South Yorkshire Times — Friday, 29 June 1934

Missed Chances

Bad Day For Mexborough

Mexboro’ had only themselves to blame for the decisive defeat by Denaby in the second of the Feast matches on Monday.

In the first place, but for missed chances in the field Denaby should have been out for considerably less than 174, and then against an attack which included only two really effective bowlers Mexboro’ could score no more than 98 runs.

The trouble started when better getting rid of the cream of the Denaby batting for 118 runs. Mexboro’ allowed the eighth wicket pair to add 56 runs. Of course both Allen and Hichland knew how to use a bat, yet they put their knowledge to good use, each taking over 30 runs from an attack which had lost its first enthusiasm.

It was a minor tragedy for Mexboro’ that they were unable to force home the advantage which was obviously theirs with the pavilion four for Denaby batsmen back in the tent after a mere 49 runs. The one provided a contrast in fielding. Denaby, being keen and alert from first to last and giving the bowlers every assistance. The result was that after a breezy start Mexboro’s rate of scoring soon slowed down and when Burkinshaw rather rashly came for a run, after Tibbles had cut the ball hard towards Greenwood, and the big man picked up and returned it with unexpected readiness, Burkinshaw was run out by yards.

Tibbles, palpably upset by this misunderstanding, was clean bowled by Mountney very next delivery, and Denaby were well on the way to victory.

Mexboro’s resistance thereafter, though dour, was not impressive in its solidity, and wickets fell steadily to the speed of Mountney and the wiles of Robinson, who after opening with a few fast overs concentrated on the spin stuff.

Dawson and Green at one time looked as though they might save the game, offering a dead bat to everything sent down, and defying several bowling changes, but eventually Dawson tried to hit Jeffcote and was bowled, and Reg. Day gave the same bowler an easy catch off his first ball to finish off the innings.

Jeffcote in two overs took 2 wickets for one run, Mountney, who bowled very well, had 4 for 30, and Robinson had 3 for 44. White’s 4 for 54 was the best return for Mexboro’.

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