Denaby & Cadeby – Denaby 190 Swinton 138 – A Fluctuating Game.

15 July 1921

Mexborough & Swinton Times, July 15th 1921

Denaby Dismiss Swinton – A Fluctuating Game.

Fine Batting by Worthington and Wilkes

Luther Robinson’s Triumph.

Denaby Main 190 Swinton 138

G. Worthington 85 L.B.Wilkes 53, T Hakin 32; L Robinson 6-39

Great interest was taken in the meeting of Denaby Main and Swinton, in the second round of the “Times.” Cup on Monday, on the Denaby ground, in torrid weather, and on a plumb wicket.

The crowd was swollen by big contingents from Swinton and Mexborough. This was the first meeting of the two clubs since Denaby Main left the Mexborough League in 1915. Denaby relied on the team which beat Barnsley on Saturday, save that Captain, J.B. White came in for J. Greig, who was not available.

Denaby had first not and Arthur Robinson and Jack Eyre opened to the bowling of Hakin and Pearce. Disaster early overtook the home team, for Jack Eyre was taken at the wicket of Hakin, and Pearce bowled Robinson in his first over. Too good wickets were gone for two runs.

Worthington and Widdowson became associated, and were settling down when Widdowson was dismissed by a smart piece of fielding. With the score at 47 for three, the outlook was a little anxious for Denaby. Worthington however, was batting very confidently, and with Shoosmith in, the score was sent along briskly. Gregory and what if you were tried, but it was Jackson, who broke up the partnership by bowling Shoosmith just after the hundred had been signalled. Shoosmith had scored 29 and had helped to put on an invaluable 57 for the wicket. Then the fortunes of the game swung round a little, and the next four wickets fell for 41 runs. The feeling was very keen and competent, and the whole Worthington was cutting and driving with great power, he found it difficult to reach the boundary. Waterfield, web been bowling well without much encouragement, now had a run of success, getting Tibbles, Narroway , and White, quickly and cheaply.

Then Hakin came back, and got Luther Robinson LBW though the batsmen was halfway down the wicket for a run before the decision was given. At this stage. Denaby were 121 for 7 and Swinton’s prospects looked rosy. Worthington and Hofton mended matters, and lifted the score to 181 before Worthington was bowled by Gregory. The outgoing batsman had played a splendid innings for 85: which included only five fours and these batting was a model of carefulness with confidence. He had a good deal to rescue Denaby from a dangerous position.

The Denaby captain came in to stay while Hoften, who was hitting merrily, made the best of things. The footballer was eventually taken by Rigby very very useful 26 and the venture closed for 190, a total which, on such a wicket, was substantial without been terrifying, and when Swinton opened their innings, the game was generally considered to be in a “sporting” state.

Swinton open with Wilkes and W. Stead against the bowling of Widdowson (football end) and Shoosmith. The Barnsley man collected a four from each bowler, snicked Widdowson dangerously near Shoosmith for one of them, and he chopped fatally late at the next ball came down (11 – 1-9). W Reader followed in, but was never comfortable and after getting Widdowson round to leg for a couple, was beaten by the same bowler with the sort that sent Stead back (21 -2 -2). Wilkes was uncertain at this early stage. He showed up being stumped when he was six, he survived a sharp appeal for LBW, when he was eight, and 10 E. Nick one from Shoosmith that reach the football boundary and left Billy Widdowson, wringing his hand with pain and vexation. Thereafter Wilkes batted stylishly and correctly, and made a great effort for his side.

Gregory join him, but the professional, flattering is hitting powers, opened out at Shoosmith in attempt to lift him into the tennis courts, but merely landed the ball comfortably in the safe hands of Leslie Hoften, in front of the screen (30-3 -6). Hakin followed in, and he and Wilkes altered the complexion of the game, giving it a sunny aspect for Swinton.

At 53 a double bowling change was tried. Arthur Robinson and Worthington coming on, but they made no difference, the batsmen playing everything with freedom and confidence, and getting the bowling away all round the wicket. As the hundred was going up, often, web been in the outfield, was set to ball against a son, vice Worthington, but the rate of scoring did not slacken and finally Luther Robinson was brought on at the tennis end, in place of his brother.

On such a wicket. It looked a desperate experiment, for the batsmen were well set, and were hitting with power and accuracy. However, the wise and wily old bowler triumphed, and started a rot which was never stopped.

He had both batsmen on their toes and at 101 he beat Tommy Hakin with a glorious ball, fast and low and straight, following a couple of googlies. He soon got Pearce hitting, and the Swinton bowlers bails were up the first time ever he dragged his foot over. Wilkes was heartily applauded as he reached his 50 with a sharp run, but Swinton’s jubilation was shortly, for their champion had only scored three more when he was well bowled by Robinson. He had made a game effort, and his batting was very pretty to watch. His 53 included eight fours and a five. The score at this stage was 110 for six, and Swinton was still in a hopeful position. But the Swinton captain was out to a dreadful shock which was meant for a square cut four and turned into a simple catch up backward point. This was Luther’s fourth wicket and he carried on bowling like one inspired. He bowled young price just the lad was beginning to look about him, and any. Jackson stumped, a very fine thing and beautifully done. 55 runs were wanted when Waterfield joined Jack Reed, and visions of the “Times” Cup final at Mitchell Main last year, began to rise before the Swinton supporters. But it was not to be. Leslie bowled Hoften, neck and crop with the score at 138 and it was all over.

It was a very interesting match, the fortunes of the game swaying from side to side from the start, right down to the fall of the eighth Swinton wicket. Luther Robinson bowled 12 overs, 4 maidens for 6 wickets and 39 runs, a grand performance for an old man who has gone into this semi-retirement of mid-on. He brought out all the varieties of pace, flight, peach, Spain, and break like an artist. He never bowled better in his palmist stays, and this six for 30 must rank as one of the finest performances of his long and remarkable career.

 

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