Page:The Cricket Field (1854).djvu/113

Rh made a very strong field: the Kent men were sometimes regularly pounded by our fielding."

In 1805 we find a curious match: the "twelve best against twenty-three next best." Lord Frederick was the only amateur among the "best"; but Barton, one of the "next best" among the latter, scored 87; not out. Mr. Budd first appeared at Lord's in 1802 as a boy: he reappeared in 1808, and was at once among the longest scorers.

The Homerton Club also furnished an annual match: still all within the sound of Bow bells. "To forget Homerton," said Mr. Ward, "were to ignore Mr. Vigne, our wicket-keeper, but one of very moderate powers. Hammond was the best we ever had. Hammond played till his sixtieth year; but Browne and Osbaldeston put all wicket-keeping to the rout. Hammond's great success was in the days of slow bowling. John Wells and Howard were our two best fast bowlers, though Powell was very true. Osbaldeston beat his side with byes and slips—thirty-two byes in the B. match." Few men could hit him before wicket; whence the many single-wicket matches he played; but Mr. Ward put an end to his reign by finding out Browne of Brighton. Beagley said of Browne, as the players now say of Mr. Fellows, they had no objection to him when the ground was smooth.

The Homerton Club also boasted of Mr.