Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 13 th
Mixed Cricket at Conisborough.
Ladies 82 Gentlemen 76
Miss Ogley 48; W.W.Norwood 5-24 F Ogley, 26; Mrs G Clarkson 8-36
The last and perhaps the most pleasant, of a series of Feast week matches, at Conisborough, was played on Friday afternoon, when a team of ladies met and beat a team of gentlemen.
There were some amusing features about the game, though the play was conducted in a serious spirit, the ladies evidently been most anxious to win. The gentlemen kindly consented to handicap themselves by batting left-handed, using alleged broomsticks, instead of ordinary bats, and fielding left-handed. Just a word about the broomsticks. They were not the ordinary broomsticks of commerce, but specially prepared implements, resembling stout cudgels, and presenting a good striking service.
Is it is quite possible that had the ladies objected to the use of the implements they would have been well within their rights, but they were sufficiently sportswomen like to take the men on their merits.
The umpires were Mr H.Heffer and Mr R.Rodds, and the latter at times appeared anxious to favour the ladies with some of his decisions which were not strictly in accordance with the rules of the game. It is not suggested for one moment that the ladies had “squared” the umpire, but the fact remains that throughout the game he showed a tendency to lean towards them, we mean, of course, in the matter of decisions.
The ladies had for Captain Mr William Appleyard, who was early on the ground with this team. Some of the men were rather laid in turning up, and it was more than once suggested that the late arrivals were afraid of being beaten and mastered up courage to play only at the last moment.
However, when a start was made, it was seen that the ladies were batting first with Miss Ogley, and Mrs W.W.Norwood at the wicket. The bowlers were Mr W.W.Norwood and Mr W.Moore, and as they were both compelled by the rules of the match, to use a left hand, they did not attempt to play the roundarm bowling. Miss Ogley soon opened her account, scoring 2 twos in Mr Norwood first over. In the third over from the same bowler she no less than 4 twos whereupon Mr Norwood was taken off – and quite time too.
Miss Ogley was also successful in causing Mr Moore to stand down, the score having reached 21 off the bat and a few extras for no wicket. Mr W. Milner and Mr Joseph Appleyard were a double change, but Miss Ogley continued to bat with confidence adding a series of singles.
With the score at 27 the partnership was broken. Mrs Norwood, who had made three singles with delicate taps, being bowled by Mr Appleyard. Mrs Lawton was the new bat and it was easy to see that she is a tender hearted woman. Her treatment of the ball was most gentle, she being evidently under the impression that the poor thing might break if she hit it too hard. She was credited with a single and then retired.
Miss Ogley was playing robust cricket, and her methods were a great contrast to those of Mrs Lawton. Apparently Miss Ogley had a strong desire to drive the ball into the scoring box just to show the men folks that she was alive. Several of her strokes certainly showed a great amount of power and made one tremble to think what might occur if she happened to be roused to wreak destruction upon her fellow creatures.
Mrs George Clarkson having joined Miss Ogley the score rose merrily to 49, to which total Mrs Clarkson contributed four. Several changes in the bowling were tried, and though wickets fell rapidly Miss Ogley continued her striking career. As a rule she was well backed up in the running by her colleagues, who, though they do not make many scoring hits, skipped across from wicket to wicket like frisky lambs. At 60 Mr Norwood and Mr Moore againcame on thebowling, and this time were very successful.
Miss Ogley was well past 40 – we mean for runs – when the change was made and they were hopes she would reach 50. The last scoring stroke was a twoof Mr Norwood, which made 48. The spectators, of which there were was a fair number, and a number of the fair sex present, were getting ready to cheer andmake rousing cheers in celebration of Miss Ogley reaching the half century but a sad thing happened. Mr Norwood sent a nice tempting ball and Miss Ogley drove it rather high towards mid-on where Mr G Marlborough was fielding.
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ascalon.
The wretched man caught the ball. It was a fair catch with his left – but – well – really – he ought to be ashamed of himself, indeed he ought. Miss Ogley would’ve looked so nice if she had been 50 – that is 50 runs.
As it was the scores had a duty to perform, and they really couldn’t take two off the 16 extras and add it to Miss Ogley’s 48, though, of course, no one suggested it. The innings closed for 82. Mr William Appleyard, the captain, being the not out
The gentlemen were not without hope of winning when Mr Norwood and Mr F Ogley faced the bowling of Mrs Clarkson and Miss Ogley. These wielders of the so-called broomsticks made a very successful beginning, 20 runs and two extras being scored in the first five overs before Mr Norwood’s wicket fell. Mr a Walker followed but he did not reign long. Mr Clarkson was out with the second ball of the fourth over with the score at 28. The gentlemen were waiting to bat gloating in secret at the thought of the big scores they would make of the rather slow underhand bowling of the ladies.
But after a few overs practice Mrs Clarkson began to bowl exceedingly well and Miss Ogley also improved. The fourth wicket fell at 37 and the fifth was taken with thisscoreunaltered. Mr Ogley was the only gentle who could do anything with the ball, and after he had scored 20, he became somewhat careless even daring to strike holding the cudgel with one hand. This high and mighty conduct was not to be endured, and he was last disposed of.
As the rest of the batsmen faced the ball is in turn they found that their gloating was not warranted. When once Mrs Clarkson commenced to take wickets, she withheld not onehand, as will be gathered from the fact that in five successive overs she dismissed seven gentlemen for 50 runs.
In the early part of the game her bowling was more expensive, so that the final average was not very credible.
When Mrs Clarkson caught and bowled Mr Allen eventhe most ardent sceptic had to admit that she was playing good cricket as the end proved. It seemed as if the ladies would win comfortably by a little short of 20 runs except that Mr Nesbitt, and Mr Tomlinson put on 11 for the last wicket. The gentlemen however, were still six runs behind when their last wicket fell, and consequently they lost a very pleasant game.
During the interval between the innings Tea and light refreshments were served in the Pavilion to the players and friends