ETON COLLEGE v ETON RAMBLERS

4^TH JULY 1876

 On Tuesday July 4^th an Eleven of Old Etonians  (sic) came down to play the School and were unlucky enough, as the result proved to lose the toss. Forbes commenced the batting as usual, but soon fell to a short one of Wormald’s which shot. Studd soon followed for 11, bowled by the same gentleman, who at the beginning was well on the spot. Two down for 14 did not look bright for us, but Ruggles-Brise and Whitfield took matters very calmly and by stady play raised the score to 134, when the former was dismissed for a capital score of 61. Whitfield stayed in a long while, considerably more than three hours altogether, and was eventually caught and bowled for a very good innings of 112, which combined all round hitting with great defensive power. Gervais played very steadily for 28, and Goodhart and Foley rattled up 29 and 28 respectively in a very little time. Portal brought out his batfor 16 and the innings closed for 337. On the whole this was a very fair performance indeed, for though Forbes, who has never failed to score in a school match this year was dismissed early yet the succeeding batsmen seemed not at all put out and played with nerve and confidence. Ruggles-Brise’s innings included two sixes, two fours and six threes, and Whitfield’s who bye the baye gave one chance at the wicket one six, three fours, an thirteen threes. As the innings did not close till nearly seven o’clock the visitors did not bat.

(From the Eton College Chronicle)