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as5680 · 03-18-2021, 12:59 AM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: JUNE 1869

The Old Westminsters played just three games in June, winning two and losing one, but still hold on to their small lead in the Metropolitan League. Greenwich had exactly the same record, so still sit just a fraction behind in the standings, with a small gap behind them to the rest of the contenders. The Royal Artillery Barracks’ hopes of another title suffered a real setback this month with three defeats out of four games dropping them back into the middle of the standings, while Clapham’s win over the Artillery seemed to move them into contention only for defeat to the Westminsters a week later to drop them back again.

Angel are third, a game behind Greenwich after winning the meeting of those teams. Of the other teams, Kensington ended the month with two wins to move clear of the bottom of the standings, while the City of London Club wasted a good win over the Artillery by losing their remaining three games. The Regent’s Park remain in last place after losing three of their four games. Such are the Regents’ struggles this year, their championship winning manager of two years ago Jim Brown has decided to leave the club, with his replacement being Albert Woolland, who took New College very close to the Oxford University Championship last year.

After some difficulty, both university championships were successfully concluded in June, but only after appearing for some time that they would require tie-breaking games. At Oxford, Brasenose College lost their hold on the championship thanks in part to a four-game losing run early in June, which allowed Christ Church to move from two behind to one ahead. The two were set to meet on the final day of the season and Christ Church had only to win that game to be champions, but were beaten by a score of 4-0. That result meant that Brasenose could force a tiebreaker by defeating Merton in their final game, but they fell 2-1 in ten innings to hand the championship to Christ Church.

At Cambridge, the first title had seemed set to go to Jesus College but they were beaten in four of their final five games, to drop out of the running. That left Queens’ to do battle against Gonville & Caius, who had looked out of the race at the start of the month but finished in superb form. They won eight games out of nine in June, including victories over Jesus College and Queens’ in the same week. The postponement of Queens’ final day game against St John’s caused a problem, as St John’s were already due to play a rescheduled game against Trinity on the following Wednesday, the only remaining allocated date in June. It was agreed that Queens’ would play them on the same day, but meet first so that they would not be playing against a team who had already had one fixture that day. Gonville & Caius were also playing their final game that day, and Queens’ had to win to keep the race alive. If they did, Caius would need a win themselves to avoid a tiebreaker, but in the event Queens’ were beaten by St John’s, giving Caius the title.

It has been suggested that to give more time for rescheduled games, the championships should start a week earlier next year, but that is yet to be agreed. To the relief of all though, the first Varsity Series can begin as planned on the first Saturday in July, with a game at Cambridge.

03-18-2021, 12:59 AM	#72
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: JUNE 1869 The Old Westminsters played just three games in June, winning two and losing one, but still hold on to their small lead in the Metropolitan League. Greenwich had exactly the same record, so still sit just a fraction behind in the standings, with a small gap behind them to the rest of the contenders. The Royal Artillery Barracks’ hopes of another title suffered a real setback this month with three defeats out of four games dropping them back into the middle of the standings, while Clapham’s win over the Artillery seemed to move them into contention only for defeat to the Westminsters a week later to drop them back again. Angel are third, a game behind Greenwich after winning the meeting of those teams. Of the other teams, Kensington ended the month with two wins to move clear of the bottom of the standings, while the City of London Club wasted a good win over the Artillery by losing their remaining three games. The Regent’s Park remain in last place after losing three of their four games. Such are the Regents’ struggles this year, their championship winning manager of two years ago Jim Brown has decided to leave the club, with his replacement being Albert Woolland, who took New College very close to the Oxford University Championship last year. After some difficulty, both university championships were successfully concluded in June, but only after appearing for some time that they would require tie-breaking games. At Oxford, Brasenose College lost their hold on the championship thanks in part to a four-game losing run early in June, which allowed Christ Church to move from two behind to one ahead. The two were set to meet on the final day of the season and Christ Church had only to win that game to be champions, but were beaten by a score of 4-0. That result meant that Brasenose could force a tiebreaker by defeating Merton in their final game, but they fell 2-1 in ten innings to hand the championship to Christ Church. At Cambridge, the first title had seemed set to go to Jesus College but they were beaten in four of their final five games, to drop out of the running. That left Queens’ to do battle against Gonville & Caius, who had looked out of the race at the start of the month but finished in superb form. They won eight games out of nine in June, including victories over Jesus College and Queens’ in the same week. The postponement of Queens’ final day game against St John’s caused a problem, as St John’s were already due to play a rescheduled game against Trinity on the following Wednesday, the only remaining allocated date in June. It was agreed that Queens’ would play them on the same day, but meet first so that they would not be playing against a team who had already had one fixture that day. Gonville & Caius were also playing their final game that day, and Queens’ had to win to keep the race alive. If they did, Caius would need a win themselves to avoid a tiebreaker, but in the event Queens’ were beaten by St John’s, giving Caius the title. It has been suggested that to give more time for rescheduled games, the championships should start a week earlier next year, but that is yet to be agreed. To the relief of all though, the first Varsity Series can begin as planned on the first Saturday in July, with a game at Cambridge.