At Woodford Wells, in Essex, July 14, 15, and 16, 1808—thirteen a side. For Homerton (with T. Mellish, Lambert, Hammond, and Walker) v. Essex (with Lord F. Beauclerk, Aislabie, Burrell, Pontifex, and Beldham). | ||||
| J. Nyren b Beauclerk | 24 | c | Beldham | 10 |
| (Nyren caught four.) | ||||
Too soon we come to Nyren's last important match, when he was in his fifty-third year. I regret to say that he did not trouble the scorers. He played for Lord Frederick Beauclerk' s side against Mr. William Ward's side, at Lord's, June 18, 19, and 20, 1817. Thumwood bowled him. For Mr. Ward (to whom Nyren dedicated his book) Lambert made 78 and 30, and Beldham 4 and 43. Lord Frederick made 28 and 37, and Mr. Osbaldeston 10 and 39 not out. Lord Frederick won by six wickets.
To the score of this match Mr. Haygarth appends an account of Nyren: 'He was an enthusiastic admirer of the "Noble Game" ("his chivalry was cricket"), and about 1833, published the "[Young] Cricketer's Guide [Tutor]", a book which contains an account of the once far-famed Hambledon Club, in Hampshire, when it was in its prime and able to contend against All England. Had not this book (which, however, is sadly wanting in dates, especially as to the formation and dissolution of the club, etc.) appeared, but little would now be known of those famous villagers.
'Nyren was left-handed, both as a batsman and field, and played in a few of the great matches at Lord's after leaving his native village, being for several seasons a member of the Homerton Club. Considering, however, that he continued the game till he was past sixty, his name will but seldom be found in these pages. It does not appear at all from 1788 to 1801, or from 1808 up to the present match. He was a very fine field at point or middle wicket, was 6ft. high, being big-boned, and of large proportions.'
Among the very few persons now living that remember John Nyren is Canon Benham, who as a boy once
