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History:
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Philip Meldon was a member of one Ireland's most famous cricket families whose deeds spanned two generations. A forcing right-handed batsman, whom some thought unreliable, he was a very good leg spinner of whom Pat Hone wrote, "He must have been the slowest bowler who ever bowled in reputable cricket." His deliveries seemed easy to counter, but they claimed the best, including WG Grace, Monty Noble and Victor Trumper. He entered Dublin University in 1895, becoming at once a key part of the XV, and was ever present in the XI from 1896 to1899. His first big match for the University was v WG Grace's XI in 1897. With 3-81 he was the best bowler, bowling "The Champion" round his legs with a prototype "Gatting Ball." In 1899, he appeared for Ireland against I Zingari at The Vice Regal Ground. The Irish side, decimated by a selection dispute, was no match for the visitors, but Philip might have felt annoyed that his bowling was virtually ignored.
That winter he became the first of his families' three double internationals. Though mainly a Rugby footballer, it was at the round ball game that he was selected for Ireland. At inside right, he scored the only goal of the match to beat Wales, but he was dropped after an 8-1 defeat by Scotland. He was commissioned early in 1900, and spent the next two years in South Africa. In 1905, he was back in Ireland and played for the University Past and Present against the Australians. The tourists bowling was too much for all except Frank Browning, who twice passed 50, but Philip's unusual bowling, backed up by the band of the Cameron Highlanders blaring triumphantly every time he took a wicket, gave him match figures of 10-216.
Besides Trumper and Noble his haul included Sid Gregory, Reggie Duff and Warwick Armstrong. Three weeks later, he played for Ireland for the last time. Ireland lost by 53 runs to HDG Leveson-Gower's XI, and, though the "old firm" of Ross and Harrington were on song, it was most surprising that Philip, banished to 11 in the batting order, did not get a bowl. He made two unremarkable first class appearances for MCC in 1911, but his Irish cricket, when on leave, was confined to matches for Counties Wicklow and Galway.
He often bowled in tandem with his brother WW "Budge " Meldon for Wicklow, the latter was a seamer. The Wicklow groundsman was said to prepare wickets that favoured seam at one end and leg spin at the other. Philip served in France and at Gallipoli. He finished with a DSO and a "mention" in despatches. Marrying in 1921, hr retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1928. He then lived for a time in Armagh, captained the team and took some of its members to Lord's where they were delighted to meet Jack Hobbs. When the new War broke out Meldon rejoined the colours. Sixty-seven at the time of his death, he was working as an Intelligence Officer.
Edward Liddle, April 2007
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