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When I was at King Alfred's College in Winchester (1946-1948), wrote Alf Rogers, the student body being all-male, there came a need for a little feminine company. One of the less usual 'fixtures' was an inter-college cricket match with Bishop Otter College at Chichester that I suppose one might call our 'sister' college at that time.
Anyway, one fine and sunny Saturday in May 1948 a coach load of KAC students, team and spectators -- of which I was one of the latter grouping -- set forth for West Sussex.
Everything was most formally arranged upon arrival and after introductions we were led forth to inspect the pitch. I recall that the groundsman had done a very good job and, being early season, the grass surface was almost perfect.
Solemnly, the captains watched the toss of the coin and our captain being the visitor was invited to call. His call being successful, our team went in to bat.
Those young ladies were very good and we mere males did not have things all our own way. One young lady was a member of the England team, an excellent bowler.
After the fall of a couple of wickets the KAC captain went out to the crease.
The third delivery that he faced rose smartly from the pitch and there was a hollow-sounding crack. He immediately doubled over in agony.
The bowler trotted down the pitch to commiserate. 'Oh, I am so sorry!
Where did it hit you?'
In considerable pain, but with great dignity, our captain straightened up and responded, 'Madam, if it had hit you where it hit me, it would have missed.'
Some ten years later, the scene moves to a delightful old pub (c.1290) called the Blackboys Inn, in East Sussex. At that time the licensee was cockney comedian, Ronald Shiner.
He was not always on site of course and so there was a manager who conducted the everyday business. However many well-known stage and film personalities called in when passing.
One Sunday evening when I arrived, part of the bar was occupied by Anthony Steele and a group of admiring starlets. The locals took little notice and continued with their own pursuits: dominoes and Ringing the Bull were two available in that bar.
As evening fell, with a clatter of studded boots on the stairway the local cricket team and their guests for the weekend arrived and the bar became a little crowded.
Amidst the general banter, a well-rounded voice was heard to remark about the 'local yokels and their game of pat-ball.' One of the visitors drew himself up and enquired if the 'star' knew who he was. The response was swift and roughly along the lines, 'I don't know, but some local squire's son with nothing better to do I suppose.'
'My card,' said the visitor. Upon it was inscribed, Revd. David Shepherd! This was at the time the future Bishop of Liverpool was captain of the England cricket team.
A certain gentleman and his satellites departed in some disarray.
Alf Rogers, Australia, 2002
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