First eleven.—Won, 7; lost, 3; drawn, 5.
A very exciting match was played, in 1902, against Stratford-on-Avon Wanderers; Lord is the Britannia professional, a left-hander, and an artful dodger in the matter of an unexpected “break back.”
| Wanderers. | |
| Arlington, b Lord | 41 |
| Deer, c Smith, b Swan | 1 |
| Holloway, b Glasgow | 11 |
| Fellows, b Glasgow | 18 |
| Holton, c Whetham, b Glasgow | 15 |
| Hastings, b Glasgow | 0 |
| Fish, b Glasgow | 4 |
| Jackson, b Lord | 0 |
| Ashley, l b w, b Glasgow | 2 |
| Whitehead, b Lord | 10 |
| Challaway, not out | 1 |
| Extras | 3 |
| Total | 106 |
| “Britannia.” | |
| Dr. Bobardt, b Arlington | 2 |
| Cadet Abercrombie, c Hastings, b Whitehead | 5 |
| Mr. Smith, l b w, b Whitehead | 7 |
| Lieut. Wood, b Arlington | 10 |
| Mr. Swan, c Deer, b Hastings | 14 |
| Lieut. Lewis, l b w, b Hastings | 26 |
| Mr. Benn, c Hastings, b Arlington | 1 |
| Lord, c Fish, b Arlington | 18 |
| Rev. W. Royse, not out | 13 |
| Cadet Whetham, b Hastings | 0 |
| Cadet Glasgow, b Arlington | 9 |
| Extras | 7 |
| Total | 112 |
Britannia’s score was 101 at the fall of the eighth wicket; Cadet Whetham was bowled first ball—six runs still wanted when Glasgow came in. He had taken six wickets, and now he came to the rescue with the bat, and he and Mr. Royse, the chaplain, won the match by steady play at a critical moment.
To a lover of beautiful scenery and keen cricket, it would be difficult to find a more attractive spot than the Britannia cricket grounds on a fine half holiday. For the benefit of readers who have not enjoyed the privilege of being present on such an occasion, let us pay a visit in spirit to the Britannia on a certain Saturday during the summer of 1903; a perfect day, which would have been too hot but for a light westerly breeze with never a touch of chill in it.
THE CRICKET FIELD.
Photo: Smale & Son, Dartmouth.
The cadets’ dinner is at noon on Saturday, and by 1.30 there is scarcely a boy left on board the ship. Some are away in boats or sailing cutters, some are off for a walk, others to visit friends in the neighbourhood, and so on; but we must follow the large contingent which makes its way to the cricket grounds. Landing at the solid stone pier abreast the ship, we cross the asphalt tennis courts, and mount the concrete steps in the far right-hand corner. There are many of these steps, intercepted by level landings, and winding up the hillside past the racquet courts, all overshadowed by trees, which lend a welcome shade, but do not prevent one getting pretty hot during the ascent. At length the last flight is surmounted, and a broad, well-kept path, still under trees, leads on past the beagle kennels, where a loud and inquisitive chorus greets a stranger, to the lower ground. Play is already in progress, so we dutifully keep to the right behind the white screen, and passing across the end of the cricket ground, mount to the upper ground, which is separated from the lower one by a steep grassy bank some 12 or 15 feet high, with several flights of stone steps. Here, standing by the edge of the bank, you can see both grounds to advantage. On the far side is the pavilion, a long bungalow, with an elevated scoring-box in the centre; and here are spacious dressing-rooms, a canteen, where excellent “stodge” may be obtained at the most moderate charges, and a large amount of sitting accommodation for onlookers. A large tent to the left contains tea and refreshments for the officers and their friends. The view is magnificent in every direction, and the full benefit of the summer breeze is felt at this elevation.
Furthermore, there is a great deal of cricket going on; the first and third elevens are playing matches on the lower, and the second eleven on the upper ground; and there is plenty of room for a couple of picked sides to play in addition.