Can you solve a cricket mystery?

May has arrived and it looks as if the monsoon has stopped. And at such times a young man`s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of… cricket!

This term, the College Archives has been fortunate enough to be given several items which had belonged to the late Brian R. BLAND (C3 September 1936 – December 1940).

Brian had been a distinguished cricketer at Marlborough, having been a bowler in 3 successive College Cricket XIs from 1938-40, ending his Marlborough cricketing career with the unique match at Lords in July 1940 when our opponents were Haileybury rather than Rugby!

Unsurprisingly, most of the items donated to the College were clearly connected with cricket, but there is one which is somewhat of a mystery. This is a small but very smart hallmarked silver cup. This has a single handle (rough dimensions: 4” high and 2.5” wide at the base) and bears the following inscription:

MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE

THE THRING CUP

1940

B.R.BLAND

We can find no record anywhere at Marlborough of “The Bland Cup” and I would be delighted if some kind Old Marlburian could enlighten me on the matter. Was it a cricketing trophy (eg for the best bowler) or for something else entirely different? Also, who was the Thring who, seemingly, donated the cup?

Can any kind Old Marlburian make this aged archivist's day ??

Terry Rogers

6:v:08

P.S. And a bonus question for those who like challenges ! Can anyone remember another occasion when Marlborough`s cricket opponent at Lords was not Rugby? Both Year and School please! ter@malrboroughcollege.org or 01672 892474