First Eleven

REVIEW

Lord Mountbatten said that "a good ship is a happy ship". This season, the 'ship' was indeed a happy one. It was mainly due to this combination and team-spirit that this season's team overcame the difficulties of the beginning of the season; for the eleven was perhaps one of the most inexperienced for many years.
As in past seasons, the bowling lacked variety, for most bowlers were of medium pace. However, the team was fortunate in that the opening attack of Black and Brown proved too strong for many opponents. Once the team had settled down, the batting proved to be of greater strength than that in many previous seasons. No fewer than seven players scored over one hundred runs, and the phenomenal all-round performance of Black contributed largely to the team's success.
For the first time in three seasons, a decision was reached in the match against Mr. Miles's XI. Heavy defeats were inflicted upon the Old Monovians by 78 runs and on Buckhurst Hill by 10 wickets. Perhaps the most exciting finish was in the last match of the season against Colchester, when the School was defeated in the last minute of playing time.
During the season the School was represented in the Essex Grammar Schools' XI by Black and Jarvis, and in the London team by Brown.
On behalf of the team, I would like to express my appreciation of the services of those members of staff who umpired our matches, and especially to Mr. Miles, who always gave us his help and encouragement throughout the season; to Mr. Waterman and his assistant, who prepared the best possible wickets; and to all those mothers, who came to prepare our teas, which add so much to the social side of cricket. I should also like to extend my grateful thanks to the non-playing member of the team, Frank Smith, for his enthusiastic and competent scoring. Finally, I should like to thank the other members of the team for their co-operation and cheerfulness, which helped to make the season both successful and enjoyable.