Although they had little to do, they did what there was to do neatly and well, and, unlike many junior elevens, did it quietly.

The junior matches at Willoughby had usually been more famous for noise than cricket, but on this occasion the order of things was reversed, and Riddell, as he looked on and heard the compliments from all quarters bestowed on his young heroes, might be excused if he felt rewarded for all the labour and patience of the past month.
It offended him not at all to hear this good result attributed generally to Mr Parrett's instructions.

He knew it was true.

Mr Parrett himself took care to disclaim any but a small amount of merit in the matter.
"It's a wonder to me," said he to Fairbairn, in the hearing of a good many seniors, who were wont to treat anything he had to say on athletic matters as authoritative--"it's a wonder to me how Riddell, who is only a moderate player himself, has turned out such a first-rate eleven.
He's about the best cricket coach we have had, and I have seen several in my time.

He has worked on their enthusiasm without stint, and next best to that, he has not so much hammered into them what they ought to do, as he has hammered out of them what they ought not to do.