Cricket Club Celebrate Championships – Double Honours – Tributes to a Sporting Side

5 November 1910

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 05 November 1910

Cricket Club Celebrate Championships

Double Honours

Tributes to a Sporting Side

Saturday was the fête day with the Denaby and Cadeby Cricket Club, who celebrated their championship of the Mexborough and District league and the capture of the Whitworth cup, together with the second team’s championship of the South Yorkshire league, in right jovial fashion.

The occasion was the annual dinner, which was held in the Denaby Main Hotel, and was arranged on a somewhat larger scale than usual. Mr. W. I. Gibbs, the host, provided a royal repast, which was heartily enjoyed by nearly 200 cricket enthusiasts, over whom Councillor Henry Baker of Conisbrough, presided.

When the cloths were removed, the company gave themselves up to conviviality. Mr Baker was supported by Mr C Bury (captain of the successful Denaby team), Mr P C Bury (secretary), Mr G L Robinson, Mr S Hardwick (president of the Mexborough and District league), Mr W W Nicholson (president of the Mexborough Club), Mr A Robinson, Messrs W P Turner (secretary of the Mexborough club, Mr W J Hoskins (Darfield), R Massey (secretary of the Mexborough League), O Heptinstall (Rawmarsh), H Rigby (Swinton), George Robson of Wath (secretary of the South Yorks League), W Cooke (Mexborough), A Brunt (secretary of the Mexborough Club) M Soar, S R Johnson (assistant secretary of the Denaby Club), A Smith, E Sheldon, W Scott, R V Bedford, W Moore, E Robinson, G W Lawton, E Croxall, D Dalton and others.

The room had been effectively decorated for the occasion with flowers and bunting, and occupying a prominent position on the platform were the Whitworth and South Yorkshire cups. The president of the club, Mr W H Chambers, was absent from a regrettable cause, the illness of his wife. A letter of regret at inability to attend was also received from Mr Caleb Kilner, J. P.

The loyal toast was heartily received at the call of the Chairman

Health of the Club

Mr Walter W Nicholson, proposing the toast of “Success to the Denaby and Cadeby Club,” said they would no doubt feel proud of hearing such a toast proposed on such an occasion, for the club and headed the League as it had never been headed before. Three parts of the season had scarcely gone before the direction of the championship was assured. That killed interest somewhat, but still they were glad to see the cup in that neighbourhood. Denaby, as a village, ought to be proud of their club. (Hear, hear). The team played with the same good feeling and gentlemanly spirit that they liked to associate with cricket, and had been amicable whether they won or lost. (Applause.)

They had a leader in Mr C Bury as few clubs were fortunate enough to possess. (Loud applause.) They must remember it was not always the best cricketer who made the best captain. They had an exceptionally good sportsman in their president, Mr W H Chambers. He played cricket with Mr Chambers over 30 years ago, and always found him a gentleman and a trier. (Hear, hear.) The club is also well supported by its officials. Considering the excellent record of the team, they have Mexborough ought to feel proud of the fact that they had given the Denaby team such a “dressing down” at Mexborough on the occasion of the opening of the new pavilion. (Laughter.) And in that connection he would like to take the opportunity of thanking the Denaby Club for their kindness and courtesy in sending such a good and attractive team at no expense to the Denaby Club. He wished Denaby every success. He like to see the honours go round from one club to another. He was practically the originator of the competition, and, therefore had taken an especially keen interest in its doing, and he considered it had now developed into one of the best competitions in Yorkshire. They had not only turned out players for the County, but for England. The support their cricket got left sometimes to be desired, for they must remember that a cricket club was a very expensive institution. They had some very funny umpires to deal with in their League. (Laughter.) An umpire could very often win a match for the worst team. He asked them to drink the health of the team which on one the championship, not so much by look and by consistent play and their habit of sticking together. (Applause.)

Splendid Support

Mr Charles Bury, in response thanks Mr Nicholson for this kind remarks. He referred, at the outset, to the cause of the President’s absence and, said they would all sympathise with Mr Chambers in his great trouble. (Hear, hear.)

Continuing, he said the team were merely the outward and visible signs of a successful club. They had won this year, but they had always done their best, and there was no difference in previous years in that respect, they had always tried to put up a good fight and to win well or lose well. (Applause.) They were on excellent terms with all the other clubs, and it was very rarely that they had friction at all.

It was only fitting that notice should be drawn to one or two of the players. Mr Luther Robinson had bowled in a most phenomenal way – (applause) – and he hoped he would continue in that strain. (Hear, hear.) After him he thought, the most noticeable man on the side was their wicket-keeper. (Applause). His work had been a matter for congratulation, and the club and the spectators had appreciated his admirable displays behind the wickets to the full. He had never found him guilty of a trick that was not absolutely above board. (A voice: “he does ‘em so quick” – laughter.)

After him he could not care to single out any particular player. The had all done extremely well, and several had got over 200 runs, which shows the consistency of the side. He did not know a great deal about the second team but he congratulated them upon their success. He did not want the players to run away with the idea that they carried on the work. Several of them certainly did a good deal of work, but when that generation of players was passed, the club would still go on, through this splendid support they got right from one end of Denaby to the other end of Cadeby.

They had a grand committee and a grand lot of officials. There had no monetary cares; they were not bothered financially. They had a big membership amongst those who patronised the club, and tried to induce others to do so. Through that support they were unable to improve the ground, and he thought that was a move in the right direction. (Hear, hear.) He hoped as long as they were there they will go on improving the ground. He would like to thank the officials at the pit and the spectators. Without encouragement, they would not have achieved the success they had tea. He hoped that for many seasons to come they will be in a position to give good sport and good games. (Applause.) He would like to call on Mr HL Smethurst, who had told him that he wanted to support his remarks in some particulars.

An Amusing Interlude

Then followed a lively and amusing interlude. Mr H L Smethurst jumped up and characterise that last statement as a “terminological inexactitude.” (Laughter.) He knew what Mr Bury was “narked” about. (Laughter.) The club asked him (the speaker) to be captain before they asked Mr Bury (laughter), but owing to his large family, he was unable to undertake the job. (Laughter.) He was not going to make a long speech. In fact, he disapproved of them. If any speech was longer than 22 yards – (laughter) – the speaker ought to be “pitched” out. (Laughter.) Then he would come to a “long stop” and it would soon be “over.” (Laughter.) If he did “slip” in again, they could “bawl”at him, and take him away to be “Bury-ed.” (Laughter.) Did they see the “point?” (Renewed laughter.) Proceeding he explained that he had promised the secretary of the club (Mr P C Bury) a new bat if Denaby won the League, and he promised to fulfil his promise.

Then to the general amazement of the company produced a try back, explained that as the batting season was over, he was unable to procure one of the standard size. The bat was inscribed “Presented to PC Bury as a result of a promise made in March 1910: that the Denaby CC did not win the Whitworth cup, which they did. Moral: “always think twice before you speak once!” Mr Smethurst then presented an ingenious ball clock to Mr PC Bury the upper ball on which the dial was inscribed, represented, explained Mr Smethurst, Denaby’s ball which was above the average size on account of swelled with idleness and pride. The lower ball (attached to the pendulum) represented the opponents, which have been slashed about until it was half its proper size. The clock was inscribed “for licking the lot.”

Mr Berry responded suitably, and the incident seem to put the company into a thoroughly good humour.

Article continues with more speeches and entertainment