 He made his first-class debut for Cambridge University against Sussex in May 1936, scoring 93 (which was to remain his highest score for the university) before being out lbw to the bowling of Charles Oakes.He won his blue that season, playing in the Varsity Match at Lord's where he made 19 and 5.He also played six games for Warwickshire in the County Championship, often getting a good start though never going on to a big score, and finishing with 272 runs at an average of 30.22, placing him third in the county's averages.