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HOW IT ALL
BEGAN
.
The
Backwell House Matches originated from an invitation by Charles Parnell,
Captain of West
Town Cricket Club, to Alfred, eldest son of John Robinson of Backwell
House, to bring a
team to play West Town on August Bank Holiday 1878. After consulting and
recruiting his 5 brothers and 5 of his first cousins, Alfred told
Parnell that they
would field a
team consisting entirely of Robinsons. The team assembled at Backwell
House
and drove in two
wagonettes to the ground. They were followed at a respectful distance
by the Backwell
House pony cart, carrying the four lady supporters of the family,
including
Isabel aged 10.
Isabel can still remember every incident of the game that followed, and
has
watched every
Family match since then until a few years ago.
The
story of this first match against West Town might have been taken from a
Cricket
novel. The
youthful Family XI led by their Captain, Arthur aged 23, faced a total
of 136-a
fairly formidable
one on the wickets of those days. When Theo, the junior member
of the side,
joined his Captain, 16 runs were still needed for victory. The
chronicler describes
how, amidst intense excitement, the runs were hit off and the retiring
batsmen
carried in
shoulder high. Arthur's contribution was a magnificent 83 not out.
Thereafter
over a period of 87 seasons, 57 members of the family have taken part in
the Backwell
House matches. The teams have always consisted entirely of Robinsons grandsons,
great-grandsons, great-great grandsons or great-great-great-grandsons of
Edward Robinson
(1791-1870), paper maker, and his wife, Maria Smith of Silver Rill,
Overbury,
Gloucestershire.
1878-1914
Up
to the turn of the century, Backwell House played a succession of
different
opponents, which
included the villages of Backwell, Wraxall, Nailsea, Long Ashton,
Sneyd Park,
Yatton and in 1889, the first of many encounters with the now
traditional
enemy-Flax
Bourton. Several of these early matches were very low scoring affairs.
In
1879, the Family
(1O7 and 20 for 4) defeated Backwell (57 and 94)' Arthur again played
a leading part
scoring 37 (1st innings) and taking 9 wickets in the match. In 1881, in
spite of being 'outed'
for 22 in the first innings, the Family again defeated Backwell (44
and 33) by 9
wickets. During the early years, Theo's bowling contributed considerably
towards the
Family successes. In 1886, he took all 10 wickets in one innings against
Wraxall. In 1890, Arthur (159) scored the third of his 4 centuries for
Backwell House,
and with Cres
(90) contributed mainly towards the biggest ever Family total -415 for 7
dec. However, the
gilt is rather taken off the gingerbread when one reads that R. Ford's
XI scored only
138 for 6 in reply, and there was no report of rain!
Now
in 1891, came, historically, the most important match, versus the
GRACES.
The ROBINSON'S
were defeated by 37 runs, but went down fighting. After a fine opening
partnership of 84 by the 'Coroner' (81) and W.G. junior, the Robinsons
did well
to keep the
Graces down to a total of 184. At one stage, the Robinsons were 102 for
1,
when Arthur was
caught by the 'Champion'. Cres of the Somerset XI was out soon
afterwards,
having played a dashing innings of 67. One story, (not officially
recorded!) relates
how one of the lesser known Doctors, anticipating that fielding in the
heat of the
afternoon might
become rather trying, arranged, between innings, that his Coachman
should bring out
a message to the effect that he, the Doctor, was urgently required to
attend
a confinement.
Board, the Gloucestershire wicket-keeper acting as substitute, fielded
magnificently and
saved many runs. However, the Doctor couldn't resist watching the
exciting later
stages of the Robinson innings from a dark corner of the pavilion.
Unfortunately,
for him, he was spotted by a member of the opposition!
In
1895, another family, the Evans, took the limelight against the
Robinsons. The
Evans had for
some years formed the backbone of the Flax Bourton XI. On this occasion D.L.
(Somerset XI) and E.D. took 19 out of 20 Robinson wickets and D.L. (45)
and P .M. (31) made the highest scores of the match, which Flax Bourton
won by an innings and 53 runs. In this year, also, Backwell House were
tumbled by Barrow Court for their lowest ever total -20. However, in
that year, also, the return match against Flax Bourton was won and Mr.
R. Ford's XI (89 and 36) defeated by an innings and 32 runs.
On
to the scene at this stage, came the great Gloucestershire trio-Foster
(now Sir
Foster, owner
breeder of Merchant Venturer, Derby 2nd in 1963 and Homeward Bound winner
of the Oaks in 1964), Percy, and Douglas; all of them destined to play
big parts in the Backwell House matches up to 1937. Foster captained the
County from 1919 to 1922 and Douglas from 1924 to 1926. For Flax Bourton,
appeared Harry Chidgey, the Somerset bat and wicket-keeper, who played
regularly for the Club until 1934. In 1912, Percy (90 n.o.) and Douglas
(65.n.o.) put on 157 for the 1st wicket to give Backwell House their
first and only 10 wicket victory.
So
ended the pre-World War I era of 37 years and no less than 1°4 matches
(won 52, lost 43, drawn 9) had been played. 36 members of the Family had
taken the field at various
times. Douglas
went to South Africa with the M.C.C.. Touring Team in 1913, but, was unfortunately
forced to return through illness without playing in a match. He also
kept wicket for the Gentlemen v. the Players at Lords and the Oval
(twice). Cres and Theo played for Somerset and Arthur for
Gloucestershire. Arthur's contribution both as Captain and batsman had
been very considerable. He scored 4 centuries and carried his bat
through the innings on no less than 4 occasions.
Between
the Wars
It
was 1927 before Backwell House again took the field. Six members of the
Family had lost their lives in the Great War. In addition, the
Gloucestershire trio were invariably heavily engaged for the County
against Somerset over the August Bank Holiday. In 1928, the 108th match
was played and Theo, who had played in 105 of these matches, was still
taking part. On the Flax Bourton side, the Evans family were still there
in strength,
Harry Chidgey,
and Alan Cave (married to a Robinson!) and destined to become the
biggest thorn in
the Family side. Alan's final record of 1,392 runs in 43 innings (5
times not out) well illustrates this.
In
1929, the highest ever partnership for any wicket (4th) of 204 was made
by Percy
(112) and Esmond (87). E. O. Evans scored 117 not out in the same match.
In 1930
Alan Cave (110
n.o.) scored the first of his 3 centuries in 5 years (not to mention a
95!) and for
Backwell House, always well served behind the stumps, Lawrence took 6
wickets (st. 4,
ct 2) in one innings.
1936
was a memorable year on two counts. Backwell House won both
matches for
the third time
and Theo made his final appearance aged 70. During this period of 58
years,
Theo had the
final all round record of 107 matches, 2,864 runs, 399 wickets and 64
catches.
In this year,
there was a span of 55 years representing 3 generations between the
oldest and
youngest members
of the Family side. Incidentally, Theo at 70 was the oldest ever to
play for Backwell
House, and Rupert (11 years and 13 days) the youngest.
Post
World War II
With
the outbreak of World War II, the Backwell House matches ended in 1939
and
restarted again 9
years later. There were now a considerable number of new faces on both
sides. Esmond
captained the side and the Family bowling was opened by two young
bowlers, Tony
(Wiltshire), who was genuinely fast down the hill, and John Esmond. For
Flax Bourton, the
old enemy Alan Cave, Jack Clarke (half a Robinson!) and Leslie Rogers
were the only
links with 1939. Backwell House were heavily defeated in one match this
year and the
other was ruined by rain. In the following year, the Family found great
difficulty in
raising a side and, in fact, only one Backwell House match was played.
This was
also spoilt by
rain, but marked by a magnificent century for Flax Bourton by Chris
Rowe,
who hit 100 out
of 140 scored whilst at the wicket.
The
most exciting finish since 1878 occurred in 1954-a tie. Facing a total
of 143,
Flax Bourton lost
their 9th wicket at 13°, but with some desperate singles the scores
were
levelled, and
then Baker swept to mid-wicket, where Geoffrey had been specially posted
and
took a good
catch. Tony and John Esmond bowled unchanged throughout the Flax
Bourton innings.
For several years these two had to bear the whole brunt of the Family
bowling.
1956
produced two exciting finishes. In the first, Backwell House faced a
total of only
82, and with only
4 men out for 71 seemed well placed. The last 6 wickets fell for 7 runs!
In the second
match, Backwell House were 17 runs short with 2 wickets to fall.
In
1959, although again reduced to two bowlers (Tony and Philip, aged 16)
Backwell
House won both
matches-by 7 wickets on Saturday and 4° runs on the Bank Holiday
Monday. Philip
took 1° for 111 in the two matches. This year, as well as being the 4th
time that
Backwell House had won both Bank Holiday matches, also proved to be the
last
occasion of a
victory against the old foe.
1960
saw the arrival of a new star in the Flax Bourton side, Alan Glover. In
this
year, with his
skipper, Barry Seymour (87 n.o.) he scored 101 n.o., following it up
with 111 in 1962.
Now
the Backwell House XI was showing sign of weakening, while Flax Bourton
continued to be
one of the best Club sides m the Bristol area. After the 1964 matches and
a good deal of serious discussion amongst members of the family, it was
decided regretfully that the Backwell House XI should go into a state of
suspended animation.
Backwell
House
The
Family batting and bowling had always had a fair number of ups and
downs, but the
wicket-keeping had always been of a high standard. Walter and Sidney
shared the
responsibility
until the middle '90s, when Foster took over. He was succeeded by
Douglas, one of
the largest wicket keepers ever in 1st class cricket, followed by
Lawrence
and his son,
Rupert (Army).
Backwell House 1864
Robinson
bowlers have been somewhat few in number, but high in quality. Since
the first war, 7
bowlers only have borne the brunt of the attack-Percy (Gloucestershire),
a deceptive
medium paced trundler, Vivian fast medium and John Foster with the
windmill
action and
prodigious googly, who both played occasionally for Gloucestershire,
Esmond,
leg spinner,
Tony, fast, John Esmond and, as a Marlborough schoolboy, Philip-both
medium.
Mention
must also be made of the staunch support given by those Robinsons, who,
over the years,
often never touched a bat from one August Bank Holiday to the next.
Notable among
there, were Herbert, who scored a total of 26 runs in 23 innings and
brothers Edward
and Francis, both fine athletes, who saved many runs around the deep
field.
The
Family fielding has always been very keen, and even if the Bank Holiday
week-end
ended with the
odd pulled muscle, and a considerable amount of unaccustomed stiffness,
it
was always deemed
to be in a good cause.
In
the last few years, Tony played many fine innings and was well supported
by
Geoffrey, John
Foster and John Esmond, but the weakness of the batting as a whole, has
now brought the
87 year old series, temporarily, it is hoped, to an end. In all, 163
matches
were played, of
which 64 were won, 71 lost, and 24 drawn. There was one tie and three
were abandoned
owing to rain without a ball being bowled.
Memories
These
are many and varied-an occasion between the wars when a match,
having reached an exciting position, was interrupted by a
cloudburst. The Robinson Ladies
rushed off in
their cars and returned, with blankets, for use as 'blotting paper' on
the
wicket. Greater
love hath. .. Then there was the junior member, who having, as was
often the custom,
been offered so much a run by a senior cousin, returned to the pavilion
and when asked what he made, replied promptly -£2 7s. 6d. The
awe-inspiring memory (to
a Robinson batsman) of the formidable figure of Jack Clarke thundering
down the hill; the
Robinson cheers, which always greeted the dismissal of Alan Cave; the
annual complaint of the Family fast-bowler on the Saturday morning, that
Flax Bourton had, as
usual,
over-watered the wicket on Friday evening! Finally, there was the
picture of a great
enthusiast,
Alfred, who in his later years, during breaks for rain, used to walk
slowly from
the pavilion,
lift his hat, and if he felt the spots, would return slowly and somewhat
sadly
to the pavilion.
Flax
Bourton
The
lovely ground of county size, on which so many of these Bank Holiday
battles
have been fought,
lies on the West side of the Village and along the North side of the
main
road (A370) from
Bristol to Weston-super-Mare. It is beautifully kept with a fine batting
wicket, but with
a deceptive slope, which has upset many a fast bowler, on a first visit,
down
the hill (ask
Fred Rumsey of England and Somerset!). In the North West corner of the
ground, now
stands a fine new pavilion, opened in 1960, with every facility,
including an
active bar.
Inside there is a memorial plaque to the grand old man, Alfred, of the
Robinson family, who with Arthur, was responsible for starting the
Backwell House matches,
and who died in
1949. He was also President and a great supporter of the Flax Bourton
Cricket Club.
In
the years since the last war, the Club has continued to produce many
fine players.
There were the
two Rons-Cole and Grove, who bowled so well together and earned the reputation
of being the best pair of Club spinners in the Bristol District; Bob
Challis,
English Rugger
International and useful all-rounder; Mervyn Kitchen, now a regular member
of the Somerset side, and who joined the County from Flax Bourton; and
David Pegg, a very good young 'keeper now playing for the County 2nd XI.
Mention has also
been made of the
finely aggressive Alan Glover, who is also a more than useful fast
medium
bowler and played
for Somerset 2nd XI in 1964. Barry Seymour, the present Captain,
came to the Club
from the Birmingham League, and has proved one of their most sucessful
batsmen. The Club has also been well served behind the stumps. Harry
Chidgey
was followed by
Leslie Rogers and then his son, Lee; incredibly alike in both looks and
keeping style.
David Pegg has recently taken over from Lee. Two of the older 'hands'
who have done so
much for the Club, are Philip Lewis and Hubert Ball. Both are in their
fifties and still
playing regularly for the Extras.
Since
the First War, the Club has always had Robinsons playing
regularly-Vivian
and son, Tony,
and Esmond and son, John. Needless to say, their coats were always
turned over the
August Bank Holiday! Esmond followed in the steps of his father, Alfred,
as President of
Flax Bourton.
The
Club holds its own on the cricket field'not only with town cricket
clubs, but in
April, 1958,
through the offices of the then Captain of the Club, Chris Rowe,
achieved the
honour of an
annual fixture with the Somerset County side. Unfortunately, several of
the matches,
since that date, have been completely washed out by rain, but in April
1964,
the Club put up a
fine performance. Flax Bourton put out the complete County side for
172, and at one
stage when the Club batted, the scoreboard read 81 for 1! Barry Seymour
scored a very
good 51 in 70 minutes. The Somerset Captain, Bill Alley, was perhaps a
little relieved
when Langford then took a hand and with 7 wickets for 8 runs, closed the
Club innings for
95.
This
is the Club, who for many years now, with the Robinson Family XI have
played
the annual
Backwell House matches, now well-known in the West Country and which
have
been reported in
the national press. E. W. Swanton has written about them in The Daily
Telegraph and,
between the Wars, the late Bernard Darwin devoted his complete golf
column in The
Times to the Backwell House matches of one year.
FINALE
Darwin
also wrote an article in Country Life (22nd August 1936) and one can do
no
better, perhaps, than to end with an extract from it:-
So brave
a family team as this, which has gone on so long with recurrent
reinforce-
ments,
seems to me to afford interesting material for the eugenists. They draw
up
their
pedigrees of the Bachs in music and, if a family black sheep may say so,
the
Darwins
in science. Are not yet the Graces, the Walkers, the Lytteltons, the
Lubbocks,
the Christophersons and the Fosters good enough for them? Let them not
forget
the Robinsons! Some of these families might, I admit, prove
disappointing.
The
genius of the Graces flared high to heaven for one generation, and then
was gone.
The
meteor drops and in a flash expires. None of the Walkers of Southgate, I
think,
married,
or, at any rate, left any descendants to carry on a great tradition. But
a
family
that can playa match for fifty-eight years and produce an eleven ranging
between
seventy and fourteen, is one that the noblest eugenist of them all
cannot
disdain.
"And so farewell, 0 ye Robinsons and, deem it not all a too
presumptuous
folly,
this humble garland which I lay at your feet." (Bernard Darwin)
(Reproduced
by kind permission of the Editor of Country Life).
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