Denaby & Cadeby – Denaby 125 for 9 Elsecar 130 for 4 – Denaby’s Bad Fielding

June 1955

South Yorkshire Times, June 18th, 1955

Denaby’s Bad Fielding
Elsecar to Sixth Yorkshire Council Victory

As rain pattered down at dusk on Saturday at Tickhill Square, Denaby Main, the large crowd rose as one man and applauded Ike Baxter, who captained Elsecar to their sixth successive Yorkshire Counsil victory.

The side’s six-wickets humiliation of Denaby and Cadeby, who threw away the chance of victory when they dropped catch after catch and misfielded on numerous occasions, was a personal triumph for Ike, one of the finest little sportsmen to hold a cricket bat.

At 46, Ike, a married man, has given Elsecar more than 20 years of his cricketing life, including the past 16 when he has acted as captain. But Ike can have played few better or more courageous innings than the one on Saturday. This Ecclesfield foundry worker scored 46 not out. It was not an impeccable innings, but it was a fighting performance which paid a handsome points win dividend.

This game had everything: drama, thrills, excitement and mis-fielding! Yes, what a pity it was that the Denaby players were not as slick in the field as the visitors. When he had scored 14, Baxter was missed, and two runs later he gave the Denaby side a wonderful chance to get on top when he ‘placed’ the ball into the hands of Peter Taylor, who handled the ball as though it were a red hot potato. Arthur Ellis muffed two chances, but later made amends, and one or two of the other players could be singled out for black marks for slack fielding.
However, one word of praise for Denaby captain, Dick Cory, who took a wonderful catch to dismiss’ opening bat, Doug. Smith.

Contrast in Style.
Denaby batted first. Arthur Ellis and stocky Norman Oakley started confidently, both providing a contrast in style. Arthur tall and masterful, played with ease; Norman took time to warm up.
The partnership produced 22 before Oakley was out lbw to that grand Elsecar bowler Cyril Hammerton. Hammerton was in deadly form, and with his next ball he dismissed Ernest Waddington in the same manner.

Peter Taylor treated the bowling with contempt and his snappy 14 included two fours and two two’s before he was bowled with the side’s score at 45.

Dick Cory batted extremely well. Ellis was bowled by Brian Brook for 34, a worthwhile knock.

The score stood at 75 when Cory snicked the ball into the slips where Ralph Whitworth took an incredible one-handed catch early in the Denaby innings.

Peter Downing and Roy Shepherd scored ten each before rain brought the game to an abrupt end. Tea was taken, and as it was still raining, the game was delayed for about 30 minutes.
Albert Hirst scored 13 not out when the Denaby side were forced to make a compulsory declaration at 6.20. The score then stood at 125 for nine.

Cyril Hammerton, who has taken 26 wickets in six games this season, finished with three wickets for 34 for 17 overs, which included three maidens. Stan Clayton took three for 30.

‘Go For the Runs.’
This meant that Elsecar had to hit out at the rate of two a minute. Few people thought they had a chance, except Ike Baxter who gave orders: ‘Go for the runs, lad.’
They did just that. Baxter and his partner, Smith went along at a merry pace, and in next to no time 24 appeared on the board when Cory made his great catch to get rid of Smith. Bowler was bespectacled Harry Newton.

Johnny Forrest, bowling his fast deliveries from the tennis court end, must have been heart broken to see chances missed by the slip fielders. It was a great pity, because if they had been taken (and they were bot difficult, let’s face it) Denaby would have been in command.

Fielding lapses have cost Denaby a few close decisions in the past, and it is time they were rectified.

At 6.35, the Clerk of the Weather sent rain, and there was a dismal air in the dressing rooms. But Baxter and his merry men were determined to win whatever the odds against them, and all credit to them for the way they set about.

With the re-start, Baxter and ex-Denaby player Ernest Neville pushed the score up to 50 before the latter was caught by Ellis off Forrest with his score at 16. There was hope for Denaby when Ewart Kay gave Ellis a catch off another of Forrest’s fast balls. The score then stood at 62 for three.

But if the Denaby players thought a win was in sight they reckoned without the powers of Hammerton, a blacksmith at Aldwarke Colliery. With one eye on the clock, Hammerton opened those broad manly shoulders, so useful when he is at work, to score runs in a prolific manner.
From 62 the core rocketed to 119. Hammerton scoring 37 before being caught by young Bobby Walker (Hammerton had scored 12 when he was missed by Ellis) off Dick Cory.

Five Extra Overs.
Already the umpire’s white handkerchief had signalled the last over, and in a resolute bid to gain maximum points. Baxter claimed the extra five overs.

In the third of these Elsecar wicket keeper. Cyril Baldwin, an Aussie (he was born in Sydney Australia) scored the winning runs with a sweeping four. Incidentally, Cyril, who must qualify to be one of the finest stumpers in the Council, has allowed only three byes to get past him in the last four games. He scored six, not out. Elsecar scored 127 for four.
Comment: A good show, Elsecar. You fully deserved your win.

There is still hope for Denaby. They have a good batting and bowling side, but oh! the fielding. That will have to improve.