The Headmaster broke out the grog at noon and a fine time was had by all. The scoring was light, one side was all out for 19.
This reminded me of the ultimate school cicket match, an under 11 game. Each side had one Goliath, typically a far eastern prince who shaves and has a special relationship with the so aptly named under matron, and 10 would-be Davids.
The home side went in to bat. Their Goliath scored 1, was bowled and the rest were skittled out without further score.
Not only were the tea arrangements in disarray, the master in charge of the team had his job on the line.
A pep talk to rival that of Henry V at Agincourt produced the miracle. They bowled the oppo out for 0.
The score is recorded in a distant Wisden as 1-0.
When I told the headmaster this tale he responded with one of his own. One of his teams had scored a reasonable total and then dismissed the opposition for 1 run, thus easily winning the match.
A parent expressed great surprise at the low score "They scored 1?" "Well pater", replied his gilded son "we did field awfully badly".
Combined with barminess, playing cricket in heavy rain is in the inate conservatism of the English psyche. All change is perceived as frightening, unneccessary and avoidable. It says cricket on Saturday in the time-table so that's that.
Whilst this attitude is helpful during the retreat from Mons or rowing a whaler 800 miles to South Georgia, it hinders progress.
The dogmatic defense of the status quo "We've always done it this way and that is the way it is going to stay. " pervades business life.
Even when the inevitable change has become dog eared with age it remains unacceptable. An example is "I know change is inevitable but I was hoping it would't happen until after my retirement".
We call this attitude "grey socks". It is the element that should be being addressed at all levels of education and training.
If there was a magic potion that could be poured on the national wheatie-bangs at breakfast to give open and enquiring minds to management this nation would surge into the forefront of world activity.
Not necessarily linked to grey socks but occasionally worn with them are the dreaded grey shoes. An example of change that surprisingly did take place and now hopefully is on the wane.
Up til ten years or so ago business shoes were black or brown. Then some bright spark began producing grey. And they sold.
In my view formal business shoes should shine. Black and brown shoes shine wonderfully. Grey don't. From their first wearing they look shabby. Also they look dreadful with any colour including grey.
In spite of these apparent disadvantages grey shoes were worn fairly widely. At one point children's lace up shoes only came in black or grey, they were unobtainable in brown. Thus there was an element of force majeur in the choice.
Shoes for occasions other than formal business can be any colour or fabric. I have a pair of tartan Doc Marten's for example.
We can't have Grey Fox exhibiting grey socks tendencies.
If you'd like to write a column here, look at this.
Back to the London Mall