Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/259

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DAVID'S GOLD-LACED HAT TRICK
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head before starting, he used to gain freedom of arm. To his fine execution the improvement in batting at that time was attributed. In the winter, and in wet weather, he used to practise in a barn, hence his superiority. It is recorded that often (no analysis was then kept) of an innings of 70 or 80, but 8 or 9 runs have been made off his end. During the latter part of his career (he was unable to play after 1798), Harris suffered much from the gout, and latterly, in fact, was quite a cripple. He often walked to the ground on crutches to play, when, after delivering a few balls, and getting warm, he would still perform splendidly. In one match his execution was so fine that a gold-laced hat was presented to him. Lord Frederick Beauclerk used to say that Harris's bowling was the grandest thing of the kind he ever saw, but even he could not have known him in his prime. He was considerably faster than William Lambert, and superior in style and finish altogether. David Harris was born at Elvetham, in Hampshire, but when quite a child, removed to Crookham, in the same county. He lived there all his life, following the business of a potter, and died there. The Parish Register did not give his age, merely stating he was buried at Crondall (close to Crookham), May 19, 1803. The compiler of this sketch was, however, informed by one of Harris's nephews (Mr. Timothy Hill, residing in 1858 at Ewshot, near Farnham), that he was only 48 at the time of his decease. He never was married, and no tombstone has been erected to mark the resting-place of this celebrated man.


William Hoosflesh's name only appears in eight matches in Lillywhite's book, his career commencing before 1772. He was very famous in his day as a bowler, and Nyren stated he had a high delivery. His place of residency was Southwick near Hambledon, where he was buried. No tombstone was erected to his memory, but the register states that William Hogsflesh was buried there April 29, 1818, age 74. Accordo-