The team had arrived at the College and had boarded the minibus by 9 a.m., as instructed, but the driver had not arrived; correction - he had arrived but had returned to the College to pick up his swimming trunks as a safety measure on the journey and with the unlikely prospect of any play. Mr. Tufnell was more confident, or at least if he lacked confidence he never showed it. By 10 a.m. we were on our way to Chester by the Ml, and we passed the time quite nicely with a friendly game of cards at the rear of the bus.
Our first stop was Coventry where we had an opportunity not only of viewing the new Cathedral but also had a trip up the tower of the old Cathedral and gained a view of the grime and grit and gloom of the City, not easily seen from the busy modern new precinct. On our return from the old tower we dispersed into small groups for lunch at various cafes. From Coventry we turned off eventually into the M.6 and made very goad time to Chester, arriving there in the late afternoon. Father Benignus greeted us and then showed us to our dormitory, our first experience of this form of boarding, and one which was to prove exciting.
Washed, dressed, groomed and hungry we made our way to the refectory in the College, where we had an excellent meal, and after the meal we had our first visit to the old Roman city of Chester. Everyone was very excited and happy and under persuasion from P----t, C----n and F---y we decided that a visit to the local was a must in a new town. On our return to College we managed to convey some of the liquid refreshment with us, much to the envy (or was it amazement) of Father Louis. Lights out at 10.30 p.m. was faithfully observed; lights on again at 10 31 was just as faithfully carried out. Some wanted sleep and both P--t and F--t made valiant efforts to do so. Rut with H---d and D---n around there was not much opportunity of sleep; they soon discovered that the beds were on rollers and so the dormitory became a 'Dodgem' track until about 2.30 a.m. when nature took a hand and all fell into oblivion.
Our awakening the next morning was not exactly a Horlick's advertisement - it was not that we had not had any deep sleep; it was simply that we had very little. Thus it was a rather tired group, which set out after breakfast to see Liverpool via the Mersey Tunnel and to view the new Cathedral, irreverently called the 'Mersey Funnel'. All were very impressed except W---n who spent so much time looking around outside for a way in that it was time to leave before he found it. After sending some of the excellent postcards from the internal Post Office to our nearest and dearest, we proceeded to the Canon Slade School in Bolton, where they had dinner prepared for us.
It was a fine day, but the wicket was wet, when we turned out for the first game of the tour; we lost the toss and were put in to bat. The game got off to a slow start and when the score was 9 Concannon was bowled out; Ferry followed three runs later; then Duffy and I were out without scoring, and the scoreboard read a very sorrowful 15 for 6. Eventually we were all out for 19. Canon Slade got the runs they needed with ten wickets to spore and won the match. As a sporting gesture they did allow us to play on until 6 p.m. in a scratch game where we were able to redeem the 'pathetic performance' of the earlier afternoon.
Our arrival bock at Chester was a cue for another good meal, and though some of us went down to Chester to drown our sorrows, we were back in the dormitory by 11 p.m., talking cricket, offering intelligent comments on our dismal performance and endeavouring to iron out our mistakes. That night there were no cards and not even D---n or H----d had the energy to attack anyone in bed. On the following morning we rose much more refreshed and with the determination to prove ourselves a success and bring a smile to Mr. Tufnell's 'canonsladed' face. After breakfast we made our way to St. Joseph's College.
It was another fine day and Father Louis' swimming togs were still innocent of a swim. Once again we lost the toss; once again we were put in to bat; once again it was a wet wicket from overnight rain and Howard promptly christened it a 'Lancashire Hot Pot', although we were in Wales! Collapse again! We were all out for 37 and Ferry was the only one to shine, making 10 in an hour. After a short break we took the field and as the wicket was taking spin I opened the bowling with Ferry the paceman at the other end. This proved a very effective combination and by lunch we had them bowled out for 24. Ferry had 4 for 7 and I had 5 for 12. At lunch, as you can imagine, we were highly pleased at having a 13 run lead. We started our second innings very well with the promoted Ferry making a dozen which gave us a good start; Flint and Pennicott followed cheaply and then Dawson (14) and Concannon (25) put on 30 for the third wicket and we were 62 - 4. We batted on until tea and closed the innings at 71 for 8 dec., as we were then 84 ahead. With Ferry, Howard and myself bowling we had them all out for 34, leaving us with a 50 run win. Ferry's 6 for 6 was an excellent performance followed closely by Howard's 4 for 24.
We arrived back in Chester elated with our success and enhanced the feeling by a trip to the Trooper Inn for 'lemonade. The determination not to go to sleep was so strong that it was 4 a.m. before anyone was really asleep, and even then there were the terrible twins still rolling beds around the dormitory, and one soul endeavouring to cremate himself and all the others who slept therein. 'To wake up feeling like nothing on earth' was an expression I had often heard but had not experienced until now. Words fail me to describe the morning-after-the-night-before-feeling that everyone had, and we were to face the College boys at 10 o'clock a.m. !
On this occasion we won the toss and decided to field. We bowled them out for 45, the bulk of the destruction being done by Ferry who took 6 for 17. Wilson also bowled well with 6 overs for one run but alas, no wickets! We went on to bat, full of confidence and our bubble burst when we were dismissed for 28. We blamed it on lack of sleep; Mr. Tufnell blamed it onus; then we in turn blamed D----n and H---d. In the second Christleton had made 38 for 3 even sending Pennicott for 6. We were then set 56 to win and the score at close of play being 14 for 3, we were grateful for the draw. While we were batting Ferry went down to the off licence to cash in all the empty coke bottles for which he received 6/-, and immediately spent it on further refreshments for the journey home.
Father Benignus helped to load us and our belongings on to the minibus and we set off for home and the last match against Vyners next day. We arrived home at 8 p.m. at the College and dispersed for our various destinations. A good nights sleep saw us ready and refreshed for the game, and we went to Vyners determined to win, but once again with the score at 11 for 5 it seemed an impossible task. With 10 by Howard, 11 by Clements and 30 by yours truly we managed to make 65. Our wish did come true and we bowled Vyners out for 21, Ferry showing the best form he had done for a long time and taking 6 for 2. Poor Pennicott was belted for another 6, which Duffy gleefully recorded on the boundary.
So ended a very enjoyable tour and we were all glad that we went. Although our performance was far from brilliant, the experience we gained from playing on different wickets, and the knowledge we brought back with us of friends made, we returned to school most grateful to Father Louis and Mr. Tufnell; to the Staff and boys at Canon Slade and to Father Benignus and the Staff and boys at Christleton.
Advice to other touring teams? GET TO BED EARLY.
A. Powell, U.15's Captain