View source for College v. Town (report)


''College v. Town'' is an article written by DH ([[David Howell]]) published in the [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] handwritten magazine [[The Feldkirchian Gazette]] (Vol. I, october 1875).


== College v. Town ==

''Contributed by our sparking correspondent.''

This three days match was played on the Antonius place cricket ground on the 14th, 15th and 16th of September, and terminated cricket for the season. The weather and the cricket were alike favourable, and an exciting contest was looked forward to. The green field, like an immense emerald, was adorned further with a brilliant assembly composed of the "elite" of Vorarlberg, who wore dark or light blue badges to show that they were partizans of the college or of the town respectively. 

The college having won the toss were represented by Mr W. Harker, and Schäffer, while Mr Squash and Bubble conducted the attack. Mr Squash began operations from the pavilion end (or rather from that might have been the pavilion end, if there had been any pavilion). The first over was a maiden. Mr Bubble then trundled, and his accuracy may be conceived from the fact that the long leg look a suit against him for damages, owing to a broken leg he received from a wide. Atlast however he succeeded in planting a ball in the Harker's left eye which rendered him "hors de combat" for a short time. 

The play was then resumed, and the telegraph-board already announced 50 when Mr Schäffer was caught out by the umpire. Mr Fitzpatrick was the next to handle the willow, and these two redoubtable players kept the bowlers at bay until the century was announced, when "Mr Harker was run out by Mr Smallpose, a piece of fielding which was much admired. Mr W. Harker's batting was on the most scientific principles, and was considered by competent authorities to have been a masterpiece of defence. 

Mr [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Doyle]] now appeared and as his thin slender form approached the wickets he was received with loud cheers. Mr Squash delivered up the ball to Mr Snooks, and the game proceeded. After some hard hitting on both sides Mr Fitzpatrick was given out "bat before wicket". This gentleman's 44 was splendidly manipulated. A short stand followed between Mr Cullen and Mr [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Doyle]] when the former gentleman was caught at point by Mr Punch-my-nose for a hard hit one. Mr Thinsen succombed to the unerring aim of Mr Squeak, and his place was supplied by R Rockliffe who hit us a couple of byes; when he was dismissed by a shooter, closely followed by C Rockliffe.

The famous american (ball) baseball champion Mr Ives now joined Mr [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Doyle]] and a tremendous display of hitting powers ensued. Both batsmen warmed to their work, and the ball was sent flying to every part of the field. Atlast Mr Ives was caught out at a long field, for a finely hit twenty. And now a burst of cheering announced the advent of Mr Lomax, he who had created such a world wide reputation at Liverpool. With modest grace he stepped up to the cricket, and with a firm manly action he gazed round on the terrified fielders. There was such a silence that one might have heard a pin drop (N.B. If the pin was only ten feet long and six thick). 

The bowler deliverered the ball and Oh! wonder of wonders! The champions midde stump was seen playing leap frog with the two bails at the other side of the field. It is asserted that three of the fielders ruptured blood-vessels cheering on this occasion. At first it was supposed the ball passed through the bat, but no hole was discovered; but one of Mr Lomax's supporters affirms yet that the ball went through so quickly that it hadn't time to make a hole. Mr Lomax however afterwards had the satisfaction of cutting up the ball, and proving it was not bewitched. We may mention that Mr Lomax being a favorite of the fair sex, his duck was easily pardoned. 

The rest of the side failed to score and Mr [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Doyle]] carried his bat for a splendid 79. The whole innings realising 282. Surrounded as it is by a halo of shame and disgrace few would care to hear of the miserable innings of the Feldkirch team. How before the well-diverted "expresses" of Mr Fitzpatrick and [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Doyle]], even Bubble and Squeak sunk into obscurity. How the bowling became so fast that the last Feldkirchian refused to go in, on the grounds that he had a wife and three small children, and how as none would face the peril, they sent in a gibbering maniac, who did not know the danger. He was lucky enough to escape with his leg and collarbone broken, and three ribs dislocated. No! rather let such reminiscences be buried in oblivion, and thus ended the match between town and school. The school being victorious by 240 runs.

DH





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* [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:Complete Works|Back to Complete Works]]
* [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle|Back to Conan Doyle]]