Cricket

Pre-First World War Cricket. Two poems on the subject one in manuscript about a match between Littlebourne and Chislet titled 'July 4th. 1912' and the other printed about the retirement of C. S. Buckingham from Fleet Cricket Club untitled.

13778 — The manuscript poem Littlebourne and Chislet Cricket Clubs both in Kent dated 4 July 1912; the printed poem Fleet Cricket Club Hampshire without printer's details and undated. Manuscript poem: 4pp. 12mo. On bifolium. Titled at head of first page: 'July 4th. 1912.' Forty-eight lines of rhymed verse arranged in twelve four-line stanzas. The first three stanzas read: 'Oh! Thursday last was a day of days If you listen I'll tell you why. In fifty-one and a thousand ways It excelled many days gone by. Well! Littlebourne boasts of a Cricket team. Here lies the pith of our tale For Chislet a challenge sent forth and I deem They had nought to request or bewail. A fine opposition our village sent forth And at twelve on Lee Priory Ground They were ready to show onlookers their worth And determined to win I'll be bound!' The Littlebourne team score 80 runs before 'The tenth man was given "leg before."' A 'luncheon and tea' are then given and the narrator states that 'Of those unbeknown whom I helped to feed Were Pope Hunt Morgan Kirby and Grinstead.' He continues: 'The Doctor was there in his usual trim And his batting was none of the worst. His son bowled a bit so thanks go to him. Then another who fielded was Hirst.' An unnamed bowler who had scored 'a duck' 'Five wickets he took out of ten'. 'There are still two more I've forgotten to mention Nevill Cheatle and Smith were their names. The former's engaged and needs no apprehension The latter was surrounded with dames.' The outcome of the match is unclear the last stanza reading: 'But Thursday has gone and can ne'er come again. And Chislet were given the wicket But its fun and its joy will longer remain. So 3 cheers for the Littlebourne Cricket.' Printed poem: 1p. 12mo. On one side of printed 'Post Card' without any manuscript text. Arranged in portrait format and headed: 'Mr. C. S. Buckingham has retired from active cricket and is presenting the Fleet Cricket Club with a pair of oak gates. Vide "Hants & Berks Gazette."' Twenty-four rhyming lines arranged in six four-line stanzas. Addressed to Buckingham the poem begins: 'Ye placid waters around Chequers Bridge Reflect the dull dark sorrow: Our cricket hero's bats at rest Alas! What of to-morrow' The subject is described as 'the "Rooster Chief" Of Brother Carey's chicken'. He is also said to have 'Told the world of our bowler bold Biographer of Harris.' Final stanza: 'A pleasant memory yet remains A consolation left us Our flannelled legion will march to fame Through the gates of Claudius Septimus.' The manuscript poem [Littlebourne and Chislet Cricket Clubs, both in Kent] dated 4 July 1912; the printed poem [Fleet Cricket Cl unknown