Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 13 August 1904
Denaby United v. Rawmarsh
Barker’s Benefit.
Denaby Win on Time.
More than ordinary interest was taken in the match between Denaby and Rawmarsh, on Saturday, not merely because it had been set aside for the benefit of Denaby’s deserving professional, Fred Barker, but because of the terrible whacking that Denaby sustained earlier in the season by their opponents of Saturday, when they visited Rawmarsh. The day was against a good crowd assembling, the sky was overcast by dark and threatening clouds for the better part of the afternoon, whilst a very strong, cold wind was blowing. I understand that a large number of tickets had been disposed of. The home team were at full strength, but I notice that the ranks of the visitors included a number of fresh faces.
Denaby batted first on a good wicket, Arthur Robinson and J. Stott being the first pair, but it was not long before the former fell to a teaser from Outram. With Percy Bury and Stott runs came fairly fast, and both batsmen showed capital cricket. The score was soon taken past that dreaded 47, the total they reached in that fateful match at Rawmarsh. With 60 odd on the board Bury was caught out by J. Machin, off Sykes. He had made 21 by bright cricket, and just appeared to be settling down. Luther Robinson was next in, and together with Stott livened things up. Jack Stott soon made things hum, and seemed to be on his way to still another 50 when he gave Sykes a hot return, fairly high. It was a beautiful catch. The retiring batsman had made 44 by forcing cricket. Three wickets were down for 80, and Smith did not last long, four falling for a hundred. The beneficiary came next, and opened rather shakily, nearly running Luther out. Barker punished Sykes, and several changes were tried, Albert Nixon going on at the pavilion end. Barker and Robinson continued scoring pretty fast, although the former had a bit of luck. He was bowled by a fine ball from Nixon when he had made 21. This constitutes his record score since his connection with the Denaby club, and he was heartily cheered on reaching the pavilion.
Scott was the next, and did not stay very long, being caught by Jepson after making 13. With Knowles in there was quite a livening up, but he had a lot of luck and ought to have been out twice. His was a merry innings, and he was not out 22. Luther Robinson, 50 not out, played a faultless innings, and never gave the semblance of a chance. All his strokes were fine, his leg hits and his drives being a treat to watch. The innings was declared with 191 runs for only six wickets. Score:
Denaby United
A. Robinson b Outram, 3
J. Stott c and b Sykes, 44
P. Bury c J. Machin b Sykes, 21
G. L. Robinson not out, 50
W. Smith b Sykes, 6
Barker (pro.) b Nixon, 21
W. Scott c Jepson b Nixon, 13
P. F. Knowles not out, 22
Extras, 11
Total (6 wkts.) 191
John Allott and Albert Nixon opened the visitors’ innings. Runs came very slowly, and Luther Robinson and Barker sent up a succession of maiden overs. Only 16 were on the board when Allott fell to a catch by Stott off the bowling of Barker. J. Neal, the new comer, did not last long, the second and third wicket falling at 26. The fourth wicket proved more troublesome, and the batsmen never made an attempt to rub the runs off, their sole idea being to draw. None of them seemed very easy, although Parkin made a brave show before being stumped by Knowles. Several changes were tried in the bowling; Butler, a slow break bowler, sent up some tempters, and he obtained two good wickets.
Dr. Moore, although he was suffering from a knock he had received, batted pluckily for 9. Houldsworth stayed in quite a long time for 8, whilst Jepson, who had previously batted at Denaby five times for no runs, made 10, and Newsum Sykes 13. About half-an-hour from time there were three wickets to fall, seven being down for 63. Jepson and Sykes carried the score to 79, before Jepson was run out. Sykes fell at 79, after being previously let off, and the last wicket was left to H. Outram and Joe Allott. There was only a few minutes to spare, and the umpires consulted. The light seemed very bad, and there was a prospect of Rawmarsh saving the game, but play continued, and just at the eleventh hour, so to speak, Hardy appealed lbw against Joe Allott, and the decision was upheld, and Denaby won.
Rawmarsh
Jno. Allott c Stott b Barker, 8
A. Nixon c Barker b Butler, 11
J. Neal b Barker, 5
D. Parkin st Knowles b Butler, 10
J. Machin c Stott b Hardy, 1
A. Houldsworth c Barker b Hardy, 8
Dr. Moore c Barker b A. Robinson, 9
A. Jepson run out, 10
N. Sykes c A. Robinson b Hardy, 13
H. Outram not out, 7
Joe Allott lbw b Hardy, 4
Extras, 9
Total 95