1970 DOCKER SHIELD

A tribute to Malcolm Richards

By Neil Mallett 3rd July 2020

Malcolm Richards

Neil Mallett Former England hockey captain, Neil Mallett remembers 50 years ago as he played in the Docker Shield final - the World’s oldest schools cricket competition.

Dedicated as a tribute to school cricket master - Malcolm Richards

The 1970 final Docker shield schools cricket final had everlasting tribute to our cricket master of the time everything and was a classic in every respect. - from Malcolm Richards (now aged 77 ) as to how powerful the contrasting educational philosophies of the two the sporting bond between teacher and pupil can schools involved, to the ebb and flow of an incredibly become when focussed in pursuit of a common goal. exciting game of cricket, dreams into reality back Malcolm was popular and likeable around the school stories, personal best performances, off field disputes, and a good all-rounder in club cricket himself at a touch of “needle “and a thrilling finale. This final had Halesowen, had steadily built cricket up within the everything and contains lifelong lessons for teachers, overall fabric of school life and what occurred in 1970 schoolboy cricketers and for anyone that’s involved in represented a milestone moment of how far cricket coaching the game these days. under his leadership had developed. Overall, success World’s oldest schools cricket competition on the sports field was an important strategy of Dating back to 1886, the Docker Shield cricket driving the reputation of the new “Grammar - competition is the world’s oldest schools’ cricket Technical school “and cricket along with athletics was competition that is traditionally contested and sought viewed as the key drivers in summer. The PE after every year by school cricket team within department had all become set on achieving the . As a former pupil at Lordswood games related objective across all sports. Grammar Technical school (as it was called in my time A diet of one after school net sessions per week plus there from 1967-74 ) here are some of my personal matches on games afternoons plus some afterschool memories and recollections of when our school’s matches and Saturday morning school matches were under 15 cricket team ( year 10 nowadays ) had a shot the formulae behind the Richards cricket led approach. at the prestigious shield trophy back in 1970 for the By combining a set of promising young cricketers one and only time in the school’s history – bringing across two successive year age groups was also a key both memories and the lessons learned, flooding back element in his strategy- in that it both broadened the of the day some 50 years ago this month that we players mentally and strengthened the talent base, played the final against Castle Vale comprehensive resulting in raising the bar for selection and had the school at Edgbaston. In his article reporting on the effect of introducing an internal performance edge of game, journalist Ray Longhorn described it as “as one competitiveness, even before the team was selected. of the most exciting finals in the history of the Suffice to say it was more than one year’s work competition. “ involved here to formulate the recipe required, blend Genuine school teacher commitment the right players together, establish the right culture in The backstory to the final is also worthy of mention combining both a growth and winning mindset. here and is my attempt of placing on record an Significantly under Malcolm’s tutelage, he placed a 1 great deal of emphasis on the mantra that although We thought we had a useful varied attack. Led played by individuals, cricket was above all a team by Howard Knight the fastest of our bowlers who’d game – which maintained a sense of overall already been selected for U-13’s, Andy enjoyment with grounding in equal measures. Illidge could both swing and seam the ball and Paul Griffin, Andy Terry and Nick Perrin were all steady Every schoolboy’s dream reliable seamers. One obvious area missing……. but I’ll My own memories of the final itself started with the come onto that later. spinetingling excitement of walking through the doors marked “Players entrance “ located at the back of the Our lads were used to skittling out most teams we’d pavilion and into what seemed to be the enormous encountered, once we’d got through the top 2 or 3 home dressing room at Edgbaston with the attendant opposition batsmen on mostly seamer friendly pitches on duty showing us where things were and where we and here, we came up against it as things weren’t would be allowed to view from etc. It was such a thrill going according to plan. If my memory serves me just to experience being inside the inner sanctum and correctly, we made the initial breakthrough after the thoughts of where so many great cricketers had Castle Vale openers had already put on over 50 and actually walked changed and played before – Howard they continued to pile on the runs. It wasn’t looking Knight and I had stood outside those doors previously too good and it felt like we were tense under the a few time before, autograph hunting at lunch and tea pressure of the occasion. Anyway, like on many during games, hoping to get a occasions then like now, the arrival of a drinks break glimpse - but on this occasion we were literally had a significant impact on proceedings - as it walking in their footsteps as that day at least we were provided us with a short time to regroup and actually allowed inside. importantly just enough time for them to stop for a moment and think. Following in the footsteps of our hero’s Inside the dressing room itself, there were lockers with According to teacher Richards, during the break in players names on - including the then current play, he quietly told Ian Scott ( “ Scotty “ ) our captain Warwickshire stars of the era Dennis Amiss, John to bring me on to try and bowl my embryonic leg Jameson, M.J. K. Smith Rohan Kanhai, A.C. Smith, breaks as they probably hadn’t come across this type Lance Gibbs, Norman McVicker David Brown et al. All of bowling before and this may be the best way of Warwickshire based test playing legends. When we taking on this flat Edgbaston track. I was the eventually ventured out onto the outfield itself with youngest in our team at 13 years of age so it was a what felt like a carpet under your feet to take a look at huge gamble - for them both! the pitch that was cut towards the edge of the square Anyway, due to a huge dose of nerves it took a couple towards the Eric Hollies Stand– rock hard with no grass of overs for me to settle down and I had some tap by comparison with the seamer friendly “top pitch “at initially, but then hunch paid off as the switch of Lordswood. Empty stands of course, but nevertheless approach and change of seamer at the other end, looking back in the direction of the pavilion from the began to work as the in form Castle Vale opener and square, still an unforgettable image to savour and their captain was soon by our keeper “ Jock “ great vantage point from where to taste the Stein off me - just after he’d reached a very good half atmosphere. century when he danced down the and missed We lost the toss and were bowling and Castle Vale a straight one – no D.R.S in those days so just a simple made an extremely good start when our usually good raise of the finger by the neutral square leg umpire. It and reliable fast and medium bowling attack struggled was just the breakthrough we needed and the to make any inroads on the road of a pitch. It was such Richards inspired masterstroke had worked! 97-1 had an enormous contrast to what we were used to – become 97-2. Sheldon Heath, George Dixon, St. Phillips and Holford Learn from your schoolboy errors Drive even our own top pitch at Lordswood, where Being small of stature at the time, I was then the outfields were gang mown rugby or football encouraged to launch the ball higher and higher and pitches and where the actual cricket pitches was told to “get it up there” flight the ball and not to themselves we really just shorter cut grass - so were bowl short. We sensed an immediate shift in not in no way comparable like this Edgbaston belter. momentum now though as the “ fear of spin “ took 2 hold of their dressing room and the potential At the beginning of our innings we were soon in embarrassment of getting out to this slow bowling trouble. Our opener “Jock”Stein, a powerfully built bombardment started to prey on the minds of their rugby playing forward / pinch hitter type went early, batsmen - particularly now that their star turn man and the talented Mike Sheldon our other opener had apparently succumbed to it. On reflection I think started well, played a few good shots but then got it’s true to describe what was going on as being a bowled as he was looking to be set. My replacement schoolboy error! at 3 was also out early so we were soon reduced to 25- 3. Not looking quite so good now again as the As my and our teams’ confidence grew, we sensed momentum had now swung very much back in Castle that theirs had temporarily dropped a bit and at least Vale’s favour again for now we were back in the game - the reality is that on the day they found all sorts of ways to get Putting on the style themselves out as happens with spin and so failed to Nick Perrin, our stylish talisman was by far our most build upon the great start they’d made. experienced cricketer. Nick was a quick witted chipper At the other end, Nick Perrin a useful seamer had been type, and importantly played in a stylish dashing sort introduced by Scotty and we’d found what proved to of way as he believed in his own ability, so therefore be the right combination for what was required. I set a good example for the rest of us to look up to - as nd can’t remember much more about the other I recall he’d already played 2 XI cricket for Moseley dismissals, but I ended up somewhat incredibly taking in the Birmingham League so had been bought up on 5 -31 from the pavilion end whilst Nick whittled away their fast bouncy pitch of the time and was also at the City end taking 4-48. Castle Vale didn’t collapse involved with the Warwickshire U 15 set up - a step as such, making a mid-innings rally and were above the rest of us at the time. Nick set about eventually all out for 155. From our perspective building his innings and a platform to steady the ship though they were of sight as they might well with the initial recovery platform the team needed have been – however the score was still reported at and more importantly was beginning to make the rest the time as a being a “formidable total “ by U15 of us inside the huge dressing room, feel decidedly standards and the game was very much in the balance better and start believing again. At this point Scotty at tea where we felt we would have to bat well to win was playing a second fiddle supporting role while Nick and Castle Vale must have thought that they’d got was set and showing everyone there just how good he enough runs. really was. Portrait of a hero Mankading hiccup stops the runs During the tea break, amidst the many Then came a moment that I’d initially forgotten about congratulations and elation of the sheer excitement of all these years later, but now remember only for the it all, when I eventually took my cricket shoes off and significance of the galvanising impact it had on us. went for tea into the “dining room “ noticed that my Over the many sporting years to come, where it was left ankle had already begun to swell up – The considered it to be important (particularly in finals ) I footholds underfoot were harder than I was used to, somehow found the contest enhanced when the I’d never bowled that many overs before and the intensity level had become heightened and provoked adrenaline of what was happening on the field had by a real sense of injustice. I realise now the situation kept me going whilst out on the field but I’d effectively that arose here was the beginning of my learning of seized up now I’d stopped - requiring a last minute how to stay calm, keep on task, step up and thrive in adjustment in our batting order in order to give me these pressure situations when they arise. some extra time to recover if I could. I do also recall It was reported that Nick was so called “run out “for though that local cartoonist Norman Edwards been at 43. The reality was he was dismissed at the non- the ground and completing one of his famous strikers end by a bowler about to deliver - known caricature storyboards in testimony of the game ( these days as “ mankading “ but from my recollection including one of me he’d drawn during the tea break ) of what happened our side referred to it as cheating - that appeared shortly afterwards in the Birmingham made even worse though as we suspected that the Sports Argus - which was an additional special guilty bowler had been instructed to do so by an eagle unexpected bonus record of the occasion. eyed Castle Vale teacher who’d apparently seen that 3

Nick had been backing up and leaving his crease perspectives that existed then as it probably still does slightly before the bowler released the ball and the now. Edward Heath had recently been elected Prime teacher concerned had walked around the boundaries Minister having caused an upset by surprisingly edge told the bowler with the specific instructions to overcoming Harold Wilson at the General election get him out by “running him out” - legal but some three weeks earlier. The era produced another unsporting though in our view without any prior battle being played out within the Birmingham warning either. education system itself, between two diametrically differing education philosophies that were also being As Nick trudged off, the dismissal provoked a heated waged inside the classrooms themselves - on one exchange of words from teachers from both schools side of this ongoing debate was where one school had and the game was now on as the temperature grew! been fighting for and had recently secured its’ This tight on field contest was now being “grammar - technical school status – seen by some as supplemented by a well contested “war of words “off a way of giving some inner city Brummies’ like myself a it. Little did they realises though as players we were chance to better their lot through a selective happy that whichever way things went, we’d got both educational channel available. angles covered. On the other side, a fresh new concept that was being Honours even in the war of words pioneered by some educationalists of the era, but still By this stage, two of Malcolm’s friends and close relatively untried and untested. A new “kid on the teaching colleagues had arrived on the scene to block “in Chelmsley Wood representing the fresh witness to what they thought was to sit and quietly comprehensive school system approach - professing watching the game. Tony Hale, the brilliant and razor that equality for all with a level playing field within the sharp brained head of English at our school was on classroom was the way forward. hand so we’d got the war of words angle already covered – along with another a fellow PE teacher, John On field, it wasn’t much of a factor, but it just added White ( a huge frame of a man ) who was also sitting an extra ingredient to the off- field subplot factor here there quietly in the background – we knew if things - two underlying new educational approaches collided escalated beyond just the words at any stage, our well on that the day and had partially surfaced here with known Moseley rugby club forward would be quite this latest furore. In the long run though, perhaps the capable of settling any physical war related arguments most significant feature for any current educationalist – as we could tell he’d got quite a bit of previous, as reading this these days is though, that neither of the we’d seen more than once, when he turned up for two schools survived the test of time in their new school on several Monday mornings during the winter formats of the late 1960’s era. months, where he’d regularly be sporting some right Reflecting now, what the Castle Vale teacher probably shiners and cauliflower as ears. Comfortingly, Tony never quite realised though was the impact was that also had some backbone about him as well and if he’d provided his opponent with that little bit of extra called upon could assist John if he didn’t quite get the motivation – never a good sporting strategy! spelling of his expletives quite right. Back to the game itself…. Our three staff members were all rightly incensed and so more importantly so were our team - John White, After Nick was so called dismissed and had arrived Tony Hale ( alternating as umpires and spectators in back in our dressing room he and the rest of us were matches ) and chemistry teacher, Mr. Rhodes had all livid but he had also played a really good innings and become hooked as team supporters along the journey he / we thought was looking set for a big one - to to the final as back of house staff and both knew compound matters, we then lost a couple more exactly how hard Malcolm and the players had worked wickets quickly as usually happens (including me with in order to get here and all three of them were the strapped left ankle effectively on one leg) and so emotionally engaged right behind the team. our innings had been wounded as we descended to 91-6. We were back struggling again though and they Two educational lessons from the era were on top. The other contrast of opposites of this final were provided at the political and philosophical Down but not out though, as captain Scott was a spirited type, didn’t say much but had a real inner 4 strength about his personality and he was still there, score of 53. The two close mates had added a priceless had seen what had happened with Nick at the other 54 together. end and he just needed somehow to keep his cool and At the fall of Scotty, it was joy for them and doubt for for someone else to hang around with him. us again – now just 11 runs still needed. The continual Importantly, Scotty was in form and confident having ebb and flow of this game of cricket in opposite scored a good 30 not out in knocking off the runs in directions is what occasionally makes the game of our semi - final win against Kings Norton a few days cricket so very special – as the uncertainty of how it’s earlier and it was now vital he held himself and the going to end up also comes into the equation, the team together again. tension level rises along with the excitement levels of Enter the arena, Melvin Richards, as he joined Scotty everyone involved. Players and spectators alike. at the crease. Embrace the point of no return As I recall, Melvin used to outwardly display an air of We’d arrived at that tantalising point, as happens in couldn’t care less sort of manner about his cricket, every close-run chase where the finish line is within that he combined with an earthy “streetfighter “ sight and not far away, but at the same time not quite quality about him so we felt he wouldn’t bottle it ! - within your grasp just yet either. Howard Knight was just what was needed ( and a quality that may even then legitimately “run out “in a mix up so we still now be required again afterwards ) and as it turned out he needed 9 to win with our last man Andrew Terry was the ideal antidote to what had been kicking off striding to the crease. It could still go either way. earlier and proved to be just the tonic we needed. Andrew was an understated intelligent studious type, Be prepared to switch to a plan B and possessed quite a good cricket brain on him and Slowly, the two close mates started to get the rebuild we clapped him every ball as he blocked a few balls underway in a match changing 7th wicket stand - the back in his survival mode – by now from the closer score began to rise again gradually and swing things vantage point of the open gallery area in front of the back in our favour again. As the old cricket saying dressing room. goes, Scotty led from the front and played a captain’s At this point it all became too much for Malcolm innings by hitting a few boundaries - but more though as he opted to withdraw from sitting alongside importantly switched to a plan B approach of mixing it Tony Hale, preferring to walk around outside the back up by running quick singles with his close friend at the of the pavilion across the road in Cannon Hill Park like other end. The lesson for any coaches these days is to an expectant father rather than send his pulse through prepare players to be flexible enough and mentally the ceiling as the final overs unfolded. So near and yet adept enough to switch when their primary approach so far. isn’t working. By introducing a mid- innings form of “tip and run “into the equation (another of Richards’s By now it was past 8.30p.m. with a scheduled 9.00p.m. coaching traits) the Castle Vale fielders now began to close of play deadline - over 6 hours on from the start, get noticeably rattled. These two, a cheeky couple of with the light now fading a bit, here we were engaged scallywags both on and off the field were incredibly in what can only be described as a thrilling contest relaxed in each other’s company as they set about the between two really evenly matched sides who’d both task in front of them. It was great viewing as they played well on the day with the additional spice launched just the rallying counter attack the team created by a mid-innings rumpus. In this final of needed. continuing twists and turns it was going to the wire – the outcome and direction where the shield would be As this key partnership built and the tension mounted, headed remained in the balance. thankfully the teachers quietened down again as these two schoolfriends most significantly let their play do Step up to the plate Melvin Richards as he then hit a the talking. Closer and closer we got and eventually couple of boundaries……..then a single………2 to win Scotty celebrated an invaluable half century – as we all and then Melvin cracked another four through the did. A captain’s knock in the heat of the battle, but covers to experience the delirious pleasure of hitting unfortunately on this occasion he wasn’t quite able to the winning runs with a swish of his blade and he see his team totally across the line, as he was stood there momentarily both hands aloft like dismissed by a good catch in the outfield for his best 5 celebrating scoring the winning goal in an F.A cup Cricketing memories of a lifetime final -being a bluenose it’s the closest he’d get. During the ceremony, the longstanding Warwickshire However, I can still see the indelible image etched CCC secretary Leslie Deakins announced the excellent inside my memory bank 50 years later, securing both prize for winning the final was that the county club our moment of triumph and of great relief. Melvin gave all our players a complimentary junior finished undefeated on 34 not out and had provided membership for Edgbaston to cover the following the final twist of a pulsating game in our favour whilst season of 1971. Absolutely priceless in our eyes as we Andrew had also survived at the other end for the best would get to return, sit near the famous Edgbaston 0* ever. We’d won this nail biter by the narrowest of scoreboard at the scene of our triumph, and watch in possible margins securing a one wicket victory off the awe of our cricketing heroes and fondly relive the last ball of the game. Melvin had played the match scenes of that day. defining knock as it turned out, to be our real “nugget” I’m able to share with you a photo of the team that on the day. appeared in the schools 1970 yearbook - but as memory serves me a special celebration did take place Turn your dreams into reality shortly afterwards where the team were given the Somewhat fittingly, whilst one M. Richards was an day off school towards the end of the term and where emotional wreck stalking around outside incapable of the team were driven in a minibus down to New Road watching, another M. Richards kept his nerve, stood Worcester to watch a day’s play in the County firm, hitting the winning runs out in the middle Championship by team chauffeur Tony Hale. becoming our final hero on a day full of heroes and more importantly Malcolm’s dreams had turned into Great fun was had by all. reality. We’d all witnessed something special during an I’m sure there will be other teammates and opponents unforgettable day and immediately forgave him for still here to remember this unforgettable day. In my missing the last rites when he re-joined us for the case it’s taken 50 years to recover! pavilion celebrations – we knew it meant that much to him. It had been his / our holy grail and collectively Finally, as you would expect from a schoolboy’s somehow, we’d managed to find a way on that day, personal story, there were several lifelong lessons to with the total internal satisfaction we’d done it when be learned at that time, particularly during the final it mattered the most. itself.

It was already late when the trophy presentation took Looking back now, the importance of teamwork, place, so I don’t recall exactly what happened learning to support and trust one another, prepare for afterwards. All acrimony had dissipated though and the unexpected, the need to keep your cool, step up disagreements were forgotten as both teams took part when you need to and significantly in this case, adopt in the trophy presentation on the outfield in front of a never give up mindset. They were all key ingredients the pavilion. on display here in 1970.

We were all elated and exhausted in equal measure. I Underlying all of this, I also now realise the was certainly exhausted by the emotional rollercoaster significance of having the right teaching influence at we’d all been on, was hobbling around as my ankle the right time during a key stage in your teenage was strapped and hurting and my mom and dad had development; providing a combination of help, thankfully at least been there to see us win - so I guidance, and positive influence to steer you along suspect we didn’t hang around long and our teachers your way in life. In my own case it was the joy, love, probably found the closest pub to go and celebrate and enjoyment of the game of cricket and sport in properly. general that was nurtured within me that remains as his long-lasting legacy. Nick Perrin and Ian Scott were rightly awarded cricket bats for their performances on the day along with Thank you, Malcolm. Dave Gilbert, the Castle Vale captain. Neil Mallett

3rd July 2020

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Docker shield Final 1970.

Match scorecard

Castle Vale comprehensive Innings

D. Gilbert* st Steins b Mallett 53 P. Hunt b Perrin 15 J. Horrocks lbw Mallett 35 S. Lewis c Holmes b Griffin 0 G. Simmons lbw b Perrin 20 C. Robbins c Knight b Mallett 0 W. Hines c Griffin b Mallett 12 I.Montgomery not out 5 K. Hawker b Perrin 5 S. Curley b Mallett 1 J. Wray c Griffin b Perrin 0 Extras 6 Total 155 Bowling: Mallett 5-31, Perrin 4-48

Lordswood Grammar Technical School Innings

M. Sheldon b Curley 14 R. Steins b Curley 2 S. Holmes b Curley 0 N. Perrin run out 43 I. Scott * c Horrocks b Curley 53 A. Illedge lbw Horrocks 2 M. Richards not out 34 N. Mallett c Curly b Horrocks 3 P. Griffin c Horrocks b Hunt 0 H. Knight run out 0 A. Terry not out 0 Extras 6 Total 157 – 9 Bowling: Curley 4-43, Horrocks 2-37

Result: Lordswood Grammar Technical school won by one wicket

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Team photo Docker Shield winners -3rd July 1970

Further Information:

Within 3 years Neil and Malcolm were first XI teammates at Halesowen cricket club.

The following year in 1971 with pretty much the same nucleus of cricketers the Lordswood also won the Stacey Jackson Bowl.

In 1985, Neil was named one of the Midlands club cricket conference players of the season.

After making his international hockey debut for England somewhat fittingly at the Sydney Cricket ground on 14th August 1981 Neil went on to play for the England hockey team 27 times between 1981 -1985 - captaining the team at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, Malaysia in 1985.

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