Denaby and Cadeby Main United Cricket Club

Annual Dinner

After the cricket match on Saturday afternoon last, the players and friends adjourned to the club house, Denaby Main Hotel, to partake of the annual dinner, which Mr. Gibbs had provided. The party that sat down to dinner numbered over 60, the following gentlemen being present:—Mr. Witty, Mr. Breakey, Mr. Wright, Mr. Poinstone, Mr. Eagledow, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Surridon, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Stringer, Mr. Osbourne, Mr. Storey, Mr. Hewitt, and the playing members of both first and reserve teams.

The following is the menu:—Fish, roast and boiled mutton, roast beef, roast veal and ham, boiled and roast poultry, vegetables, plum pudding, pies, etc. After the tables had been cleared, a very pleasant and convivial evening was spent.

Mr. Witty occupied the chair, and Mr. Bayley the vice-chair. Proceedings commenced by the chairman proposing the usual loyal toast, “The King and Royal Family.” After this toast had been given, the chairman called upon the secretary, Mr. E. Fisher, to give his report of the past season’s work.

Mr. Fisher gave a rather lengthy report, from which we cull the following facts. During the past season both the first and second teams acquitted themselves well. The first team occupied a good position in the Mexbro’ and District Cricket League, and the reserve team were only beaten by one point from being the champions of the Doncaster Cricket League.

During the year the first team played 21 matches, won 6, lost 4, and drawn 11, scoring 1671 runs for 115 wickets, averaging 14.61 runs per wicket, against their opponents, 1695 runs for 128 wickets, averaging 13.57 per wicket. The reserve team played 16 matches, won 10, lost 2, and drew 4, scoring 1050 runs for 140 wickets, averaging 7.70 per wicket, against their opponents 800 runs for 144 wickets, averaging 5.140 per wicket.

L. Robinson won both the batting and bowling prizes, his batting average being 24.2 per innings, and bowling 10.23 for 41 wickets. W. Moore won the second batting prize, with an average of 18.10 for 16 innings. A. Robinson won the second bowling prize, with an average of 11.27 for 32 wickets. A. Smith won the prize for the highest innings, namely 65. R. Riley gained the prize for batting in the reserve team, and E. Whitehouse the prize for bowling in the reserve team.

With regard to the club’s finances, the past season had been a failure, owing to the unfortunate strike at the local collieries. During the season the club had lost about £40 in gate money alone, a fact which had caused the balance of the club’s account to be a little on the wrong side. The report also made special mention of the great assistance the club receives from the colliery company.

The secretary also mentioned that their captain, Mr. G. L. Robinson, had been honoured by being selected to play against the Yorkshire County team at Rotherham early in May.

The toast, “Success to the Denaby and Cadeby Main United Cricket Club,” was then proposed by Mr. Breakey, who said he was sorry to learn that the past season had been so disastrous financially. He trusted the coming season would be a great success, both financially and in all other respects. He hoped they would be successful in finding one or two good players amongst the “wood,” and that the team would be successful in carrying off the championship of the Mexbro’ League.

In responding, the captain, Mr. L. Robinson, said he intended to do his level best to win the League, and he hoped and trusted all the members of the team would assist him, and work harmoniously together, and then he had no doubt they would have a successful season, as, no doubt, they had a very good team.

The toast, “The Denaby and Cadeby Main Colliery Company,” coupled with the name of the president of the club, Mr. Chambers, was then proposed by Mr. W. Wright, who stated that in Mr. Chambers and the Colliery Company the cricket club had great friends. From the secretary’s report it appeared that the club was practically indebted to the colliery company for its existence, and he thought the least they could do was to pass a hearty vote of thanks to the company for their kindness.

Mr. Witty responded, and said he was very pleased to hear how well they had received this toast. He could assure them that in Mr. Chambers, the president, they had a true supporter and friend. Up to the last few years Mr. Chambers was captain of the club and assisted them in their matches, and though he was unable to take the active part he did then, yet his interest in the club was quite as great. He followed the doings of the team keenly, and not only was more pleased to hear of the club’s success. They could feel assured that whilst the members supported the club, and carried it on in a proper manner, they would always find friends in the colliery company and their worthy president, Mr. Chambers.

Mr. E. Robinson then proposed “The Visitors.” He stated that he was pleased to see amongst them that evening several new faces, and he hoped they would become members of the club, and assist in making the coming season a great success. He was pleased to see that their “London friends” had joined with them in their evening’s entertainment.

This toast was responded to by one of the London gentlemen, Sergt. Scott.

The chairman then proposed that a hearty welcome be given to their new professional, Mr. Barker, and in doing so he said he trusted Mr. Barker would prove himself a good cricketer, and be the means of helping them to have a successful season.

Mr. Barker said they could rely upon him doing his very best, both in play and on the ground. He looked forward to a successful season.

The toast, “The host and hostess,” was proposed by Mr. W. Moore, who said that in their caterer, Mr. Gibbs, they had an ideal landlord. He was sure everybody was delighted with the admirable manner in which the dinner had been served.

Mr. Gibbs, in responding, said it gave him the greatest pleasure to know they had received satisfaction. He took a great interest in the cricket club, and it was always his endeavour to do all he could for their benefit. He thanked them very much for their vote of thanks. He also wished to thank them on behalf of his good wife for their kind thanks.

During the evening songs were given by Messrs. E. Waitworth, J. Rumford, J. Cantwell, J. Sweden, J. Cooper, W. Carter, and W. I. Gibbs. Mr. B. Wall ably officiated at the piano.

Votes of thanks to the chairman and vice-chairman concluded a very pleasant evening’s entertainment.