FIRST ELEVEN

REVIEW

Although not enjoying as successful a season as 1950 the School managed to lose only one match. This was at Southend where the fast wicket and the swinging ball brought about our downfall.
A successful innovation was the game with a team collected by Mr. Miles. This included several members of Staff and some notable Old Boys. It is hoped to make this match a regular fixture.
There were as usual a number of exciting finishes, the match with Romford Royal Liberty School being won in the last over. At Colchester, where the School were met with the usual warm welcome, we needed only two runs to win when stumps were drawn.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this year's team was the all-round quality displayed. Victory, as for the past few years, depended no longer on the performances of one or two players. And although Collins was outstanding as a batsman, everyone showed his ability to score runs at one time or another.
The team was blessed with six bowlers, and although this was in many ways an advantage, it was often difficult for the captain to select his bowlers, and there were no outstanding individual performances, for no one was required to bowl for a long spell.
The fielding of the team was, as a whole, usually steady, although there were some lapses, often due to rough ground. But one thing remained constant all through the season, the excellent team spirit. Every one performed his duties cheerfully and contributed to the general enjoyment of the games.
Thanks are due to all members of Staff who umpired our matches, and particularly to Mr. Miles, who is responsible for the organising of the School's cricket.