British and Irish Baseball - Making Another Attempt - Page 9

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 03:49 PM

1875 SEASON

Ten years on from the first season of play in the Metropolitan League, the growth in British baseball shows no signs of slowing down. This year, both the Glasgow and District League and the Middlesex County League add two new members, while the County Championship also grows as Staffordshire and Warwickshire join the competition. There will be three new leagues again this year, with the Essex County League and Bristol & District League being joined by the Leicester & Northampton League, a second competition in the East Midlands. In Scotland, there will also be a county championship to match the English competition, initially beginning with just four teams taking part.

No league is as yet allowing professional play, although expenses may still be paid to cover absence from work should midweek games be required to complete the league programme before November’s international series. This will however be the last season without any professional leagues, as the Manchester and District League has confirmed that it will grow to twelve teams for the 1876 campaign and permit the regular payment of players. This seems certain to lead to regular midweek play for at least the summer months. The Leeds and Bradford League also looks likely to permit payments, but as yet there is no news from any other competitions.

There are no changes to any of the other established leagues, although the clubs of the Lancashire County League have voted to begin their season a week earlier than the other six-team competitions. This is due to a desire to finish the campaign earlier as the light begins to fade in the October evenings.

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 03:50 PM

NEW TEAMS: COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

As had been long speculated during last season, teams representing Staffordshire and Warwickshire will be joining the County Championship, based in Wolverhampton and Birmingham respectively. This reflects the wish of the six existing county teams no longer to have any byes through the quarter-final round, and allows for a direct knockout competition without extending the length of the championship.

The practice of awarding last year’s finalists home advantage in the semi-finals has been abandoned, as they are no longer guaranteed to be at that stage, and a free draw was held to determine the pairings. A second draw was then made to determine which quarter-final winners will meet in the semi-finals. Surrey, who have taken the title for the last two years, will entertain Yorkshire in the quarter-finals, while Lancashire travel to newcomers Warwickshire. The winners of these two games will meet in the next round.

Middlesex, who have played in the last seven finals, will visit Kent in their first game while the other newcomers Staffordshire host Essex. The two winners from those games will face one another in the semi-finals. For both semi-finals, a coin toss for home advantage will be held after the match-up has been determined, with the same happening in advance of the final. With both newcomers joining three of the existing teams in wearing red jerseys, the competition will follow the practice established elsewhere and introduce white change jerseys for the away team in each game.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
L-R: Staffordshire, Warwickshire

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 03:54 PM

NEW TEAMS: GLASGOW AND DISTRICT LEAGUE

The newcomers in the Glasgow and District League this season are Airdrie Ironstone and Tail o’ the Bank. The Airdrie club, who play in light blue jerseys, take their name from the many ironstone mines in and around the town which lies to the east of Glasgow. Much further out of the city to the west, Tail o’ the Bank come from the town of Greenock and their name is derived from a deep anchorage in the River Clyde which lies just offshore. Their jerseys are sand-coloured with large collars in navy blue.

The league’s schedule will remain at thirty games, with the same format being used as was seen in the Metropolitan League when that competition had eight member clubs. Teams will meet four times with the exception of a single paired rival, who they will face on two additional occasions. The pairings see reigning champions Partick matched with Govan, and Dundashill facing Lanark-Renfrew. Airdrie are paired with Tollcross, while Tail o’ the Bank’s two extra games will be against White Cart.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
L-R: Airdrie Ironstone, Tail o' the Bank

MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 03:57 PM

NEW TEAMS: MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE

The first new team to join the Middlesex County League are Brentford Grand Junction, who take their name from the canal which joins the River Thames nearby. They play in yellow jerseys with their initials in pale blue. From Twickenham come the unusually named Strawberry Hill, whose name comes from the district in which they play, which was in turn named after a large mansion in the area. Strawberry Hill’s jerseys are brown with red and yellow stripes, and have a strawberry embroidered onto the chest.

For the first time in any league, the addition of two new teams in Middlesex has resulted in the schedule becoming shorter. The same format as we will see in Glasgow was proposed at a meeting of the clubs, but with five teams from the west of the county and only three from the east it was felt that the pairings would be uneven in distance and so the suggestion was not adopted. Instead, it was agreed to play just four full rounds of games for a total of twenty-eight, down from thirty last season.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
L-R: Brentford Grand Junction, Strawberry Hill

MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 03:59 PM

NEW TOURNAMENT: SCOTTISH COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

Scotland joins England in having a representative competition based around its historic counties, with four teams taking part in a direct knockout tournament just as was seen in the early years in England. Two of the teams come from the west of Scotland, namely Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, while the others come from the east. Those will be Fife and Midlothian, although the latter will compete under the county’s alternative name of Edinburghshire.

The semi-finals will be played on a regional basis with the two western teams meeting in one game and the two eastern teams in the other. Home advantage was won by Fife and Lanarkshire on the toss of a coin. The semi-finals will be played on the final Saturday in February, with the final on the first Saturday in March.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
Top Row (L-R): Edinburghshire, Fife
Bottom Row (L-R): Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 04:01 PM

NEW LEAGUE: BRISTOL AND DISTRICT LEAGUE

The first league to begin play in the south-west of England, the Bristol and District League features three clubs from the city of Bristol itself and three more from nearby towns. Like other six-team leagues, it will feature a thirty-game schedule.

From the city, Avon Gorge play just half a mile from the impressive suspension bridge which spans the River Avon, from which they take their name. They play in dark green jerseys featuring the club’s initials. From the north-east of Bristol come Bristol Easton, formed by workers of the Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works. Their jerseys are brown and feature a depiction of a wagon wheel in the centre of the chest. The third Bristol club are Arno’s Castle, who take their name from a local landmark built as a folly. The castle itself is depicted on their dark grey jerseys.

Outside Bristol, the closest team are Bath Spa, reflecting famous Roman baths in that town. Their aquamarine jerseys feature the Roman name for the town of Bath, Aquae Sulis. Swindon Great Western are the team of the Great Western Railway’s works in Swindon, and play in dark green jerseys to match the company’s engines, with stripes in red and white. Finally, the smallest town represented in the league is the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare, whose team takes the name of the town but is frequently known as simply ‘Weston’. To reflect the sandy shore of the town and the coast alongside, their jerseys are pale yellow with blue stripes.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
Top Row (L-R): Arno's Castle, Avon Gorge, Bath Spa
Bottom Row (L-R): Bristol Easton, Swindon Great Western, Weston super Mare

MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 04:05 PM

NEW LEAGUE: ESSEX COUNTY LEAGUE

Another six-team competition, the Essex County League includes five teams from areas which are fast becoming suburbs of London and another from less than ten miles further out, leaving most of the large county as yet unrepresented. Although that will surely change in the future, the competition is at present effectively another league for the London area. It too will feature thirty games for each team.

The league was the initiative of the West Ham Abbey team, whose name comes from the fact that they play close to the site of the long-demolished abbey which stood in the area. Their jerseys are blue with red and yellow striped and feature the initials “WH”. Their nearest neighbours are Forest Gate, located near Stratford and named after the historic entrance to Epping Forest which is nearby. Fittingly, their jerseys are green to reflect the forest. Slightly further away from London are Barking New Town, whose name tells the story of the recent development of that area for more housing. They play in black jerseys bearing the name “New Town” in gold.

A little way to the north are Three Blackbirds of Leyton, who take their name from the public house in Leyton frequented by many of the club’s founders. Their jerseys are yellow, with silhouettes of three blackbirds embroidered on the chest. Less than a mile from Leyton are the unusually named Pig Alley Walthamstow, named after the pathway that runs past their home field. They play in pink jerseys which feature a large silhouette of a pig, and which are sure to attract much comment from spectators as the season progresses. The only team from any great distance outside the London suburbs are Romford Waterloo, whose name comes from the road on which their home field lies. They play in pale blue, with stripes in dark red and beige.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
Top Row (L-R): Barking New Town, Forest Gate, Pig Alley Walthamstow
Bottom Row (L-R): Romford Waterloo, Three Blackbirds of Leyton, West Ham Abbey

MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 04:08 PM

NEW LEAGUE: LEICESTER AND NORTHAMPTON LEAGUE

The final new league to begin play this year also features six teams playing a thirty-game schedule, and perhaps significantly for the future development of the game outside large cities is perhaps the most geographically widespread competition we have seen to date. It features three teams from Leicestershire and three from Northamptonshire and may set a trend for more leagues in areas where towns and cities are more widely spaced out.

Two of the Leicestershire clubs come from the city of Leicester itself, firstly Leicester South Fields. They are named after the area in which they play, while their jerseys are grey with red stripes and feature a cinquefoil taken from the city arms. Their city rivals are St Margaret’s Pasture, who take the name of their home field alongside the River Soar and play in light green jerseys featuring the initials “STM”. The third club in Leicestershire are Loughborough Falcon, the works team of a locomotive factory. They play in brown, with a falcon depicted on the chest.

From Northamptonshire come Northampton by Nene, so called because they play on a field alongside the River Nene. Their jerseys are gold with claret coloured trimmings. Their closest neighbours are Wellingborough Swan’s Pool, named after a brook which runs past their home field. They play in pale blue, and have a crest featuring a swan embroidered onto their jerseys. The final team come from the far north-east of Northamptonshire, in the town of Peterborough. Peterborough Fengate’s name comes from the area in which they play on the edge of the town, and their jerseys are dark blue with a chest panel featuring two crossed keys. That symbol is taken from that of the cathedral, dedicated to St Peter.

LOGOS AND UNIFORMS:
Top Row (L-R): Leicester South Fields, Loughborough Falcon, Northampton by Nene
Bottom Row (L-R): Peterborough Fengate, St Margaret's Pasture, Wellingborough Swan's Pool

MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

as5680 · 02-10-2022, 08:18 PM

TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Pitching was largely dominant in this year’s County Championship, the first to be contested by eight teams, as several of the starters put up impressive performances throughout the competition. One such man was Croydon’s Luke Robson, chosen to start for reigning champions Surrey and on form in their quarter-final against Yorkshire. Robson allowed only four hits all afternoon, with the visitors unable to turn any of those into runs. A home run from the Commercial Dock Workers’ Joe Lane in the second inning had scored two to set Surrey on their way, and when Jim White of The Regent’s Park drove in another before scoring himself in the third, the game was effectively over. Poor fielding from Yorkshire allowed Kingston’s William Lewis to come home in the eighth to extend the gap to 5-0, which proved to be the final scoreline.

Surrey advanced to meet the winner of the game between Lancashire and newcomers Warwickshire in the semi-final, and for six innings that game was fiercely contested with two more fine pitching performances. Benjamin Stuckey of Over Darwen did battle with Birmingham’s Arthur Jukes, with only one hit between the two teams in the first three innings. In the fourth, a three-base hit from Miles Platting’s William Elmar set up Reginald Martindale of Chorley to put Lancashire ahead, but that was all they could get until the seventh inning. With two runners on and two men out, Liverpool’s James Chute found the hit to score both and put Lancashire 3-0 ahead, then came home himself on a hit from Eli Taylor of Great Float. There was no way back for Warwickshire, who could find no form against Stuckey’s pitching. They gave up two more runs in the ninth, scoring on two-base hits from Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting and another from Taylor. The final scoreline read 6-0, taking Lancashire through to the semi-final for a second successive year.

Middlesex had reached seven successive finals, missing out only in the inaugural year of 1867, and their quest for an eighth appearance in the big game began with a quarter-final in Kent. Their pitcher was to be Sidney Fisher, a new man at Tottenham, and he started superbly but suffered a knee injury when running the bases and had to leave the game when running the bases in the fifth inning of a scoreless game. His replacements performed admirably though, and Middlesex eventually wore down Maidstone’s Isaac Huntley, pitching for Kent. A hit from John Pinhay of the Royal Artillery Barracks with two out in the seventh brought home Kensington’s John Goodwin to give Middlesex the lead, before a barrage of hits in the eighth added a second run and gave Middlesex runners at second and third with two out. Peckham’s Benjamin Porter drove both home to make the score 4-0 and Kent had no reply. The City of London Club’s Simeon Farrell drove home Pinhay in the ninth to extend the gap to 5-0 and that was the score with which Middlesex advanced to the semi-final.

Their opponents would be either Essex or the other newcomers, Staffordshire, whose game was also a close battle of strong pitching and entered the seventh inning with no score on the board. Edgbaston newcomer Frank Miggs, pitching for Staffordshire, was the first to falter as he allowed a home run from Kensington’s Patrick Abbott in the seventh, giving Essex a 1-0 lead. Stephen Young of The Regent’s Park was the pitcher for Essex and he held that advantage into the eighth, but a hit from Aston’s Albert Jackson to start the inning caused him problems. Staffordshire edged the runner round to third with two out, where Edwin Hick of the Old Wulfrunians found the hit which tied the game at 1-1. The battle eventually reached an extra tenth inning, where a two-base hit from Small Heath’s Henry Judson gave Staffordshire a chance to mark their debut with a victory. With two out, Judson’s club teammate Walter Sheen drove him home to take Staffordshire through to the final four.

Ahead of the semi-finals, Surrey and Middlesex were given the right to call the coin tosses for home advantage, as both had reached the final last year. However, both called incorrectly meaning that the games would be hosted by Lancashire and Staffordshire. In Lancashire, it was champions Surrey who struck first in their game as the Regents’ Jim White found a two-base hit with two out in the fourth to bring home John Tucker of Reigate. In the fourth inning however, the champions made a crucial error to allow Chorley’s Reginald Martindale to reach base. He reached third with just one out and then scored on a deep ball hit by Andrew Clarke of Stockport to bring Lancashire level. In the very next inning, the home team took the lead as Eli Taylor of Great Float got on base with one out and then having advanced to second, scored on a hit from Miles Platting man William Elmar. Surrey’s two-year hold on the title was now in danger, but they could do little against pitcher Stuckey. By the eighth inning they had produced no more hits, and when Stockport’s Albert Barnes drove in Elmar to add another run, their reign was coming to an end. One hit in the ninth came to nothing, and Lancashire moved through to their very first final with a 3-1 victory.

Recovered from his injury, pitcher Sidney Fisher was back to try to lead Middlesex through to an eighth successive final in their game at Staffordshire and the Tottenham man was in fine form again, but so was Edgbaston’s Frank Miggs for the home team and there was no scoring from either team until the fifth inning. There, Edward Grant of the City of London Club began the inning with a hit and with one out, Edmonton’s Frank Page found a three-base hit to bring Grant home. On the very next pitch, Fisher himself added another hit to bring Page home and Middlesex led 2-0. They seemed to be on their way to another final, as Fisher got through the next four innings without allowing Staffordshire a hit, but the tournament newcomers gave themselves hope when Edgbaston’s Fred Lewington began the ninth with a hit. Fisher got the next man out but then Walsall’s Lionel Lynch, picked to play for England last year, produced a dramatic home run to score two and tie the game. The score remained 2-2 until the twelfth, when Birmingham’s Arthur Allen found a two-out two-base hit to give Staffordshire a chance of a famous victory. Walter Sheen of Small Heath duly produced the winning hit, earning a 3-2 victory and a place in the final at the first attempt, while eliminating Middlesex at the semi-final stage for the first time in eight years.

With Lancashire and Staffordshire reaching the final, there was sure to be a new name on the trophy and the crown was destined to go outside of the south-east of England for the first time. With Lancashire winning the coin toss, the game would be played in Manchester and it proved to be yet another battle of superb pitching. Benjamin Stuckey had allowed just one run in two games for Lancashire and Frank Miggs only three for Staffordshire, and in the final both were in magnificent form. In the regulation nine innings, only six hits were recorded. The better scoring chances came to Lancashire, who had two hits in the third inning but could not take advantage and left a runner at third base in the seventh. In extra innings – remarkably for the third time in three games for Staffordshire – Stuckey and Miggs battled on through six more scoreless innings with both allowing just two more hits, before the game took a dramatic turn in the sixteenth as they began to tire.

Walsall’s Lionel Lynch opened up with a hit for Staffordshire, then with one out Roland Eccles of the Old Wulfrunians added a two-base hit. The visitors had runners at second and third for catcher Daniel Daly of Small Heath, and he was the man who finally produced a run when his hit brought home Lynch. Bolton’s Cecil Maddaford came on to replace the exhausted Stuckey, but the damage had already been done. Learning from those events, Staffordshire brought in Miggs’ Edgbaston teammate Joseph Stevens to try to complete the victory, rather than relying on their tiring starter. He made a bad start when Irwell’s Aaron Evans began the inning with a hit, but Stevens settled and retired the next three hitters to complete a remarkable 1-0 victory for Staffordshire. In their first season in the championship, they had played three extra-inning games and won them all to take the title. Lancashire took both of the tournament awards with Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting winning best player, and Stuckey winning Best Pitcher, but it was little consolation as their first final appearance ended in defeat.

as5680 · 02-11-2022, 09:35 AM

TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 SCOTTISH COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

The first edition of the Scottish Counties Championship saw Edinburghshire travel to Fife and Lanarkshire host Renfrewshire in the semi-finals, ensuring an east versus west matchup in the final. In the eastern game, Eric Speechley of The Grange gave Edinburghshire the perfect start with a two-base hit to lead off the first inning, and two batters later Leith’s David McGachan brought him home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. After Edinburghshire missed a wonderful chance to extend that advantage in the third, Fife hit back. An error from catcher Kenneth Whatman allowed Fife pitcher Francis Kemp to reach base, before his Dunfermline teammate Hugh Riley found a two-base hit to tie the score at 1-1. There was no more scoring until the seventh, when Kirkcaldy’s Archibald Diment led off with a hit for Edinburghshire, before Dunfermline man Matthew Hill brought him in to restore the visitors’ lead. In the ninth, Fife found two hits but were unable to take advantage and Edinburghshire held on to record a 2-1 victory and advance to the final.

In the other semi-final game, the pitchers were dominant early on as in the first three innings, Bruce Fraser of Glasgow and District League newcomers Airdrie allowed Renfrewshire only one hit. His Lanarkshire teammates fared even worse against White Cart’s John Byrne, who allowed none at all, but in the fourth it was Byrne who faltered first. Roderick Dalziel of Govan found a home run with one out in that inning to give Lanarkshire the lead. Fraser survived a scare in the fifth when Renfrewshire had two runners on with two out, but from there he turned in a magnificent performance, allowing only one more baserunner and no more hits by the time the game reached the eighth inning. In the eighth, Lanarkshire put three men on base with only one out to increase the pressure on Renfrewshire pitcher Byrne, and although he got the second out with no damage he could not complete the inning unscathed. Partick’s Harry Craig found a hit which brought in two runs to increase the lead to 3-0, and with Fraser in such form there was no way back for Renfrewshire. A routine ninth inning gave Lanarkshire the win and a place in the final, which they were to host after winning the coin toss for home advantage.

Lanarkshire made a wonderful start in the final, as Partick’s Louis Dickinson and Govan man Roderick Dalziel both recorded hits to start the first inning, and both came around to score and earn a 2-0 lead. With the form shown by Airdrie pitcher Bruce Fraser for Lanarkshire in their semi-final, Edinburghshire may have feared having no opportunity to get back into the game but the chance came in the third, when they had two runners on with two out, but they could not take advantage. In the fourth, the visitors found themselves in exactly the same position again, but once more could not find the vital hit with two out to get back into the running. The chances continued to come, as Edinburghshire left a runner at third in the fifth inning, and failed to bring a run home in the seventh having had two on with only one out.

They paid for their missed chances in the seventh, when Partick’s Harry Craig led off with a hit, followed by a base on balls issued to David Boyd of Lanark-Renfrew. A throwing error from Haymarket catcher Kenneth Whatman brough Craig in to score before another hit from Dickinson drove in Boyd. Lanarkshire now led 4-0, and any faint hopes that Edinburghshire had of catching up vanished in the eighth. John Cunningham of Tollcross led off with a two-base hit and scored on an error from Grange infielder Eric Speechley, With a 5-0 lead, pitcher Fraser eased through the ninth to record his second successive shutout and earn Lanarkshire the inaugural title despite being out-hit eight to seven. Unsurprisingly named as Best Pitcher in the competition, Fraser may give newcomers Airdrie a chance of challenging for the Glasgow and District title in their first season. Govan’s Roderick Dalziel, who had important hits in both semi-final and final, was named Best Player.

as5680 · 02-11-2022, 05:36 PM

1875 SEASON PREVIEW

Most observers do not expect Clapham to hold on to their Metropolitan League championship this year, but few would entirely rule them out of what seems sure to be a close race. Having struggled for pitching last year, Kensington are well backed to be much improved this time while Putney, who impressed last year in their first season are also well expected to go close. Last year’s joint runners-up Angel and the Old Westminsters also look sure to be in contention. Other names in the mix are the City of London Club, Greenwich, Hackney and The Regent’s Park. Peckham won’t be far off either, meaning that the Royal Artillery Barracks and the Commercial Dock Workers are the only clubs who do not look to be competitive this time around.

Having won the inaugural Middlesex County League title three years ago, Edmonton are almost universally expected to take another crown this year, with nobody else looking like they will get close. Two-time reigning champions Isleworth may fall back into the pack, and it could be Tottenham who are the closest challengers. The Old Harrovians seem set for another year of struggle, while newcomers Brentford and Strawberry Hill should at the very least be competitive. The Kent County League looks difficult to call this time, with Bexley Heath and Erith the most common picks as potential winners. Champions Rochester may be a little off the pace, but last season’s runners-up Bromley could be strong contenders. Last year Norwood edged out Croydon to become the first champions of the Surrey County League and the battle may well be between those two again. However, Croydon are the most common tip to come out on top this time. Reigate and Richmond should also be competitive, with Kingston and Wimbledon trailing some distance behind. Forest Gate are the most popular choice to be the first champions of the new Essex County League, with West Ham and Romford their most likely challengers. Barking look most likely to be the weakest team this year.

Manchester and District League champions Miles Platting have an excellent chance of retaining their championship according to most experts, but will face strong challenges from Irwell, Bury and Rochdale. Three-time winners Salford won’t be too far away either, as a closer race than last year seems inevitable. Moss Grove, who finished tied for last two years ago and in last place on their own last season, seem certain to be at the foot of the standings once again as they will struggle for both hitting and pitching. Only Liverpool St Patrick’s have ever won the Liverpool and District League but many feel that run will end this year, with Great Float widely backed to end up on top. St Patrick’s won’t be far away though, and neither will Linacre who took them to a tiebreaker last year. Anfield look the most improved team, while St Helens seem sure to finish last. In the Lancashire County League, the favourites are Ribble who made a wonderful start last season and then fell away badly as the campaign progressed. Their closest rivals seem sure to be Blackburn, as the small town teams of Chorley, Over Darwen and champions Accrington look set to be worse for pitching this time.

The Leeds and Bradford League looks too close to call as Halifax are expected to finish last, but the other nine teams look sure to be very tightly bunched. Champions Bradford will be strong again, as will Leeds, with Dewsbury, Wakefield and Huddersfield the other names mentioned most frequently as potential winners. Hunslet, who arguably should have claimed the crown last year, may have missed their best chance but shouldn’t be too far away this time. Sheffield and District League champions Sanderson’s Weir are not being widely backed to defend their title this year, with many feeling that they will be in the middle of the pack. Strong pitching is making Barnsley favourites in the eyes of many, with previous strugglers Holmes Tail also backed to be much improved. Doncaster, champions two years ago, are widely expected to finish last.

The first season of the Bristol and District League may well see a battle between Bristol side Arno’s Castle and the small town club of Weston super Mare. The former look to have the best hitting line-up and the latter strong pitching, making for a fascinating race. Avon Gorge are the most popular choice to finish last. The Birmingham and District League has been closely fought in both of its previous season and this year will be no different, with champions West Bromwich expected to be well in the race again along with Birmingham Main Line, who faded last time after looking like potential winners for so long. Small Heath lost the title in a tiebreaker last year and will be close again, with Dudley, Edgbaston and Walsall also considered contenders. In the East Midlands, Sherwood and champions Old Basford, who needed a tiebreaker to separate them last season, are both expected to be strong again but it is Midland Loco who are many people’s favourites. They started well but faded badly in last year’s inaugural campaign but seem to be strong in both pitching and hitting this time. Their neighbours Derby Union may well struggle to avoid last place. Leicester South Fields are widely expected to win the inaugural Leicester and Northampton League title, with their city rivals St Margaret’s Pasture tipped to battle with Wellingborough for second place.

In Scotland, Glasgow and District League champions Burgh of Partick are not well fancied to claim a third successive crown, with Tollcross being most people’s pick this year. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank are tipped to have a good season, while the other new team Airdrie are not so well fancied but the performance of their pitcher Bruce Fraser in the Scottish Counties Championship may indicate otherwise. In the East of Scotland League, champions Dunfermline are widely tipped to battle with Fife rivals Kirkcaldy for the championship, with the Edinburgh clubs trailing behind. Arthur’s Seat, who should have won both previous championships but have taken neither after late collapses, may still be the best of the clubs from the capital city.

At the universities, Oxford champions Brasenose are expected to struggle with New College, Christ Church and Wadham backed to battle for the crown. Magdalen shouldn’t be too far back either, while Balliol and St Edmund Hall look to be the weakest teams. In Cambridge, the champions are also not well backed as Trinity look weaker this year, but Clare College may go close to repeating their success of two years ago. Most people’s favourites though are Gonville and Caius, who finished second last year and may well go one better this time around.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 01:52 AM

TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Pitching was largely dominant in this year’s County Championship, the first to be contested by eight teams, as several of the starters put up impressive performances throughout the competition. One such man was Croydon’s Luke Robson, chosen to start for reigning champions Surrey and on form in their quarter-final against Yorkshire. Robson allowed only four hits all afternoon, with the visitors unable to turn any of those into runs. A home run from the Commercial Dock Workers’ Joe Lane in the second inning had scored two to set Surrey on their way, and when Jim White of The Regent’s Park drove in another before scoring himself in the third, the game was effectively over. Poor fielding from Yorkshire allowed Kingston’s William Lewis to come home in the eighth to extend the gap to 5-0, which proved to be the final scoreline.

Surrey advanced to meet the winner of the game between Lancashire and newcomers Warwickshire in the semi-final, and for six innings that game was fiercely contested with two more fine pitching performances. Benjamin Stuckey of Over Darwen did battle with Birmingham’s Arthur Jukes, with only one hit between the two teams in the first three innings. In the fourth, a three-base hit from Miles Platting’s William Elmar set up Reginald Martindale of Chorley to put Lancashire ahead, but that was all they could get until the seventh inning. With two runners on and two men out, Liverpool’s James Chute found the hit to score both and put Lancashire 3-0 ahead, then came home himself on a hit from Eli Taylor of Great Float. There was no way back for Warwickshire, who could find no form against Stuckey’s pitching. They gave up two more runs in the ninth, scoring on two-base hits from Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting and another from Taylor. The final scoreline read 6-0, taking Lancashire through to the semi-final for a second successive year.

Middlesex had reached seven successive finals, missing out only in the inaugural year of 1867, and their quest for an eighth appearance in the big game began with a quarter-final in Kent. Their pitcher was to be Sidney Fisher, a new man at Tottenham, and he started superbly but suffered a knee injury when running the bases and had to leave the game when running the bases in the fifth inning of a scoreless game. His replacements performed admirably though, and Middlesex eventually wore down Maidstone’s Isaac Huntley, pitching for Kent. A hit from John Pinhay of the Royal Artillery Barracks with two out in the seventh brought home Kensington’s John Goodwin to give Middlesex the lead, before a barrage of hits in the eighth added a second run and gave Middlesex runners at second and third with two out. Peckham’s Benjamin Porter drove both home to make the score 4-0 and Kent had no reply. The City of London Club’s Simeon Farrell drove home Pinhay in the ninth to extend the gap to 5-0 and that was the score with which Middlesex advanced to the semi-final.

Their opponents would be either Essex or the other newcomers, Staffordshire, whose game was also a close battle of strong pitching and entered the seventh inning with no score on the board. Edgbaston newcomer Frank Miggs, pitching for Staffordshire, was the first to falter as he allowed a home run from Kensington’s Patrick Abbott in the seventh, giving Essex a 1-0 lead. Stephen Young of The Regent’s Park was the pitcher for Essex and he held that advantage into the eighth, but a hit from Aston’s Albert Jackson to start the inning caused him problems. Staffordshire edged the runner round to third with two out, where Edwin Hick of the Old Wulfrunians found the hit which tied the game at 1-1. The battle eventually reached an extra tenth inning, where a two-base hit from Small Heath’s Henry Judson gave Staffordshire a chance to mark their debut with a victory. With two out, Judson’s club teammate Walter Sheen drove him home to take Staffordshire through to the final four.

Ahead of the semi-finals, Surrey and Middlesex were given the right to call the coin tosses for home advantage, as both had reached the final last year. However, both called incorrectly meaning that the games would be hosted by Lancashire and Staffordshire. In Lancashire, it was champions Surrey who struck first in their game as the Regents’ Jim White found a two-base hit with two out in the fourth to bring home John Tucker of Reigate. In the fourth inning however, the champions made a crucial error to allow Chorley’s Reginald Martindale to reach base. He reached third with just one out and then scored on a deep ball hit by Andrew Clarke of Stockport to bring Lancashire level. In the very next inning, the home team took the lead as Eli Taylor of Great Float got on base with one out and then having advanced to second, scored on a hit from Miles Platting man William Elmar. Surrey’s two-year hold on the title was now in danger, but they could do little against pitcher Stuckey. By the eighth inning they had produced no more hits, and when Stockport’s Albert Barnes drove in Elmar to add another run, their reign was coming to an end. One hit in the ninth came to nothing, and Lancashire moved through to their very first final with a 3-1 victory.

Recovered from his injury, pitcher Sidney Fisher was back to try to lead Middlesex through to an eighth successive final in their game at Staffordshire and the Tottenham man was in fine form again, but so was Edgbaston’s Frank Miggs for the home team and there was no scoring from either team until the fifth inning. There, Edward Grant of the City of London Club began the inning with a hit and with one out, Edmonton’s Frank Page found a three-base hit to bring Grant home. On the very next pitch, Fisher himself added another hit to bring Page home and Middlesex led 2-0. They seemed to be on their way to another final, as Fisher got through the next four innings without allowing Staffordshire a hit, but the tournament newcomers gave themselves hope when Edgbaston’s Fred Lewington began the ninth with a hit. Fisher got the next man out but then Walsall’s Lionel Lynch, picked to play for England last year, produced a dramatic home run to score two and tie the game. The score remained 2-2 until the twelfth, when Birmingham’s Arthur Allen found a two-out two-base hit to give Staffordshire a chance of a famous victory. Walter Sheen of Small Heath duly produced the winning hit, earning a 3-2 victory and a place in the final at the first attempt, while eliminating Middlesex at the semi-final stage for the first time in eight years.

With Lancashire and Staffordshire reaching the final, there was sure to be a new name on the trophy and the crown was destined to go outside of the south-east of England for the first time. With Lancashire winning the coin toss, the game would be played in Manchester and it proved to be yet another battle of superb pitching. Benjamin Stuckey had allowed just one run in two games for Lancashire and Frank Miggs only three for Staffordshire, and in the final both were in magnificent form. In the regulation nine innings, only six hits were recorded. The better scoring chances came to Lancashire, who had two hits in the third inning but could not take advantage and left a runner at third base in the seventh. In extra innings – remarkably for the third time in three games for Staffordshire – Stuckey and Miggs battled on through six more scoreless innings with both allowing just two more hits, before the game took a dramatic turn in the sixteenth as they began to tire.

Walsall’s Lionel Lynch opened up with a hit for Staffordshire, then with one out Roland Eccles of the Old Wulfrunians added a two-base hit. The visitors had runners at second and third for catcher Daniel Daly of Small Heath, and he was the man who finally produced a run when his hit brought home Lynch. Bolton’s Cecil Maddaford came on to replace the exhausted Stuckey, but the damage had already been done. Learning from those events, Staffordshire brought in Miggs’ Edgbaston teammate Joseph Stevens to try to complete the victory, rather than relying on their tiring starter. He made a bad start when Irwell’s Aaron Evans began the inning with a hit, but Stevens settled and retired the next three hitters to complete a remarkable 1-0 victory for Staffordshire. In their first season in the championship, they had played three extra-inning games and won them all to take the title. Lancashire took both of the tournament awards with Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting winning best player, and Stuckey winning Best Pitcher, but it was little consolation as their first final appearance ended in defeat.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 01:54 AM

TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 SCOTTISH COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

The first edition of the Scottish Counties Championship saw Edinburghshire travel to Fife and Lanarkshire host Renfrewshire in the semi-finals, ensuring an east versus west matchup in the final. In the eastern game, Eric Speechley of The Grange gave Edinburghshire the perfect start with a two-base hit to lead off the first inning, and two batters later Leith’s David McGachan brought him home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. After Edinburghshire missed a wonderful chance to extend that advantage in the third, Fife hit back. An error from catcher Kenneth Whatman allowed Fife pitcher Francis Kemp to reach base, before his Dunfermline teammate Hugh Riley found a two-base hit to tie the score at 1-1. There was no more scoring until the seventh, when Kirkcaldy’s Archibald Diment led off with a hit for Edinburghshire, before Dunfermline man Matthew Hill brought him in to restore the visitors’ lead. In the ninth, Fife found two hits but were unable to take advantage and Edinburghshire held on to record a 2-1 victory and advance to the final.

In the other semi-final game, the pitchers were dominant early on as in the first three innings, Bruce Fraser of Glasgow and District League newcomers Airdrie allowed Renfrewshire only one hit. His Lanarkshire teammates fared even worse against White Cart’s John Byrne, who allowed none at all, but in the fourth it was Byrne who faltered first. Roderick Dalziel of Govan found a home run with one out in that inning to give Lanarkshire the lead. Fraser survived a scare in the fifth when Renfrewshire had two runners on with two out, but from there he turned in a magnificent performance, allowing only one more baserunner and no more hits by the time the game reached the eighth inning. In the eighth, Lanarkshire put three men on base with only one out to increase the pressure on Renfrewshire pitcher Byrne, and although he got the second out with no damage he could not complete the inning unscathed. Partick’s Harry Craig found a hit which brought in two runs to increase the lead to 3-0, and with Fraser in such form there was no way back for Renfrewshire. A routine ninth inning gave Lanarkshire the win and a place in the final, which they were to host after winning the coin toss for home advantage.

Lanarkshire made a wonderful start in the final, as Partick’s Louis Dickinson and Govan man Roderick Dalziel both recorded hits to start the first inning, and both came around to score and earn a 2-0 lead. With the form shown by Airdrie pitcher Bruce Fraser for Lanarkshire in their semi-final, Edinburghshire may have feared having no opportunity to get back into the game but the chance came in the third, when they had two runners on with two out, but they could not take advantage. In the fourth, the visitors found themselves in exactly the same position again, but once more could not find the vital hit with two out to get back into the running. The chances continued to come, as Edinburghshire left a runner at third in the fifth inning, and failed to bring a run home in the seventh having had two on with only one out.

They paid for their missed chances in the seventh, when Partick’s Harry Craig led off with a hit, followed by a base on balls issued to David Boyd of Lanark-Renfrew. A throwing error from Haymarket catcher Kenneth Whatman brough Craig in to score before another hit from Dickinson drove in Boyd. Lanarkshire now led 4-0, and any faint hopes that Edinburghshire had of catching up vanished in the eighth. John Cunningham of Tollcross led off with a two-base hit and scored on an error from Grange infielder Eric Speechley, With a 5-0 lead, pitcher Fraser eased through the ninth to record his second successive shutout and earn Lanarkshire the inaugural title. Unsurprisingly named as Best Pitcher in the competition, Fraser may give newcomers Airdrie a chance of challenging for the Glasgow and District title in their first season. Govan’s Roderick Dalziel, who had important hits in both semi-final and final, was named Best Player.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 02:02 AM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: MARCH 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

Putney Tideway are living up to expectations of a good season as they lead the way in the early Metropolitan League standings having won all three of their games so far, albeit having needed extra innings to get past both Hackney and the Old Westminsters. They are not the only undefeated team, but the City of London Club and Peckham have both had one postponement and so sit fractionally behind having played a game fewer. Champions Clapham have also started well, responding to a loss at Hackney by defeating the Old Westminsters 3-2 to end the month with three wins from four. Kensington, Hackney and the Commercial Dock Workers have all lost three of four, as have The Regent’s Park who won on the opening day but have struggled since.

The county leagues in Middlesex and Kent have only played one round of games, with title favourites Edmonton defeating champions Isleworth in extra innings in Middlesex. Newcomers Brentford and Strawberry Hill were heavily beaten by Enfield and Tottenham respectively, while Ealing won a marathon game against the Old Harrovians. In Kent, champions Rochester opened up by beating Dartford 5-3, while Maidstone overcame Bromley and Erith erased a ninth inning deficit to edge out Gravesend. The game between Bexley Heath and the Royal Engineers was postponed.

Surrey County League champions Norwood have made a poor start to their title defence, losing to both Richmond and Reigate without scoring a run. Their neighbours Croydon, backed by many to succeed them as champions, are the only undefeated team after wins over Wimbledon and Kingston. The other four teams all have one win and one defeat. In the new Essex County League, Forest Gate have the only undefeated record after a dramatic 6-5 twelve inning win over Romford, while the Three Blackbirds of Leyton sit in last place after two narrow defeats. Just as in Surrey, everyone else has a win and a defeat from the first two rounds of games.

NORTH-WEST

Champions Miles Platting have started poorly in the Manchester and District League, as after an opening day postponement they have fallen to defeat against both Irwell and Salford. It is former champions Salford who look most impressive so far, with three wins from three, but Belle Vue are also undefeated after two games and surprisingly sit just behind in second place. Bolton won their first two games before losing to Moss Grove, and share third with Irwell. Three defeats from three leave Oldham in last place. Liverpool and District teams have played only once, with champions Liverpool St Patrick’s repeating their win over Linacre in last year’s tiebreaking game. Highly fancied Great Float edged out St Helens 4-3, while Toxteth and Sankey were the other winners, defeating Anfield and Wigan respectively. After three games, Blackburn lead the way in the Lancashire County League with a perfect record. Champions Accrington defeated Ribble on the opening day but have lost twice since, while Over Darwen are leading the chase as they rebounded from an opening defeat against Burnley to take their next two.

YORKSHIRE

Huddersfield are expected to have a good year in the Leeds and Bradford League and they have won their opening three games to sit in first place, albeit only ahead of Leeds and Bowling by virtue of the fact that those teams have both had one game postponed and have just two wins from two. Champions Bradford started well but ended March with defeat at the hands of Dewsbury, who join them in a tie for fourth. Hunslet, who came so close to the title last season, are yet to win but sit fractionally ahead of Batley and Wakefield, both of whom have lost three rather than just two. In the Sheffield and District League, favourites Barnsley have defeated both Doncaster and champions Sanderson’s Weir without allowing a run, but only share first place after two games as Hallamshire have won two tight battles to remain undefeated themselves. There is no sign as yet of the expected improvement from Holmes Tail, as they like Sheffield have lost both games so far.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

The Birmingham and District League has only had one round of games so far, with West Bromwich beginning their title defence by edging out Dudley 4-3 in eleven innings. Last year’s runners-up Small Heath also had a narrow win against Aston, while Walsall defeated the Old Wulfrunians and Birmingham Main Line overcame Edgbaston. Unfancied Avon Gorge have won both their games so far to sit at the top of the standings in the new Bristol and District League, while pre-season favourites Arno’s Castle are also undefeated but only from one game, having seen their season opener against Weston super Mare called off. Weston themselves are without a win after losing their only game so far, while Swindon are the other team yet to record a victory. Bath earned a comeback win over Bristol Easton to end the month with their first success of the season.

Ilkeston are the only undefeated team in the Derby and Nottingham League after two rounds of play, having beaten both Midland and Derby Union. Last year’s runners-up Sherwood surprisingly sit last as the only team yet to record a victory, while champions Old Basford lost a marathon game 1-0 against Trent Bridge on the opening day before edging out Sherwood by the same score. The new Leicester and Northampton League is led by the small town team of Wellingborough as they defeated Leicester and Peterborough by identical 2-0 scorelines. With Peterborough having already lost to St Margaret’s Pasture, they sit in last place with all the other clubs having a win and a loss to their names.

SCOTLAND

After three rounds of games, champions Burgh of Partick are the only undefeated side in the Glasgow and District League but they have only played once, after two postponements. Newcomers Airdrie started well by winning their first two, but ended the month with defeat at Dundashill. Those two clubs share second with White Cart and Govan, while the other new club Tail o’ the Bank have one win to their name – a record which could have been better as both of their losses were just by a score of 1-0. Tollcross and Lanark-Renfrew are yet to win. Having twice finished as runners-up in the East of Scotland League, Arthur’s Seat have made another good start as two wins from their two games leave them as the only undefeated team in that competition. Haymarket, whose own good start was ended by Arthur’s Seat in their last game of March, sit second alongside Kirkcaldy. Champions Dunfermline lost their first two before a win over Leith, while The Grange are the only team yet to find a victory.

UNIVERSITIES

Six rounds of games have been played at the universities and in Oxford, Worcester and New College both recovered from losing on the opening day of the year to win their next five and share first place at the end of March. Trinity, whose first two games were both postponed, sit third with three wins out of four. Champions Brasenose started poorly and have just two wins from six, while Merton College are last after a horrendous start which has seen them lose six out of six. In Cambridge, the big news is the form of Pembroke College, who have finished last in all three seasons since they joined the championship. They have won all six of their games so far, and lead highly fancied Clare College by a single game. Trinity have had a mixed start to their title defence with three wins and three defeats, while St John’s sit in last place after losing all five that they have played.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 04:42 PM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: APRIL 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

Peckham Rye are the surprise leaders of the Metropolitan League at the end of April after winning two of their three games. They lead the way by a fraction as a result of the City of London Club, the Old Westminsters and champions Clapham all falling to defeat on the final Saturday of the month. Putney’s good start has faltered after three successive postponements followed by defeats against Clapham and Peckham without scoring a run, leaving them one game behind alongside Angel. Kensington’s hopes of a better season already seem to lie in ruins as they sit last having lost six of their eight games.

Middlesex County League champions Isleworth made a disastrous start to their campaign, losing their first four games, but they ended April with a 2-1 win over Enfield to get on the board at last. They sit last, three games behind the team they beat in a tiebreaker to claim the crown last year, Tottenham, who have four wins from five. Pre-season favourites Edmonton are fractionally behind Tottenham in second, while newcomers Strawberry Hill are going well with a winning record so far to share third with the Old Harrovians. In Kent, Erith are one of only two teams in the country still to taste defeat as they edged out winless Bromley in their final game of April to move to five wins from five. Gravesend also won four of four in April to sit one game behind, while Bexley Heath have also only lost once but two postponements leave them with catching up to do.

A 4-3 loss at Wimbledon to end the month cost Croydon the outright leadership of the Surrey County League, as Kingston edged out Reigate to move level. Reigate sit a game behind alongside champions Norwood, who lost three of their first four games but have now won two in succession to move up to an even record for the year. In the Essex County League, Forest Gate end April fractionally ahead despite the postponement of their final game of the month, as West Ham’s narrow victory over Romford prevented their opponents from moving into first place. Struggling Three Blackbirds lost their first four games but ended that run by defeating Pig Alley.

NORTH-WEST

In the Manchester and District League, Salford lead the way having won their last three but surprise chasers Stockport are in even better form. They won all four in April, including a 4-3 win over Salford, and sit right behind in second place. Another team with a perfect month were champions Miles Platting, who recovered from their two defeats in March to win four of four and move up to third place. Nobody else has a winning record.

Chasing a fifth successive championship, Liverpool St Patrick’s lead the way in the Liverpool and District League with four wins from their five games. The highlight of their month was a 5-0 victory over Sankey Brook, all the more impressive because nobody else has yet been able to defeat second placed Sankey. Anfield, who inflicted Liverpool only defeat so far in mid-April, are just a fraction behind having recovered from an opening defeat to win three in succession. It is shaping up to be a good season for Blackburn in the Lancashire County League, as they have now won six games out of seven to open up a lead. Their only loss this month was a narrow dame against Over Darwen, who look in ominously good form at present and now sit second. Accrington’s title defence looks to be over already, after they lost every game in April and have now dropped six in succession after winning their opener.

YORKSHIRE

Leeds Central lead the Leeds and Bradford League by the smallest possible margin despite ending April with their first defeat of the season, going down to a Bowling team who are now in second place. Huddersfield had won their first five games but faltered with defeat to Leeds and then another loss at the hands of Hunslet. Champions Bradford lost all three of their games this month and face a real struggle to retain their title. It was a perfect month for Doncaster in the Sheffield and District League, winning four games out of four to extend their winning run to five overall and move clear at the top of the standings. Their final game of the month was a 1-0 win over former leaders Barnsley, who had been tied at the top and now fall one game behind. The champions are struggling in this league as well, with Sanderson’s Weir suffering three defeats from four this month and falling three games off the pace already.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

In the Birmingham and District League, the postponement of the game between Walsall and Birmingham Main Lane on the last weekend of April allowed Small Heath to move fractionally ahead at the top, as they won three games out of four this month. Walsall and Main Line share second place, with champions West Bromwich also holding a winning record despite a mixed month in which they were beaten 1-0 by Small Heath in a rematch of last year’s championship tiebreaker. The inaugural season of the Bristol and District League sees Avon Gorge as the surprise early leaders, even though they played just twice in April and suffered two postponements. A 5-1 win over Arno’s Castle to begin the month was followed by another victory over Swindon and after four games they join Kent club Erith as the only undefeated teams in England. Arno’s Castle responded to that loss with two successive victories and they sit one game back in second place, just ahead of Bath having won their meeting 5-2.

Old Basford and Ilkeston are matching one another at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League, as Ilkeston had a mixed month of two wins and two losses, including one against Basford. Trent Bridge are one game back after ending April with defeat against Old Basford, while Sherwood and Midland Loco are underachieving at the foot of the standings. The newly formed Leicester and Northampton League still sees Wellingborough leading the way, as they recovered from their first loss of the year against Northampton to win their next two. The 1-0 win over Leicester in the final game of April moved them one game clear of Leicester at the top, while St Margaret’s are third despite losing to both of the teams above them this month.

SCOTLAND

Newcomers Airdrie continue their fine start in the Glasgow and District League as they won three out of their four games in April, losing only to White Cart who are also enjoying an excellent opening to the campaign. Those two teams share first place, a fame ahead of champions Partick who are still playing catch-up after having two games postponed in March. They won two and lost two in April, leaving them tied for third with Govan who did likewise. In the East of Scotland League, the two Fife clubs lead the way with Kirkcaldy out in front by a fraction. Champions Dunfermline won their meeting this month in extra innings however, and won all three of their games in April as they recover from a slow start. Arthur’s Seat and Haymarket are the best of the Edinburgh clubs currently, sitting one game off the pace as both were defeated by Kirkcaldy during April.

UNIVERSITIES

The university season is almost at the half-way mark, with New College seeming to be champions in waiting in Oxford. They played ten games in April and won nine of them, while Worcester took just five of eight and are now four games behind. They have lost second place to Magdalen, whose excellent record of eight wins and two losses in the month was still not enough to gain ground on New College after a dramatic 7-6 loss when those two teams met. At Cambridge, the race is much closer but Pembroke lead by a single game after ending April with a 5-3 victory over a Gonville & Caius team with whom they had previously been tied. Clare are fractionally further back in third, having wasted an extra-innings win over Pembroke by losing both of their next two games.

In other news, the Oxford University Championship has announced that it hopes to add two more teams next year, with applications from University College and Exeter College having been provisionally approved. The two university leagues previously grew from eight clubs to ten at the same time, in order to maintain the same format and make the scheduling of the Varsity Series simpler. The question is therefore raised as to whether the Cambridge championship will also expand to twelve clubs for 1876, with Oxford believed to be hoping that it will.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 04:50 PM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: MAY 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

Champions Clapham returned to the top of the Metropolitan League standings at the end of May after Putney lost a tight game 4-3 in extra innings against the Old Westminsters. Clapham had dropped back two weeks earlier after losing to Peckham, but move up now with the aid of both Putney’s defeat and three losses in five games for Peckham during the month. The Old Westminsters, who lost their first two in May before winning the next three, share second place with Putney, while Peckham sit one game off the pace in a tight field. In the Middlesex County League, Tottenham continue to lead after taking four wins from five games this month, but newcomers Strawberry Hill are chasing them hard as they did exactly the same, losing only to Tottenham by a narrow 2-0 scoreline. Pre-season favourites Edmonton have dropped back to a losing record after losing four of their five games in May, while the other newcomers Brentford are finding life tougher and sit in last place.

It was a mixed month for previously undefeated leaders Erith in the Kent County League, winning two and losing two, but they remain a game ahead of Gravesend who also had two wins and two defeats. Champions Rochester began May by losing at Erith but won three of their next four to remain in contention. In Surrey, Croydon look like the class of the field this year as things stand. Four wins from five games, coupled with three successive defeats for Reigate, leave them as the only team with a winning record and well clear of the chasing pack. Despite losing three of their four games in May, Kingston sit second on an even five wins and five losses. The Essex County League is led by Forest Gate, whose last two games have both been postponed. That included a potentially important meeting with second-placed West Ham, who ended the month by losing to Romford to slip a full game behind the leaders. After two defeats to begin the month, Romford’s two wins to close it leave them fractionally further back in third place.

NORTH-WEST

Salford still lead by a fraction in the Manchester and District League after they and Stockport both recorded three wins and two defeats this month. Stockport kept themselves close by defeating Salford 2-0 when the two clubs met one another. Bury are one game back in third, having won all four of their games including one against Stockport. Champions Miles Platting had been moving into contention after extending their winning run to six, but an extra-innings loss at Salford began a three game losing run which drops them back into the middle of the pack.

At present there seems to be little to stop Liverpool St Patrick’s winning a fifth successive title in the Liverpool and District League, as they won five games out of five during May. That gives them a seven-game winning run overall, nine victories from ten games this year and a two-game lead in the standings. Wigan, whose only loss in May was against Liverpool, now share second with Sankey who lost heavily when they faced the champions. Blackburn still have a share of first place in the Lancashire County League despite beginning the month with three successive defeats, as they recovered to win their last two. They share top spot with Ribble, who won four games out of five despite scoring just five runs all month, as their pitcher Claude Butler recorded four complete game shutout victories. Over Darwen are a fraction behind the leading two after a mixed month, while champions Accrington are adrift in last place having now lost ten of their twelve games this year.

YORKSHIRE

Despite winning only three and losing two of their games in May, Leeds still have a share of first place in the Leeds and Bradford League, with Dewsbury the surprise co-leaders after they won four out of five. That included a crucial win over Bowling, who sit just behind the leading two in third place. Wakefield are the only other team with a winning record after they won four out of five. Huddersfield, who won their first five this year, have now lost their last seven and tumbled down the standings. Champions Bradford still sit last after another poor month and look to be out of the running already. In the Sheffield and District League, Doncaster’s seven game winning run ended in defeat at Hallamshire and when they fell at Barnsley in their next game, Hallamshire moved within a fraction of them at the top of the standings by defeating Sheffield. Barnsley sit third, a game further back, but reigning champions Sanderson’s Weir have also found form. They have won their last three and should not yet be ruled out of this year’s race.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

Small Heath lead the way in the Birmingham and District League after winning their first three games in May, but defeat to Walsall in their final game of the month gave hope to the chasers. Champions West Bromwich sit second but failed to take advantage of Small Heath’s defeat, also ending May with a loss at Edgbaston. Walsall are the only other team with a winning record despite losing their first three in May, while Birmingham Main Line have now lost their last five after a winless month dropped them well down the standings. In Bristol, Arno’s Castle lead the way in the inaugural season after sharing two games in a day against Weston super Mare to end the month. Weston sit a game back in second as they exceed expectations, while Avon Gorge’s four game winning run to begin the year is a distant memory. They have now lost four in succession to drop back to an even record, alongside Bath.

Derby and Nottingham League champions Old Basford began May with defeat against Sherwood but have since won four in succession and lead the way a game from Ilkeston, whose month was interrupted by two postponements. Everyone else has a losing record, as the bigger city clubs struggle to put together any consistent form. Two successive defeats have cost Wellingborough sole possession of first place in the new Leicester and Northampton League, as Leicester South Fields defeated them in the final game of the month to move into a share of the lead. The other Leicester club, St Margaret’s Pasture, are third despite their own victory over Wellingborough while Peterborough move up to an even record after winning their last four.

SCOTLAND

Burgh of Partick are looking for a third successive championship in the Glasgow and District League and sit one game ahead at the top after winning four of their five games in May. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank and Airdrie are the only other teams with a winning record as both enjoy a fine start to life in the league, with Tail fractionally ahead in second place after they won four successive games to open May. Indeed, only a ninth inning collapse against Partick in their final game of the month kept them out of first place. East of Scotland League champions Dunfermline have now won eight successive games after losing two to open the year, and moved a game ahead at the top by defeating former co-leaders Arthur’s Seat 3-2 to end May. Kirkcaldy are a game further back in third after losing to both of the teams above them during the past month.

UNIVERSITIES

Barring rescheduled games, the university season is now at the three-quarter mark and in Oxford, the race is becoming more interesting. New College have seen a four-game lead reduced to two as they lost their last two games of the month, including a 1-0 loss at the hands of second placed Worcester. The race appears to be between those two, as Magdalen lost six of their ten games in May to fall well off the pace. In Cambridge there is a tight battle between Pembroke and Gonville & Caius, with the leadership having changed hands more than once during May. Neither team had the consistency they would have liked during the month, as Pembroke won five out of eleven and Caius faired little better with six wins from eleven. The vital game may have been Pembroke’s win in the meeting of the two which ended the month, leaving them effectively tied but with Pembroke having played two games fewer.

Following on from the announcement that the Oxford championship intended to grow to twelve teams next year, Cambridge will indeed follow suit to keep the format of both championships the same. It was announced this month that teams from Christ’s College and Sidney Sussex will be admitted ahead of the 1876 season. It is believed that both championships will keep a format of each club playing the others four times, resulting in a forty-four game schedule and fewer spare dates for rescheduled games. That will mean more double games and possibly starting the season a week earlier, or pushing the Varsity Series back by a week.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 04:57 PM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: JUNE 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

Champions Clapham lead the Metropolitan League by one game having won four out of six in the month of June, suffering only two narrow defeat against Hackney and Greenwich, both by a single run margin. The Regent’s Park moved well into contention as only a 3-2 loss in the first of two games against Kensington was all that separated them from a perfect month, and they now share second with Angel. The Old Westminsters are fourth, but they had a very mixed month, winning three and losing three. Tottenham have the smallest possible lead in the Middlesex County League, having held on to first place with a 1-0 win in ten innings against struggling champions Isleworth to end the month. Newcomers Strawberry Hill continued their surprise challenge by winning three from four in June, losing only to fellow debutants Brentford who have really found their form and won all four games this month. Pre-season favourites Edmonton did likewise, and they sit two games behind Tottenham in third and still well in the race.

Kent County League champions Rochester now have a two game lead in the standings as they won all four of their games in June and have now taken the last five overall. Early season pacesetters Erith have seen their form crumble, losing their last five and falling back into a tie for third with Gravesend. It is now Bexley Heath who lead the chase, as they won their first three games in June before a month-ending 3-1 loss to Dartford dropped them further behind Rochester. In Surrey, Croydon are still out in front but only by a fraction after they were beaten by Kingston and Norwood in their first two games in June. They won the next two, but Kingston completed a perfect month to move clear in second place. Wimbledon are the only other team to have as much as an even record. The new county league in Essex is led by Forest Gate, who are a game ahead of West Ham following a 2-1 thirteen-inning victory over their rivals in the final game of the month. Both teams in fact won three of four in June, leaving the position as it was at the start of the month, while the other four teams all have losing records and as the season comes towards half-way it appears to be a two-horse race for the inaugural title.

NORTH-WEST

Three-time champions Salford extended their lead in the Manchester and District League, winning five games out of six in June. Their only loss was the second of a double meeting with Belle Vue, while second-placed Stockport were beaten twice in June, sharing two with both Rochdale and third-placed Bury. Defending champions Miles Platting also won five out of six but need Salford’s form to drop if they are to catch up. In the Liverpool and District League, champions Liverpool St Patricks saw their march towards a fifth successive crown slow as their nine-game winning run ended in the second half of a double meeting with Toxteth, before losing twice at Anfield and once at struggling Linacre in the next two weeks. That allowed Sankey to move within a fraction of the champions despite losing two of six themselves this month, while Anfield are now in the race themselves having won six out of seven including those two wins over Liverpool. Lancashire County League leaders Blackburn won three out of three without allowing a run in June, but can’t shake off Over Darwen who were also undefeated this month and remain just fractionally behind in second place. Ribble lost ground, after narrow defeats to both of the top two teams.

YORKSHIRE

Dewsbury are the surprise outright leaders of the Leeds and Bradford League after they won four out of six in June and Leeds Central only won three and lost three. Dewsbury, who finished last in their debut season a year ago, face a test of their championship credentials to begin July as they face two games in a day against Leeds. Wakefield are the only other team with a winning record, but they are three games off the pace after a mixed month. Doncaster and Barnsley share the lead in the Sheffield and District League, after Doncaster won just once in three games and Barnsley won their final three to move level. Champions Sanderson’s Weir are looking very strong after a shaky start to the year, winning every game in June and six in succession overall to sit just a fraction behind the co-leaders.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

Dudley have moved clear in the Birmingham and District League following a perfect month in which they won six games out of six, including two against champions West Bromwich to end the month. That dropped West Bromwich into a tie for third with Small Heath, as Birmingham Main Line emerged as the closest challengers to Dudley having taken five out of six themselves. Edgbaston also have a winning record, but Dudley will be tough to catch if they maintain their current form. Everyone is struggling for form in the new Bristol and District League, with Arno’s Castle the leaders despite having won just two of four in June. Avon Gorge are a fraction behind in second having ended the month with a loss at the hands of Bristol Easton. Weston super Mare are a game behind the leaders in third, and face two games against Arno’s Castle to begin July.

Champions Old Basford have a one game lead in the Derby and Nottingham League after a mixed month of two wins and two defeats, with Ilkeston unable to take advantage as they did exactly the same. Derby Union have emerged as the form team, winning all four of their games in June including one each against the two teams ahead of them. They are now a fraction further behind Ilkeston in third place. Leicester South Fields have a narrow lead in the Leicester and Northampton League, as they won their first three games in June before seeing the last postponed. Wellingborough slipped behind following a loss at Northampton, but have a chance to move back into first place when they face South Fields in the opening game in July. No other team has a winning record currently, as the top two seem set to battle for the inaugural title.

SCOTLAND

Burgh of Partick sit comfortably at the top of the Glasgow and District League despite losing 9-1 to Tollcross in their last game of June. They won their other four, and edged a fraction further clear of newcomers Tail o’ the Bank who were beaten in eighteen innings by Dundashill to end the month. Dundashill sit third but three games off the pace, while the other new team Airdrie have slumped down the standings as they failed to win during the month of June. Champions Dunfermline have now won their last twelve games in the East of Scotland League, and lead by two after Arthur’s Seat lost once in June, an 8-7 eleven-inning loss at The Grange. Kirkcaldy fell four games off the pace after losing to both of the top two in their last two games in June.

UNIVERSITIES

The season is over in the universities and as has often been the case, one of the championships saw a very tight battle while the other was much more clear cut. It was Oxford where the title was won with ease this year, as New College were never seriously threatened despite their form dipping in the final month. Despite three losses in seven games, they sat three ahead of second placed Worcester with three to play when the two teams met for the last time, and Worcester claimed a 2-0 extra-inning win to keep the race alive for another couple of days. However, they then fell 3-1 to Balliol in their next game to leave New College’s remaining games meaningless, as they could no longer be caught. New College take the title for the first time, with their final margin being two games ahead of a Magdalen team who overhauled Worcester in their final game to finish second.

At Cambridge, as long-time contenders Pembroke faded away it was Emmanuel who emerged as the closest challengers to Gonville & Caius. They defeated the leaders 6-2 when they met in mid-June and winning six of eight to leave Caius needing to win their final game against Clare to secure the title, but a 4-0 defeat left Emmanuel with the chance to force a tiebreaker if they could win a rescheduled meeting with struggling Jesus College. They duly won that game, setting up a tiebreaker which was squeezed into the schedule to avoid delaying the Varsity Series. Emmanuel won a coin toss for home advantage and turned around an early deficit to lead 2-1, but gave up single runs in both the sixth and seventh as Caius took a 3-2 lead late on. Emmanuel could not respond, and having won the inaugural title six years ago Caius claimed the championship for the second time. Attention now moves to the Varsity Series, with Cambridge hosting the first game and Oxford the second.

In other news, both the Birmingham and District and Kent County Leagues have confirmed that they intend to expand from eight clubs to ten next year, joining the Manchester and District League in adding two new clubs. Both intend to hold a vote to decide the new members at the end of the current season. The first news of a new competition for next year has also emerged, with clubs in Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland aiming to launch the first competition in the north-east of England.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 04:59 PM

TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 VARSITY SERIES

This year’s Varsity Series saw Cambridge host the first game as they looked to take away the title won by Oxford a year ago. James Gulliver of Clare College was a slightly surprising choice to be the starting pitcher for Cambridge, while New College’s championship winning starter Percival Lambert was picked for Oxford. Both started well in the first game, with no scoring in the first two innings, but it was Gulliver who took the early advantage when he found a home run himself to put Cambridge into a 1-0 lead in the third. Perhaps distracted by that, he then allowed three successive hits to begin the fourth however and after recording one out, allowed Jim Chandler of Christ Church to record the vital hit which brought home all three base runners and gave Oxford a 3-1 advantage. Chandler later came home on a hit from Balliol’s Nathaniel Smith, and Cambridge were in trouble.

Their chance to come back arrived in the fifth, when they had runners at first and third with only one out, but could only score one. Remarkably, it was pitcher Gulliver again who excelled with the bat and brought home Trinity man Seth Edgars to cut the deficit to 4-2. They struggled to find any more hits against Lambert however and in the eighth, hopes of a comeback were extinguished. A hit from St Edmund’s Philip Riley and some poor fielding from Cambridge gave Oxford three runners with only one out, before Worcester College’s Clive Wilson found another hit to bring one home. Another fielding error allowed Riley to come home from third and extend the gap further to 6-2, and although Cambridge escaped the inning with no further damage the game was effectively over. They found just one more hit but could not get a runner past first, and Oxford took the opening game of the series.

In the second game at Oxford, Cambridge knew that victory was vital to keep the series alive but they made the worst possible start when they fell 1-0 behind in the first inning. Balliol’s Samuel Binks led off with a hit for Oxford and after he had advanced to second, Percy Rose of Brasenose College found the hit to bring him in to score. Cambridge had plenty of time to respond but the pitching of Lambert made that task exceptionally tough, as after one hit in the first inning they were unable to find another baserunner until the sixth. Trinity’s Charlie Mitchell was left at second in that inning and then in the eighth, the real chance to tie the game came along when Seth Edgars opened up with a hit and then ended up at third with two out.

Christopher Green of champions Gonville & Caius had the chance but could not get the ball out of the infield, and Oxford maintained their lead. Oxford rarely looked like adding to their lead, but in the event it did not matter as Lambert’s pitching was untouchable. He eased through the ninth to complete a three-hit shutout and win the game 1-0, giving Oxford a second successive series win and the lead in the overall records by four titles to three. Lambert, in his final appearance before leaving the university, was unsurprisingly named Best Pitcher in the series, while Best Player went to Percy Rose, whose hit had brought in the only run of the second game to win it for Oxford.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 05:05 PM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: JULY 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

Metropolitan League champions Clapham hold a one game lead at the end of July after suffering a 3-0 loss at the City of London Club to end the month. That defeat gave Angel the chance to draw level at the top but they were shocked 8-3 by the struggling Commercial Dock Workers on the same day. The Old Westminsters’ hopes were damaged by defeats at the hands of both Clapham and a revived Peckham team, whose challenge had been fading but who have now won their last three to join the Westminsters in a tie for third. Both Putney and The Regent’s Park are also within two games of the leaders as an exciting end to the season looks to be in store. Middlesex County League newcomers Brentford have stunned their rivals with a second successive undefeated month, extending their winning run to ten and moving a game clear in first place. They are a game clear of Edmonton, who lost narrowly to Brentford twice in July but won their other four games. Long time leaders Tottenham have lost their last four to drop down to third, while Strawberry Hill have also hit poor form having lost four of five in July to fall two games back.

Bexley Heath have a narrow lead in the Kent County League having won five out of seven games in July, including a crucial extra innings success over reigning champions Rochester. That began a run of three successive defeats for Rochester, who had been leading the way but are now one game back in third, behind a Gravesend team who also defeated them in the final game of the month. In Surrey, it was a mixed month for leaders Croydon who lost to both Wimbledon and Norwood but won their other three. They lead by a single game from Kingston, who began July with three consecutive losses to prevent them from being able to move into first place. Nobody else has a winning record, but Wimbledon and champions Norwood are just three games back with ten to play and so are not yet out of the running. West Ham have taken over at the top of the Essex County League despite a run of three successive defeats during July, as they overcame Forest Gate 5-2 to end the month. Forest Gate have now lost their last four, and the top two’s struggles have allowed Romford back into the race as they won their last three to sit just one game back in third.

NORTH-WEST

The Manchester and District League increasingly looks to be a battle between reigning champions Miles Platting and three-time winners Salford, who end July tied for first place. Salford had been clear at the top but fell 3-2 to Miles Platting when the two met and then lost their final game of the month in extra innings at Bolton, allowing the champions to draw level as they completed an undefeated month and extended their winning run to nine overall. Losing twice in a day to Salford seems to have dropped Bury out of the race, although there is still time to catch up should the two leaders falter.

Liverpool St Patrick’s have edged slightly further ahead at the top of the Liverpool and District League after a fascinating month which saw them lose first place to Sankey Brook only to win it right back when Sankey were beaten twice by St Helens. Sankey then defeated Liverpool to move within a fraction again, only to lose at Linacre the following week. A strong finish to the month keeps Great Float just about in the race, but they will need Liverpool to stumble over the coming weeks. In the Lancashire County League, Blackburn retain first place despite losing their final two games of July, including one to second placed Over Darwen. Darwen could have drawn level had they been able to follow that up with a win over Burnley, but they fell 3-1 and remain a game behind. Ribble lost three of their five games and could be starting to run out of chances to stay in the race.

YORKSHIRE

The Leeds and Bradford League this month became the second to confirm that it will allow its teams to pay players next year, although there does not at present seem any likelihood that this will mean regular midweek play. In this year’s title race, Leeds and Dewsbury end the month tied for the lead, with Leeds having moved to the top by beating Dewsbury twice at the start of the month only to then lose two against Hunslet the following week. Dewsbury took advantage to edge a game ahead again, but their loss to champions Bradford meant that Leeds were able to catch up once more. Bowling Old Lane are two games back in third but at present are not showing the consistent form they would need to make it a three-horse race. In the Sheffield and District League, Doncaster won five out of five in July to move two games clear of Barnsley, who needed a remarkable 14-10 win at Holmes Tail in their last game of the month to avoid falling further back. Hallamshire are the only other team with a winning record, as a four-game losing run during the month ended the revival of champions Sanderson’s Weir and seems to have ruled them out of the running this year.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

Having begun July with two wins and two defeats, Dudley Castle ended the month by winning four in succession and are looking increasingly like the next champions of the Birmingham and District League. They edged a game further ahead of Birmingham Main Line after Main Line’s 4-2 loss against Walsall in their final game of July, but Dudley and Main Line will meet twice to open August in a day which could prove pivotal. Small Heath and West Bromwich both suffered four defeats in the month to lose more ground. In the Bristol and District League, nobody has any real consistent form at present and Arno’s Castle lead the way by one game despite losing three games out of seven during July. Weston super Mare had looked strong early in the month but were kept a game behind by defeat against Swindon in their last game, while Avon Gorge are also one off the pace having lost three games out of four in mid-July. The champions look likely to be one of those three clubs, with all three hoping to be the ones who will finally find consistent form.

Helped by a 1-0 win when the teams met in mid-July, Ilkeston have caught Old Basford at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League. They won five games out of seven during the month and when Basford fell 3-2 to Derby on the final weekend, the two teams were left with identical records with ten games remaining. Derby sit third and are the only other team with a winning record but having lost three of five in July will need to find better form if they are to catch up. Leicester still lead the way in the Leicester and Northampton League’s first season, but only by a fraction after sharing two games with Northampton to end the month. Wellingborough are back in fine form, winning their last four games to close the gap, and will be able to return to first place if they can overcome Leicester in the first game of August.

SCOTLAND

Despite ending the month with defeat at the hands of Airdrie, Burgh of Partick still lead the Glasgow and District League by two games as they edge towards a third successive title. Tail o’ the Bank played only three games in July and lost two of them to fall back into third place, with Dundashill now leading the chase having won four out of five. They face Partick next, knowing that a win will move them to within a single game of the reigning champions. In the East of Scotland League, Dunfermline’s winning run reached a remarkable fifteen games before they fell to two identical 3-2 defeats in the same day at The Grange. They also lost their next game 5-1 against Fife rivals Kirkcaldy, but second placed Arthur’s Seat were not able to take full advantage. They lost three times in the month themselves and remain two games adrift of Dunfermline. Those teams are also due to meet to open the month of August, in a game which Arthur’s Seat must win to stay in close contention.

as5680 · 02-22-2022, 05:08 PM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: AUGUST 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

A close finish seems certain in this year’s Metropolitan League as we enter September with three teams tied at the top and a fourth just a fraction behind. The co-leaders are Angel, Peckham and champions Clapham, with Angel having the marginally better winning percentage by virtue of having played two games fewer. They won three of four in August, losing only to the Old Westminsters, while Peckham took four out of five. Clapham’s hopes of retaining the title were damaged by successive defeats against Greenwich and the Royal Artillery Barracks, but they finished the month with a big win at the Commercial Dock Workers to stay tied for first. The Old Westminsters had won their first three this month, but a 1-0 loss in ten innings at Kensington to end August made the difference between being a fraction ahead in first place and slightly behind in fourth. Putney are still just about in the race two games further back, but it is difficult to imagine them overhauling all four teams above them.

Newcomers Brentford still have a marginal lead in the Middlesex County League as postponements meant that they played only twice in August, with the second of those ending their eleven-game winning run as they fell 5-4 at Enfield. Edmonton remain just behind, having won two of three during the month. Strawberry Hill are two games off the pace after two wins from four, while Tottenham’s good season is falling apart as they lost three of four and seem to be falling out of the running. In the Kent County League, Gravesend have taken the initiative with three wins from four games to move clear at the top. Champions Rochester lost twice in August while Bexley Heath were beaten three times in four games to lose ground. Erith join those two in a tie for second, despite losing to both Rochester and Gravesend during the month.

Kingston have moved a game ahead in the Surrey County League after winning their last three games, including a 4-0 success against long-time leaders Croydon. That was part of a three-game losing run for Croydon which saw them fall behind, while champions Norwood are a game further back as their good month ended in a narrow 8-7 loss against Kingston. Just like Norwood, Wimbledon won three games out of four but crucially the one loss was at Kingston. The Essex County League is too close to call in its inaugural season, with Forest Gate still leading the way despite having their last two games postponed. They are a fraction ahead of Pig Alley, who have been the form team of late but also suffered two postponements after winning twice to start the month. West Ham lost all three games that they played in August to drop to an even record but are not yet out of the running.

NORTH-WEST

Miles Platting seem set to retain the Manchester and District League crown after they moved clear of long-time leaders Salford during August. They won four of their five games, while Salford lost their first three before ending that run with victory over Bury. It may be too late now however, as games are running out and Miles Platting are in fine form. Bury sit four games back in third place, but the best they can realistically hope for is to catch Salford for second. Liverpool St Patrick’s are on the brink of earning a fifth championship in as many years in the Liverpool and District League. Sankey Brook, who had briefly overhauled them in July, saw their challenge crumble in August as they lost all three of their games, while Liverpool were winning all four of theirs. Sankey have even fallen out of second place, as Great Float edged past them. Liverpool will be champions on the first weekend in September if they defeat Great Float and Sankey are beaten at Toxteth.

In the Lancashire County League, Blackburn lead the way by two games but the crucial factor seems set to be the rescheduled games which Over Darwen have to play. The championship is between those two teams as everybody else has a losing record, but Blackburn have only five games to play while Darwen have nine. The two shared two games on the final weekend of August, with each team’s defeat being their only one of the month, but Darwen had seen their previous two games postponed. Barring further cancellations, the two will meet in Blackburn’s final game but Darwen will still have two more to play.

YORKSHIRE

Leeds Central have a slight advantage in the Leeds and Bradford League race, having ended the month with a pair of victories over Hunslet. Their meeting with title rivals Dewsbury the previous week had been postponed, and has now been rescheduled for a Wednesday in late October, but may yet be rearranged for a Saturday to allow more people to attend. Four wins from five have moved Woodhouse Lane into third place, while Huddersfield have a winning record again after an undefeated month, but both seem to be too far behind the leading two. Champions Bradford had moved into third after a strong undefeated run, but their loss at Woodhouse to end August drops them back to an even record. Barnsley moved onto the shoulder of Sheffield and District League leaders Doncaster after defeating them 8-7 in the opening game of August, but Doncaster responded by winning three of their next four to stay just in front. Their advantage grew in the final game of the month when Barnsley crashed 6-1 at Sheffield Philadelphia. Hallamshire are out of the running having lost all four of their games in August.

In other news from Yorkshire, there may well be another league in the county next year after clubs in the cities of York and Kingston-upon-Hull sought additional members for a six-team competition across the less densely populated areas of the county, inspired by the Lancashire County League. Additionally, the Sheffield and District League has become the fourth competition to seek applications for two new teams to join next year. A vote is expected to come in the autumn.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

Despite defeat against Edgbaston at the end of the month, Dudley are closing in on the championship of the Birmingham and District League as they hold a three game lead over Birmingham Main Line. Sharing two with Main Line to begin August was good enough for Dudley, as Main Line really needed two wins, while another defeat against the lowly Old Wulfrunians further damaged Main Line’s chances. Three wins from four in August have moved Edgbaston into third place. The Bristol and District League is still tough to call in its first season, but Weston super Mare have taken over at the top having won all three of their games in August. Arno’s Castle are a fraction behind having played only two games in the month due to postponements, winning one and losing one. Avon Gorge are a further game behind in third having lost a vital game against Weston in mid-August.

Wins over both Derby and Old Basford have moved Ilkeston one game clear at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League, with champions Basford in second after a mixed month. Derby had moved well into contention by defeating Sherwood twice to open the month, but their defeat at Ilkeston left them two games behind and that is where they remain heading into September and a pivotal game at Basford. The picture is unchanged in the Leicester and Northampton League race, where Leicester South Fields and Wellingborough had identical records in August. Their scheduled meeting on the opening weekend of the month was postponed, with both clubs then losing, winning and losing again on the next three Saturdays. Leicester therefore still lead by a fraction, with Northampton in third place after they won all four games in August. They are three games behind with eight to play however, probably too far back to make it a three-horse race.

SCOTLAND

Having won three of four in August, Burgh of Partick seem sure to take the Glasgow and District League championship for the third year in succession. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank had a similarly strong month but it was not enough to make inroads into Partick’s lead and games are now rapidly running out. Dundashill had seemed the most likely challengers heading into August, but were beaten 1-0 at Partick on the first weekend of the month and went on to lose both of their remaining games as well to fall back into the middle of the pack. In the East of Scotland League, Dunfermline saw their lead cut to a single game when they fell 2-1 to Arthur’s Seat to open August and lost again the following week against Leith, but Arthur’s Seat failed to move level at the top when they fell to Haymarket in extra innings. On the final weekend in August, Arthur’s Seat went down 4-2 against Kirkcaldy, allowing Dunfermline to move two clear again by defeating The Grange, leaving the picture back as it was a month ago but with four fewer games remaining.

02-10-2022, 03:50 PM	#162
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW TEAMS: COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP As had been long speculated during last season, teams representing Staffordshire and Warwickshire will be joining the County Championship, based in Wolverhampton and Birmingham respectively. This reflects the wish of the six existing county teams no longer to have any byes through the quarter-final round, and allows for a direct knockout competition without extending the length of the championship. The practice of awarding last year’s finalists home advantage in the semi-finals has been abandoned, as they are no longer guaranteed to be at that stage, and a free draw was held to determine the pairings. A second draw was then made to determine which quarter-final winners will meet in the semi-finals. Surrey, who have taken the title for the last two years, will entertain Yorkshire in the quarter-finals, while Lancashire travel to newcomers Warwickshire. The winners of these two games will meet in the next round. Middlesex, who have played in the last seven finals, will visit Kent in their first game while the other newcomers Staffordshire host Essex. The two winners from those games will face one another in the semi-finals. For both semi-finals, a coin toss for home advantage will be held after the match-up has been determined, with the same happening in advance of the final. With both newcomers joining three of the existing teams in wearing red jerseys, the competition will follow the practice established elsewhere and introduce white change jerseys for the away team in each game. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: L-R: Staffordshire, Warwickshire Last edited by as5680; 02-10-2022 at 03:52 PM.

02-10-2022, 03:59 PM	#165
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW TOURNAMENT: SCOTTISH COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP Scotland joins England in having a representative competition based around its historic counties, with four teams taking part in a direct knockout tournament just as was seen in the early years in England. Two of the teams come from the west of Scotland, namely Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, while the others come from the east. Those will be Fife and Midlothian, although the latter will compete under the county’s alternative name of Edinburghshire. The semi-finals will be played on a regional basis with the two western teams meeting in one game and the two eastern teams in the other. Home advantage was won by Fife and Lanarkshire on the toss of a coin. The semi-finals will be played on the final Saturday in February, with the final on the first Saturday in March. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: Top Row (L-R): Edinburghshire, Fife Bottom Row (L-R): Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire Last edited by as5680; 02-10-2022 at 04:09 PM.

02-10-2022, 04:01 PM	#166
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW LEAGUE: BRISTOL AND DISTRICT LEAGUE The first league to begin play in the south-west of England, the Bristol and District League features three clubs from the city of Bristol itself and three more from nearby towns. Like other six-team leagues, it will feature a thirty-game schedule. From the city, Avon Gorge play just half a mile from the impressive suspension bridge which spans the River Avon, from which they take their name. They play in dark green jerseys featuring the club’s initials. From the north-east of Bristol come Bristol Easton, formed by workers of the Bristol Wagon and Carriage Works. Their jerseys are brown and feature a depiction of a wagon wheel in the centre of the chest. The third Bristol club are Arno’s Castle, who take their name from a local landmark built as a folly. The castle itself is depicted on their dark grey jerseys. Outside Bristol, the closest team are Bath Spa, reflecting famous Roman baths in that town. Their aquamarine jerseys feature the Roman name for the town of Bath, Aquae Sulis. Swindon Great Western are the team of the Great Western Railway’s works in Swindon, and play in dark green jerseys to match the company’s engines, with stripes in red and white. Finally, the smallest town represented in the league is the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare, whose team takes the name of the town but is frequently known as simply ‘Weston’. To reflect the sandy shore of the town and the coast alongside, their jerseys are pale yellow with blue stripes. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: Top Row (L-R): Arno's Castle, Avon Gorge, Bath Spa Bottom Row (L-R): Bristol Easton, Swindon Great Western, Weston super Mare MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS: Last edited by as5680; 02-10-2022 at 04:08 PM.

02-10-2022, 04:05 PM	#167
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW LEAGUE: ESSEX COUNTY LEAGUE Another six-team competition, the Essex County League includes five teams from areas which are fast becoming suburbs of London and another from less than ten miles further out, leaving most of the large county as yet unrepresented. Although that will surely change in the future, the competition is at present effectively another league for the London area. It too will feature thirty games for each team. The league was the initiative of the West Ham Abbey team, whose name comes from the fact that they play close to the site of the long-demolished abbey which stood in the area. Their jerseys are blue with red and yellow striped and feature the initials “WH”. Their nearest neighbours are Forest Gate, located near Stratford and named after the historic entrance to Epping Forest which is nearby. Fittingly, their jerseys are green to reflect the forest. Slightly further away from London are Barking New Town, whose name tells the story of the recent development of that area for more housing. They play in black jerseys bearing the name “New Town” in gold. A little way to the north are Three Blackbirds of Leyton, who take their name from the public house in Leyton frequented by many of the club’s founders. Their jerseys are yellow, with silhouettes of three blackbirds embroidered on the chest. Less than a mile from Leyton are the unusually named Pig Alley Walthamstow, named after the pathway that runs past their home field. They play in pink jerseys which feature a large silhouette of a pig, and which are sure to attract much comment from spectators as the season progresses. The only team from any great distance outside the London suburbs are Romford Waterloo, whose name comes from the road on which their home field lies. They play in pale blue, with stripes in dark red and beige. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: Top Row (L-R): Barking New Town, Forest Gate, Pig Alley Walthamstow Bottom Row (L-R): Romford Waterloo, Three Blackbirds of Leyton, West Ham Abbey MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS: Last edited by as5680; 02-10-2022 at 04:08 PM.

02-22-2022, 02:02 AM	#174
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: MARCH 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST Putney Tideway are living up to expectations of a good season as they lead the way in the early Metropolitan League standings having won all three of their games so far, albeit having needed extra innings to get past both Hackney and the Old Westminsters. They are not the only undefeated team, but the City of London Club and Peckham have both had one postponement and so sit fractionally behind having played a game fewer. Champions Clapham have also started well, responding to a loss at Hackney by defeating the Old Westminsters 3-2 to end the month with three wins from four. Kensington, Hackney and the Commercial Dock Workers have all lost three of four, as have The Regent’s Park who won on the opening day but have struggled since. The county leagues in Middlesex and Kent have only played one round of games, with title favourites Edmonton defeating champions Isleworth in extra innings in Middlesex. Newcomers Brentford and Strawberry Hill were heavily beaten by Enfield and Tottenham respectively, while Ealing won a marathon game against the Old Harrovians. In Kent, champions Rochester opened up by beating Dartford 5-3, while Maidstone overcame Bromley and Erith erased a ninth inning deficit to edge out Gravesend. The game between Bexley Heath and the Royal Engineers was postponed. Surrey County League champions Norwood have made a poor start to their title defence, losing to both Richmond and Reigate without scoring a run. Their neighbours Croydon, backed by many to succeed them as champions, are the only undefeated team after wins over Wimbledon and Kingston. The other four teams all have one win and one defeat. In the new Essex County League, Forest Gate have the only undefeated record after a dramatic 6-5 twelve inning win over Romford, while the Three Blackbirds of Leyton sit in last place after two narrow defeats. Just as in Surrey, everyone else has a win and a defeat from the first two rounds of games. NORTH-WEST Champions Miles Platting have started poorly in the Manchester and District League, as after an opening day postponement they have fallen to defeat against both Irwell and Salford. It is former champions Salford who look most impressive so far, with three wins from three, but Belle Vue are also undefeated after two games and surprisingly sit just behind in second place. Bolton won their first two games before losing to Moss Grove, and share third with Irwell. Three defeats from three leave Oldham in last place. Liverpool and District teams have played only once, with champions Liverpool St Patrick’s repeating their win over Linacre in last year’s tiebreaking game. Highly fancied Great Float edged out St Helens 4-3, while Toxteth and Sankey were the other winners, defeating Anfield and Wigan respectively. After three games, Blackburn lead the way in the Lancashire County League with a perfect record. Champions Accrington defeated Ribble on the opening day but have lost twice since, while Over Darwen are leading the chase as they rebounded from an opening defeat against Burnley to take their next two. YORKSHIRE Huddersfield are expected to have a good year in the Leeds and Bradford League and they have won their opening three games to sit in first place, albeit only ahead of Leeds and Bowling by virtue of the fact that those teams have both had one game postponed and have just two wins from two. Champions Bradford started well but ended March with defeat at the hands of Dewsbury, who join them in a tie for fourth. Hunslet, who came so close to the title last season, are yet to win but sit fractionally ahead of Batley and Wakefield, both of whom have lost three rather than just two. In the Sheffield and District League, favourites Barnsley have defeated both Doncaster and champions Sanderson’s Weir without allowing a run, but only share first place after two games as Hallamshire have won two tight battles to remain undefeated themselves. There is no sign as yet of the expected improvement from Holmes Tail, as they like Sheffield have lost both games so far. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST The Birmingham and District League has only had one round of games so far, with West Bromwich beginning their title defence by edging out Dudley 4-3 in eleven innings. Last year’s runners-up Small Heath also had a narrow win against Aston, while Walsall defeated the Old Wulfrunians and Birmingham Main Line overcame Edgbaston. Unfancied Avon Gorge have won both their games so far to sit at the top of the standings in the new Bristol and District League, while pre-season favourites Arno’s Castle are also undefeated but only from one game, having seen their season opener against Weston super Mare called off. Weston themselves are without a win after losing their only game so far, while Swindon are the other team yet to record a victory. Bath earned a comeback win over Bristol Easton to end the month with their first success of the season. Ilkeston are the only undefeated team in the Derby and Nottingham League after two rounds of play, having beaten both Midland and Derby Union. Last year’s runners-up Sherwood surprisingly sit last as the only team yet to record a victory, while champions Old Basford lost a marathon game 1-0 against Trent Bridge on the opening day before edging out Sherwood by the same score. The new Leicester and Northampton League is led by the small town team of Wellingborough as they defeated Leicester and Peterborough by identical 2-0 scorelines. With Peterborough having already lost to St Margaret’s Pasture, they sit in last place with all the other clubs having a win and a loss to their names. SCOTLAND After three rounds of games, champions Burgh of Partick are the only undefeated side in the Glasgow and District League but they have only played once, after two postponements. Newcomers Airdrie started well by winning their first two, but ended the month with defeat at Dundashill. Those two clubs share second with White Cart and Govan, while the other new club Tail o’ the Bank have one win to their name – a record which could have been better as both of their losses were just by a score of 1-0. Tollcross and Lanark-Renfrew are yet to win. Having twice finished as runners-up in the East of Scotland League, Arthur’s Seat have made another good start as two wins from their two games leave them as the only undefeated team in that competition. Haymarket, whose own good start was ended by Arthur’s Seat in their last game of March, sit second alongside Kirkcaldy. Champions Dunfermline lost their first two before a win over Leith, while The Grange are the only team yet to find a victory. UNIVERSITIES Six rounds of games have been played at the universities and in Oxford, Worcester and New College both recovered from losing on the opening day of the year to win their next five and share first place at the end of March. Trinity, whose first two games were both postponed, sit third with three wins out of four. Champions Brasenose started poorly and have just two wins from six, while Merton College are last after a horrendous start which has seen them lose six out of six. In Cambridge, the big news is the form of Pembroke College, who have finished last in all three seasons since they joined the championship. They have won all six of their games so far, and lead highly fancied Clare College by a single game. Trinity have had a mixed start to their title defence with three wins and three defeats, while St John’s sit in last place after losing all five that they have played. Last edited by as5680; 02-22-2022 at 02:13 AM.

02-10-2022, 03:49 PM	#161
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	1875 SEASON Ten years on from the first season of play in the Metropolitan League, the growth in British baseball shows no signs of slowing down. This year, both the Glasgow and District League and the Middlesex County League add two new members, while the County Championship also grows as Staffordshire and Warwickshire join the competition. There will be three new leagues again this year, with the Essex County League and Bristol & District League being joined by the Leicester & Northampton League, a second competition in the East Midlands. In Scotland, there will also be a county championship to match the English competition, initially beginning with just four teams taking part. No league is as yet allowing professional play, although expenses may still be paid to cover absence from work should midweek games be required to complete the league programme before November’s international series. This will however be the last season without any professional leagues, as the Manchester and District League has confirmed that it will grow to twelve teams for the 1876 campaign and permit the regular payment of players. This seems certain to lead to regular midweek play for at least the summer months. The Leeds and Bradford League also looks likely to permit payments, but as yet there is no news from any other competitions. There are no changes to any of the other established leagues, although the clubs of the Lancashire County League have voted to begin their season a week earlier than the other six-team competitions. This is due to a desire to finish the campaign earlier as the light begins to fade in the October evenings.

02-10-2022, 03:54 PM	#163
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW TEAMS: GLASGOW AND DISTRICT LEAGUE The newcomers in the Glasgow and District League this season are Airdrie Ironstone and Tail o’ the Bank. The Airdrie club, who play in light blue jerseys, take their name from the many ironstone mines in and around the town which lies to the east of Glasgow. Much further out of the city to the west, Tail o’ the Bank come from the town of Greenock and their name is derived from a deep anchorage in the River Clyde which lies just offshore. Their jerseys are sand-coloured with large collars in navy blue. The league’s schedule will remain at thirty games, with the same format being used as was seen in the Metropolitan League when that competition had eight member clubs. Teams will meet four times with the exception of a single paired rival, who they will face on two additional occasions. The pairings see reigning champions Partick matched with Govan, and Dundashill facing Lanark-Renfrew. Airdrie are paired with Tollcross, while Tail o’ the Bank’s two extra games will be against White Cart. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: L-R: Airdrie Ironstone, Tail o' the Bank MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

02-10-2022, 03:57 PM	#164
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW TEAMS: MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE The first new team to join the Middlesex County League are Brentford Grand Junction, who take their name from the canal which joins the River Thames nearby. They play in yellow jerseys with their initials in pale blue. From Twickenham come the unusually named Strawberry Hill, whose name comes from the district in which they play, which was in turn named after a large mansion in the area. Strawberry Hill’s jerseys are brown with red and yellow stripes, and have a strawberry embroidered onto the chest. For the first time in any league, the addition of two new teams in Middlesex has resulted in the schedule becoming shorter. The same format as we will see in Glasgow was proposed at a meeting of the clubs, but with five teams from the west of the county and only three from the east it was felt that the pairings would be uneven in distance and so the suggestion was not adopted. Instead, it was agreed to play just four full rounds of games for a total of twenty-eight, down from thirty last season. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: L-R: Brentford Grand Junction, Strawberry Hill MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

02-10-2022, 04:08 PM	#168
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	NEW LEAGUE: LEICESTER AND NORTHAMPTON LEAGUE The final new league to begin play this year also features six teams playing a thirty-game schedule, and perhaps significantly for the future development of the game outside large cities is perhaps the most geographically widespread competition we have seen to date. It features three teams from Leicestershire and three from Northamptonshire and may set a trend for more leagues in areas where towns and cities are more widely spaced out. Two of the Leicestershire clubs come from the city of Leicester itself, firstly Leicester South Fields. They are named after the area in which they play, while their jerseys are grey with red stripes and feature a cinquefoil taken from the city arms. Their city rivals are St Margaret’s Pasture, who take the name of their home field alongside the River Soar and play in light green jerseys featuring the initials “STM”. The third club in Leicestershire are Loughborough Falcon, the works team of a locomotive factory. They play in brown, with a falcon depicted on the chest. From Northamptonshire come Northampton by Nene, so called because they play on a field alongside the River Nene. Their jerseys are gold with claret coloured trimmings. Their closest neighbours are Wellingborough Swan’s Pool, named after a brook which runs past their home field. They play in pale blue, and have a crest featuring a swan embroidered onto their jerseys. The final team come from the far north-east of Northamptonshire, in the town of Peterborough. Peterborough Fengate’s name comes from the area in which they play on the edge of the town, and their jerseys are dark blue with a chest panel featuring two crossed keys. That symbol is taken from that of the cathedral, dedicated to St Peter. LOGOS AND UNIFORMS: Top Row (L-R): Leicester South Fields, Loughborough Falcon, Northampton by Nene Bottom Row (L-R): Peterborough Fengate, St Margaret's Pasture, Wellingborough Swan's Pool MAP OF TEAM LOCATIONS:

02-10-2022, 08:18 PM	#169
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP Pitching was largely dominant in this year’s County Championship, the first to be contested by eight teams, as several of the starters put up impressive performances throughout the competition. One such man was Croydon’s Luke Robson, chosen to start for reigning champions Surrey and on form in their quarter-final against Yorkshire. Robson allowed only four hits all afternoon, with the visitors unable to turn any of those into runs. A home run from the Commercial Dock Workers’ Joe Lane in the second inning had scored two to set Surrey on their way, and when Jim White of The Regent’s Park drove in another before scoring himself in the third, the game was effectively over. Poor fielding from Yorkshire allowed Kingston’s William Lewis to come home in the eighth to extend the gap to 5-0, which proved to be the final scoreline. Surrey advanced to meet the winner of the game between Lancashire and newcomers Warwickshire in the semi-final, and for six innings that game was fiercely contested with two more fine pitching performances. Benjamin Stuckey of Over Darwen did battle with Birmingham’s Arthur Jukes, with only one hit between the two teams in the first three innings. In the fourth, a three-base hit from Miles Platting’s William Elmar set up Reginald Martindale of Chorley to put Lancashire ahead, but that was all they could get until the seventh inning. With two runners on and two men out, Liverpool’s James Chute found the hit to score both and put Lancashire 3-0 ahead, then came home himself on a hit from Eli Taylor of Great Float. There was no way back for Warwickshire, who could find no form against Stuckey’s pitching. They gave up two more runs in the ninth, scoring on two-base hits from Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting and another from Taylor. The final scoreline read 6-0, taking Lancashire through to the semi-final for a second successive year. Middlesex had reached seven successive finals, missing out only in the inaugural year of 1867, and their quest for an eighth appearance in the big game began with a quarter-final in Kent. Their pitcher was to be Sidney Fisher, a new man at Tottenham, and he started superbly but suffered a knee injury when running the bases and had to leave the game when running the bases in the fifth inning of a scoreless game. His replacements performed admirably though, and Middlesex eventually wore down Maidstone’s Isaac Huntley, pitching for Kent. A hit from John Pinhay of the Royal Artillery Barracks with two out in the seventh brought home Kensington’s John Goodwin to give Middlesex the lead, before a barrage of hits in the eighth added a second run and gave Middlesex runners at second and third with two out. Peckham’s Benjamin Porter drove both home to make the score 4-0 and Kent had no reply. The City of London Club’s Simeon Farrell drove home Pinhay in the ninth to extend the gap to 5-0 and that was the score with which Middlesex advanced to the semi-final. Their opponents would be either Essex or the other newcomers, Staffordshire, whose game was also a close battle of strong pitching and entered the seventh inning with no score on the board. Edgbaston newcomer Frank Miggs, pitching for Staffordshire, was the first to falter as he allowed a home run from Kensington’s Patrick Abbott in the seventh, giving Essex a 1-0 lead. Stephen Young of The Regent’s Park was the pitcher for Essex and he held that advantage into the eighth, but a hit from Aston’s Albert Jackson to start the inning caused him problems. Staffordshire edged the runner round to third with two out, where Edwin Hick of the Old Wulfrunians found the hit which tied the game at 1-1. The battle eventually reached an extra tenth inning, where a two-base hit from Small Heath’s Henry Judson gave Staffordshire a chance to mark their debut with a victory. With two out, Judson’s club teammate Walter Sheen drove him home to take Staffordshire through to the final four. Ahead of the semi-finals, Surrey and Middlesex were given the right to call the coin tosses for home advantage, as both had reached the final last year. However, both called incorrectly meaning that the games would be hosted by Lancashire and Staffordshire. In Lancashire, it was champions Surrey who struck first in their game as the Regents’ Jim White found a two-base hit with two out in the fourth to bring home John Tucker of Reigate. In the fourth inning however, the champions made a crucial error to allow Chorley’s Reginald Martindale to reach base. He reached third with just one out and then scored on a deep ball hit by Andrew Clarke of Stockport to bring Lancashire level. In the very next inning, the home team took the lead as Eli Taylor of Great Float got on base with one out and then having advanced to second, scored on a hit from Miles Platting man William Elmar. Surrey’s two-year hold on the title was now in danger, but they could do little against pitcher Stuckey. By the eighth inning they had produced no more hits, and when Stockport’s Albert Barnes drove in Elmar to add another run, their reign was coming to an end. One hit in the ninth came to nothing, and Lancashire moved through to their very first final with a 3-1 victory. Recovered from his injury, pitcher Sidney Fisher was back to try to lead Middlesex through to an eighth successive final in their game at Staffordshire and the Tottenham man was in fine form again, but so was Edgbaston’s Frank Miggs for the home team and there was no scoring from either team until the fifth inning. There, Edward Grant of the City of London Club began the inning with a hit and with one out, Edmonton’s Frank Page found a three-base hit to bring Grant home. On the very next pitch, Fisher himself added another hit to bring Page home and Middlesex led 2-0. They seemed to be on their way to another final, as Fisher got through the next four innings without allowing Staffordshire a hit, but the tournament newcomers gave themselves hope when Edgbaston’s Fred Lewington began the ninth with a hit. Fisher got the next man out but then Walsall’s Lionel Lynch, picked to play for England last year, produced a dramatic home run to score two and tie the game. The score remained 2-2 until the twelfth, when Birmingham’s Arthur Allen found a two-out two-base hit to give Staffordshire a chance of a famous victory. Walter Sheen of Small Heath duly produced the winning hit, earning a 3-2 victory and a place in the final at the first attempt, while eliminating Middlesex at the semi-final stage for the first time in eight years. With Lancashire and Staffordshire reaching the final, there was sure to be a new name on the trophy and the crown was destined to go outside of the south-east of England for the first time. With Lancashire winning the coin toss, the game would be played in Manchester and it proved to be yet another battle of superb pitching. Benjamin Stuckey had allowed just one run in two games for Lancashire and Frank Miggs only three for Staffordshire, and in the final both were in magnificent form. In the regulation nine innings, only six hits were recorded. The better scoring chances came to Lancashire, who had two hits in the third inning but could not take advantage and left a runner at third base in the seventh. In extra innings – remarkably for the third time in three games for Staffordshire – Stuckey and Miggs battled on through six more scoreless innings with both allowing just two more hits, before the game took a dramatic turn in the sixteenth as they began to tire. Walsall’s Lionel Lynch opened up with a hit for Staffordshire, then with one out Roland Eccles of the Old Wulfrunians added a two-base hit. The visitors had runners at second and third for catcher Daniel Daly of Small Heath, and he was the man who finally produced a run when his hit brought home Lynch. Bolton’s Cecil Maddaford came on to replace the exhausted Stuckey, but the damage had already been done. Learning from those events, Staffordshire brought in Miggs’ Edgbaston teammate Joseph Stevens to try to complete the victory, rather than relying on their tiring starter. He made a bad start when Irwell’s Aaron Evans began the inning with a hit, but Stevens settled and retired the next three hitters to complete a remarkable 1-0 victory for Staffordshire. In their first season in the championship, they had played three extra-inning games and won them all to take the title. Lancashire took both of the tournament awards with Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting winning best player, and Stuckey winning Best Pitcher, but it was little consolation as their first final appearance ended in defeat.

02-11-2022, 09:35 AM	#170
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 SCOTTISH COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP The first edition of the Scottish Counties Championship saw Edinburghshire travel to Fife and Lanarkshire host Renfrewshire in the semi-finals, ensuring an east versus west matchup in the final. In the eastern game, Eric Speechley of The Grange gave Edinburghshire the perfect start with a two-base hit to lead off the first inning, and two batters later Leith’s David McGachan brought him home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. After Edinburghshire missed a wonderful chance to extend that advantage in the third, Fife hit back. An error from catcher Kenneth Whatman allowed Fife pitcher Francis Kemp to reach base, before his Dunfermline teammate Hugh Riley found a two-base hit to tie the score at 1-1. There was no more scoring until the seventh, when Kirkcaldy’s Archibald Diment led off with a hit for Edinburghshire, before Dunfermline man Matthew Hill brought him in to restore the visitors’ lead. In the ninth, Fife found two hits but were unable to take advantage and Edinburghshire held on to record a 2-1 victory and advance to the final. In the other semi-final game, the pitchers were dominant early on as in the first three innings, Bruce Fraser of Glasgow and District League newcomers Airdrie allowed Renfrewshire only one hit. His Lanarkshire teammates fared even worse against White Cart’s John Byrne, who allowed none at all, but in the fourth it was Byrne who faltered first. Roderick Dalziel of Govan found a home run with one out in that inning to give Lanarkshire the lead. Fraser survived a scare in the fifth when Renfrewshire had two runners on with two out, but from there he turned in a magnificent performance, allowing only one more baserunner and no more hits by the time the game reached the eighth inning. In the eighth, Lanarkshire put three men on base with only one out to increase the pressure on Renfrewshire pitcher Byrne, and although he got the second out with no damage he could not complete the inning unscathed. Partick’s Harry Craig found a hit which brought in two runs to increase the lead to 3-0, and with Fraser in such form there was no way back for Renfrewshire. A routine ninth inning gave Lanarkshire the win and a place in the final, which they were to host after winning the coin toss for home advantage. Lanarkshire made a wonderful start in the final, as Partick’s Louis Dickinson and Govan man Roderick Dalziel both recorded hits to start the first inning, and both came around to score and earn a 2-0 lead. With the form shown by Airdrie pitcher Bruce Fraser for Lanarkshire in their semi-final, Edinburghshire may have feared having no opportunity to get back into the game but the chance came in the third, when they had two runners on with two out, but they could not take advantage. In the fourth, the visitors found themselves in exactly the same position again, but once more could not find the vital hit with two out to get back into the running. The chances continued to come, as Edinburghshire left a runner at third in the fifth inning, and failed to bring a run home in the seventh having had two on with only one out. They paid for their missed chances in the seventh, when Partick’s Harry Craig led off with a hit, followed by a base on balls issued to David Boyd of Lanark-Renfrew. A throwing error from Haymarket catcher Kenneth Whatman brough Craig in to score before another hit from Dickinson drove in Boyd. Lanarkshire now led 4-0, and any faint hopes that Edinburghshire had of catching up vanished in the eighth. John Cunningham of Tollcross led off with a two-base hit and scored on an error from Grange infielder Eric Speechley, With a 5-0 lead, pitcher Fraser eased through the ninth to record his second successive shutout and earn Lanarkshire the inaugural title despite being out-hit eight to seven. Unsurprisingly named as Best Pitcher in the competition, Fraser may give newcomers Airdrie a chance of challenging for the Glasgow and District title in their first season. Govan’s Roderick Dalziel, who had important hits in both semi-final and final, was named Best Player.

02-11-2022, 05:36 PM	#171
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	1875 SEASON PREVIEW Most observers do not expect Clapham to hold on to their Metropolitan League championship this year, but few would entirely rule them out of what seems sure to be a close race. Having struggled for pitching last year, Kensington are well backed to be much improved this time while Putney, who impressed last year in their first season are also well expected to go close. Last year’s joint runners-up Angel and the Old Westminsters also look sure to be in contention. Other names in the mix are the City of London Club, Greenwich, Hackney and The Regent’s Park. Peckham won’t be far off either, meaning that the Royal Artillery Barracks and the Commercial Dock Workers are the only clubs who do not look to be competitive this time around. Having won the inaugural Middlesex County League title three years ago, Edmonton are almost universally expected to take another crown this year, with nobody else looking like they will get close. Two-time reigning champions Isleworth may fall back into the pack, and it could be Tottenham who are the closest challengers. The Old Harrovians seem set for another year of struggle, while newcomers Brentford and Strawberry Hill should at the very least be competitive. The Kent County League looks difficult to call this time, with Bexley Heath and Erith the most common picks as potential winners. Champions Rochester may be a little off the pace, but last season’s runners-up Bromley could be strong contenders. Last year Norwood edged out Croydon to become the first champions of the Surrey County League and the battle may well be between those two again. However, Croydon are the most common tip to come out on top this time. Reigate and Richmond should also be competitive, with Kingston and Wimbledon trailing some distance behind. Forest Gate are the most popular choice to be the first champions of the new Essex County League, with West Ham and Romford their most likely challengers. Barking look most likely to be the weakest team this year. Manchester and District League champions Miles Platting have an excellent chance of retaining their championship according to most experts, but will face strong challenges from Irwell, Bury and Rochdale. Three-time winners Salford won’t be too far away either, as a closer race than last year seems inevitable. Moss Grove, who finished tied for last two years ago and in last place on their own last season, seem certain to be at the foot of the standings once again as they will struggle for both hitting and pitching. Only Liverpool St Patrick’s have ever won the Liverpool and District League but many feel that run will end this year, with Great Float widely backed to end up on top. St Patrick’s won’t be far away though, and neither will Linacre who took them to a tiebreaker last year. Anfield look the most improved team, while St Helens seem sure to finish last. In the Lancashire County League, the favourites are Ribble who made a wonderful start last season and then fell away badly as the campaign progressed. Their closest rivals seem sure to be Blackburn, as the small town teams of Chorley, Over Darwen and champions Accrington look set to be worse for pitching this time. The Leeds and Bradford League looks too close to call as Halifax are expected to finish last, but the other nine teams look sure to be very tightly bunched. Champions Bradford will be strong again, as will Leeds, with Dewsbury, Wakefield and Huddersfield the other names mentioned most frequently as potential winners. Hunslet, who arguably should have claimed the crown last year, may have missed their best chance but shouldn’t be too far away this time. Sheffield and District League champions Sanderson’s Weir are not being widely backed to defend their title this year, with many feeling that they will be in the middle of the pack. Strong pitching is making Barnsley favourites in the eyes of many, with previous strugglers Holmes Tail also backed to be much improved. Doncaster, champions two years ago, are widely expected to finish last. The first season of the Bristol and District League may well see a battle between Bristol side Arno’s Castle and the small town club of Weston super Mare. The former look to have the best hitting line-up and the latter strong pitching, making for a fascinating race. Avon Gorge are the most popular choice to finish last. The Birmingham and District League has been closely fought in both of its previous season and this year will be no different, with champions West Bromwich expected to be well in the race again along with Birmingham Main Line, who faded last time after looking like potential winners for so long. Small Heath lost the title in a tiebreaker last year and will be close again, with Dudley, Edgbaston and Walsall also considered contenders. In the East Midlands, Sherwood and champions Old Basford, who needed a tiebreaker to separate them last season, are both expected to be strong again but it is Midland Loco who are many people’s favourites. They started well but faded badly in last year’s inaugural campaign but seem to be strong in both pitching and hitting this time. Their neighbours Derby Union may well struggle to avoid last place. Leicester South Fields are widely expected to win the inaugural Leicester and Northampton League title, with their city rivals St Margaret’s Pasture tipped to battle with Wellingborough for second place. In Scotland, Glasgow and District League champions Burgh of Partick are not well fancied to claim a third successive crown, with Tollcross being most people’s pick this year. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank are tipped to have a good season, while the other new team Airdrie are not so well fancied but the performance of their pitcher Bruce Fraser in the Scottish Counties Championship may indicate otherwise. In the East of Scotland League, champions Dunfermline are widely tipped to battle with Fife rivals Kirkcaldy for the championship, with the Edinburgh clubs trailing behind. Arthur’s Seat, who should have won both previous championships but have taken neither after late collapses, may still be the best of the clubs from the capital city. At the universities, Oxford champions Brasenose are expected to struggle with New College, Christ Church and Wadham backed to battle for the crown. Magdalen shouldn’t be too far back either, while Balliol and St Edmund Hall look to be the weakest teams. In Cambridge, the champions are also not well backed as Trinity look weaker this year, but Clare College may go close to repeating their success of two years ago. Most people’s favourites though are Gonville and Caius, who finished second last year and may well go one better this time around.

02-22-2022, 01:52 AM	#172
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP Pitching was largely dominant in this year’s County Championship, the first to be contested by eight teams, as several of the starters put up impressive performances throughout the competition. One such man was Croydon’s Luke Robson, chosen to start for reigning champions Surrey and on form in their quarter-final against Yorkshire. Robson allowed only four hits all afternoon, with the visitors unable to turn any of those into runs. A home run from the Commercial Dock Workers’ Joe Lane in the second inning had scored two to set Surrey on their way, and when Jim White of The Regent’s Park drove in another before scoring himself in the third, the game was effectively over. Poor fielding from Yorkshire allowed Kingston’s William Lewis to come home in the eighth to extend the gap to 5-0, which proved to be the final scoreline. Surrey advanced to meet the winner of the game between Lancashire and newcomers Warwickshire in the semi-final, and for six innings that game was fiercely contested with two more fine pitching performances. Benjamin Stuckey of Over Darwen did battle with Birmingham’s Arthur Jukes, with only one hit between the two teams in the first three innings. In the fourth, a three-base hit from Miles Platting’s William Elmar set up Reginald Martindale of Chorley to put Lancashire ahead, but that was all they could get until the seventh inning. With two runners on and two men out, Liverpool’s James Chute found the hit to score both and put Lancashire 3-0 ahead, then came home himself on a hit from Eli Taylor of Great Float. There was no way back for Warwickshire, who could find no form against Stuckey’s pitching. They gave up two more runs in the ninth, scoring on two-base hits from Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting and another from Taylor. The final scoreline read 6-0, taking Lancashire through to the semi-final for a second successive year. Middlesex had reached seven successive finals, missing out only in the inaugural year of 1867, and their quest for an eighth appearance in the big game began with a quarter-final in Kent. Their pitcher was to be Sidney Fisher, a new man at Tottenham, and he started superbly but suffered a knee injury when running the bases and had to leave the game when running the bases in the fifth inning of a scoreless game. His replacements performed admirably though, and Middlesex eventually wore down Maidstone’s Isaac Huntley, pitching for Kent. A hit from John Pinhay of the Royal Artillery Barracks with two out in the seventh brought home Kensington’s John Goodwin to give Middlesex the lead, before a barrage of hits in the eighth added a second run and gave Middlesex runners at second and third with two out. Peckham’s Benjamin Porter drove both home to make the score 4-0 and Kent had no reply. The City of London Club’s Simeon Farrell drove home Pinhay in the ninth to extend the gap to 5-0 and that was the score with which Middlesex advanced to the semi-final. Their opponents would be either Essex or the other newcomers, Staffordshire, whose game was also a close battle of strong pitching and entered the seventh inning with no score on the board. Edgbaston newcomer Frank Miggs, pitching for Staffordshire, was the first to falter as he allowed a home run from Kensington’s Patrick Abbott in the seventh, giving Essex a 1-0 lead. Stephen Young of The Regent’s Park was the pitcher for Essex and he held that advantage into the eighth, but a hit from Aston’s Albert Jackson to start the inning caused him problems. Staffordshire edged the runner round to third with two out, where Edwin Hick of the Old Wulfrunians found the hit which tied the game at 1-1. The battle eventually reached an extra tenth inning, where a two-base hit from Small Heath’s Henry Judson gave Staffordshire a chance to mark their debut with a victory. With two out, Judson’s club teammate Walter Sheen drove him home to take Staffordshire through to the final four. Ahead of the semi-finals, Surrey and Middlesex were given the right to call the coin tosses for home advantage, as both had reached the final last year. However, both called incorrectly meaning that the games would be hosted by Lancashire and Staffordshire. In Lancashire, it was champions Surrey who struck first in their game as the Regents’ Jim White found a two-base hit with two out in the fourth to bring home John Tucker of Reigate. In the fourth inning however, the champions made a crucial error to allow Chorley’s Reginald Martindale to reach base. He reached third with just one out and then scored on a deep ball hit by Andrew Clarke of Stockport to bring Lancashire level. In the very next inning, the home team took the lead as Eli Taylor of Great Float got on base with one out and then having advanced to second, scored on a hit from Miles Platting man William Elmar. Surrey’s two-year hold on the title was now in danger, but they could do little against pitcher Stuckey. By the eighth inning they had produced no more hits, and when Stockport’s Albert Barnes drove in Elmar to add another run, their reign was coming to an end. One hit in the ninth came to nothing, and Lancashire moved through to their very first final with a 3-1 victory. Recovered from his injury, pitcher Sidney Fisher was back to try to lead Middlesex through to an eighth successive final in their game at Staffordshire and the Tottenham man was in fine form again, but so was Edgbaston’s Frank Miggs for the home team and there was no scoring from either team until the fifth inning. There, Edward Grant of the City of London Club began the inning with a hit and with one out, Edmonton’s Frank Page found a three-base hit to bring Grant home. On the very next pitch, Fisher himself added another hit to bring Page home and Middlesex led 2-0. They seemed to be on their way to another final, as Fisher got through the next four innings without allowing Staffordshire a hit, but the tournament newcomers gave themselves hope when Edgbaston’s Fred Lewington began the ninth with a hit. Fisher got the next man out but then Walsall’s Lionel Lynch, picked to play for England last year, produced a dramatic home run to score two and tie the game. The score remained 2-2 until the twelfth, when Birmingham’s Arthur Allen found a two-out two-base hit to give Staffordshire a chance of a famous victory. Walter Sheen of Small Heath duly produced the winning hit, earning a 3-2 victory and a place in the final at the first attempt, while eliminating Middlesex at the semi-final stage for the first time in eight years. With Lancashire and Staffordshire reaching the final, there was sure to be a new name on the trophy and the crown was destined to go outside of the south-east of England for the first time. With Lancashire winning the coin toss, the game would be played in Manchester and it proved to be yet another battle of superb pitching. Benjamin Stuckey had allowed just one run in two games for Lancashire and Frank Miggs only three for Staffordshire, and in the final both were in magnificent form. In the regulation nine innings, only six hits were recorded. The better scoring chances came to Lancashire, who had two hits in the third inning but could not take advantage and left a runner at third base in the seventh. In extra innings – remarkably for the third time in three games for Staffordshire – Stuckey and Miggs battled on through six more scoreless innings with both allowing just two more hits, before the game took a dramatic turn in the sixteenth as they began to tire. Walsall’s Lionel Lynch opened up with a hit for Staffordshire, then with one out Roland Eccles of the Old Wulfrunians added a two-base hit. The visitors had runners at second and third for catcher Daniel Daly of Small Heath, and he was the man who finally produced a run when his hit brought home Lynch. Bolton’s Cecil Maddaford came on to replace the exhausted Stuckey, but the damage had already been done. Learning from those events, Staffordshire brought in Miggs’ Edgbaston teammate Joseph Stevens to try to complete the victory, rather than relying on their tiring starter. He made a bad start when Irwell’s Aaron Evans began the inning with a hit, but Stevens settled and retired the next three hitters to complete a remarkable 1-0 victory for Staffordshire. In their first season in the championship, they had played three extra-inning games and won them all to take the title. Lancashire took both of the tournament awards with Joseph Stanbridge of Miles Platting winning best player, and Stuckey winning Best Pitcher, but it was little consolation as their first final appearance ended in defeat.

02-22-2022, 01:54 AM	#173
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 SCOTTISH COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP The first edition of the Scottish Counties Championship saw Edinburghshire travel to Fife and Lanarkshire host Renfrewshire in the semi-finals, ensuring an east versus west matchup in the final. In the eastern game, Eric Speechley of The Grange gave Edinburghshire the perfect start with a two-base hit to lead off the first inning, and two batters later Leith’s David McGachan brought him home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. After Edinburghshire missed a wonderful chance to extend that advantage in the third, Fife hit back. An error from catcher Kenneth Whatman allowed Fife pitcher Francis Kemp to reach base, before his Dunfermline teammate Hugh Riley found a two-base hit to tie the score at 1-1. There was no more scoring until the seventh, when Kirkcaldy’s Archibald Diment led off with a hit for Edinburghshire, before Dunfermline man Matthew Hill brought him in to restore the visitors’ lead. In the ninth, Fife found two hits but were unable to take advantage and Edinburghshire held on to record a 2-1 victory and advance to the final. In the other semi-final game, the pitchers were dominant early on as in the first three innings, Bruce Fraser of Glasgow and District League newcomers Airdrie allowed Renfrewshire only one hit. His Lanarkshire teammates fared even worse against White Cart’s John Byrne, who allowed none at all, but in the fourth it was Byrne who faltered first. Roderick Dalziel of Govan found a home run with one out in that inning to give Lanarkshire the lead. Fraser survived a scare in the fifth when Renfrewshire had two runners on with two out, but from there he turned in a magnificent performance, allowing only one more baserunner and no more hits by the time the game reached the eighth inning. In the eighth, Lanarkshire put three men on base with only one out to increase the pressure on Renfrewshire pitcher Byrne, and although he got the second out with no damage he could not complete the inning unscathed. Partick’s Harry Craig found a hit which brought in two runs to increase the lead to 3-0, and with Fraser in such form there was no way back for Renfrewshire. A routine ninth inning gave Lanarkshire the win and a place in the final, which they were to host after winning the coin toss for home advantage. Lanarkshire made a wonderful start in the final, as Partick’s Louis Dickinson and Govan man Roderick Dalziel both recorded hits to start the first inning, and both came around to score and earn a 2-0 lead. With the form shown by Airdrie pitcher Bruce Fraser for Lanarkshire in their semi-final, Edinburghshire may have feared having no opportunity to get back into the game but the chance came in the third, when they had two runners on with two out, but they could not take advantage. In the fourth, the visitors found themselves in exactly the same position again, but once more could not find the vital hit with two out to get back into the running. The chances continued to come, as Edinburghshire left a runner at third in the fifth inning, and failed to bring a run home in the seventh having had two on with only one out. They paid for their missed chances in the seventh, when Partick’s Harry Craig led off with a hit, followed by a base on balls issued to David Boyd of Lanark-Renfrew. A throwing error from Haymarket catcher Kenneth Whatman brough Craig in to score before another hit from Dickinson drove in Boyd. Lanarkshire now led 4-0, and any faint hopes that Edinburghshire had of catching up vanished in the eighth. John Cunningham of Tollcross led off with a two-base hit and scored on an error from Grange infielder Eric Speechley, With a 5-0 lead, pitcher Fraser eased through the ninth to record his second successive shutout and earn Lanarkshire the inaugural title. Unsurprisingly named as Best Pitcher in the competition, Fraser may give newcomers Airdrie a chance of challenging for the Glasgow and District title in their first season. Govan’s Roderick Dalziel, who had important hits in both semi-final and final, was named Best Player.

02-22-2022, 04:42 PM	#175
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: APRIL 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST Peckham Rye are the surprise leaders of the Metropolitan League at the end of April after winning two of their three games. They lead the way by a fraction as a result of the City of London Club, the Old Westminsters and champions Clapham all falling to defeat on the final Saturday of the month. Putney’s good start has faltered after three successive postponements followed by defeats against Clapham and Peckham without scoring a run, leaving them one game behind alongside Angel. Kensington’s hopes of a better season already seem to lie in ruins as they sit last having lost six of their eight games. Middlesex County League champions Isleworth made a disastrous start to their campaign, losing their first four games, but they ended April with a 2-1 win over Enfield to get on the board at last. They sit last, three games behind the team they beat in a tiebreaker to claim the crown last year, Tottenham, who have four wins from five. Pre-season favourites Edmonton are fractionally behind Tottenham in second, while newcomers Strawberry Hill are going well with a winning record so far to share third with the Old Harrovians. In Kent, Erith are one of only two teams in the country still to taste defeat as they edged out winless Bromley in their final game of April to move to five wins from five. Gravesend also won four of four in April to sit one game behind, while Bexley Heath have also only lost once but two postponements leave them with catching up to do. A 4-3 loss at Wimbledon to end the month cost Croydon the outright leadership of the Surrey County League, as Kingston edged out Reigate to move level. Reigate sit a game behind alongside champions Norwood, who lost three of their first four games but have now won two in succession to move up to an even record for the year. In the Essex County League, Forest Gate end April fractionally ahead despite the postponement of their final game of the month, as West Ham’s narrow victory over Romford prevented their opponents from moving into first place. Struggling Three Blackbirds lost their first four games but ended that run by defeating Pig Alley. NORTH-WEST In the Manchester and District League, Salford lead the way having won their last three but surprise chasers Stockport are in even better form. They won all four in April, including a 4-3 win over Salford, and sit right behind in second place. Another team with a perfect month were champions Miles Platting, who recovered from their two defeats in March to win four of four and move up to third place. Nobody else has a winning record. Chasing a fifth successive championship, Liverpool St Patrick’s lead the way in the Liverpool and District League with four wins from their five games. The highlight of their month was a 5-0 victory over Sankey Brook, all the more impressive because nobody else has yet been able to defeat second placed Sankey. Anfield, who inflicted Liverpool only defeat so far in mid-April, are just a fraction behind having recovered from an opening defeat to win three in succession. It is shaping up to be a good season for Blackburn in the Lancashire County League, as they have now won six games out of seven to open up a lead. Their only loss this month was a narrow dame against Over Darwen, who look in ominously good form at present and now sit second. Accrington’s title defence looks to be over already, after they lost every game in April and have now dropped six in succession after winning their opener. YORKSHIRE Leeds Central lead the Leeds and Bradford League by the smallest possible margin despite ending April with their first defeat of the season, going down to a Bowling team who are now in second place. Huddersfield had won their first five games but faltered with defeat to Leeds and then another loss at the hands of Hunslet. Champions Bradford lost all three of their games this month and face a real struggle to retain their title. It was a perfect month for Doncaster in the Sheffield and District League, winning four games out of four to extend their winning run to five overall and move clear at the top of the standings. Their final game of the month was a 1-0 win over former leaders Barnsley, who had been tied at the top and now fall one game behind. The champions are struggling in this league as well, with Sanderson’s Weir suffering three defeats from four this month and falling three games off the pace already. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST In the Birmingham and District League, the postponement of the game between Walsall and Birmingham Main Lane on the last weekend of April allowed Small Heath to move fractionally ahead at the top, as they won three games out of four this month. Walsall and Main Line share second place, with champions West Bromwich also holding a winning record despite a mixed month in which they were beaten 1-0 by Small Heath in a rematch of last year’s championship tiebreaker. The inaugural season of the Bristol and District League sees Avon Gorge as the surprise early leaders, even though they played just twice in April and suffered two postponements. A 5-1 win over Arno’s Castle to begin the month was followed by another victory over Swindon and after four games they join Kent club Erith as the only undefeated teams in England. Arno’s Castle responded to that loss with two successive victories and they sit one game back in second place, just ahead of Bath having won their meeting 5-2. Old Basford and Ilkeston are matching one another at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League, as Ilkeston had a mixed month of two wins and two losses, including one against Basford. Trent Bridge are one game back after ending April with defeat against Old Basford, while Sherwood and Midland Loco are underachieving at the foot of the standings. The newly formed Leicester and Northampton League still sees Wellingborough leading the way, as they recovered from their first loss of the year against Northampton to win their next two. The 1-0 win over Leicester in the final game of April moved them one game clear of Leicester at the top, while St Margaret’s are third despite losing to both of the teams above them this month. SCOTLAND Newcomers Airdrie continue their fine start in the Glasgow and District League as they won three out of their four games in April, losing only to White Cart who are also enjoying an excellent opening to the campaign. Those two teams share first place, a fame ahead of champions Partick who are still playing catch-up after having two games postponed in March. They won two and lost two in April, leaving them tied for third with Govan who did likewise. In the East of Scotland League, the two Fife clubs lead the way with Kirkcaldy out in front by a fraction. Champions Dunfermline won their meeting this month in extra innings however, and won all three of their games in April as they recover from a slow start. Arthur’s Seat and Haymarket are the best of the Edinburgh clubs currently, sitting one game off the pace as both were defeated by Kirkcaldy during April. UNIVERSITIES The university season is almost at the half-way mark, with New College seeming to be champions in waiting in Oxford. They played ten games in April and won nine of them, while Worcester took just five of eight and are now four games behind. They have lost second place to Magdalen, whose excellent record of eight wins and two losses in the month was still not enough to gain ground on New College after a dramatic 7-6 loss when those two teams met. At Cambridge, the race is much closer but Pembroke lead by a single game after ending April with a 5-3 victory over a Gonville & Caius team with whom they had previously been tied. Clare are fractionally further back in third, having wasted an extra-innings win over Pembroke by losing both of their next two games. In other news, the Oxford University Championship has announced that it hopes to add two more teams next year, with applications from University College and Exeter College having been provisionally approved. The two university leagues previously grew from eight clubs to ten at the same time, in order to maintain the same format and make the scheduling of the Varsity Series simpler. The question is therefore raised as to whether the Cambridge championship will also expand to twelve clubs for 1876, with Oxford believed to be hoping that it will.

02-22-2022, 04:50 PM	#176
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: MAY 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST Champions Clapham returned to the top of the Metropolitan League standings at the end of May after Putney lost a tight game 4-3 in extra innings against the Old Westminsters. Clapham had dropped back two weeks earlier after losing to Peckham, but move up now with the aid of both Putney’s defeat and three losses in five games for Peckham during the month. The Old Westminsters, who lost their first two in May before winning the next three, share second place with Putney, while Peckham sit one game off the pace in a tight field. In the Middlesex County League, Tottenham continue to lead after taking four wins from five games this month, but newcomers Strawberry Hill are chasing them hard as they did exactly the same, losing only to Tottenham by a narrow 2-0 scoreline. Pre-season favourites Edmonton have dropped back to a losing record after losing four of their five games in May, while the other newcomers Brentford are finding life tougher and sit in last place. It was a mixed month for previously undefeated leaders Erith in the Kent County League, winning two and losing two, but they remain a game ahead of Gravesend who also had two wins and two defeats. Champions Rochester began May by losing at Erith but won three of their next four to remain in contention. In Surrey, Croydon look like the class of the field this year as things stand. Four wins from five games, coupled with three successive defeats for Reigate, leave them as the only team with a winning record and well clear of the chasing pack. Despite losing three of their four games in May, Kingston sit second on an even five wins and five losses. The Essex County League is led by Forest Gate, whose last two games have both been postponed. That included a potentially important meeting with second-placed West Ham, who ended the month by losing to Romford to slip a full game behind the leaders. After two defeats to begin the month, Romford’s two wins to close it leave them fractionally further back in third place. NORTH-WEST Salford still lead by a fraction in the Manchester and District League after they and Stockport both recorded three wins and two defeats this month. Stockport kept themselves close by defeating Salford 2-0 when the two clubs met one another. Bury are one game back in third, having won all four of their games including one against Stockport. Champions Miles Platting had been moving into contention after extending their winning run to six, but an extra-innings loss at Salford began a three game losing run which drops them back into the middle of the pack. At present there seems to be little to stop Liverpool St Patrick’s winning a fifth successive title in the Liverpool and District League, as they won five games out of five during May. That gives them a seven-game winning run overall, nine victories from ten games this year and a two-game lead in the standings. Wigan, whose only loss in May was against Liverpool, now share second with Sankey who lost heavily when they faced the champions. Blackburn still have a share of first place in the Lancashire County League despite beginning the month with three successive defeats, as they recovered to win their last two. They share top spot with Ribble, who won four games out of five despite scoring just five runs all month, as their pitcher Claude Butler recorded four complete game shutout victories. Over Darwen are a fraction behind the leading two after a mixed month, while champions Accrington are adrift in last place having now lost ten of their twelve games this year. YORKSHIRE Despite winning only three and losing two of their games in May, Leeds still have a share of first place in the Leeds and Bradford League, with Dewsbury the surprise co-leaders after they won four out of five. That included a crucial win over Bowling, who sit just behind the leading two in third place. Wakefield are the only other team with a winning record after they won four out of five. Huddersfield, who won their first five this year, have now lost their last seven and tumbled down the standings. Champions Bradford still sit last after another poor month and look to be out of the running already. In the Sheffield and District League, Doncaster’s seven game winning run ended in defeat at Hallamshire and when they fell at Barnsley in their next game, Hallamshire moved within a fraction of them at the top of the standings by defeating Sheffield. Barnsley sit third, a game further back, but reigning champions Sanderson’s Weir have also found form. They have won their last three and should not yet be ruled out of this year’s race. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST Small Heath lead the way in the Birmingham and District League after winning their first three games in May, but defeat to Walsall in their final game of the month gave hope to the chasers. Champions West Bromwich sit second but failed to take advantage of Small Heath’s defeat, also ending May with a loss at Edgbaston. Walsall are the only other team with a winning record despite losing their first three in May, while Birmingham Main Line have now lost their last five after a winless month dropped them well down the standings. In Bristol, Arno’s Castle lead the way in the inaugural season after sharing two games in a day against Weston super Mare to end the month. Weston sit a game back in second as they exceed expectations, while Avon Gorge’s four game winning run to begin the year is a distant memory. They have now lost four in succession to drop back to an even record, alongside Bath. Derby and Nottingham League champions Old Basford began May with defeat against Sherwood but have since won four in succession and lead the way a game from Ilkeston, whose month was interrupted by two postponements. Everyone else has a losing record, as the bigger city clubs struggle to put together any consistent form. Two successive defeats have cost Wellingborough sole possession of first place in the new Leicester and Northampton League, as Leicester South Fields defeated them in the final game of the month to move into a share of the lead. The other Leicester club, St Margaret’s Pasture, are third despite their own victory over Wellingborough while Peterborough move up to an even record after winning their last four. SCOTLAND Burgh of Partick are looking for a third successive championship in the Glasgow and District League and sit one game ahead at the top after winning four of their five games in May. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank and Airdrie are the only other teams with a winning record as both enjoy a fine start to life in the league, with Tail fractionally ahead in second place after they won four successive games to open May. Indeed, only a ninth inning collapse against Partick in their final game of the month kept them out of first place. East of Scotland League champions Dunfermline have now won eight successive games after losing two to open the year, and moved a game ahead at the top by defeating former co-leaders Arthur’s Seat 3-2 to end May. Kirkcaldy are a game further back in third after losing to both of the teams above them during the past month. UNIVERSITIES Barring rescheduled games, the university season is now at the three-quarter mark and in Oxford, the race is becoming more interesting. New College have seen a four-game lead reduced to two as they lost their last two games of the month, including a 1-0 loss at the hands of second placed Worcester. The race appears to be between those two, as Magdalen lost six of their ten games in May to fall well off the pace. In Cambridge there is a tight battle between Pembroke and Gonville & Caius, with the leadership having changed hands more than once during May. Neither team had the consistency they would have liked during the month, as Pembroke won five out of eleven and Caius faired little better with six wins from eleven. The vital game may have been Pembroke’s win in the meeting of the two which ended the month, leaving them effectively tied but with Pembroke having played two games fewer. Following on from the announcement that the Oxford championship intended to grow to twelve teams next year, Cambridge will indeed follow suit to keep the format of both championships the same. It was announced this month that teams from Christ’s College and Sidney Sussex will be admitted ahead of the 1876 season. It is believed that both championships will keep a format of each club playing the others four times, resulting in a forty-four game schedule and fewer spare dates for rescheduled games. That will mean more double games and possibly starting the season a week earlier, or pushing the Varsity Series back by a week.

02-22-2022, 04:57 PM	#177
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: JUNE 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST Champions Clapham lead the Metropolitan League by one game having won four out of six in the month of June, suffering only two narrow defeat against Hackney and Greenwich, both by a single run margin. The Regent’s Park moved well into contention as only a 3-2 loss in the first of two games against Kensington was all that separated them from a perfect month, and they now share second with Angel. The Old Westminsters are fourth, but they had a very mixed month, winning three and losing three. Tottenham have the smallest possible lead in the Middlesex County League, having held on to first place with a 1-0 win in ten innings against struggling champions Isleworth to end the month. Newcomers Strawberry Hill continued their surprise challenge by winning three from four in June, losing only to fellow debutants Brentford who have really found their form and won all four games this month. Pre-season favourites Edmonton did likewise, and they sit two games behind Tottenham in third and still well in the race. Kent County League champions Rochester now have a two game lead in the standings as they won all four of their games in June and have now taken the last five overall. Early season pacesetters Erith have seen their form crumble, losing their last five and falling back into a tie for third with Gravesend. It is now Bexley Heath who lead the chase, as they won their first three games in June before a month-ending 3-1 loss to Dartford dropped them further behind Rochester. In Surrey, Croydon are still out in front but only by a fraction after they were beaten by Kingston and Norwood in their first two games in June. They won the next two, but Kingston completed a perfect month to move clear in second place. Wimbledon are the only other team to have as much as an even record. The new county league in Essex is led by Forest Gate, who are a game ahead of West Ham following a 2-1 thirteen-inning victory over their rivals in the final game of the month. Both teams in fact won three of four in June, leaving the position as it was at the start of the month, while the other four teams all have losing records and as the season comes towards half-way it appears to be a two-horse race for the inaugural title. NORTH-WEST Three-time champions Salford extended their lead in the Manchester and District League, winning five games out of six in June. Their only loss was the second of a double meeting with Belle Vue, while second-placed Stockport were beaten twice in June, sharing two with both Rochdale and third-placed Bury. Defending champions Miles Platting also won five out of six but need Salford’s form to drop if they are to catch up. In the Liverpool and District League, champions Liverpool St Patricks saw their march towards a fifth successive crown slow as their nine-game winning run ended in the second half of a double meeting with Toxteth, before losing twice at Anfield and once at struggling Linacre in the next two weeks. That allowed Sankey to move within a fraction of the champions despite losing two of six themselves this month, while Anfield are now in the race themselves having won six out of seven including those two wins over Liverpool. Lancashire County League leaders Blackburn won three out of three without allowing a run in June, but can’t shake off Over Darwen who were also undefeated this month and remain just fractionally behind in second place. Ribble lost ground, after narrow defeats to both of the top two teams. YORKSHIRE Dewsbury are the surprise outright leaders of the Leeds and Bradford League after they won four out of six in June and Leeds Central only won three and lost three. Dewsbury, who finished last in their debut season a year ago, face a test of their championship credentials to begin July as they face two games in a day against Leeds. Wakefield are the only other team with a winning record, but they are three games off the pace after a mixed month. Doncaster and Barnsley share the lead in the Sheffield and District League, after Doncaster won just once in three games and Barnsley won their final three to move level. Champions Sanderson’s Weir are looking very strong after a shaky start to the year, winning every game in June and six in succession overall to sit just a fraction behind the co-leaders. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST Dudley have moved clear in the Birmingham and District League following a perfect month in which they won six games out of six, including two against champions West Bromwich to end the month. That dropped West Bromwich into a tie for third with Small Heath, as Birmingham Main Line emerged as the closest challengers to Dudley having taken five out of six themselves. Edgbaston also have a winning record, but Dudley will be tough to catch if they maintain their current form. Everyone is struggling for form in the new Bristol and District League, with Arno’s Castle the leaders despite having won just two of four in June. Avon Gorge are a fraction behind in second having ended the month with a loss at the hands of Bristol Easton. Weston super Mare are a game behind the leaders in third, and face two games against Arno’s Castle to begin July. Champions Old Basford have a one game lead in the Derby and Nottingham League after a mixed month of two wins and two defeats, with Ilkeston unable to take advantage as they did exactly the same. Derby Union have emerged as the form team, winning all four of their games in June including one each against the two teams ahead of them. They are now a fraction further behind Ilkeston in third place. Leicester South Fields have a narrow lead in the Leicester and Northampton League, as they won their first three games in June before seeing the last postponed. Wellingborough slipped behind following a loss at Northampton, but have a chance to move back into first place when they face South Fields in the opening game in July. No other team has a winning record currently, as the top two seem set to battle for the inaugural title. SCOTLAND Burgh of Partick sit comfortably at the top of the Glasgow and District League despite losing 9-1 to Tollcross in their last game of June. They won their other four, and edged a fraction further clear of newcomers Tail o’ the Bank who were beaten in eighteen innings by Dundashill to end the month. Dundashill sit third but three games off the pace, while the other new team Airdrie have slumped down the standings as they failed to win during the month of June. Champions Dunfermline have now won their last twelve games in the East of Scotland League, and lead by two after Arthur’s Seat lost once in June, an 8-7 eleven-inning loss at The Grange. Kirkcaldy fell four games off the pace after losing to both of the top two in their last two games in June. UNIVERSITIES The season is over in the universities and as has often been the case, one of the championships saw a very tight battle while the other was much more clear cut. It was Oxford where the title was won with ease this year, as New College were never seriously threatened despite their form dipping in the final month. Despite three losses in seven games, they sat three ahead of second placed Worcester with three to play when the two teams met for the last time, and Worcester claimed a 2-0 extra-inning win to keep the race alive for another couple of days. However, they then fell 3-1 to Balliol in their next game to leave New College’s remaining games meaningless, as they could no longer be caught. New College take the title for the first time, with their final margin being two games ahead of a Magdalen team who overhauled Worcester in their final game to finish second. At Cambridge, as long-time contenders Pembroke faded away it was Emmanuel who emerged as the closest challengers to Gonville & Caius. They defeated the leaders 6-2 when they met in mid-June and winning six of eight to leave Caius needing to win their final game against Clare to secure the title, but a 4-0 defeat left Emmanuel with the chance to force a tiebreaker if they could win a rescheduled meeting with struggling Jesus College. They duly won that game, setting up a tiebreaker which was squeezed into the schedule to avoid delaying the Varsity Series. Emmanuel won a coin toss for home advantage and turned around an early deficit to lead 2-1, but gave up single runs in both the sixth and seventh as Caius took a 3-2 lead late on. Emmanuel could not respond, and having won the inaugural title six years ago Caius claimed the championship for the second time. Attention now moves to the Varsity Series, with Cambridge hosting the first game and Oxford the second. In other news, both the Birmingham and District and Kent County Leagues have confirmed that they intend to expand from eight clubs to ten next year, joining the Manchester and District League in adding two new clubs. Both intend to hold a vote to decide the new members at the end of the current season. The first news of a new competition for next year has also emerged, with clubs in Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland aiming to launch the first competition in the north-east of England.

02-22-2022, 04:59 PM	#178
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	TOURNAMENT REVIEW: 1875 VARSITY SERIES This year’s Varsity Series saw Cambridge host the first game as they looked to take away the title won by Oxford a year ago. James Gulliver of Clare College was a slightly surprising choice to be the starting pitcher for Cambridge, while New College’s championship winning starter Percival Lambert was picked for Oxford. Both started well in the first game, with no scoring in the first two innings, but it was Gulliver who took the early advantage when he found a home run himself to put Cambridge into a 1-0 lead in the third. Perhaps distracted by that, he then allowed three successive hits to begin the fourth however and after recording one out, allowed Jim Chandler of Christ Church to record the vital hit which brought home all three base runners and gave Oxford a 3-1 advantage. Chandler later came home on a hit from Balliol’s Nathaniel Smith, and Cambridge were in trouble. Their chance to come back arrived in the fifth, when they had runners at first and third with only one out, but could only score one. Remarkably, it was pitcher Gulliver again who excelled with the bat and brought home Trinity man Seth Edgars to cut the deficit to 4-2. They struggled to find any more hits against Lambert however and in the eighth, hopes of a comeback were extinguished. A hit from St Edmund’s Philip Riley and some poor fielding from Cambridge gave Oxford three runners with only one out, before Worcester College’s Clive Wilson found another hit to bring one home. Another fielding error allowed Riley to come home from third and extend the gap further to 6-2, and although Cambridge escaped the inning with no further damage the game was effectively over. They found just one more hit but could not get a runner past first, and Oxford took the opening game of the series. In the second game at Oxford, Cambridge knew that victory was vital to keep the series alive but they made the worst possible start when they fell 1-0 behind in the first inning. Balliol’s Samuel Binks led off with a hit for Oxford and after he had advanced to second, Percy Rose of Brasenose College found the hit to bring him in to score. Cambridge had plenty of time to respond but the pitching of Lambert made that task exceptionally tough, as after one hit in the first inning they were unable to find another baserunner until the sixth. Trinity’s Charlie Mitchell was left at second in that inning and then in the eighth, the real chance to tie the game came along when Seth Edgars opened up with a hit and then ended up at third with two out. Christopher Green of champions Gonville & Caius had the chance but could not get the ball out of the infield, and Oxford maintained their lead. Oxford rarely looked like adding to their lead, but in the event it did not matter as Lambert’s pitching was untouchable. He eased through the ninth to complete a three-hit shutout and win the game 1-0, giving Oxford a second successive series win and the lead in the overall records by four titles to three. Lambert, in his final appearance before leaving the university, was unsurprisingly named Best Pitcher in the series, while Best Player went to Percy Rose, whose hit had brought in the only run of the second game to win it for Oxford.

02-22-2022, 05:05 PM	#179
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: JULY 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST Metropolitan League champions Clapham hold a one game lead at the end of July after suffering a 3-0 loss at the City of London Club to end the month. That defeat gave Angel the chance to draw level at the top but they were shocked 8-3 by the struggling Commercial Dock Workers on the same day. The Old Westminsters’ hopes were damaged by defeats at the hands of both Clapham and a revived Peckham team, whose challenge had been fading but who have now won their last three to join the Westminsters in a tie for third. Both Putney and The Regent’s Park are also within two games of the leaders as an exciting end to the season looks to be in store. Middlesex County League newcomers Brentford have stunned their rivals with a second successive undefeated month, extending their winning run to ten and moving a game clear in first place. They are a game clear of Edmonton, who lost narrowly to Brentford twice in July but won their other four games. Long time leaders Tottenham have lost their last four to drop down to third, while Strawberry Hill have also hit poor form having lost four of five in July to fall two games back. Bexley Heath have a narrow lead in the Kent County League having won five out of seven games in July, including a crucial extra innings success over reigning champions Rochester. That began a run of three successive defeats for Rochester, who had been leading the way but are now one game back in third, behind a Gravesend team who also defeated them in the final game of the month. In Surrey, it was a mixed month for leaders Croydon who lost to both Wimbledon and Norwood but won their other three. They lead by a single game from Kingston, who began July with three consecutive losses to prevent them from being able to move into first place. Nobody else has a winning record, but Wimbledon and champions Norwood are just three games back with ten to play and so are not yet out of the running. West Ham have taken over at the top of the Essex County League despite a run of three successive defeats during July, as they overcame Forest Gate 5-2 to end the month. Forest Gate have now lost their last four, and the top two’s struggles have allowed Romford back into the race as they won their last three to sit just one game back in third. NORTH-WEST The Manchester and District League increasingly looks to be a battle between reigning champions Miles Platting and three-time winners Salford, who end July tied for first place. Salford had been clear at the top but fell 3-2 to Miles Platting when the two met and then lost their final game of the month in extra innings at Bolton, allowing the champions to draw level as they completed an undefeated month and extended their winning run to nine overall. Losing twice in a day to Salford seems to have dropped Bury out of the race, although there is still time to catch up should the two leaders falter. Liverpool St Patrick’s have edged slightly further ahead at the top of the Liverpool and District League after a fascinating month which saw them lose first place to Sankey Brook only to win it right back when Sankey were beaten twice by St Helens. Sankey then defeated Liverpool to move within a fraction again, only to lose at Linacre the following week. A strong finish to the month keeps Great Float just about in the race, but they will need Liverpool to stumble over the coming weeks. In the Lancashire County League, Blackburn retain first place despite losing their final two games of July, including one to second placed Over Darwen. Darwen could have drawn level had they been able to follow that up with a win over Burnley, but they fell 3-1 and remain a game behind. Ribble lost three of their five games and could be starting to run out of chances to stay in the race. YORKSHIRE The Leeds and Bradford League this month became the second to confirm that it will allow its teams to pay players next year, although there does not at present seem any likelihood that this will mean regular midweek play. In this year’s title race, Leeds and Dewsbury end the month tied for the lead, with Leeds having moved to the top by beating Dewsbury twice at the start of the month only to then lose two against Hunslet the following week. Dewsbury took advantage to edge a game ahead again, but their loss to champions Bradford meant that Leeds were able to catch up once more. Bowling Old Lane are two games back in third but at present are not showing the consistent form they would need to make it a three-horse race. In the Sheffield and District League, Doncaster won five out of five in July to move two games clear of Barnsley, who needed a remarkable 14-10 win at Holmes Tail in their last game of the month to avoid falling further back. Hallamshire are the only other team with a winning record, as a four-game losing run during the month ended the revival of champions Sanderson’s Weir and seems to have ruled them out of the running this year. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST Having begun July with two wins and two defeats, Dudley Castle ended the month by winning four in succession and are looking increasingly like the next champions of the Birmingham and District League. They edged a game further ahead of Birmingham Main Line after Main Line’s 4-2 loss against Walsall in their final game of July, but Dudley and Main Line will meet twice to open August in a day which could prove pivotal. Small Heath and West Bromwich both suffered four defeats in the month to lose more ground. In the Bristol and District League, nobody has any real consistent form at present and Arno’s Castle lead the way by one game despite losing three games out of seven during July. Weston super Mare had looked strong early in the month but were kept a game behind by defeat against Swindon in their last game, while Avon Gorge are also one off the pace having lost three games out of four in mid-July. The champions look likely to be one of those three clubs, with all three hoping to be the ones who will finally find consistent form. Helped by a 1-0 win when the teams met in mid-July, Ilkeston have caught Old Basford at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League. They won five games out of seven during the month and when Basford fell 3-2 to Derby on the final weekend, the two teams were left with identical records with ten games remaining. Derby sit third and are the only other team with a winning record but having lost three of five in July will need to find better form if they are to catch up. Leicester still lead the way in the Leicester and Northampton League’s first season, but only by a fraction after sharing two games with Northampton to end the month. Wellingborough are back in fine form, winning their last four games to close the gap, and will be able to return to first place if they can overcome Leicester in the first game of August. SCOTLAND Despite ending the month with defeat at the hands of Airdrie, Burgh of Partick still lead the Glasgow and District League by two games as they edge towards a third successive title. Tail o’ the Bank played only three games in July and lost two of them to fall back into third place, with Dundashill now leading the chase having won four out of five. They face Partick next, knowing that a win will move them to within a single game of the reigning champions. In the East of Scotland League, Dunfermline’s winning run reached a remarkable fifteen games before they fell to two identical 3-2 defeats in the same day at The Grange. They also lost their next game 5-1 against Fife rivals Kirkcaldy, but second placed Arthur’s Seat were not able to take full advantage. They lost three times in the month themselves and remain two games adrift of Dunfermline. Those teams are also due to meet to open the month of August, in a game which Arthur’s Seat must win to stay in close contention.

02-22-2022, 05:08 PM	#180
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: AUGUST 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST A close finish seems certain in this year’s Metropolitan League as we enter September with three teams tied at the top and a fourth just a fraction behind. The co-leaders are Angel, Peckham and champions Clapham, with Angel having the marginally better winning percentage by virtue of having played two games fewer. They won three of four in August, losing only to the Old Westminsters, while Peckham took four out of five. Clapham’s hopes of retaining the title were damaged by successive defeats against Greenwich and the Royal Artillery Barracks, but they finished the month with a big win at the Commercial Dock Workers to stay tied for first. The Old Westminsters had won their first three this month, but a 1-0 loss in ten innings at Kensington to end August made the difference between being a fraction ahead in first place and slightly behind in fourth. Putney are still just about in the race two games further back, but it is difficult to imagine them overhauling all four teams above them. Newcomers Brentford still have a marginal lead in the Middlesex County League as postponements meant that they played only twice in August, with the second of those ending their eleven-game winning run as they fell 5-4 at Enfield. Edmonton remain just behind, having won two of three during the month. Strawberry Hill are two games off the pace after two wins from four, while Tottenham’s good season is falling apart as they lost three of four and seem to be falling out of the running. In the Kent County League, Gravesend have taken the initiative with three wins from four games to move clear at the top. Champions Rochester lost twice in August while Bexley Heath were beaten three times in four games to lose ground. Erith join those two in a tie for second, despite losing to both Rochester and Gravesend during the month. Kingston have moved a game ahead in the Surrey County League after winning their last three games, including a 4-0 success against long-time leaders Croydon. That was part of a three-game losing run for Croydon which saw them fall behind, while champions Norwood are a game further back as their good month ended in a narrow 8-7 loss against Kingston. Just like Norwood, Wimbledon won three games out of four but crucially the one loss was at Kingston. The Essex County League is too close to call in its inaugural season, with Forest Gate still leading the way despite having their last two games postponed. They are a fraction ahead of Pig Alley, who have been the form team of late but also suffered two postponements after winning twice to start the month. West Ham lost all three games that they played in August to drop to an even record but are not yet out of the running. NORTH-WEST Miles Platting seem set to retain the Manchester and District League crown after they moved clear of long-time leaders Salford during August. They won four of their five games, while Salford lost their first three before ending that run with victory over Bury. It may be too late now however, as games are running out and Miles Platting are in fine form. Bury sit four games back in third place, but the best they can realistically hope for is to catch Salford for second. Liverpool St Patrick’s are on the brink of earning a fifth championship in as many years in the Liverpool and District League. Sankey Brook, who had briefly overhauled them in July, saw their challenge crumble in August as they lost all three of their games, while Liverpool were winning all four of theirs. Sankey have even fallen out of second place, as Great Float edged past them. Liverpool will be champions on the first weekend in September if they defeat Great Float and Sankey are beaten at Toxteth. In the Lancashire County League, Blackburn lead the way by two games but the crucial factor seems set to be the rescheduled games which Over Darwen have to play. The championship is between those two teams as everybody else has a losing record, but Blackburn have only five games to play while Darwen have nine. The two shared two games on the final weekend of August, with each team’s defeat being their only one of the month, but Darwen had seen their previous two games postponed. Barring further cancellations, the two will meet in Blackburn’s final game but Darwen will still have two more to play. YORKSHIRE Leeds Central have a slight advantage in the Leeds and Bradford League race, having ended the month with a pair of victories over Hunslet. Their meeting with title rivals Dewsbury the previous week had been postponed, and has now been rescheduled for a Wednesday in late October, but may yet be rearranged for a Saturday to allow more people to attend. Four wins from five have moved Woodhouse Lane into third place, while Huddersfield have a winning record again after an undefeated month, but both seem to be too far behind the leading two. Champions Bradford had moved into third after a strong undefeated run, but their loss at Woodhouse to end August drops them back to an even record. Barnsley moved onto the shoulder of Sheffield and District League leaders Doncaster after defeating them 8-7 in the opening game of August, but Doncaster responded by winning three of their next four to stay just in front. Their advantage grew in the final game of the month when Barnsley crashed 6-1 at Sheffield Philadelphia. Hallamshire are out of the running having lost all four of their games in August. In other news from Yorkshire, there may well be another league in the county next year after clubs in the cities of York and Kingston-upon-Hull sought additional members for a six-team competition across the less densely populated areas of the county, inspired by the Lancashire County League. Additionally, the Sheffield and District League has become the fourth competition to seek applications for two new teams to join next year. A vote is expected to come in the autumn. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST Despite defeat against Edgbaston at the end of the month, Dudley are closing in on the championship of the Birmingham and District League as they hold a three game lead over Birmingham Main Line. Sharing two with Main Line to begin August was good enough for Dudley, as Main Line really needed two wins, while another defeat against the lowly Old Wulfrunians further damaged Main Line’s chances. Three wins from four in August have moved Edgbaston into third place. The Bristol and District League is still tough to call in its first season, but Weston super Mare have taken over at the top having won all three of their games in August. Arno’s Castle are a fraction behind having played only two games in the month due to postponements, winning one and losing one. Avon Gorge are a further game behind in third having lost a vital game against Weston in mid-August. Wins over both Derby and Old Basford have moved Ilkeston one game clear at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League, with champions Basford in second after a mixed month. Derby had moved well into contention by defeating Sherwood twice to open the month, but their defeat at Ilkeston left them two games behind and that is where they remain heading into September and a pivotal game at Basford. The picture is unchanged in the Leicester and Northampton League race, where Leicester South Fields and Wellingborough had identical records in August. Their scheduled meeting on the opening weekend of the month was postponed, with both clubs then losing, winning and losing again on the next three Saturdays. Leicester therefore still lead by a fraction, with Northampton in third place after they won all four games in August. They are three games behind with eight to play however, probably too far back to make it a three-horse race. SCOTLAND Having won three of four in August, Burgh of Partick seem sure to take the Glasgow and District League championship for the third year in succession. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank had a similarly strong month but it was not enough to make inroads into Partick’s lead and games are now rapidly running out. Dundashill had seemed the most likely challengers heading into August, but were beaten 1-0 at Partick on the first weekend of the month and went on to lose both of their remaining games as well to fall back into the middle of the pack. In the East of Scotland League, Dunfermline saw their lead cut to a single game when they fell 2-1 to Arthur’s Seat to open August and lost again the following week against Leith, but Arthur’s Seat failed to move level at the top when they fell to Haymarket in extra innings. On the final weekend in August, Arthur’s Seat went down 4-2 against Kirkcaldy, allowing Dunfermline to move two clear again by defeating The Grange, leaving the picture back as it was a month ago but with four fewer games remaining.