Anticipating a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in such surroundings, we take up a commanding position on a seat overlooking the first eleven pitch.
The match is against Teignbridge, who always play a strong team, including several county players; so Britannia naturally does all she knows, and her eleven only contains two cadets, while the “pro” is included as a matter of course. The remaining eight comprises two lieutenants, two Engineer lieutenants, the paymaster, the science master—whose science is not confined to the lecture room—the chaplain, and one of the doctors.
The “foreigners” have first knock, and are not doing as well as their strength would lead one to expect. Already several wickets are down, and the score is small. The deliveries of Lord, the professional, and Mr. Warner, the science master, are evidently too much for the batsmen. The fielding, moreover, is very keen; quite up to the mark.
The boundaries are liberal, especially on the north and north-east; indeed, the former looks well worth five runs.
There goes their crack player! Bowled by Lord for a “duck.” This is an extremely good riddance, for he is a doughty bat; a left hander, with a strong defence, and a dangerous capacity for scoring if he once gets set.
Two more wickets in rapid succession, both to the science master; and the end comes with surprising rapidity.
The first lieutenant, his many-coloured blazer showing up to advantage in the strong sunlight, comes along with a joyous countenance. “Lucky! got ’em out for 59; strong team, too!”
Very lucky: and not all luck, either. Being, of course, strong partisans of Britannia, we rejoice with him, and hope his side will be in form with the bat.
The “gallery” is mustering rapidly. Nearly all the officers of the ship are on the ground; the captain strolls up, with two or three children and a happy dog; officers’ wives, and outside friends, make a goodly show on the seats along the terrace, half-way down the bank.
Time for Britannia to go in, and Engineer Lieutenants Benn and Smith are deputed to open the ball. Athletics, as is well known, are by no means neglected at the Engineers’ Training College; and these two gentlemen, whose duty it is to look after the engines of the tenders attached to the Britannia, and initiate the cadets into the mysteries of steam, are well able also to show them a wrinkle or two in handling the willow.