Massey Poyntz facts for kids

Edward Stephen Massey Poyntz (born 27 October 1883, died 26 December 1934) was an English cricket player. He played for the Somerset team in the early 1900s. Massey was an amateur player, meaning he wasn't paid to play. He was a right-handed batsman known for hitting the ball hard. He usually batted in the middle of the team's lineup. While his batting was good, he was especially famous for his amazing fielding. He also led the Somerset team as captain for two years before World War I.

Massey was the youngest son of the Chief Constable of Essex. He started playing for Somerset in 1905. In his first year, he scored a "half-century" (50 runs or more). This helped Somerset win their only match that season. He had his best batting average that year. For the next four years, his performance was not as strong. In 1910, he became captain for the first time. He scored over 300 runs in a season, which he did five times in his career.

In 1911, he tried bowling for the only time in his career. He took eight wickets. He officially became Somerset's captain in 1913 and stayed in charge for the next season. After serving in the Army during the First World War, Poyntz scored his only "century" (100 runs or more) in 1919. This was in a match for the Army against Cambridge University. He played two more matches for Somerset that year. After that, he stopped playing professional cricket.

Massey Poyntz: Early Life and Cricket Start

Massey Poyntz was born on 27 October 1883 in Chelmsford, Essex. He was the youngest of seven children. His father, Major William Henry Poyntz, was a high-ranking officer in the Royal Marines. He had also been the Chief Constable of Nottingham and then Essex.

Massey's father loved cricket. He even ran the police cricket team in Nottingham. He enjoyed watching famous teams like Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire play. Massey went to Haileybury College. He joined the school's cricket team in 1901.

After school, his family moved to Tiverton. Massey then joined the Somerset team, just like his older brother Hugh.

First Matches and Early Success

Massey's first game for Somerset was a big one. He batted well, helping his team win their only match of the season. In his first turn at bat, he scored 32 runs. Later, he scored 60 runs, which helped Somerset get a good lead. The other team, Gloucestershire, could not catch up.

He continued to play well against Gloucestershire. In a later game, he scored 89 runs in one turn. He also got 42 runs in another. Even with his good scores, Gloucestershire won that match. In his first season, Poyntz played five games. He scored a total of 307 runs. His batting average that year was 34.11, which was the best of his career.

Challenges and Tough Seasons

After 1905, Somerset's team had some difficult years. They often finished low in the league. Massey Poyntz also found it hard to score many runs between 1906 and 1909. In 30 games, he did not score a single half-century.

His toughest season was in 1907. He averaged only 4.66 runs per game. A memorable moment that year happened in a game against Middlesex. A player named Albert Trott took two "hat-tricks" (three wickets in three balls). Massey Poyntz was one of the players who got out without scoring any runs in that game.

Massey Poyntz: Leading the Team

In 1910, Massey Poyntz became the captain of Somerset for the first time. He filled in when the regular captain, John Daniell, was away. That year, he scored his first half-century since 1905. He made 50 runs against Middlesex.

He then scored 52 runs in his next game against Lancashire. Somerset lost both of these matches. He finished the 1910 season with 363 runs. He also played in a special game for the West of England.

A Busy Season and Bowling Debut

The 1911 season was tough for Somerset. They finished last in the championship. But for Poyntz, it was one of his best years. He scored 597 runs, averaging 22.96. He also hit five half-centuries, which was the most in any year of his career.

He started the season with two half-centuries in a game against Hampshire. A few games later, he tried bowling for the first time. He took five wickets in that game. This was his best bowling performance ever. He continued to bowl sometimes, but only took three more wickets in his career.

Becoming Official Captain

In 1912, Massey Poyntz played fewer games for Somerset. He scored 253 runs but did not reach 50 runs in any game. Somerset was also having financial problems. Their captain, John Daniell, decided to leave the club.

The team first asked an older player, Arthur Newton, to be captain. But he said no. So, Massey Poyntz was chosen to lead the team. The team was still struggling. In 1913, Somerset finished last in the championship. Poyntz scored 363 runs that season, with one half-century.

Despite the team's struggles, Poyntz was asked to be captain again for 1914. He and Arthur Newton were hopeful for the next season. Poyntz believed they had just had "bad luck."

The War Years and Final Games

The optimism for 1914 did not last. Somerset still had financial problems and finished near the bottom of the league. However, Poyntz had his best season for runs. He scored 642 runs in 19 games. He also made three half-centuries.

The First World War started in the summer of 1914. This caused some cricket matches to be cancelled. Many players also joined the armed forces. Even though Somerset did not do well under his leadership, Poyntz received a lot of praise for his captaincy.

Wartime Service and Later Life

In September 1914, Massey Poyntz joined the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain in 1915. He later served in the Somme region under his brother, Major Hugh Stainton Poyntz. He commanded a military unit called "B" Company during the Battle of the Somme.

Poyntz commanded the 2nd Battalion for a short time in 1917. He finished his military service as a Major.

After the war, Poyntz played only three more professional cricket matches. He scored his highest ever runs in a game for the Army against Cambridge University. He hit 114 runs in that game. The Army lost the match.

Later that season, he played his last games for Somerset. He played against Sussex and Hampshire. In total, Poyntz scored 3,127 runs in his professional cricket career. He died on 26 December 1934 in Minehead, Somerset.

Massey Poyntz: Playing Style and Personality

Massey Poyntz was known for hitting the ball very hard. He was a right-handed batsman. Some people said he lacked perfect "technique." However, others said he made up for it with hard work and effort.

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, a famous cricket book, called him an "excellent fielder." His godfather was a famous cricketer named Sammy Woods. Poyntz was also the godfather to John Daniell's son.

Massey Poyntz was a tall man. He was known for pushing his hair back with a distinct middle part. A teammate once shared a story that Poyntz claimed his family could be traced all the way back to William the Conqueror. He even had a huge family "coat of arms" in his flat in Bristol.