South Yorkshire Times June 6, 1959
Big Denaby Elsecar Spree Provides 361 Runs
In this golden May of run-getting batsmen throughout the land have plundered a rich booty and on Saturday at Tickhill Square bowlers from Denaby and Elsecar laboured in vain to arrest the flow of runs.
Three hundred and sixty one runs were scored on a day of adventurous batmanship, but after a swashbuckling opening foray by former Frickley allrounder, Peter Elkins, Denaby were surprisingly contained in their bid for victory and the game petered out into an undistinguished draw.
Veteran visiting captain, Ike Baxter survived a sharp chance offered to Cory — the squarer of the two short legs—and was unhappy against the dipping inswingers of Lawley. Partner, Brook was the first to go l.b.w. to Newton — after playing a handsome cover drive off the Denaby bowler. Baxter continued sketchily and it came as no surprise when he was snared leg before wicket by Lawley.
Only four runs came in the first 15 minutes but vice-captain, Doug. Smith immediately brought a lustre to the game and a sweetly executed square cut announced the presence of it batsman in form.
Cascade of Scoring
Moxon improved after a tremulous beginning and the two batsmen belaboured the Denaby attack, unleashing a cascade of scoring shots. The 45-minute third wicket frolic produced 71 runs before Mason’s lofted off-drive found the capable hands of Jones at cover.
New batsmen Baldwin led a charmed life and was missed twice within two overs to his unconcealed enjoyment. Hirst failed to accept a thinly edged chance behind the wicket and off-spinner. Hough squandered the simplest of return catches. Riding high on his luck Baldwin stood firm as Smith journeyed, on to a militant half-century, Denaby’s sixth bowler, Norman Oakley at-length brought the downfall of the Elsecar vice-captain, bowling him with his second delivery. Baldwin (42) remained undefeated at the close of the visitor’s Innings.
Untidy Fielding.
Denaby’s fielding throughout was untidy, and devoid of zest and anticipation.
Faced with the mammoth task of overhauling the visitors’ total of 192, Denaby’s opening was a pulsating and courageous prelude on a wicket still stuffed with runs. Sounding this defiant fanfare was the powerful Elkins whose magnificent driving thundered around the field — one towering straight drive off 18-years-old Doug Moore was a masterful stroke. It was, of course, too good to last, although the graceful Ellis brought the 50 partnership with a most inelegant snick over the slips — his mortar boards momentarily out of position. The introduction of Clayton and Standidge into the attack checked the onslaught which had threatened to run riot and Elkins (six 4’s and one 6) was bowled by Clayton, his escape with a majestic cover drive to the boundary. He reached his fifty after two hours at the wicket. Attempting to force the game Downing was caught and (howled by Baxter and Ellis also lost his wicket venturing to improve the rate of scoring.
After the earlier enterprise the game lost character in the closing stages.
Final Scores: Elsecar: 193 for 6 (D. Smith 67. E. Baldwin 42 n °A. Denaby: 168 for 5 (A. Ellis 67, P. Elkins 44)