(John W.Hill ,1912-1984)
Ireland, Sussex Martlets, Leprechauns CC, NICC, Clontarf CC.
I see him… bowling on and on…
Impossible but much- loved John,
Whose world, so large, became so small
When fingering a cricket ball,
Which, in its turn, became a symbol
Of intellect profound and nimble.
From ‘Twenty Nine till ‘Eighty Three
He toiled and spun, then reaped, with glee,
And only showed exasperation
At others’ lack of dedication,
For even games on humblest swards
Became, for him, like Tests at Lord’s.
Or when on tour some local laird,
Whom he by well-laid plan had snared,
Found favoured treatment from the ‘Law’,
He’d sometimes threaten to withdraw,
And his offended massive bulk
Would petulantly stamp and sulk.
But, as the sun succeeds the rain,
His smile would soon break through, again;
And this year in, year out, went on –
Impossible but glorious John!
That caring friend who loved a jest,
Who played each match as if a Test.
28.Feb.1984
John Hill died on 17.January 1984. I was in a state of shock when Sonya [my daughter] came up to me just after his daughter, Alison, had telephoned me from Sussex, asking me to write an Obituary Notice for The Irish Times. Sonya, who had been particularly close to John, told me that I must also write verses in his memory.
JWH had been a valued friend for many years, regularly flying over from Malta,where he was Professor of Engineering at the University, to play for the Leprechauns CC.
Wagner's operas and cricket were his two main loves, outside his family, which meant that we shared much. HMD.
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