FIRST ELEVEN

School v. Buckhurst Hill C.H.S.
Buckhurst Hill: 43 (Harpin 6 for 21).
School: 49 for 5 (Collins 20).
School v. Shoreditch Training College
School: 85.
Shoreditch T.C.: 60 (Harpin 4 for 29).
School v. Parmiters School
School: 87 for 3 dec. (Harpin 24 n.o.. Collins 21).
Parmiters: 33 for 5 (Chaplin 3 for 10).
School v. S.W.E.T.C. Students
S.W.E.T.C.: 89 (Harpin 6 for 22).
School: 89 (Peacock 29, Harpin 26).
School v. Leyton C.H.S.
School: 59 for 9 dec.
Leyton: 29 for 5 (Black 3 for 7)
School v. Chingford C.H.S.
Chingford: 39 (Harpin 6 for 16).
School: 52 for 6 (Collins 22).
School v. Stratford G.S.
Stratford: 71 (Harpin 5 for15, Black 3 for 18)
School: 87 for 2 (Higgins 40, Peacock 19 n.o.)
School v. Hackney Downs G.S.
School: 43.
Hackney Downs: 61 (Harpin 4 for 13, Collins 3 for 17)
School v. Hackney Downs G.S.
Hackney Downs: 37 (Harpin 5 for 21, Black 5 for 8)
School: 78 (Chaplin 26).
School v. Shoreditch Training College
School: 60 (Black 28).
Shoreditch T.C.: 46 (Harpin 7 for 22).
School v. Parmiters School
Parmiters: 21 (Harpin 6 for 8).
School: 69 for 6.
School v. West Ham G.S.
West Ham: 45 (Harpin 6 for 12).
School: 38 for 3.
School v. Barking Abbey G.S.
Barking Abbey: 44 (Harpin 5 for 21).
School: 48 for 3 (Collins 24 n.o.).
School v. Romford R.L.S.
Romford:78 (Harpin 5 for 28, Hennah 5 for 15).
School: 57.
School v. Old Monovians
Old Monovians: 65 (Harpin 4 for 24).
School: 52.
School v. Staff
School: 142 for 7 dec. (Collins 29, Hennah 46, Chaplin 29 n.o.).
Staff: 29 (Harpin 5 for 17, Peacock 5 for 1).
School v. Parents'Association
School: 129 for 7 dec. (Higgins 40, Collins 22, Mason 25, Chaplin 26 n.o.).
Parents: 67 (Chaplin 4 for 6, Peacock 3 for 0).

TEAM CRITICISMS

COLLINS.A. As was expected from his performances in 1947, Collins proved one of the mainstays of the batting. His steadiness and solidity set an example as well as consolidating the score, but he at times deteriorated into over-cautiousness. His stroke play improved considerably and his placing of shots became more accurate. In the field he made the position of cover-point his own, his ground fielding and anticipation being exceptionally good, but his throwing in still varies tremendously in quality. His slow spin bowling, although a source of delight to the wicket-keeper and of amusement to the spectator, was too erratic for general use.

HIGGINS J. Higgins proved a very valuable discovery to the team, as he quickly developed into an opening bat of considerable ability, although he also tended to treat the bowling too defensively. Against Stratford he demonstrated his hitting powers and should be a great asset to the side next season, especially if he can learn to judge a swinging ball on his off-stump. He was capable in the field but his slowness was occasionally a disadvantage at mid-off.

BLACK, B. Black's performance in 1948, after his previous season's performances with the bat, was disappointing. He usually began confidently enough and deemed to possess all the strokes, but often he left a fatal gap between bat and pads and this was quickly exploited. But for a fine defensive innings at Shoreditch, which virtually won the game, he rarely stayed long. His fast-medium right hand bowling was very effective on the hard wickets of the middle of the season, but later became disastrously short. He still has to correct his lackadaisical attitude in the field.

PEACOCK, S. T. A hard-hitting left-hander, Peacock showed a tremendous improvement on 1947. His increased range of strokes enabled him to attack freely and vigorously, but his defence was rather neglected. If he develops his offside shots to the full he should become a really good batsman. As a bowler he provided welcome relief by bowling medium pace left-arm inswingers, which at first uncontrolled became later extremely difficult to force. His fielding was invariably enthusiastic and often brilliant.

HENNAH, B.A. He added welcome strength to the team's batting and improved considerably during the season, showing in the last two matches his ability to hit hard and to defend capably. He tended, however, to sacrifice the getting of runs to style and early in his innings developed a high back-lift, even on suspect pitches. Late in the season he was used as a fast-medium swing bowler with surprising lift off the pitch. In the field he anticipated well and had a powerful throw.

MASON, J. L. At first Mason disappointed in his wicket-keeping as the extremely high standard he set in 1947 was confidently expected to be exceeded, whereas a slight deterioration in sureness became apparent. Later a change of position brought immense improvement and he proved, as before, a valuable asset to the pace bowlers. His batting never lacked power and at the end of term caused much favourable comment, but he still does not use a backward defensive stroke, and his bat was often dangerously suspended outside his off-stump.

CHAPL1N, B. G. Batting at No. 8 Chaplin proved another valuable acquisition to the side. He obtained a great deal of power with very little back-lift, especially in his shots in front of the wicket. His footwork, however, was slow, and consequently he was often bowled off his pads, and he had a weakness for a ball on the leg stump. As one of the main trio of bowlers he bowled well in short spells, but became rather erratic in length if kept on too long. He was quite safe in the field and capably filled the position of deputy wicketkeeper.

ANDERSON, W. G. All allowance made for the sudden transition from Under 14 to 1st XI cricket undergone by Anderson, he showed definite promise for the future. He settled down quickly in the team and soon gave evidence of a sound, if overworked, defence. He should endeavour to force the ball, even when playing back. His fielding was adequate and he placed himself intelligently, but he, too, proved rather slow.

NORFOLK, D. His inclusion in the team was at first solely because of his fielding, but later, when the situation required, he developed a stubborn defence, unfortunately not supported by any great run getting ability. He should try to use his weight and reach to their full advantage, with greater use of a full forward stroke. The faith in his fielding was fully justified, as his picking up and throwing in were invariably first class.

SEARLE G. G. S. Although not a regular member of the 1st Xl Searle captained the 2nd XI with considerable efficiency and bowled extremely well. In 1st XI matches he had little to do, but bowled occasionally and was a reliable fielder. His batting, when possible, was free and aggressive, but he seemed to possess little defence, especially against steady swerve bowling, and rarely watched the line of flight of the ball.

W. S. H.

W.S. HARPIN - AN APPRECIATION

The name of W. S. Harpin, or "Bill ", as he was affectionately called, will long be remembered by those who played with him, not only because he broke a twenty years old School record by taking 77 wickets in the season but also because of his persistently outstanding cricket.
He played for the 1st XI cricket team for just over three seasons, but only in the last two was he given a chance to show his capabilities, and he completed his School cricket career, as captain, in a blaze of glory. This season he stood out head and shoulders above everyone else as a bowler, and it was rare indeed for his fast-medium deliveries to be met with anything approaching equanimity-indeed without Harpin's bowling it is very doubtful whether the team would have won half the games they did.
He bowled fast-medium, and had control of both out- and in-swingers, the off-break and a yorker, while he varied his pace very cleverly and seldom allowed the batsmen to settle down. As a batsman, he seldom appeared to dominate the bowling, partly because of his short stature and partly because of the paucity of his strokes, but he possessed what many of the more stylish batsmen of the team lacked-namely, resource or, to put it more bluntly, "guts "; and he frequently made runs when needed. As a slip-fielder he was quick and possessed a very safe pair of hands: indeed, I have never seen him drop a catch there.
From this description it can be seen that Harpin was a very outstanding cricketer at School (as he was a scholar) and we all wish him good luck in the bright career which we are sure is before him.
A. A. C.