CUP MATCH - 1944
by George Rose CPM
Introduction - The following article has been written by retired Police Superintendent, George Rose, who has spent the last two years conducting extensive research regarding a legendary Cup Match player, Edward "Bosun" Swainson, who made history in the summer of 1937 when he scored the first century in Cup Match (122 runs) while serving as a Bermuda police officer. "Bosun" also made history as the first black police officer to be promoted to the rank of Inspector.
During his research George Rose uncovered a wealth of interesting information about the history of Cup Match as he delved through the archives of The Recorder, and the Royal Gazette. Although "Bo" Swainson's distinguished cricket career came to a close prior to 1944, George had reason to look in some detail at the 1944 Cup Match which was played during the height of the Second World War at a time when there was strict rationing in place, and we felt that this article includes some fascinating insights for cricket fans and for anyone interested in the impact that Cup Match has had, and continues to have on Bermuda's history and culture.
You will read about a petition submitted to the Governor shortly before the 1944 Cup Match by a committee headed by Mr. Percival St. George Ratteray seeking to have the first day of Cup Match as a public holiday; about the publication of an excellent book written by Cup Match great, Arthur C.G. Simons, describing the history of Cup Match (if you happen to have a copy of Mr. Simons' book you will have a treasure because the only copy still known to be in existence is stored in the Hamilton Library Reference section; about the fact that this was to be the second successive Cup Match held on a field other than that of the Cup Match holders; about the sale of Cup Match colours at the ground for 1/6d (when were the official colours of "red and blue"and "blue and blue" first chosen?)
You will also read about the amount of sugar, butter, margarine, tinned milk and other food supplies sold during the 1943 Cup Match and of serious concerns about what might be available for this 1944 Cup Match; about the imminent retirement of one of Somerset's greatest players who first represented the "red and blues" in 1919; about this being the first year that commentary on Cup Match would be broadcast over the air for those not able to attend the match; and about concerns regarding the "care" of one of the major means of transportation to and from Cup Match two years before motor cars were introduced to the Island.
The 1944 Cup Match was also a year in which one of the two teams was desperate to win back the cup they had not held since 1938.
Under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency
Lord Burghley and Lady Burghley
The 42nd Somerset vs. St. Georges
ANNUAL
CRICKET MATCH
will be played at the
WELLINGTON CRICKET FIELD
on
FRIDAY and SATURDAY
August 4th and August 5th, 1944
The Match will start at 10 a.m. each day
REFRESHMENT BOOTHS AROUND THE FIELD TO CATER TO
THE NEEDS OF ALL
By kind permission of Lieut. Col. D. M. Moore
The Band of the Bermuda Militia Artillery will be in attendance.
ADMISSION:
General admission 2/-, Seats 1/-
Due to traffic difficulties no Carriages can be admitted.
Steamers and small Craft will not be permitted to land or take on
passengers from the property of Messrs. John S. Darrell & Co. at
Wellington adjoining the property of the Cricket Field
For further particulars apply to the Secretary of the St. George’s Cricket Club
COLLINGWOOD V. BURCH, President
PHILIP C. PACKWOOD, Secretary
St. George’s Cricket Club
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 2, dated Wednesday July 26, 1944)
Bermuda Cricket Reminiscences
by Arthur C. G. Simons
(formerly of the Somerset C. C. Team)
Of Interest to every Cricket Fan
Illustrated with 20 interesting photographs
Seventy pages describing the important games played
by Bermuda teams 1902 – 43
*
Now on Sale
SOMERSET: Somerset News Agency, Warrington Café, Arthur Simons
SOUTHAMPTON: Archibald Jones
HAMILTON: Bermuda Book Stores, Foster & Brock, Joe Robinson’s Barber Shop
FLATTS: Steed’s Restaurant, Stanford Wainwright
ST. GEORGE’S: R. O. Clifford & Co., Clinton Drug Store
7/6 per copy
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 2, dated Wednesday July 26, 1944)
Legendary cricketer Arthur Charles Gilmour Simons
Author of Bermuda Cricket Reminiscences
(Photo courtesy of Arthur's son, Gilmour Charles Simons)
Arthur C.G. Simons had an outstanding cricket career and was Captain of the victorious Somerset Cricket Club team in the 1939 Cup Match when this photograph was taken. He had three brothers - Ambrose, Austin and O'Brien Simons who all played Cup Match cricket for Somerset. The four brothers also had something else in common - all four of them served in the Bermuda Police Force.
Editors note - This photo was kindly provided to us by Arthur's son, Gilmour Charles Simons, who also served as a police officer. In fact it was Gilmour who introduced me to the beat in Hamilton when I first arrived in Bermuda in late May 1964. I think it would be fair to say that Gilmour did not inherit any of the cricketing genes from his very talented family!
Front cover of Bermuda Cricket Reminiscences
Just nine days prior to the start of the 1944 Cup Match it was decided at a meeting of select committees of the St. George’s Cricket Club and the Somerset Cricket Club to petition His Excellency the Acting Governor to use his emergency powers either to postpone the upcoming Somers Day Holiday from July 28 to August 4, or to proclaim August 4 a public holiday.
CUP TEAMS TO PETITION GOVERNOR FOR CUP HOLIDAY
American Employers Giving Workers Holidays For Game
It was reported, in part, that:
“The meeting was occasioned due to the recommendation of the Chamber of Commerce that the Somers Day holiday be not set forward to coincide with the opening day of the Cup Match……………
“Mr. [Percival St. George] Ratteray [of Somerset] was chosen as chairman unanimously, and the meeting proceeded into a discussion of the situation immediately. Mr. Ratteray explained in his preliminary remarks that Cup Match had started in 1902 and had been played annually uninterrupted ever since. “A great deal of this credit goes to our forefathers.”
“Mr. Ratteray acknowledged, adding, “I think that the way the Cup Match has been carried on from time to time is a great credit not only to our clubs too, but to the entire sporting population of Bermuda. I feel,” he said, “that it is up to us as young men to advance this Cup Match to a stage where we don’t play it for individual honours or club honours, but for Bermuda as a whole.”
“The match, he declared, had grown to be the best sporting event in Bermuda and then spoke of the Somers Day holiday. The holiday, he said, fell on the twenty-eighth of July while the Cup Match was scheduled for the fourth and fifth of August.
“Reviewing the situation prior to the war, Mr. Ratteray reminded the members of the select committees that the clubs and His Majesty’s Dockyard had agreed then to have part of the match on Thursday so as to give everyone an opportunity of making the most of the half-holiday.
“At the outbreak of the war, the clubs had agreed with the Dockyard, that it would be in the best interests of the war effort if they switched their opening dates from Thursday to Friday. The clubs carried out that policy much to their own detriment, Mr. Ratteray said.
“Since, as far as could be determined, there would be no public function it could not be seen why the holiday could not be transferred or if this was not possible, why a holiday could not be given on the Friday, August 4. The Dockyard were in conformity with this plan, it was ascertained.
“While it was not his intention to use it as an argument, Mr. Ratteray pointed out that the Cup Match had assisted the war effort materially. In the first year of the war the Clubs’ entire proceeds had gone to war charities and in subsequent years a proportion of the gate receipts had gone to war funds. “I am not saying that because of these things we should be given something in return” he asserted, but since there is nothing definitely on on the twenty-eighth of July, let us see whether we can get the holiday changed.
“During his discourse, Mr. Ratteray declared that the Cup Match meant no financial gain to the clubs but was rather a “headache.” The clubs’ were playing for the honour of Bermuda and intimated that after the war the clubs should get together and see whether they could get financial help from the Government through the T.D.B. [Tourism Development Board].
“Mr. Ratteray stated that in the pre-war years, the game had attracted many visitors – in fact so many that they were unable to reserve sufficient seats for them. President Roosevelt’s son was a guest at one of the matches, it was learned.
“Mr. Thomas Weldon told of speaking with Sir Stanley Spurling and of questioning him with regard to the Somers Day holiday. Sir Stanley had told him, he said, that there was to be no public entertainment on that day, and could see no reason why the clubs couldn’t ask His Excellency the Governor to change the date of the holiday.
“It was learned that Miles Meat Market are giving Friday as a holiday to their staff as a general holiday.
“The captain in the laundry department at the Bermuda Base Command is giving his staff a complete day,” he said, “and the Marine staff are not having a particular day but are having a day off.” The meeting spoke in praise of the Americans and their understanding.
“Mr. Vincent Harford pointed out that they should have the cooperation of the merchants as Cup Match meant a lot to them financially. He finished his short speech with the remark: “If they can change the King’s birthday from June to bring it up into September – there seems to be something radically wrong.”
“The representatives of the clubs decided to write a letter to His Excellency the Governor and the Chamber of Commerce asking that the holiday date be changed.
This was accordingly done.”
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 5, dated Wednesday July 26, 1944)
SELECTIONS ARE MADE FOR 1944 CUP MATCH
“Cup match selections for which the cricket fans of Bermuda have been anxiously waiting have finally been made and the teams are now concentrating in polishing up their games to settle this year’s dispute for the silver “mug.”
“Out at Somerset, the team which was chosen Thursday evening is as follows:
Amon Hunt, (captain), Arnim Smith, (vice-captain), Nigel Hazel, Lloyd Simmons, Kenneth Horton, Eldon Phillips, Anthony Roberts, Woodgate Simmons, N.A. Proctor, N.E. Proctor and E. Brown. A. Perinchief and C. Swan are to be the waiting men.
“In the East End last night, the Selection Committee consisting of Messrs. George Swan, William Darrell and Clarence Smith chose the following to represent the St. George’s Cricket Club:
Clarence Smith, (captain), Norman Smith (vice-captain), Alex Steede, Norman Raynor, Leroy Richardson, Sheldon Darrell, Walter Darrell, Freddie Darrell, Carlton Welch, Clifford Darrell and Buster Smith. Waiting men are to be H. Burgess and Louis Smith.
The Selection Committee was pleased to inform the Sports Editor of the Royal Gazette that their selection had met with the whole-hearted approval of the club.
“With the latest showings of the teams in test skirmishes, the East End team appears to have the better of it. The Western Stars, who have been test mates for each team, lost to the Somerset team last week by four wickets and 147 runs. Yesterday, the St. George’s team beat the Stars by 165 runs.
“On Thursday, the Somerset Cricket team, playing without their captain Amon Hunt and Kenneth Horton, lost their first game of the season to a picked team. Somerset made 52 runs while “The Pick” made an 84. The Sports Editor hopes to obtain a full report of this game later.”
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 7, dated Saturday July 29, 1944 – Selections are made for 1944 Cup Match)
Of interest as we write about this 1944 Cup Match game, it was reported that appetites had been sharp but not only for cricket during the previous 1943 match, when 450 pounds of sugar had been consumed by Cup Match fans.
“While Bermuda’s Cup Match fans are hungry for cricket their appetites are no less sharp when it comes to food and drinks as is clearly shown by the consumption of 450 pounds of sugar, 31½ pounds of butter and two and a half pounds of margarine.
“In addition, there were consumed last year 10½ pounds of Crisco, two pounds of tea, six pounds of coffee, one and a half pounds of cheese, 36 tins of milk and 120 tins of fruit juice. While these quantities would appear small at first glance it must be stressed that they are principally used as ingredients and represent only items which are on the rationed list……………..
“……………it was unlikely that any butter would be released this year [1944] but it was possible that margarine would be made available.”
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 9, dated Saturday July 29, 1944 – Appetites sharp not only for cricket, 450 pounds of sugar used at last year’s cup match)
Attention!
Wanted 100 School Girls to sell
BERMUDA NEWS CUP MATCH
PROGRAMMES
With Stories of Interest to
Everybody
BUY
CUP MATCH COLOURS
1/6 Each
IN AID OF MILLION PENNY DRIVE
DIAL 1600
BERMUDA NEWS
PARLIAMENT STREET
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 2, dated Tuesday August 1, 1944)
CRICKET REMINISCENCES IS WORTH–WHILE BOOK
Career Of Arthur Simons In Cricket Is Portrayed
“Bermuda’s Cricket Reminiscences”, a book written by Mr. Arthur C.G. Simons of Somerset Cricket Club fame, published by The Royal Gazette, contains a mass of cricket information which the cricket fan will be pleased to get.
“In addition to recounting the interesting cricket career of Arthur Simons, who became well-known in the United States and Bermuda as one of the best left-handed bowlers of the day, this attractive book contains a number of pictures of famous cricket teams. The prints are amazingly clear and such cricket greats as Sir Reginald Conyers, Tommy Gilbert, C. Mitchell, Jack Hayward, Frank Crisson, Captain C. R. Gregg, “Chubby” Evans, R. Burrows, K. Adderley, Bos’n Swainson, “Champ” Hunt, Clarence Smith and several Cup Match teams.
“Many tips on cricket are included in the book, with directions on how to set a field to trap a bowler and hints on fielding and batting which would be an asset to a young player.
“With Cup Match but one day away, it is expected that this book will appeal to the cricket fans and that the entire issue will be sold out before the finish of this year’s play.
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 5, dated Wednesday August 2, 1944 –
Cricket reminiscences is worth-while book, Career of Arthur Simons in cricket is portrayed)
On the day preceding commencement of the game it was announced that for cricket fans unable to attend the Cup Match they will be kept abreast of the game through Station WXLQ, the United States Army radio.
“The Royal Gazette was informed last night that arrangements had been made for scores to be telephoned from Wellington Oval to the station at the noon hour and at 6.30 p.m. when they will be broadcast.
“This marks the first time that a service of this kind has been extended to the Cup Match teams and the Sports Editor of The Royal Gazette was asked to express the appreciation of the teams for the services offered. WXLQ operates on a frequency of 1,240 kilocycles on the long wave band.
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 5, dated Thursday August 3, 1944 –
Cup Match scores to be broadcast over WXLQ)
AMON HUNT TO RETIRE FROM CUP MATCH PLAY
Veteran Of 25 Years With Somerset Ends Fine Career
“Friends and cricket admirers alike of Amon Hunt will be sorry to learn of his intention of retiring from Cup Match cricket, at the conclusion of the forty-second annual game on Saturday. For twenty-five years the name of Amon Hunt has been one of outstanding prominence, in not only the history of the Cup Match, but in all cricket circles throughout the island.
“The following is a letter received by the Sports Editor of The Royal Gazette yesterday, from Amon Hunt, Captain of the defending Somerset C.C. for the last time.
“Hopewell”
Somerset Bridge,
29th July, 1944.
To the Sports Editor
Sir,
Would you be kind enough to allow me space in your valuable paper to inform the public that I will be retiring from Cup Match Cricket at the conclusion of the 1944 Annual St. George’s vs. Somerset Cup Match. I want to take this opportunity to thank the officers and members of the Somerset and St. George’s C.C.’s for their support during my 25 years of cricket. Special thanks to Warren Simmons, John Simons, and Samuel Burt, and Clifford Burrows from whom I received my tuition. In conclusion I want to thank Dr. A.E. Cann and my brother Alma, and the playing members for their support during my terms of Captaincy.
Yours in sport
AMON HUNT
“Hunt made his introduction in local cricket in the year 1919, when at the age of sixteen he succeeded in capturing a berth on the Somerset C. C. Cup team. He was absent from the team in 1924, 1930 and during the years 1935-38, when he temporarily resigned to make a trip to Scotland where he played first class cricket with the Aberdeenshire Juniors. He returned in 1939 however, and has played in every Cup Match game since then.
“Altogether Amon has captained the Somerset Cup Team five times – the first year being in 1933. In this same year Hunt also captained a picked Bermuda Cricket team against a touring eleven under the captaincy of Sir Julian Cann. He declined the captaincy of the Somerset Cup team in 1940, but accepted in the following year and has piloted the team every year since.
“Renowned more for his bowling and fielding ability than as a wielder of the willow, Amon has nevertheless, distinguished himself on numerous occasions as a batsman. One of the most memorable perhaps, is the match of ’31 when, together with his brother Alma, the score was carried from 43 for seven wickets, to 121 for eight. Somerset then went on to win the Cup after a miserable start.”
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 5, dated Thursday August 3, 1944 – Amon Hunt to retire from Cup Match play, Veteran of 25 years with Somerset ends fine career)
The forty-second meeting of teams at Wellington Oval opened under the arrangement between the Club managements set in 1941 when it was decided that the match could not be played more than two consecutive years in one place. This year’s tussle will therefore mark the final game in St. George’s for another two years.
“……….As last year’s match ended in a draw and Somerset retained the Cup, the defenders are determined to retain again this year by a decisive win. Whereas the Cup Challenging St. George’s team who have not had possession of the coveted trophy since 1938, are as equally determined to keep the Cup in the East end when it is brought down from the West and during the two day period.
“During the past few weeks both teams have been rounding into final shape with test matches, and both have proved their ability to field good all round teams. Despite their defeat at the hands of a picked team over a week ago, the Somerset C.C. have boasted a better record for the season than their rivals and are favoured to come through with victory in the game starting today. However, the St. George’s team has proved before that they are capable of upsetting public opinion, and might well do so again before the final wicket falls on Saturday.
“Cricket followers can be sure then of witnessing some really fine cricket during the next two days.”
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily page 5, dated Friday August 4, 1944 – Cup Match opens at St. George’s today, Forty second meeting of teams at Wellington Oval)
ST. GEORGE’S OPEN STRONG BID FOR CUP,
KNOCK UP 100 LEAD & 2-WICKET MARGIN 1ST INNINGS
“The second day of the annual Cup match between the St. George’s and Somerset Cricket Clubs will open this morning at the Wellington Oval, St. George’s, with the East Enders in a commanding lead of exactly 100 runs on the first innings, with a couple of wickets to spare. Somerset, the cup holders, went into bat first and amassed 139 all out shortly after the luncheon interval, with K. Horton knocking up 60 as top scorer. St. George’s, after a slow start, hit the Somerset bowling all over the field, and repeated changes of bowlers failed to check the East Enders scoring streak. By the time stumps were drawn, St. George’s were 100 ahead of their rivals, and it is the general belief that the Cup is destined to go to St. George’s.
“This will be the last Cup match for Amon Hunt, who is retiring after 6 years as captain of the Somerset C.C. and 23 years as a Cup match player.
“A crowd of over 4,000 watched yesterday’s play in ideal conditions…………This marks the second year in succession that the game has been played on a field other than that of the Cup holders.
MATCH PLAY BY PLAY
“Promptly at 10.10 a.m. St. George’s took the field and Somerset opened with E. Brown and Nathaniel E. Proctor, Brown receiving the first ball from Carlton Welch. Off the fourth ball two byes were scored; the fifth ball Brown drove to the off boundary for 4 and off the last ball he scored a single.
“A Steede opened from the southern end and off his first ball Brown was given out l.b.w. after scoring a single. (7-1-5).
“K. Horton partnered with Proctor and off the third ball he scored a single. The remainder of the over was played out without adding to the score. The first ball Horton received from Welch hit for a single. Proctor then faced the bowling. The second ball he gave a chance by cutting one in the slips, but the chance was dropped by Steede. The fifth ball Proctor scored a single, sending 10 up, and the last ball of the over Horton scored a single.
“Horton was now facing Steede and two runs only were scored off the over. Both batsmen were playing very cautiously, and the score rose slowly by singles. After 25 minutes play, 20 runs were registered.
K. Horton made the first big hit of the day when he drove one from Welch clean over the off boundary for 6. But the next ball, which was the over, rose high and he was struck. The game was held up for a short while. However, Horton was soon his old self again and the game was resumed.
“Off Welch’s fifth over Horton, who had now scored 11 runs, gave a chance behind the wicket and was missed by the wicket keeper. This made two chances missed off Welch’s bowling. On Welch’s sixth over Proctor, with 11 runs, gave his second chance. But the wicket keeper failed to stump him, and 30 and 40 followed in quick succession. Steede sent down his first maiden over in his sixth.
PROCTOR IS CAUGHT
“Off Welch’s seventh over, Proctor, who had scored 19, after giving two chances was caught by W. Smith in third slip off the fourth ball. (46-2-19). Lloyd Simmons joined Horton and off the last ball he scored a single and faced Steede for the first time. A single was scored by each batsman off the over. Horton cut Welch’s next delivery over to the boundary, sending up 50. The remainder of the over was played out without adding to the score. The second ball of Steede’s next over he clean bowled Lloyd Simmons for 2 (53-3-2).
“Woodgate Simmons, a left hand batsman, was next man in, and off the last ball of the over he tried to pull one. He skied the ball to such a height that Sheldon Darrell was able to place himself in a good positon for his catch, thus giving Steede his second maiden wicket, this being maiden double wicket (53-4-0)
“Nigel “Chopper” Hazel went out to join Horton. He scored a single while Horton was letting himself go. When facing Steede, Hazel seemed to be puzzled and unable to play as usual. Steede, on the other hand, had full control of the ball. The next over from Steede, Hazel made a six sending 60 up, by putting the ball high over the leg boundary. In the next over from Welch, Hazel, attempting one of his big hits, did not use sufficient force and the ball skied, giving Welch sufficient time to get in position. Hazel was caught, thus giving Welch the honour of bowling and catching Somerset’s mighty man.
Hazel had scored only 8. (69-5-8)
“Arnim Smith (Vice Captain) joined Horton but had a very short life. After scoring a single he was clean bowled by Welch, the honours now being evenly – Steede, three wickets and Welch, three wickets. (70-6-1)
“With more than half of the team out under the century, excitement ran high. St. George’s fielding all that could be desired; every member seemed to keen and alert, the only weak spot being behind the wickets.
“A Roberts was next man in and played very cautiously. The score gradually rose to 80. Horton, who had now scored half this total, was batting with confidence. Welch, who had bowled 14 overs, was relieved by Sheldon Darrell, this being the first change of bowling. Off Darrell’s first ball Horton glided a delivery to leg for a single. Roberts was now at the batting end. Off the third ball he scored two, and off the fourth ball he was caught by the wicket keeper after hitting up eight. (88-7-8)
“With only three wickets to fall N. A. Proctor joined Horton and scored a single off his first ball. Horton played the last ball of the over. In Steede’s 15th over Proctor went in to play one but missed and was struck by the ball. An appeal was made but was disallowed. The score of 90 was now registered, and was shortly followed by the century, which was recorded amidst applause. The 100 came after two hours’ play. K. Horton, who had scored 50 of these runs, was still going strong, having batted for one hours and forty-five minutes.
STEEDE RELIEVED
“After 16 overs, Steede was relieved by Welch and off his second ball Proctor drove one through the boundary for 4, sending up 110. After bowling three overs, Sheldon Darrell was relieved by Clarence Smith, the skipper. Four runs were scored off the over, sending 120 up. A general slowing up of the game followed. However, the batsmen seemed to have the advantage. Proctor got a six off Welch, sending up 130. K. Horton, who was now the hope of Somerset, was bowled by Welch in his fourth over from the northern end after giving two chances and scoring 60 runs. (133-8-60)
“Amon Hunt, the skipper of Somerset, amidst applause, walked to the wicket but his life at the wickets was a very short one. In playing a ball from C. Smith, he attempted to make a single. While Proctor remained at his wickets, Hunt continued until he got to the opposite end. Hunt was run out, but this wicket could have been easily saved.
(135-9-11). E. Phillips was last man in, and the game continued unexciting until the lunch hour at 1 o’clock.
“Resuming at 2.30 p.m. after lunch, with the last wicket to fall, Proctor faced the bowling of Welch. The third ball Proctor played and attempted a single, but before Phillips could reach the opposite end a smart return to the wicket-keeper ran him out. He had scored two runs only and the innings closed for 139 runs.
ST. GEORGE’S 1ST INNING
“St. George’s opened their first inning with Clifford Darrell and Freddie Darrell. Nathan Proctor bowled the first over, off which C. Darrell scored a single the first ball and F. Darrell a single the last.
“N. Hazel opened bowling from the northern end and sent down a maiden. Two singles were scored off Proctor’s second over. G. Darrell made the first boundary off Hazel’s second over. Two byes off Hazel’s third over sent 10 up after 20 minutes play, and in the same over Hazel clean bowled Freddie Darrell with his fifth ball, after Darrell had made six runs. (10-1-6)
“R. Raynor partnered C. Darrell and played the last ball of the over. The first excitement came when Amon Hunt missed one in short leg from Clifford Darrell off, off which two runs were scored. Runs slowed up but an occasional single broke the spell.
“Lloyd Simmons relieved Hazel at the northern end after four overs. A single was made by Raynor off the fourth ball which nearly cost him his wickets by being run out. Darrell also scored a single off the last ball, sending 20 up.
“With 20 runs registered, St. George’s batsmen began to open up. Thirty runs up followed quickly. Nathaniel Proctor relieved Nathan Proctor after bowling six overs. Two runs were scored off his first over. Runs, however, continued to come and 40 was now registered. Captain Hunt relieved Lloyd Simmons after two overs by Roberts. Off his second ball Clifford Darrell made a six the first of the afternoon, sending up 50 after an hour’s play. The last ball of the over Hunt clean bowled R. Raynor, who had scored 8 runs. (50-2-8)
SIMMONS BOWLS AGAIN
“A. Steede was next man in. Lloyd Simmons bowled again, this time from the southern end. E. Phillips relieved Robert, who only bowled one over. In spite of the continued changes of bowling the score continued to rise to 70.
“Skipper Hunt was putting all he knew into the game and handled his team in a masterly way, but the batsmen were alert to the situation. Nathaniel Proctor bowled again from the northern end, this time relieving Phillips. With the score at 75 A. Steede, who had scored 9, was bowled by Lloyd Simmons. (75-3-9)
“Leroy Richardson joined C. Darrell, one of the opening batsmen, who was still going strong, and scored a single off the last ball of the over. Shortly afterwards, 80 was registered.
“At 84, Leroy Richardson in jumping out to hit a ball from Proctor, missed and failed to regain his crease before he was smartly stumped by K. Horton, the wicket keeper, who had done very much behind the wickets to keep down the score. Clifford Darrell had scored 50 runs at this point. (84-4-4)
“With the score at 85 for 4, W. Smith, the colt of the side, joined Darrell and began to settle down. Ninety was soon on the boards. Unfortunately, in getting in the wickets to play one from Simmons, Smith missed it and was given out l.b.w. (93-5-5)
BROTHERS AT BAT
“Sheldon Darrell, the big hitter for St. George’s, who had been missed from Cup Match games for a few years, now joined his brother Clifford, and his first hit was a six clean over the slip off Lloyd Simmons. This was followed by a single, sending up the century amidst applause after two hours’ play.
“Sheldon Darrell began to display his old form, hitting a six and four in succession off Proctor and sending 110 up. Amon Hunt took over the bowling, relieving Proctor. The Darrell brothers seemed determined to give the spectators an exhibition of old St. George’s cricket and a boundary 4 by C. Darrell off Simmons sent up 120. Off Simmons’ next over C. Darrell hit another six, sending up 130. Hunt continued to make changes in his bowling.
“Phillips relieved Lloyd Simmons and his bowling received similar punishment. S. Darrell drove the last ball of the over clean over the boundary for six, sending up 140 and crossing the Somerset score of 139. It was quite some time before the noise of the crowd subdued after these figures were registered.
“Hazel was now on the ball, and two deliveries in succession were driven to the boundary and over for 4 and 6 by Sheldon Darrell, sending up 150. Ball after ball was sent to the boundary; 160 followed quickly. Roberts now relieved Hazel and off his first ball Sheldon Darrell was caught by Lloyd Simmons after scoring 41 runs. The Darrell partnership put on 70. (163-6-4)
“Norwood Smith was next man in, and shortly afterwards Clifford Darrell, one of the opening batsmen, was caught by Lloyd Simmons, who also caught his brother Sheldon, off Roberts. Clifford played a faultless innings; included in his score of 88 were two sixes and eight fours. (167-7-88)
“Clarence Smith, the skipper, joined Norwood Smith, the vice-captain, and soon the tally showed 170. C. Smith’s hit was a six, sending up 180, followed in quick succession by 190.
MAKES TWO SIXES
“C. Smith made two sixes in succession off Roberts, sending up 200. The St. George’s fans simply went wild with glee. The batsmen seemed to have complete control over the bowling. Change after change continued to be treated badly, 210, 220 and 230 followed swiftly. At 231Norwood Smith was bowled by Lloyd Simmons after scoring 15 runs. (231-8-15)
“Walter Darrell was next man in and continued with Smith until the close of play with the score at 239 for 8 wickets, thus giving St. George’s a lead of exactly 100 runs.”
DETAILED SCORES
Somerset, 1st inning
N. E. Proctor, c W. Smith, b C. Welch………….12
E. Brown, lbw, b A. Steede………………………....5
K. Horton, b C. Welch……………………………....60
L. Simmons, b A. Steede…………………………....2
W. Simmons, c S. Darrell, b A. Steede………….0
C. Hazel, c and b C. welch………………………....8
Arnim Smith, b C. Welch…………………………....1
A. Roberts, c F. Darrell, b S. Darrell……………..8
N. A. Proctor, not out……………………………....26
A. Hunt, run out…………………………………….....1
E. Phillips, run out………………………………….....2
Extras……………………………………………….........7
Total……………………………………………… 139
St George’s 1st inning
F. Darrell, b N. Proctor…………………………….....6
C. Darrell, c L. Simmons, b A. Roberts………..88
N. Raynor, b A. Roberts…………………………......8
A. Steede, b Lloyd Simmons…………………….... 9
L. Richardson, stpd. wk. b N. E. Proctor………..4
W. Smith, lbw. B L. Simmons……………………....5
S. Darrell, c L. Simmons, b A. Roberts………...41
N. Smith, b C. Simmons……………………….......15
C. Smith, not out…………………………………......57
W. Darrell, not out……………………………….........0
Extras………………………………………………...........6
Total……………………………………………............239
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily, dated Saturday August 5, 1944 – St. George’s open strong bid for Cup, knock up 100 lead & 2-wicket margin 1st innings)
ST. GEORGE’S WIN CUP BY EASY MARGIN OF SIX
WICKETS AND 3 RUNS, CROWD OF 6,000 PRESENT
“A crowd of between 3,000 and 6,000 people watched St. George’s C.C. wrest possession of the Cup from Somerset Cricket Club in the second day of the 42nd annual Cup Match at the Wellington Oval on Saturday, the St. Georgians thus bearing out the promise of their auspicious opening on Friday. The St. Georgians had a comfortable margin of triumph, three runs and six wickets, and although at one time the East Enders’ supporters feared that rain might prevent the playing out of the game, St. George’s opened their second innings with only 20 runs needed for victory and, despite the cheapness of the wickets that did fall, their ample first innings margin was the decisive factor.
“St. George’s completed their second innings for 271, giving them a lead of 132 runs over Somerset, who batted valiantly to knock up 151 runs in their second innings.
“The Cup was presented by His Excellency the Governor, who hurried right to the field after landing at the airport following his journey to England and the United States. Also present was the Acting Governor, the Hon. W. E. Murphy.
It was learned that the game next year will be played at Somerset.
RAIN DELAYS START
“Heavy rain prevented an early start of the game and it was the general opinion that with a 100 runs’ lead St. George’s would close their innings with their overnight score of 239. However, owing to weather conditions they decided to resume the innings.
“At 10.40 the umpires took up their positions and were followed shortly by Captain Hunt and his team, who were greeted by the exceptionally large crowd who were ready to see the first ball go. The St. George’s batsmen, Clarence Smith with an overnight score of 57, and Walter Darrell, who had not scored, took up their positions at the wickets.
“N. A. Proctor opened the bowling to Smith, who scored a single off the fifth ball, sending 240 up. Lloyd Simmons bowled from the northern end. Smith scored two off the second ball and made a splendid off drive to the boundary off the third. In getting in to play the fourth, he missed and was given out l.b.w. after scoring 64, the second highest score for his team (246-9-64)
“Carlton Welch, the last man in, scored a single off the last ball of the over. Off the first ball of Proctor’s second over Welch scored another single. The fifth ball Welch pulled to the boundary for four sending up 250. He scored a single off the last ball.
“At 11 o’clock rain prevented further play until 11.15. The first ball of Proctor’s third over Darrell scored a single. The third Welch pulled to fine leg for a single, and off the last Darrell scored another single.
“The first ball of Simmons’s fourth over Darrell made a single, the second Darrell made a single; the second Welch scored a single; the third Darrell got another single, sending up 270; the fifth Welch got another single and the last ball clean bowled Darrell for 16 runs. Welch was then not out with 9, and the innings closed for 271, giving St. George’s a margin of 132.
SOMERSET’S 2nd INNINGS
“Promptly at 11.40 Somerset opened their second innings with E. Brown and N. E. Proctor. Brown received the first over from C. Welch, who opened up for St. George’s, and scored four off the first ball and played the remainder of the over through.
“A. Steede opened the bowling from the southern end to N. E. Proctor, who scored a single off the third ball. The fourth ball, Brown fell an l.b.w. victim after scoring 4 only.
(5-1-4)
“K. Horton, the first innings star batsman, partnered Proctor and scored a single off his first ball. Horton and Proctor each scored two singles off Welch’s second over, and ten was registered after 15 minutes’ play. Horton’s first boundary was off Welch, when pulled a delivery leg for 4. The fifth ball of the same over he cut to the off boundary for 4, sending 20 up, and the last ball he got a single.
“Steede’s third over was a maiden. Six runs were scored off Welch’s fourth over and two off Steede’s fourth. The second ball of Welch’s fifth over he clean bowled Proctor, who had scored 9 runs. (29-2-9)
“Lloyd Simmons joined Horton and played the over through. The next over Horton lifted on from Steede from the northern end. The ball dropped just inside the boundary and ran out for 4, sending 30 up. Simmons cut one from Welch through the slips clear to the boundary for 4. Horton, in attempting to pull a delivery from Steede to square leg, was caught just inside the boundary by Clifford Darrell, to the great delight of the St. George’s fans. Horton had scored 21 runs. (39-3-21)
“W. Simmons was next man in and completed the over without scoring. Lloyd Simmons got his first six off Steede, pulling one clean to the leg boundary, sending 40 up. Welch sent down his second maiden over. The fielding at this point was all that could be desired. The smart pick up and quick returns won the admiration of the crowd.
“Simmons made his first run with a six off Steede, sending 50 up. The first chance given was by Lloyd Simmons off Welch, when he put one through slips – a smart on indeed which was dropped by Leroy Richardson. At this point Simmons had scored 16 runs. After he had been given another life, he determined to settle down. The next over from Steede he drove the ball clean to the boundary for a 4, sending up 60, and on the completion of the over the lunch interval followed with the score at 64, Welch having bowled ten overs and Steede nine. Lloyd Simmons had scored 20 and Woodgate Simmons 8.
RICHARDSON TAKES BOWLING
“Resuming after lunch, Leroy Richardson opened the bowling for St. George’s, sending down a maiden over to W. Simmons. Sheldon Darrell bowled from the northern end, also sending down a maiden to Lloyd Simmons. The first two singles were scored by L. Simmons off Richardson. Sheldon Darrell’s second over was also a maiden. In Richardson’s third over W. Simmons timed a delivery very nicely. He used plenty of willow – but not enough, and the ball dropped just inside the boundary and was caught by A. Steede. Simmons had scored 9. (168-4-9)
“N. (Chopper) Hazel joined Lloyd Simmons. Welch took over the bowling from S. Darrell. The first ball flew off his bat in the slips just too short for the fieldsman; the second he played. The third ball he attempted to put through the slips but was smartly fielded. He succeeded in scoring a single off the last ball. From Richardson’s next over, Hazel, in attempting to make one of his big hits, drove the ball high in the air to long field and was missed by N. Smith. At this point he had scored only 3 runs. In the next over off Welch he succeeded in getting one clean over the boundary for 6, sending 80 up. The batsmen were not taking any chances, the bowling, especially that of Richardson, being very strict. A general slowing up of the scoring followed. Hazel succeeded in getting another of his big hits for six off Richardson and 90 runs were now registered.
“Norwood Smith relieved Welch at the northern end. Hazel gave another chance off Richardson at long field and was missed by W. Smith. At this point his score was 18. Norwood Smith sent down his second over, which was a maiden. A. Steede again took over the bowling, relieving Leroy Richardson. Hazel caught the second ball fair and drove it well over the leg boundary for 6, and the next ball he fell an l.b.w. victim to Steede after scoring 25 runs. At this point Somerset had lost half its team without wiping off the deficit. (99-5-25)
SENDS UP CENTURY
“Arnim Smith, the next man in, played the last ball of the over. Norwood Smith sent down another maiden over. Arnim Smith scored a single off Steede sending up the century after 2 hours and 25 minutes play.
“It was evident Somerset intended playing for a draw. Lloyd Simmons had settled down and was playing a safe game. Captain Smith changed Welch from the northern to the southern end, relieving Steede who took up the northern end. Arnim Smith got his first boundary off Welch, driving one to the off for 4.
“A single by Simmons off Steede sent 110 up. Walter Darrell relieved Welch, who was attacked with cramp. Leroy Richardson took on the northern end, relieving Steede. These changes were made in an attempt to break up the partnership of Simmons and Smith, which seemed to be giving trouble by stonewalling.
“St. George’s were evidently feeling the heat and their fielding was not quite so alert. At 120 up, Arnim Smith gave a chance, the ball dropping between three men none of whom made an attempt to catch it. At 122 Lloyd Simmons was caught in short slip by Steede off Darrell after scoring a well-played 43. (122-6-43)
“A. Roberts joined Smith. His first boundary was a beautiful cut off Richardson to the boundary for 4. Runs came mostly in singles: 130 was now up. The deficit was wiped off after a loss of six wickets. At 133 Arnim Smith jumped out to hit one from Walter Darrell and missed. Before he was able to regain his crease he was smartly stumped by Freddie Darrell the wicketkeeper, who showed a definite improvement behind the wickets over his performance on Friday. Smith had scored 12. (133-7-12)
“Nathan Proctor was the next man in, but had a very short life. Walter Darrell in his next over clean bowled him without scoring. (133-8-0)
AMON HUNT GOES IN
“Amon Hunt, who was now making his last appearance at the wicket as skipper of Somerset, joined Roberts and made a single off his second ball. [In] the next over he made a boundary off Darrell, sending up 140. Off the fifth ball of the same over he attempted to make another such hit, but he was caught by Norwood Smith, after scoring 7 runs. (141-9-7)
“Excitement ran high at the fall of the ninth wicket. E. Phillips was last man in and the last wicket partnership put up a very good stand. A six by Roberts sent up 150. Both batsmen were cautious, but Phillips could not resist a ball from Darrell. He jumped out and put the willow on it, but W. Smith made a wild dash, and caught the ball low off the ground – one of the most spectacular catches of the game.
“The crowd rushed on the field and took Smith off bodily. The innings closed for 151 runs; Somerset having a margin of 19 runs only.
ST. GEORGE’S 2nd INNINGS
“With 20 runs for victory, St. George’s opened their innings with Norwood Smith and W. Smith, the colt. Smith received the first over from N. A. Proctor and scored a boundary 4 off the last ball.
“Lloyd Simmons bowled from the northern end. Smith scored a single off his second ball, but on the third he was clean bowled after scoring 4. (5-1-4)
“Clifford Darrell, who scored 88 on the first day, was the next man in. He scored a single off the last ball. Proctor’s second over was a maiden. The first ball of Simmons’s second over must have taken off the bail of Smith’s wickets; however, there was some doubt and an appeal was made to the umpire. He gave Smith out. Smith had scored a single only. (5-2-1)
“R. Raynor joined Darrell, and shortly afterwards Darrell was caught by N. Hazel off Proctor. (6-3-1)
“Leroy Richardson partnered with Raynor. Off Simmons’s third over, Raynor pulled one to the boundary for 4, sending 10 up. He scored a single off the next ball. Richardson also scored a single, and the last ball Raynor was caught by Amon Hunt after knocking up 7 only. (13-4-7)
“Excitement ran high. The crowd were now on their feet. Sheldon Darrell was next man in but shortly after he opened his inning rain interrupted the game for a little while. The crowd were so excited they wanted the players to continue in the rain, fearing it would keep up and rob St. George’s of victory.
“Returning to the field, Richardson scored a single off the third ball of Proctor’s over. Darrell also got a single off the fifth. Of the fourth ball of Simmons’s last over, Darrell got one to the boundary for 4, which evened up the score. In Proctor’s fifth and final over, Richardson made the winning stroke, off which 3 runs were made.
“The crowd rushed on the field and brought Richardson to the pavilion while wickets and bails were taken as souvenirs. Thus St. George’s won by 3 runs and 6 wickets.”
ST. GEORGE’S 1st INNINGS
“Other names already published:”
C. Smith, l.b.w. b. Lloyd Simmons…………….64
Walter Darrell, b. L. Simmons…………………..16
C. Welch, not out………………………………….....9
Extras………………………………………………........6
Total…………………………………………............271
SOMERSET 2nd INNINGS
E. Brown, l.b.w., b. A. Steede……………………..4
N.E. Proctor, b. C. Welch………………………......9
K. Horton, c. C. Darrell, b. A. Steede………….21
Lloyd Simmons, c. A. Steede, b. W. Darrell…43
W. Simmons, c. A. Steede, b. L. Richardson….9
N. Hazel, l.b.w. b. A. Steede……………………...25
A. Smith, stpd. w/k, b. W. Darrell……………….12
E. Roberts, not out……………………………….....14
N. A. Proctor, b. W. Darrell………………………....0
Amon Hunt, c. N. Smith, b. W. Darrell………….7
E. Phillips, c. W. Smith, b. W. Darrell…………...4
Extras……………………………………………….........3
Total……………………………………………..........151
ST. GEORGE’S 2nd INNINGS
Norwood Smith, b. L. Simmons…………………..4
W. Smith, b. L. Simmons………………………......1
C. Darrell, c. Hazel, b. Proctor………………….....1
R. Raynor, c. A. Hunt, b. L. Simmons…………...7
L. Richardson, not out………………………….......4
S. Darrell, not out………………………………........5
Total for 4 wickets………………………………......22
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily, dated Monday August 7, 1944 – St. George’s win Cup by easy margin of six wickets and 3 runs, crowd of 6.000 present)
St. George's cricket fans parade through the Towne after their victory
It was reported that very few complaints had been received about the presence of horses during the days of the annual Cup Match. Incidents of cruelty had been very few and it was revealed that only one prosecution was to be made as a result. A check showed that 201 carriages, including a number of doubles, had made the journey to the east end.
“Elaborate precautions were taken to see that the horses would be given proper care all along the route from Somerset to St. George’s. District constables were on the look-out for overloading or for horses in poor condition, while the S.P.C.A. Inspector, Mr. Carlyle Hollis, kept moving throughout the two days of the Cup Match, checking horses and carriages………it was made certain that there was adequate water at the public troughs, placed at strategic intervals along the road.
“The only complaint to be entered was that against a driver who permitted his horse to be worked while it had a sore on its neck. The driver, it learnt, will be prosecuted. ………… Mr. Hollis said one or two horses were lame but they were in good enough condition to make the journey without hardship. He reported several instances where drivers of carriages, who had made the journey to St. George’s, attempted to take fares back without resting their steeds first. They were made to rest them……………”
(see The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily, dated Tuesday August 8, 1944 page 1)
It is worthy of note that motorized automobiles were first officially sanctioned some two years later in September 1946 when local car ownership was permitted. This event was followed on May 1, 1948 by the last journey of the Bermuda railway from the City of Hamilton to St. George’s after which the trains and tracks were sold to British Guyana. The railway, which had been in operation since October, 1931, had never been busier than when it carried cup match fans to the annual games at either end of the Island.
