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PUBLIC SCHOOL CRICKET.

under sixteen. All this practice is under careful supervision. In addition to this every house has its own nets, and as all these are in one long row, patrolled by those who delight in supervising the school cricket, it is almost impossible for any cricketer, however young, who shows promise, to escape the observation of the powers that be. It is not surprising that, when organisation is so good and overlooking so complete, Winchester cricket should have reached such a high general standard.

On half-holidays a match of some kind is provided for the first eleven. For the rest of the school—those who are over sixteen—games are provided by a senior club and two middle clubs; while for the improvement and amusement of the juniors, a system of League matches between the different houses has been instituted, each house playing the other in turn. As a challenge cup is given, to be held by the winning house, it is not surprising that the competition is keen and the excitement intense—all the more so that the competition runs on steadily throughout the term, which is not the case when the "knock-out" system is adopted. Even lower down in the scale games are provided, known as the "Junior junior," in which each house plays the same house as its League team is encountering. There are consequently at least fifteen games in course of decision every half-holiday afternoon, in addition to the first eleven match, and, needless to say, such an admirable scheme of organisation is largely dependent on the time given to it by those who devote their leisure to fostering the game.

Winchester plays only one school match—with its ancient rival, Eton. At one time an inter-school week used to be held at Lord's, in which Eton, Harrow, and Winchester met each the other. However, this "week" has fallen into desuetude, and the Harrow-Winchester match has been abandoned. The EtonWinchester fixture takes place at either school in alternate years, and is, to Winchester at least, the great event of the year, while the immigration of large numbers of boys from the visiting school prevents any possibility of lop-sidedness, to any great extent, in the enthusiasm and applause.

Outside the Eton match the chief Winchester fixtures are with A. J. Webbe's XL, the Free Foresters, I Zingari, the M.C.C., and the Butterflies.

Among later Wykehamist cricketers may be mentioned J. Shuter, J. R. Mason, H. R. Webbe, F. A. G. Leveson-Gower, H. D. G. Leveson-Gower, Rev. J. H. Savory, R. P. Lewis, G. W. Ricketts, V. T. Hill, A. H. Trevor, W. Lindsay, L. S. Howell.