South Yorkshire Times, June 19 1948
Hemsworth lose their 100%, Len Hutton wore his boots, Slow Motion Cricket
Hemsworth lose their 100% Record.
The last South Riding League stronghold was partially breached last weekend when Hemsworth lost their 100% record in a drawn match with Firbeck. They had their last two men at the wicket, when time was called – then 88 for nine in reply to Firbeck’s score of 202 for nine declared.
Pawson batted through the Hemsworth innings for 38 not out. Hemsworth are still Division One leaders, but their average percentage has fallen to 90.62 from eight matches, almost 30% better than runners-up Thorncliffe, who had played one game more.
In Division Two Swinton lost their first match in the South Riding League, and fell to second place, Shiregreen’s 2% advantage taking them to the top.
Len Hutton wore his Boots.
A pair of cricket boots which Len Hutton, England and Yorkshire opening bat, wore in a Yorkshire County match a few weeks ago, were worn in the Denaby – Askern Yorkshire Council match at Tickhill Square on Saturday by Denaby 16-year-old recruit, Ernest Waddington.
When Len misplaced his pair recently he borrowed this pair of books, brand-new, which Ellis Robinson had obtained for Ernest. Ellis has brought now brought the pair back to his native district, and handed them over to Waddington.
After Hutton had used them they were cleaned and blancoed by the groundstaff and, in accordance with custom, the player’s name inserted inside each boot, so inside Waddington’s boot is the magic name “L.Hutton”
Waddington has twice been at the Headingley next this season
A Record Gone
Swinton 166 for 8 South Kirby 170 for 8
Swinton lost their first game of the season on Saturday, when they were beaten by South Kirby by two wickets. One could say that the look of the game was with South Kirby, but apart from W Ward, who took seven for 50, Swinton’s other bowlers did not shine. Wilf Broadhead at scored 15 before falling LBW to J Tate. H. Parkin got in the way of a rising ball, retired hurt, and did not reappear. Swinton’s scoring rate was rather slow, although L. Smelt hit 50, and later made a valiant attempt to fill Parkins place as wicket-keeper. At 166 for 8 Swinton declared, leaving South Kirby just over two hours to bat, and they succeeded in beating the clock with two wickets in hand. They scored 170 and K Eades it an admirable 65 not out, batting soundly. Ironically, W.Ward dropped two catches in the slips from Bailey’s bowling, otherwise it might have been a different tale, because South Kirby went from 165 for 7 to 165 for 8 and Swinton’s hopes were momentarily raised.
Slow Motion!
Mexborough 80 Mitchell Main 81 for 4
Dour batting kept scoring at a minimum in the Mexborough – Mitchell Main Council fixture at Mexborough. Micthell’s won by six wickets. For 2 1/2 hours. Mexborough stayed at the wicket for 80 runs, leaving Mitchell’s what appeared to be an easy task. One or two other Mexborough batsmen tried to liven up the game, including R.Hill, who got the ball away several times, but only managed 17, and C Lawton (16). In the whole of the Mexborough innings there were less than six fours.
The Mitchells batting was just as monotonous. The only good individual score of the match was knocked by R.Cooling with 30, before he was caught by Godfrey, and after which Mitchells won at 81 for four. R Hydes took three for 34 for Mexborough.
Elsecar 98 for 4 Cortonwood 96
E. Neville with 60 not out and H Dobson who took 4 for 24 helped Elsecar beat Cortonwood.