South Yorkshire Times, June 23rd, 1951

Swinton Held at Darfield

All the excitement of the game was crammed into The last over at Darfield, where Swinton were held to a draw after scoring 188 for 7.

W. R. Ward, who had already taken his “customary” five wickets was bowling and Darfield’s last pair, Wilf Townsend and Jack Ennis, were at the wicket. Closed in on the batsmen, the fieldsmen were on their toes; with every delivery the spectators held their breath. Townsend skied one, but the fielders were too near the wicket to get it! Ward tried every trick, but to no purpose. Darfield lasted out to get a share of the points at 127 for 9.

During the extra five ovens claimed by Swinton they took wickets seven, eight and nine, but could not get the tenth. Thus did Darfield snatch a brand from the burning after Swinton had faced them with a first-wicket partnership of 124, R. Cutts 46, W. Cummins 74). Skipper Jack Routledge was again Darfleld’s top scorer with 42. Darfield’s best bowling performances were a 2 for 16 by C. Greaves and a 3 for 38 by D. Batty. For Swinton, W. Ward took 5 for 62.