๐๏ธ 17 Aug โ 23 Aug 1889 ยท 1889 โ 1 match
๐งข 1st XIv MC Maidstone Club ยท HomeformLLLWWWednesday last, the 21st of August, Maidstone Club did us the honour of a visit, and winning the toss I did not hesitate to send our men in first, judging the wicket to favour those who batted early โ the right call, I felt, and events did not wholly prove me wrong.
Our innings, if not without its anxious moments, was carried chiefly upon the shoulders of M A Atkins, whose unbeaten 32 stood as a most capital display of watchful, correct batting, the remainder of the eleven lending what support they might muster. There was cause, too, for a quiet satisfaction among us that day, Jack Fryer's contribution of 10 runs carrying him past M A Atkins and into thirteenth place upon the club's roll of all-time run-getters, a distinction not lightly won and warmly remarked upon in the pavilion.
Called upon in turn to defend our total, our bowlers set to their task with a will. F M Atkins proved the pick of the attack, claiming two wickets without cost to himself, and I was glad to lend a hand with one wicket of my own. Yet Maidstone's A E Chambers played an innings every bit the equal of our own principal scorer, remaining 32 not out and steering his side to safety with admirable composure.
In the end neither eleven could force the issue, and honours were shared in a draw โ no unworthy result, I think, against opponents who met us so squarely in every department of the game.