks volumes for Cheales' efficiency at back-stop, but the want of a regular wicket-keeper was sadly felt. We will also add that we had not much luck, for Keeling strained his back and could only bowl two overs; his fast yorkers were much missed. Add to this, that every ball hit into the air had an unhappy knack of being just out of reach, while, as we hinted before, the rain that fell was all against the bowling and all in favour of the batting. In conclusion we wish, in all humility of spirit, to protest against the custom of putting bowlers to field long-leg, and, in the interests of the "fourth estate," to suggest a less "scratch" system of keeping the score-book; the bowling analysis is a conundrum that even an Oedipus would "give up."

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M.C.C.C. v. EAST SOMERSET C.C. The visitors arrived in good time on Satnrday with a fairly good team. A rumour had previously obtained, that no less formidable а cricketer than W. G. Grace was to appear; but there were abundant reasons for his absence, which in some ways removed a little of the interest of the Play began soon after 11 o'clock, and Padwick having won the toss, elected to bat with Cheales as his vis-à-vis; Winter and Pullan shared the bowling. Padwick commenced his innings with a hit for five, and continued to make runs fast, while Cheales played the steady game. So well did these two play that at 12 o'clock the total was 40 for no wicket. The score was doubled when Cheales after a severe blow from Radcliffe, was stumped off Pullan for 33, a thoroughly good and steady innings, including 1 four and 3 threes. Firth filled the gap, but immediately saw Padwick bowled by Radcliffe for a freely-hit innings of 52, including a six and 3 fives; 2 for 86. Immediately on his retirement Radcliffe dismissed Firth and Buchanan without scoring. Thus the good beginning was considerably marred. Meyrick and Keeling were then partners. The latter seemed in good form, but after some pretty leg strokes and a couple of fours was bowled by Winter. Sheppard joined Meyrick with the score at 105, and they took the score to 125 by steady play, when Winter bowled Sheppard. This disaster occurred immediately after luncheon. After and except him no one but Meyrick, who materially assisted his average by making 14, showed much form. Sale got a 4 and 3 and then skied a ball to Winter. The innings closed for 145; a disappointing total considering the promise of the beginning and the subsequent display.

No long time elapsed ere Major McDonnell and Leiston-Smith were opposed by Sale and Keeling. Runs came steadily though slowly, both batsmen playing well, until the latter skied one of Keeling's deliveries and was caught by Chaine. Cole succeeded Bett took Sale's and the pair gave much trouble. place, but it was not until 38 runs had been added by sharp running-almost too sharp-that Bett bowled Cole. Robinson followed and with McDonnell gave our bowlers much trouble. Sheppard went on, but the parting was effected by Keeling, who bowled McDonnell's leg stump for a steady and good 37; 3 for 87. Radcliffe followed and made merry with the bowling, and the 100 was safely passed, ere Ashfield bowled Robinson for 25. Immediately after Smith played one of Sheppard's on to his However Knowles and Marks much wicket. gave trouble; until Sale going on at the last got 4 wickets for 12 runs. Radcliffe played a hard innings of 35, and contributed not a little to procure our defeat. Marks' 20 included a four and five. The innings closed for 175; that is to say Somerset won by 30 runs, a result which we may regret, inasmuch as victory looked at one time within our grasp.

Who

will explain the downfall of our latter batsmen on a good wicket for only 60 runs after the brunt of the bowling had been already successfully borne? The visitors' innings was very slow to watch, though they proved very hard to shift. Sale had very bad luck with his bowling, until the last, when his real merit exhibited itself. We cannot entirely praise Chaine's wicket-keeping, as he missed several chances of running out. Apart from a few thoughtless shies, when a batsman was stranded in the middle of the pitch and might have been run out with a little presence of mind, the fielding of the College was well done. Cheales was as safe as usual: Keeling and Padwick saved hosts of runs by their agility, and Firth and Buchanan did one or two brilliant things. We must hope for better luck next week and strive meantime to produce a good bowler, whose services are by no means unnecessary at present. Full score and analysis:

M.C.C.C.

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