Elton Bryan Claessen 1935 - 2010                “ But for him it was his last afternoon as himself,                 an afternoon of nurses and rumours;                 the provinces of his body revolted,                 the squares of his mind were empty,                 silence invaded the suburbs,                 the current of his feeling failed; he became his admirers.”  - W.H. Auden         It must be nigh on sixty-five years since I first met Bryan when we were both enrolled as students at Wesley College. We were class-mates then, and have always enjoyed a rewarding friendship over the years. Bryan and his family lived fairly close to Wesley and so did a young lass named Beryl who, in those days, was also enrolled at Wesley and become a kindergarten friend to Bryan before she entered an all-girls’ school.          I remember Bryan as a decent, friendly guy who rarely spoke about his sporting prowess.  He was a good student, a loyal friend, and always had time for a funny story or anecdote. With the passing of the years, I copped some good-natured kidding from Bryan because as it turned out, that young lass from kindergarten days was to become my wife, much against the friendly protests of Bryan who always reminded me “I knew her first!”!            Bryan hails from a respected family, and all of his brothers have made their reputations on the cricket field; but Bryan has gone on to set new standards and to inspire aspiring youngsters for many years. He was the first “Under 14” Cricket Captain, leading a successful team that defeated an English Schoolboy team from Hill School, Nuwara Eliya.  Included in this team were his brother Herman, Pat Schokman, Ralph Maas, B.M. Jurangpathy and M. Ismail. Here are some of Bryan’s outstanding achievements, which are a matter of record: -         Played for Wesley “First XI” Just after his fourteenth birthday. -          Awarded Cricket Colours in his first year. -          Held School Record with four centuries. -           Awarded All-round Cricketer’s Challenge Trophy. -           Led an undefeated Team in 1953 to become the first unbeaten intercollegiate -           Champions since WW II. -           Was only the second Wesleyite to play for Sri Lanka whilst still at school. -          Scored over 1000 runs and took 100 wickets in a season for four consecutive seasons – 1950, 51, 52  and 1953.            Bryan emigrated to Australia in 1957, spending three years in Western Australia during which time he played district “A” Grade cricket for South Perth Cricket Club.  Moving to South Australia, he continued playing “A” Grade cricket for Sturt District Club. It was during this time that he first met, and wed the lovely Lady Carol who has supported him and put up with his many friends from Wesley and elsewhere all these years, whilst listening  (over and over again) to the many fables about “the good old days” and all the never-ending  cricket stories.  Bryan and Carol are blessed with five children and seven grandchildren.                After his retirement they moved to a property in Tailem Bend, South Australia, where they cultivated Barley, Oats and raised sheep, some pigs and numerous goats, all of whom Bryan has named after people he has known. There was even another old goat named George, to whom I was introduced. Bryan and Carol have established themselves as popular members of the local community, where Bryan has a busy role as “Scribe”. We have visited Bryan and Carol a few times and have always received a warm and friendly welcome every time.                 Bryan finally hung up his boots in 1990 It was good for Wesley that he was indeed around in the ‘50’s when school cricket enjoyed what must have been it’s “Shining Hour”.                  One day I asked Bryan what advice he has for my grandsons who are just starting to play cricket. This is what he replied:              +   Believe fully in your abilities.              +   Practice hard; having a lot of “potential” is not enough if you cannot come up                   with the goods.               +  As a batsman, don’t concentrate on the position of fielders but rather on the                    gaps in the field.               +  As a bowler, on most occasions bowl to a batsman’s strength. There is                    little point bowling to a weakness which the batsman is careful of .                + Be yourself, Don’t try to imitate your favourite Test Star. The world has                      already seen him and now wants to see you in action.    May you Rest In Peace, old friend.   You have just ended the finest innings of them all.                                                                                               George Robertson.