KING GEORGE AS A CRICKETER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 83, 16 July 1910, Page 9

KING GEORGE AS A CRICKETER.

There is only one occasion recorded in which the late' King took part in a formal match, namely, when in 18G6 he assisted Zingari to defeat the Gentlemen of Xorfolk at Sandringham, and was bowled by the first ball he received. Early in the 'sixties, when the professional cricketer attached to Eton College was the well-known Cambridgeshire player, F. Bell, he was not infrequently summoned to Windsor Castle to bowl to the Prince of Wales and the other young members of the household. But, alas! it has to be recorded that on his return from one of these expeditions he made the direful announcement that he "couldn't make a job of 'em -at all." King George, as well as his brother, the late Duke of Clarence, took an active interest in the game. His Majesty, indeed, who as a •'middy" used to indulge in the game on the deck of the Bacchante, at the conclusion of one day's racing at Goodwood some years ago played in a match got up between the guests at Goodwood House. The team included his Majesty and an eleven captained by M. Cannon* the famous jockey. The former is credited with having possessed one of the most expensive bats in existence, the blade being of walnut and the bat ■being mounted in silver. A peculiarity with regard to the King's favorite'bat, by the way, lies in the fact that high up on the blade on either side of the splice appear the famous three feathers that form the crest of the Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria witnessed more than one cricket match, but never one that may with accuracy be described as of a first-class nature. On August 3rd, 1800. she, together with the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of the Roval Family, witnessed a very close name at Osborne between the Royal Household at Osborne and the officers and men of the Royal yacht, which was won bv the former by tne narrow margin of twelve runs. The match was particularly interesting tor the reason that the late Prince Leopold undertook the duties of scorer. whiU on the side of the sailors we find the late Duke of Saxe-Cobuyg-Gotha. one line of the score-sheet rending: H.R.H. the Duke of rMnilmr.'h. 1> Head. 10; e Cole, b Archer. 2.