Denaby’s Hard Luck.

Whatever may be the final result of this season’s competition, Denaby can look back on their cricket of June with feelings of pride, howbeit their actual reward for the same has been in adequate return in accordance with the fine form displayed.

In their last four, matches, against Hickleton, Rotherham, Mexboro’, and South Kirkby respectively, they have averaged but a point per match, yet it is indisputable that they swapped Mexboro’ and actually outplayed both Hickleton and South Kirkby, whilst their game against practically a Rotherham Yorkshire Council team was only lost through trying to force the play when going all out for a win.

Denaby had scored 50 for three wickets against Rotherham, but their policy of forcing at this period cost them, at any rate, a point which could have been easily saved. But in afternoon matches speculation and venturesome must play a big part if a team seriously intend going for a championship, and Denaby did real well in the circumstances. But in their last game they deserved a better reward them a draw, for they had South Kirkby beaten to the world on actual play, being but a run behind, and seven wickets in hand, when the end came.

The unsatisfactory nature of the finish, which, I understand, found the South Kirkby players leaving the field with three balls still to go, rather then put up with a sporting defeat, was the more disappointing to Denaby, in view of the fast that South Kirkby, with Mitchell Main, are about their strongest rivals for the championship. Whether is was time or not, I am inclined to any South Kirkby would have merited general approval had they gone on the full over. Denaby again played rattling good cricket, the Robinsons doing well with bat and ball, and Smith, coming out with a glorious innings of 80, ending with a grand catch as he went for the winning hit. Ramsbottom was the most conspicuous batsman on the South Kirkby side.