Mexborough and Swinton Times January 4, 1929

Swinton Celebrations.
Evening League Benefits and Failings.

At a social gathering in the pavilion of the Swinton Athletic Club on Saturday, the presentation was made of the Ward Shield and prizes won in the Mexboro’ Evening League competition last season.

Mr. G. Price, president of the club and captain of the team, presided, supported by Mr. C. Winstanley. Over 50 persons sat down to tea. The shield was handed over by the donor Mr. S. C. Ward, who said that now they had three names inscribed on it — Mexboro’ Wath, Swinton. He hoped that in turn the other members of the competition, Rawmarsh and Kilnhurst, would be successful.

He thought spectators thoroughly appreciated evening league cricket, though some of the older players unfortunately did not take kindly to it. He was of opinion that evening league cricket had given stimulus to the game in the district.

Mr. G. Price, accepting the shield, said he thoroughly enjoyed evening league cricket and had missed only one of his club’s matches since the competition opened. Three things he would like the Evening League committee to consider were late starts, bad wickets, and weak teams. If those drawbacks were removed it would greatly benefit the competition. Mr. Ward was one of the leading local sportsmen, and no one could estimate what he had done for the Swinton club and the district generally. They fully appreciated his work.

Mr. H. Brieslin, Wath, said the league committee were not to blame for the faults Mr. Price mentioned. It was the players-fault if there were late starts, but at the last meeting of the committee they decided to exact a fine of 2s. 6d. for every late start the umpires notified them of.

He agreed that wickets and teams could be improved and hoped that would be done next season