South Yorkshire Times, June 12th
Mexborough Jig for Victory
After their incisiveness a week ago, Yorkshire Council bowlers lost none of their zest on Saturday’s wicket and there was no docility in Mexborough’s handling of South Kirkby. Kirkby needing 32 for victory with 5 wickets in hand and losing by 30.
A (“Happy”) Barron was the executioner and takes a just place in the honours board. In one over he had three wickets in four deliveries. Mexborough jubilation was expressed in something between an Irish Jig and a Scottish Reel!
In Division 2 of the South Riding League Bentley lost their first game – to Frickley, while in Division One Rockingham have climbed a further rung. Mitchell’s continue to make grand running and are also up a peg since last week.
Week’s Topics
Cricket is providing a pleasant variety this season and an unusual series of spectacular finishes. Wicket-keeping, too, is attracting much attention, both for its own excellence and other notable feats of batsmanship by the wicket-keeper’s.
Among them is Swinton’s H.Parkin, who followed up his 81 in a previous innings with an unbeaten 51 against Darfield. Here was one of those close finishes deluxe. Darfield had gone their way for 81 (Ward taking six of their wickets). Swinton scored 84 – for 9 – ninth wicket having fallen at 75!
Mexborough continue to find their way into the headlights, and notable in their defeat of South Kirby was the batsmanship of Howard Smith and the bowling of “Happy” Barron. Smith, by the way, has still to be bowled this season in South Riding league matches. He has been twice undefeated, once run out, once caught out. This after seven seasons in the army – away from cricket.
Thorncliffe 111 for 8 Elsecar 106
The Elsecar – Thorncliffe match was interesting. Elsecar stood at 87 for five; were gone for 106, I Baxter 34. Thorncliffe were at 70 on the board for one wicket (former Mexbronian Frank Newton hit 37), then seven wickets fell for 26 runs, Guest hitting the winner with a boundary to take the total to 111 for eight. Moore took 4 for 22
Jig for Victory.
South Kirkby 82 Mexborough 112
A dance, best described as a cross between an Irish Jig and a Scottish Reel, was performed by Mexborough players as they left the field at South Kirkby on Saturday after winning by 30 runs. Only 15 minutes earlier, South Kirkby, with five wickets standing, required only 32 runs to pass the Mexborough total of 112.
Chances of a Mexborough victory were slender, but hopes of a fourth South Kirkby win were dashed by A.Barron, Mexborough’s fast right arm bowler. In one over he took three wickets in four balls, and South Kirby lost the five wickets for one run.
The visitors lost their opening batsmen R.Hill with five runs on the board and six wickets were down for 50. Highlight of the innings was the faultless batting of R.H. Smith, who carried his bat for 50. When the last man, Barron, went to the wicket Smith was 12 short of his half century. Barron survived three or four balls but was bowled immediately after Smith reached 50. For South Kirby D.Fletcher, who bowled 19 overs, took seven for 64.
South Kirkby’s opening batsmen put on 38 and 81 was reached with five wickets standing. This. Then Barron had his deadly spell and his final analysis was seven for 31
A Wicket to Spare
Darfield 81 Swinton 84 for 9
Darfield had a disappointing start in their Council match with Swinton, for Routledge was caught by Irwin after registering only one run. Bladen, his opening partner, made eight. Green with 14, and E.Hirst (27 not out) were the highest run getters. W Townsend 813 and Garfield were dismissed for 81.
For Swinton, H Parkin opened with 51 not out, though the closing stages of the game became exciting when Batty dismissed three Swinton batsmen in quick succession for “ducks”. Swinton scored 84 for nine. Bailey (Swinton) took two for 15, while for Darfield, C Greaves took three for 31.
Let Off – Hit 75 not out.
Cortonwood 169 for 7 Denaby 170 for 5
After declaring at 169 for seven, Cortonwood saw Denaby rub off the score with 170 for five. Cortonwood opened uneasily, two wickets being down for only four runs. Then G Swallow made a stand to get 42. Their total also included a 45 not out by J Wilks.
For Denaby, J. Richard scored 75 not out after being “let off” early on, and K. Bacon hit 52.
It was not a happy day for the bowlers. For Denaby J Richards had three for 26 and Newton three for 39. For Cortonwood, Bradley took four for 70. The fielding on both sides left much to be desired.