Sheffield Independent – Friday 10 July 1908
Denaby and District V. Mr. G. S. Marple’s Derbshire Xi.
Victory of The District Team.
The annual visit of Mr. O. S. Marple’s Eleven to Denaby as usual created a great amount of interest.
Except that Humphries (who was assisting the Professional at the Oval) was an absentee, the eleven was strongiy represented; whilst the District had one of the finest teams out that could be got together.
The District won the toss and batted first, but found run-getting rather hard, and four wickets were down for 29 runs. The sixth wicket fell with only 57 the board, but P. Bury and W. Smith improved matters, and eventually the innings realised 113.
The Derbyshire eleven fared even worse against the bowling of Brooks (four for 23), Turner, and Robinson, the whole side being dismissed for 100.
It was then decided play until 6.50 for the benefit the spectators, but it was soon evident that the cricket, was not taken seriously, the bowling changes being frequent and the scoring fast. Lawton and Morton shared the attack, and later Dickinson, Needham, Warren, and Bestwick had turns, and some very loose stuff was sent down. Smith was particularly severe, and batting with power reached his fifty, mainly as the result of boundary drives. When stumps were drawn the District team had put together 117 for the loss but four wickets. Z. S. Smith being not out 65. In the Denaby innings, Nornable took four for 11 runs.