History of Cricket.

PART 2: 1950 -1969

THE OWL

1952

R B Cairns Captain

“Reid, especially at no 3 has batted very forcefully”. He accumulated scored of 23, 48 and 23 again all at the Castle Grounds

“Parker is a young batsman of promise who has won himself a place by consistent performance”.

1954

Cliftonville won the Graham Cup with eight Academy players including R Houston and K J Houston. Two future school captains of cricket.

1955

E D Hill was selected for Irish Schools thanks to his natural talent and the stewardship of the school side by Carson Stewart

1956

D M Wheelhouse Captain.

This was the year that W J Lattimore achieved Schools Representative Honours and the side was undefeated until well into June.

1957

T Danker Captain.

A side that suffered only one defeat to another school when they lost to MCB in May. Mr Chapman said at the time that this was his best team ever. Superseded some years later!

1958

R Houston Captain.

The batting stars were T H McAuley and K J Houston, this side was undefeated by schools.

1959

K J Houston Captain.

A superlative and dedicated captain who looked after a very young side with an astute combination of command and persuasion. He utilised the team talents in a manner that raised its full potential and victories were registered against Inst and Campbell. Methody held out for a draw in the last over with their elderly leg spinner batting out with successful use of his pads. This team was undefeated by schools.

1960

L H Lawther Captain.

This was a season blighted by bad weather and a defeat by Regent House in Newtownards ended a three-year undefeated run against other schools.

1961

Michael McClelland Captain.

A very happy team most ably lead by McClelland with sound advice readily available and offered from his fellow almost left school team members. The highlight of this year was the tour to Manchester which as ably chaperoned by Messrs Chapman, Thompson and Reid. The outstanding playing memories of the tour were the wicket keeping of Billy Kirk on a windswept field at Chadderton Grammar School where he kept such a fine wicket that two days later our arrival at Hulme Grammar School when the Hulme players asked “ which one is the wicket keeper?”. The other great performance was the 61 scored by Brian O’Hara and our total of 140 was the highest total scored against Hulme that year.

Footnote to the 1961 season:

Only one bowler took six wickets against Academy. It was one H D Simon (6 for 15) playing for the parents against the school on 22 June 1961.

Further footnote:

Geoff Simon had a batting average in excess of 100 playing for the 2nd X1

Further footnote:

Billy Kirk, great wicket keeper had difficulty in the “penny poker” game when he folded a hand stating he “only had 2 pair”. P D Jackson and the writer were appalled when Billy said that his 2 pair were “kings and kings”.

With thanks to Tony Cole, a former President of the Old Boys, for these reminiscences.