MCC to keep Eton versus Harrow and Varsity matches at Lord's

MCC give Eton versus Harrow and annual Varsity matches a five-year stay of execution with members narrowly in favour of keeping the contests at Lord’s

• MCC were forced to apologise in January after quietly dropping the contests
• Members are narrowly in favour of keeping the historic matches at Lord’s 
• A further review is expected to decide the long-term future of the fixtures 

The Eton versus Harrow and Varsity matches have been given a five-year stay of execution by MCC.

An announcement is due later today in which the news – which avoids a vote at May’s AGM – will be made official.

Bungling bosses at MCC were initially forced to apologise for dropping the historic contests on the quiet and without consulting members, claiming they needed to reduce the number of matches at the historic venue.

Amid outcry, they were forced into issuing an apology and distributing a survey, in which the 18,000 MCC members were asked for their opinion on which games should be kept at the iconic venue amid supposed time constraints.

In what was an incredibly tight contest, a majority of around 40 wanted Eton and Harrow to stay, with a margin of around 100 in favour of keeping the Varsity match.

The Eton versus Harrow and Varsity matches will remain at Lord’s for the next five years

The MCC’s members were narrowly in favor of keeping the matches at the historic venue

Talks followed between MCC officials and those leading the fight to keep the fixtures. It was suggested by MCC that the games be played every other year. That was unceremoniously rejected with a vote set to take place at May’s AGM.

But now that vote will not be necessary.

The Eton v Harrow fixture has been played since 1805 with the Oxford and Cambridge game first held at Lord’s in 1827.

It is thought a further review will follow on the future of both fixtures beyond the five-year period.

Source: Read Full Article