History of DBS Cricket Team

In 1860, on Bonham Road, Hong Kong Island, a school called the Diocesan Boys Native Female training School was opened. In Setptember 1869, under a new constitution, the name was changed to the Diocesan Home & Orphanage. The boys were given a wide and liberal education, fitting them well for professional, commercial and clerical careers. A particular feature was made of all kind of sport, particularly those which created and inspired teamwork, such as cricket and soccer.

In the School Annual Report of 1888, cricket was mentioned, but no details were given. There were only 125 pupils, including day girls. All te girls had left by 1892.

The Government had provided some land near Robinson Road, West Point, Hong Kong Island, for the use of schools in that area. These included St. Joseph's College, the Victoria English School, as well as the Diocesan Home & Orphanage. In 1897, the HKCC presented three cricket bat to the school. With the advent of Mr. A O Brawn in 1901, the school held its own with, and usually led, the other schools of the Colony in cricket and soccer.

In 1902, the school became the Diocesan Boys' School & Orphanage. In 1905, being a Church of England school, the Anglicn Bishop offered prixes for cricket and tennis matches between the School and St. Joseph's College. Later that year these matches became a feature of life between these two schools.

'Pleasant and sometimes successful games were played with the second elevens of the Civil Service, Police and CCC in 1906; and in 1908 also matches with the masters, the Sailing Ships' Apprentices, CCC and the 'A' teams of the Civil Service and the Kowloon Clubs.'

From 1915 to 1918 there were no proper practice grounds for cricket and soccer. Around 1920, 70 per cent of the pupils were Chinese, iwth the remainder made up of twelve other nationalities. the 1922 School Annual Report stated: "In games we have decided to join no Leagues or Associations, we are willing to play any school in friendly matches. The League system is not a good system for schools, nor are the systems for holding sports for prizes of for International contests for school boys."

in 1923, two nets for cricket practice were put up on the lower tennis court at the school and matting and general cricket equipment supplied. Mr. J L Youngsaye organised the cricket. In 1926, the school moved from Hong kong Island to its new site off Argyle Street in Kowloon. The school buildings were taken over by the Military Authorities and used as a hospital until 1928.

In the 1927-28 season, 24 matches were played: 13 won, 6 lost, and 5 drawn. The captain, Donald Anderson, scored over 1000 runs for the school, including two centuries. A T Lee also scored a century. Both mentioned also shared the bowling honours with Kwan and R E Lee (President of KCC 1954-62). Matches won included those against IRC 'A' & 'B', CCc and HKU 2nd XI, all league sides.

During the next season, matches were won againt the second elevens of both HKCC and the KCC, the two premier cricket clubs. At that time 34 DBS old boys were playing cricket in seven local cricket clubs. In 1929, Donald Anderson, captain of the school in 1928-29, played his first Inter-port for Hong Kong in teh Triangular Series against Shanghai and Malaya. Other old boy Interporters at that time were Teddy Fincher and F I Zimmern (1930).

In the J L Youngsaye's 1928 School Cricket Report, he said: D J N Anderson easily remains the best batsman and all-rounder in the team, and R Lee, the best bowler. Forceful batting is now being more encouraged with those who have learnt the rudiments of straight play, and bowling has not been allowed to degenerate into a mere task. The most encouraging point, however, is that quite a number of Chinese boys are taking into the game, and we hope before long to be able to turn out really decent Chinese players.

R Abbit, who wrote cricket articles for the Hong Kong Daily Press, reported in 1929: I have received through my Editor an interesting note from the Rev W T Featherstone, the Headmaster of the Diocesan Boys' School. I know of course that D J N Anderson and Freddie Zimmern were old boys of that Alma Mater, but I did not know Teddy Fincher also learned to lisp his infant school numbers there. I was interested to learn that that ripe sportsman (I hope 'ripe' is not actionable! call it 'veteran'), A O Brown fist seriously encountered the game there, and in 1922-23 a matting wicket and nets was put on a tennis court at the old school buildings, and the great thing was to slog a bal onto Bonham Road. In 1924, cam Mr. J L Youngsaye to the staff, and the school is now a really fine nursery of local cricket.

JL was dedicated to DBS cricket; he was also a very keen orchid grower right up to his 90th year. In the early 1950s, he taught the author, on a private basis, general mathematics - train 'A' leaves platform 'B' travelling at 25 mph.... He was a very nice, quiet, smiling gentleman. It was a great pleasure knowing you, JL.

Before the Pacific war, DBS played school cricket regularly against the Central British School (later KGV school), the Ellis Kadoorie School for Indians, La Salle, Queen's and St. Joseph's Colleges. The school also played friendlies against most of the Second Division clubs and the Services. The first match of the season was usually a Past v Present match on the school ground.

Like most recreational clubs and schools, the Pacific war had wrecked havoc with the buildings and grounds, and it wasn't until the 1947-48 season that cricket was played again on a limited scale. DBS joined the Hong Kong Cricket League Second Division in the 1950s.

In 1960-61, when DBS won only six matches out of 22, Thomas Chadd scored 753 runs, highest 88, averaging 37.65, and captured 71 wickets, averaging 8.83 per wicket. He was probably instrmental in the wins against IRC (twice), KCC, KGV and Recreio. Jimmy Lowcock, who played cricket for the shool in the immediate post-war period, then became headmaster for many years until the late 1980s, said of Chadd: 'Thomas Chadd was one of the best all-rounders since the war. Unfortunately, he was killed in an accident the year he left the school,'

In the mid 1960s, Roger Poynton was the strength behind DBS cricket. Teh 1st XI played in the Second Division of the Hong Kong Cricket League, while the Junior XI played against Kowloon Junior School. Three teams were formed from 29 seniors and 24 juniors.

In the school magazine Steps it was reported; 'The nets near the rrailway did not empty until 5pm, except for the occasional retreat of the acolytes to seek their missing orb lost in the railway road.'

Over $2000 was spent on cricket equipment, 60 per cent being provided by old boys, such as H T Barma, E S Cunningham, J Fenton and J L Youngsaye. The students contributed $1 for each 1st XI home game. In 1963-64, Roger Poynton's 103 against IRC was the highest score in the league cricket by a DBS boy, and was the highest score in the Second Division. Michael Shu, who umpired with the School 1st XI, was the first Chinese umpire to become one of the Colony's 12 qualified umpires, after attending an HKCC course and sitting for the UK umpires' examination.

Two close finishes were recorded: DBS 94 and KGV 91. KGV were 83-2, then Poynton and Willis dismissed eight batsman for eight runs. A remarkable win by three runs! DBS 125 and KCC 2nd XI 122. KCC were 103-9, the KCC captain hit two sixes... the score moved to 122-9. Poynton bowled to the KCC captain; "Bang! the ball was thumped high and far towards Shamshuipo for six runs - it was all over.. but what?! a DBS fielder catches something and a round object strikes the bank around the field. What's going on?? The fielder is clutching the outer leather case of the ball, it's the core which has gone for six!! A rare miracle - the ball had split on the winning hit. A 'dead ball' was declared and the next over started with the formidable KCC captain facing the bowling again. Willis bowls... a sharp snick - Barma lunges forward - OWZZAT! Win by two runs. Steps, 1964

Played 22, won 11, lost 11, position 6th. A good season ably led by Roger Poynton.

The usual two non-league annual matches were played, the Boxing Day fixture against the old boys and the Youngsaye Shield at KCC.

In 1964-65, the two outstanding players were: R Poynton - an aggressive batsman who scored 326 runs, highest 59 not out, averaging 27.20. As a fast bowler, he took 73 wickets, averaging 8.96, including five wickets eight times with a best of 7-33. R Nolasco - a medium-pace bowler, who took 63 wickets averaging 12.73, including five wickets five times, with a best of 6-56.

The school magazine Stpes had this to say: a far greater number of youngsters from the primary section of the shool must be encouraged to partake in the game so that the spirit, as well as the technicalities of cricet can be fostered.

From the early 1990s, the HKCA has spent considerable sums of money toward the improvement of the wicket and the upkeep of the ground at DBS, in its efforts to retain as many grounds as possible for cricket in Hong Kong.

Two of Hong Kong's top cricketers 'guested' for the DBS team. Stewart Brew in 1990-91 and Jsaon Penrose in 1992-93, when the school came 8th out of 18 teams in each of the seasons. In the last four seasons DBS has slipped back into the lower half of the league table, but now lead by Roy Lamsam, who gained valuable experience with the Hong Kong Representative squad in Malaysia in 1997, have put in some fine performances.

At a reunion of ex-internees of Stanley POW Camp, Hong Kong, at Leamington Spa on 12 April 1997, I spotted a cricket photograph which belonged to Bill Macauley, a member of the 1940-41 DBS team. Bill said: I never meant to play cricket but turning out for the 'house' team taught me the difference between a baseball and a cricket bat. Always as a boarder - appetite and stomach motivated and good with numerals, I started as a scorer, a very quiet and sedate job, sitting in the shack enjoying refreshments and the end of the match teas. But the leisurely life as a scorer came to an end when we were short and I was drafted as the 11th - 1940.