South Yorkshire Times, May 15th 1948
Australian Weather Greets the Season.
The first full weekend cricket, delayed by May’s clouds and drizzle, found Australian weather as pleasant greeting. Five Council batsmen were among the century makers, notably Frank Newton’s 115 for Thorncliffe (last season he was with Mexborough), Clem Sage’s 110 for Dearne (inside 65 min) R.Bellfields 110 for Hemsworth, Munden’s 107 for Denaby and Cadeby, and J Armstrong’s 107 for Alltofts
Dearne, Mexborough, Denaby, and Hickleton all won their Council engagements – all on “home” grounds, a combined feat interesting in itself.
Released from his football obligations, Roy Cooling was able to turn up for Mitchell Main against Bentley on Saturday. An inside forward Roy, who belongs to an old Mitchell Main family, went to Mansfield Town from Barnsley. He has re-signed for Mansfield. At 23, Roy is regarded as one of Mitchell Main’s cricket hopefuls. A modest lad, he is a good all-rounder.
A “New Look”
Mexborough 140 Frickley 106
Mexborough have had a batch of bad luck during this close season, losing their Council men, and having perforce to promote the Doncaster League side overnight, so that there were a few among a very meagre band of spectators for such a glorious afternoon, whoexpected such complete victory over Frickley. Mexborough, and brought a decidedly “new look” to Hampden Road.
Vickers refused to be bullied by the Frickley attack. He attacked with zest and when attack would have been indiscreet he pushed the ball into open spaces and took singles which were always good value. He had reached 51 before he went his way, a (for him) somewhat leisurely shot failling to beat the ball, and a rebound from Leighton’s pads finding him out of his territory.
The hundred went up in an hour and 50 min – fast scoring than it had seen, approximately 2 hours, and their stay at the wicket producing 140, Kevers taking five for 44.
That Frickley were gone for 106 was tribute to industrial persistence by a varied Mexborough attack – and to smarter field work than seen from Frickley. They were soon in trouble and the board trundled through seven for 58 to its ultimate end of 106. R. Williams having taken three for 27, J Robinson five for 37 and a Barton two for 31. Leighton contributed 19, Burke and 35 and Hall 22 to the Frickley total, the most in trouble batsmanship of the day had come from Vickers.
This “new look” at Hampden Road has both interest and promise.
Full Value for Money
Denaby & Cadeby v Firbeck
They have doubled the admission charge at Denaby this season, but Denaby and Cadeby’s performance against Firbeck at Tickhill square on Saturday was worth four times the old entrance charge. 100 runs in 45 min is not to be sneezed at, and an opening partnership of 128. In the first home game. A delightful start to the season. I.K.Coates (74) and J Munden (107 not out) gave a number of chances, but it brought back memories of Greenwood and Tibbles to see an undefeated opening century on the board.
Congratulations are due too to Denaby for their vastly improved fielding. That smart one handed catch by H.Hirst, which dismissed E. Dooley, Firbeck’s opening bat was a gem, and Firbeck never recovered. H. Newton had two for 12, J Richards three for 21 and H Hirst three for seven for Denaby.
It was definitely not the Firbeck of pre-war days.
Outside the South Riding League.
Devastating Dearne.
Dearne 170 for 6 Monk Bretton 169
Dearne have every reason to be proud of the devastating manner in which they opened their first season in Yorkshire Council cricket on Saturday. There were many who thought that Monk Bretton, with 169 had too many for the old Boltonians, but when Clem Sage had “got his eye in” and began to slash sixes and fours to all parts of the field they changed their mind. The result was that Clem knocked a century in little more than one hour and scored 111 before he was caught out. Dearne won by four wickets, Frank Horner took six for 65. He has played with the club without a break for 20 years. The club are now set for a good season and they have the backing of a really good ground at Goldthorpe. Even the groundsman was surprised tat it’s almost perfect condition, as it was used for football last season. Keep up the good work, Dearne!
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