A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE four years the scores were remarkably close, Cheltenham winning in 1894 by the narrow margin of i run, a result perhaps due to a mistake at the finish by the scorer. The last four matches in succession have been won, and the record for the series stands at present played 8, won 4, lost i, drawn 3. Besides the regular fixtures the School played Rossall at the Oval in 1874 and won, while Haverford College, U.S.A., have paid visits in 1896 and 1900, the matches result- ing in draws on each occasion. The colours are white flannel blazer edged with magenta, white caps with magenta peak and stripes of the same hue. METHOD OF TEACHING AND ORGANIZATION OF GAMES The organization of the cricket at Hailey- bury depends almost entirely on the house system. The games fall into the two general divisions of big and little sides, big side con- sisting of the 1st and and elevens only who play and are coached separately, while little side comprises all the rest. Each house supplies three elevens, excluding those on big side, and these elevens compete against one another on the league system for a ' little side cup,' marks being given for wins and drawn games for each separate eleven, though ist elevens naturally count more than the others. In addition to these games one day in every week is set aside for the playing of house matches, properly so called, that is, matches in which the best eleven in the house, big side included, plays. For this another cup is offered, and owing to lack of time the houses are drawn against one another and gradually weeded out instead of playing on the league system. With the exception of these house matches big side play separately, the games being either eleven practices or pick-up games. One great advantage of this system seems to be the interest given to the games played throughout the term. There is always some- thing to be played for, and this makes a great difference towards the end of a term. On the other hand it has the disadvantage of making small boys sometimes play with others too big for them, and this does not always improve the cricket. METHOD OF COACHING Three nets are set aside for practice for big side exclusively. Two of these are generally taken in hand by masters and the third by a professional. With the aid of these each boy gets from three to four half- hours of coaching every week privately in addition to the big side games played. A second professional is engaged exclusively for smaller boys, generally under fifteen. Under his supervision the most promising of these are given practice times at the nets, and take part once a week in what are called ' colts' games.' These generally take place on Saturday afternoons, so as not to prevent their playing in the ordinary house games, which do not go on during a foreign match. Colts' teams play in addition two matches during the term against similar sides of Dulwich and St. Paul's School. The remainder of the coaching is done, generally in the evening, by big side boys at the little side nets, one of which is reserved for each house. EMINENT CRICKETERS PRODUCED Comparatively few have attained to first- class honours in the game, possibly owing to the large number who enter the service. Only four have played in the University match, two for each side. Mr. Vere Kemball Shaw was in the Cambridge Eleven of 1876, and subsequently appeared for Kent in several seasons, being a fairly good bat and a fast left- handed bowler. In 1877 and 1879 Mr. F. G. G. Jellicoe proved useful as a slow left round-arm bowler for Oxford, his best figures being 8 for 36 v. Gentlemen of Eng- land. He was a remarkably crude bat, and subsequently was at times found in the Hamp- shire side. Mr. W. D. Hamilton was the most notable of three Irish brothers, who have done good service for the game in the sister isle. He was a free left-handed hitter, who obtained his colours for Oxford in 1882 for capital scores against the Gentlemen of England, when he punished Mr. Hugh Rotherham's fast bowling with severity. He was also a fine field, especially at long leg. Mr. A. H. C. Fargus in 1900 was a member of the Cambridge Eleven in consequence of his effective bowling for Gloucestershire v. Middlesex at Lord's (12 for 87). He also played for Gentlemen v. Players at Scar- borough. Colonel James Spens, who was in the eleven in 1868, 1869 and 1870, proved a powerful hitter. In 1882 at Portsmouth for the United Services v. Nondescripts he scored 386, and he at times assisted Hampshire, making 74 and 71 v. Somersetshire in June, 1899. The late Captain R. P. Spurway, a capital bat and hard-working field, was fre- quently found in the Somersetshire team. Others who may be mentioned are Messrs. E. Maiden, K. McAlpine and L. L. H. 380
