Mexborough & Swinton Times, August 14, 1915

Hungry Denaby Cricketers.
Thurnscoe Licensee who refused to supply teas.
A Warning.

A curious case arising out of the visit to Hickleton main by the Denaby Main Cricket Club was heard at Doncaster West Riding police Court on Saturday, when Hy. Chapman, licence of the station Hotel, Thurnscoe was the defendant in charge of having refused, on request, to supply teas to the Denaby Cricket Eleven on Saturday June 19th.

Mr Harry Watson Smith, the complainant, said that the Denaby Cricket Club played the Hickleton Main Eleven on 19 June, and, as usual, it was advisable to provide teas for the visiting team. As captain of the visiting team, sent up to the Station Hotel, asking the landlord if he could supply his team with a plain tea at 1s per head.

The defendant replied back, saying that he could not do so. Witness wrote to him again, and told him that if he did not do so would report him to the licensing justices. Defendant said that he (complainant) could do as he liked.

Complainant then sent down to the Butchers Arms, and they were good enough to supply his eleven with tea. Mr Smith said there was a matter of public duty. They sat down to tea at 8 o’clock. Witness said he suggested a plain tea, such as an egg, or greens.

It was stated by Mr Baddiley (for defence) that Mr Chapman at certain personally that he knew he was in the wrong and that he should have supplied to with teas, but he did not receive the request until 6 o’clock in the evening. He was in the position that he had no one to send for eggs or greens, and there were no shops near. They had plenty of ham and beef in the hotel, and the cricket team could have had as much as they liked of that. It was admitted that Mr Smith had a right to complain. Mr Chapman admitted he had done wrong, and had apologised to Mr Smith and to the licensing justices, and assured them that such a thing would not occur again.

The magistrates clerk said Mr Smith in his letter to him at stated that there was a card in the window of the Station Hotel, with the words, “Teas provided” on it.

The chairman (Brigadier General Bewicke-Copley) said Mr Chapman was in the wrong but then they realised that time was short. The Bench took that opportunity of thanking Mr Smith for bringing that case to their notice, because it was not every person who would take the trouble, and it was a matter that wanted bringing before them.
The case was dismissed, the defendant been warned not to repeat the occurrence.