Mexborough and Swinton Times May 3, 1929

Crickets Opening

Elsecar 128  Mexborough 123

Elsecar open their Yorkshire Council career auspiciously with a win over Mexborough on the Elsecar ground – a very narrow win, but a good win.

Mexborough had to turn out with a side below strength, with Kilner  and Ralph Burkinshaw the more notable absentees, and their batting failed badly.

The men of the match were Broadhead, the Mexborough captain, Ambler the tall Sheffielder, who is again one of the Mexborough chief bowlers; and Smith, Elsecar’s old bowling stalwart.

In the field Mexborough did improve, for though their bowling, lacked the strength of variety, the fielding were keen despite the cold, and thrice the wiki was hit by direct, throws–twice by Broadhead, once by Mountford— to run men out. Ambler bowled exceedingly well and took all the wickets that did fall to a bowl; 7 for 45, and he hit the wickets five times.

Green return from a short stay with Roma, resumed the old Smith – Green conspiracy; but it was Smith what the main successes.

The two of them badly shocked Mexborough by collaring the first five wicket for a mere 32. Broadhead alone defied them until Tom Wilson joined him, and took the side within 21 runs of victory.

When Scarcliffe, the new wicket-keeper from Thorncliffe, and the last man in, went to the wicket, 21 runs were needed. The two stuck it until Broadhead, trying to force a game, gave mid on a chance that was snapped up and Elsecar won by five runs. Broadhead’s innings was an excellent one, contain only one other chance; a hot month a Bamford when the score was 27.

Smith finished with six Mexborough wickets for 40 runs. In the Elsecar team was included Anstess, the young Wombwell bowler.