In a local account of the match the reporter remarks ironically that the “cadets fielded very well,” which scarcely does the Britannia justice. Their second innings was not at all a bad performance against the bowling of Mycroft, Chatterton, and Grace, all of whom were accustomed to getting their share of wickets in first-class cricket.
Among other matches played during this season, there is a phenomenal one against Torquay, in which Britannia made over 200, and got Torquay out for 20. Britannia also beat Teignbridge by 89, and Plymouth by 157.
The editor gives some fatherly advice to cricket aspirants:
“The practice at the nets is not all that it should be; instead of trying to play with care and learning to defend the wicket, by far the greater number of cadets seem to think it is a good opportunity for a slog. By all means play the ball hard, but it is the ruin of any boy’s cricket when once he begins to slog at everything in practice.”
The bowlers are admonished for trying to bowl too fast and not keeping a good length; the fielding is “damned with faint praise,” and finally certain cadets “who take a delight in playing the fool” at the nets are recommended, in good plain English, to stay away. Very good advice: let us take our cricket seriously, by all means.
The regatta of 1890 came off with great éclat; and as the editor has no disparaging remarks to make about the “gallery,” it may be concluded that his gentle insinuations on former occasions have produced the desired effect. There was a very close race for the Rushworth Seal in the single sculls, Cadet Prentis just pulling it off, probably because he was a trifle fresher than Withers, who unshipped a scull close to the finish, which is always likely to happen when a pumped-out sculler spurts; and though he recovered pluckily, it lost him the match.
Some “foreign” football matches are on record in the season 1890-91.
Rugby.
Blundell’s School, Tiverton, Britannia lost by 5 points.
Royal Naval Engineers’ College, a similar result.