CRICKET Retrospect Sadly the bowling did not come up to our expectations. One reason for this was the unusually high number of injuries. In a team whose enthusiasm for practice during the winter was admirable, back injuries affected several players and the sports centre floor has much to answer for. Andrew Ludiman and Tim Davies were two opening bowlers who suffered most and were unable to do themselves justice. Both have much to offer and will, I hope, have more luck next year. Once he had recovered from his back problems, Richard Musgrave was the most reliable bowler. He perhaps lacked the life to be really effective, but he swung the ball and did a good job for the team. Michael Forrester had a disappointing season with the ball. He was not able to find a consistent line and length and hard as he tried, he had little success. Bruce Neary started the season well. He bowled a nagging length and it was good to see him recover from some excessively severe treatment in a club match and bowl well at the festival. In a team with perhaps a surfeit of medium pacers, Oliver Gardner, Tom Reid and Charles Roberts all bowled quite well on occasions. Early in the season the spin bowling was left to Dominic Bundy. He tried very hard, but never bowled his leg-spinners as steadily as in the previous season. He was not helped by the cold weather and the slow pitches. Midway through the season Naithan McBride joined the team and his off-spinners gave us welcome variety. He worked hard to improve his action and in the last few matches he showed that he could become a good spin-bowler.
The 1991 season will probably be remembered for being the coldest for many years. It is a most unusual state of affairs when the best weather of the term was at our away match at Bradford G.S. in April. Fortunately the sun put in a long overdue appearance at the festival. From a cricket point of view the season was rather frustrating with too many drawn matches. This was not the result of a defensive attitude. The team had batting in depth, but disappointed in run chases and the bowling was not strong enough to bowl a team out on a good pitch. It was, however, a happy and workmanlike team and great credit must go to the captain, Jamie Rigby, and the vice-captain, Michael Forrester. Together they did an excellent job. One of the more disappointing aspects of the season was the attitude of some of the club teams that visited us. It did seem at times that the interests of the boys' cricket was not high on the list of priorities. All the first five batsmen from 1990 were still at School. Paul Carvosso and James Harding worked hard at their game, but neither had the success that they — and I — had hoped for. Defensively very sound, Paul found it difficult to develop his stroke-play and often batted too slowly for the team's cause. James looked likely to make a big score all season, but it never really happened. His 66 at Cranleigh was his only half-century in the 1st XI, a poor reward for a dedicated and enthusiastic team man. Jamie Rigby had problems with his eyes and had to revert to wearing glasses. After a fine 83 in the first match, he lost confidence and never really did himself justice. Michael Forrester had a very good season. In the early matches a lack of patience let him down, but later he applied himself more carefully and he finished the term in prime form, making centuries against Ampleforth and Pocklington. It was good to see him achieving his potential in his last few weeks at School. Another to have a good season was Michael Davies, next season's captain. He had clearly learned a lot from his first year in the XI and he played a number of impressive innings. His century at Bradford G.S. on a difficult pitch was a fine performance. In pre-season practice Richard Hudson earned a chance at No.6, but in a difficult position his approach was too loose and casual. His place was taken by Charles Roberts, who played some promising innings without making a big score. Oliver Gardner was a valuable member of the middle order. I hope that his natural ability to hit the ball will not be sacrificed in his laudable attempt to improve his technique. Bruce Neary showed in two fine innings that he is a powerful striker of the ball, but there is still work to be done on his basic technique before next season. Richard Musgrave has lots of ability and could bat high in the order, but if he is to do so he will have to play with more determination and application. In his few innings Naithan McBride showed considerable promise and a good temperament. Dominic Bundy remains a confident and under-rated (he says) No. 11; after being top scorer in our disastrous innings against the Emus Club, he may be right.
The fielding was better than for several years. The close catching was not tested too much but the out-fielding was good apart from a short spell mid-season. The Fielding Cup was awarded to the excellent Michael Davies, but the general standard was much improved. The Inter-House competitions produced unexpected winners. The Senior Cup was won by Grove. With few School team players they beat the favourites Queen's in the semi-final and Temple in a closely fought final. The Rise won the Junior Cup, largely thanks to some fine allround cricket from Toby Cockcroft. Finally a number of thank you's. To Keith Mohan, who has continued to make every effort to improve the technique of players throughout the School. To Paddy Stephen, whose help during the term and especially at the festival was invaluable. To the head-groundsman, Robin Scarce and his staff. In his first year, Robin worked very hard and did a first-class job. To Bruce Rigby and the other members of the Social Committee for their continued help and encouragement. To our many supporters; some of them like Mr. and Mrs. Davies have covered huge distances to watch our matches. It was a particular pleasure on the Monday of the Cranleigh Festival to have six sets of our parents watching us. Finally to the Cranleigh staff, Clem Williams and Neil Bennett, who did so much to make the festival a success. D. Kirby
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