Sports

CRICKET AND THE PAVILION

The cricket field in 1953 - still from the school film 'A Day at the RLS'

Hon E15 wrote:- I, too, used to enjoy practice sessions with the slip cradle. But my recollection is that most of the lads were less intent on working out angles than they were on calculating what speed they should throw the ball to inflict the maximum amount of pain on the person(s) standing opposite them. Far more effective (in terms of inflicting injury on the unsuspecting) was the strange elastic net thingy which superceded the slip cradle after about 1967. A ball thrown hard into it was guaranteed to rebound at enormous velocity towards whoever was standing behind you.
Another method of suicide was to face the bowling of ex-HM Alan Golding, who was around 6' 4" and believed that "a good length" was a spot equidistant
between the two sets of stumps. But most dangerous of all was to field anywhere near the bat when I was wielding it, as Steve B will testify. (John Bailey 1963-70)

Yes, the slip cradle could be a fiendish piece of kit. As others have mentioned the skill was as much getting the ball into the cradle as catching its erratic departure from it. For some reason (and the physics would indicate it was impossible) the ball seemed to gather speed in the cradle and come out at a faster pace. Nevertheless it made me into a half decent slip fielder and I even caught a sharp low chance a few years ago off my son's bowling in a village match at the age of 65. ...(but it certainly hurt and cost offspring a pint of beer afterwards!) The most dramatic injury I saw on the RLS cricket field was to Gerry Howlett (40-46?). GH was a very good cricketer and footballer (his father was a regular Romford player pre war) and was on the receiving end off a throw-in from David Duncombe(41- 49?). DD was the most prodigious hurler of a cricket ball I have ever seen. He held the school record (I am sure old programmes will agree) in athletics for throwing the ball..something close to 120 yards. DD was no shrinking violet and liked to display his prowess in matches by retrieving the ball when it went over the boundary and the rocketing it back in... (many oohs and ahs from assembled spectators.) On this occasion ( a first XI match about 1946 or 7) DD chased a big boundary shot all the way to the walnut trees near the fence by "High Trees" . His throw was from there and was enormous and Gerry H was not paying attention standing by the wicket at the bowlers end. The ball struck him, without bouncing, right between the eyes and a clean one inch gash appeared. ...at the same time as about a pint ofblood. He went down as if pole axed and was carried off with his white shirt and flannels spectacularly soaked in blood. GH's father was umpiring at the time and was more than a little concerned! The after effects were an anti climax, fortunately, as GH went to hospital, had two stitches and was back at the match an hour or two after. After that DD was somewhat more careful about showing off his ability. Where are they now? Gerry Howlett I know is still on the committee of Corinthian Casuals AFC and must be about 76 while David Duncombe I have lost track of after he went into the Customs and Excise Service and worked in Scotland. Others may know. The scene is as fresh in my mind as if it were last week. (Bernard Coe 43-51)

Fascinating to see the brochure which David Pettit and I laboriously compiled in the Spring Term of 1956 - having nothing much else to do as we'd sat for Oxbridge entrance in December '55. I never did see the completed building though, having left at Easter '56.
I recollect another ceremony connected with the pavilion too - it may have been the laying of a foundation stone or similar. Mrs Newth did the honours, and in my function as H*** B** I was suddenly called upon, completely without warning, to say something - propose a vote of thanks or whatever. I think that must have been in the autumn term of '55 - or possibly early in '56. (Graham Jackman 1948-56)

I see mention of Reg Hilliard, who I remember as a leading light in the RLSOB in about 1954. A group of OB's constructed the clubhouse on the sports ground alongside the A127 near Gallows Corner. I think the bar was the first part to be built.. and stocked.. and progress slowed up a lot after that. I think Reg ran a paper shop. He was quite a forceful guy..carrying about 18 stones.. but light on his feet like some heavy people are...and a good batsman. I remember him playing for the Headmaster's XI against the School...and he arrived at the crease in a particularly arrogant mood. I bowled him two normal speed deliveries quite short, so he got used to the pace..and then a much slower one which he attacked too early.. giving me an easy caught & bowled. His language was colourful..and i gave him a big happy smile as he passed me!! Of all the wickets I took at RLS that is one of the few I can remember.. and one of the most satisfying in that a strategy actually worked. Is he still around??
(Colin Calvert)

When I was at the school if you didn’t play cricket you were nobody. I think the Head, Mr Hartley (?) was an ex professional. There was a lot of talk about an o.b. called Farnes, who was reputed to be the fastest bowler England ever had until he dived his Spitfire into the Thames. The school groundsman was called Fletcher. He had a son and I have wondered if he was Keith Fletcher of Essex and England fame. (Colin O'Hare)

Tim Knights wrote:- There were some good players who did not make it in the school elite. The football situation did not bother me unduly, but it was devastating when the same thing happened with cricket come the summer term." Strangely enough, I don't remember cricket working in quite the same way. Myself and my Dad had already decided that, if asked, I was to say that I had played for his cricket team (the notoriously unsuccessful

Rise Park CC) and thus gain entry to the Top 22 or whatever in that fashion. Good eh, a 12-year-old primed and ready to lie to masters with his parent's blessing? But I don't remember the question ever being asked; I think we were just sent out to play cricket in random groups after the Summer half term, the first half of the Summer term having been wasted on sodding Athletics as was customary at the time. Myself and Dick Ikin answered an advert on one of the notice-boards for potential Under 13 cricketers (the First Year did not have its own team at the time) to come to the nets for a trial. We duly presented ourselves for Aubrey Pope to give us the once-over. Aubrey's verdict was "There's something wrong with your stance, boy, but I can't quite see what it is" and that was my lot until I got to 6A and started to turn out for the 2nd XI occasionally. Well at least I think it was my lot - I have a very vague recollection of playing a match at Abbs Cross Tech and getting a big ear-bashing for dropping a catch off Rob Davies' bowling, but I might be imagining that one! HM Byrne and others can attest to my prowess with the bat... I'm not sure, though, that Dave Wiffen is the best example of this exclusiveness - go take a look at the photo of the Under-14's from 1965 on the RLSOldBoys web site, and there is Dave Wiffen in his 'keepers outfit. I suspect his exclusion in later years had something to do with the normal custodian, Dave Jolly, being

considered something of an all-round Good Bloke by team-mates and masters alike?

To widen the debate just a little, what about the exclusion of Al Golding from the school cricket teams despite him being easily the fastest and most terrifying bowler in our year ? OK, I know his bouncers used to fly 6 feet over the wicket-keeper's head for byes, but that had more to do with Wally Risebrow's maintenance of the wicket. Guys like Rich Everett, Kev Belsham, Keith Darby and Tony Oliver were certainly not short of attitude. Some like Kev got better as they got older, whereas others like Tony got worse and we were glad to see the back of them in 1970. The cliques were, I am afraid, inevitable given that start. They really thought they were something special to, those chosen 22, it gave them a certain swagger which made them unpopular with many of us, and led to much of the cliques. Did this happen in other years, please let us know boys. This is also true! Guys like Rich Everett, Kev Belsham, Keith Darby and Tony Oliver were certainly not short of attitude. Some like Kev got better as they got older, whereas others like Tony got worse and we were glad to see the back of them in 1970. The cliques were, I am afraid, inevitable given that start. (John Bailey)

The Pavillion was opened in May 1956 I believe. I recall the date because I had faithfully subscribed my penny's and sixpences for five years and enjoyed the facilities once during my last three months at the school. It's amazing that it cost less than four thousand pounds in those days, although it took some six years to collect almost that amount. (Mike Merry)

We were all expected to contribute a few pence weekly towards the School Pavilion Fund during most of my time at the school. This was despite the building being completed and in regular use before my arrival.
When the loan was presumably cleared, the weekly contributions went towards the School Jubilee Fund for the benefit of future pupils. (John Hawkins)

Mike Merry has more than once bemoaned the fact that he contributed, for five years, towards the building of the cricket pavilion but never got to use it as he left before it was built!
Hard luck, Mike! So you never knew what it was like to have a WARM shower after games at RLS? (I'm not including games at Balgores - that was a bath, not a shower!)
I fared rather better as I seem to remember that the new pavilion was built in my third year - so 1957/58? Thus I had only been coughing up my "pavilion fund" contributions for three years before being allowed to use the facilities. Wasn't the sale of Summer Fair programmes at a tanner a time also dedicated to the pavilion?
They had a scheme whereby if you sold six they only required the money for five which enabled enterprising 1st, 2nd and 3rd years to make a few bob! I guess by year 4 most people had sussed out less time-consuming ways of making money!
As for what was there before - it took up space where previously had been the 3rd XI football pitch - not full-sized and used mostly for games lessons and home games by the junior teams. Once the pavilion was built that pitch ceased to exist which was, I think, a blessing for the groundsman as it was no longer a danger to his beloved cricket square! (David Maltby)

I believe I did actually enter the pavilion as an Old Boy a year after leaving. We played a soccer game at the school and I wanted to see what I had purchased. The Friday afternoon collections at the House Group Meetings were a regular event and most of the boys contributed a penny or so. The pavilion was a pie in the sky for those of us attending in those days. It was just impossible to imagine anything being built with the help of a few pennies surrendered on Fridays. David is correct about the location being the 3rd XI pitch. It had a hell of a slope on it and although fine if you were defending the northern end, the southern goal near the drive meant that you had your work cut out running down balls that went over the goal line. (Mike Merry)

My recollection is that the pavilion was built in two parts, the centre and one wing during my time and the second wing as or after I left in 1961. I never went in it, let alone used it. Hallowed ground. Boys might damage it! And to see it now, a complete disaster area. (David Silverside)

David S. described the Pavilion as he saw it during the July reunion. I wonder what happened to have it turned into an abandoned relic? Can any of our younger members put some dates to when the decline began? I would have thought that if cricket or football continuedto be played at RLS then the Pavilion would have been convenient for changing and showers etc.? Anyway, I'd like to know. Its cost of course was nothing, compared to costs today. However, it was an icon to those of us who paid in our pennies and its rise and fall may be interesting. DGM mentioned the Slip Cradle. That was in use in my days and many a knacker suffered bruises as the ball came off at a fast pace and not always along a true course! The coco-nut fibre covered concrete wicket was used for Jr. and Sr. Colts games and played very true. I think in my whole time at the school I only played on the sacred green wickets of the 1st XI once, during a Wanstead County High game. Bert Peade guarded this as a miser guards gold and he who dared enter the roped off square to retrieve a football or such was risking an energetic balling out from Bert, winter or summer. Bill, the groundsman would walk Old Bob up and down, down and up for hours pulling the heavy roller over the pitch, so much effort for so few players. How I envied those who came after me being able to sit on the terrace of the pavilion and watch the game from there! (Mike Merry)

The first time I was with the class playing cricket, I eagerly proffered my veteran services as a bowler. Now, I had a bowling technique that passed as overarm at my prep. school, but was not the proper sort. Instead, I held both arms forward in the run-up, then moved the right arm in an arc to behind my head, while the left arm remained as a kind of `sight` on the wicket. Then I moved my right arm through a perfect semicircle, releasing the ball (with appropriate spin) when my hands were beside one another again (got it?). I was accurate, but there was usually about nil power in the ball. My first two balls were slogged for fours (perhaps by Pete Benson). I have the signal fame of being the first bowler ever to have been taken off after the second ball of an over - to the wild (ac?) claim of 10 team mates. From then on my sporting fame declined in leaps and bounds - athletics was no better... and I ended up as a big LOSER, (but a very good one, of course). My days of sporting prowess were long gone. So the Saxons did not get the fullest benefit from GHRN's selection of me to that house. (Robert Priddy)

I do believe that Neil (Fraser) was also a member of the Old Libs cricket team for a short time. Seem to recall partaking of beer and curry in a dodgy Indian in Barking (along with Simon Bunnell & Jeff Berry?) after one Sunday match - against Old Easthamians? (Andy Lee)

I liked the football but inevitably the matches were played in very cold weather. More often than not, boys were expected to make there own way to the away games or to meet up at some bus stop or the other and take public transport. In those days I'd play Saturday morning for the school and then in the afternoon for Cannon United, a Chadwell Heath team or for a church XI. Sunday morning there was always a big pick-up game in St. Chads park and some of the local professional players (Mark Lazarus - Wolves and QPR and Duke Cavenagh - Fulham) would usually join in. (Mike Merry)