Star Green ‘un – Saturday 31 July 1909
Wath’s Fine Performance.
Mexborough League Championship.
For once in way the championship of the Mexborough and District League looks like finding a resting place away from its usual haunts, for at the present time Wath Athletic have established strong lead over their powerful rivals, South Kirkby, who, since their inception four seasons ago, have been always in the running, last year finishing on top.
The competition, possibly now stronger and more powerful in its influence than at any time in its history, closely follows the Yorkshire Council for quality and merit, even though that attention not given to it that its position deserves.
The premier Don Valley organisation has usual provided a very interesting spectacle this season, notwithstanding rain-sodden pitches and ruined gates. In this respect, however, the present leaders, and probable champions, have been favoured, possessing a remarkable record for matches played and finished. Not once, but several times, has it happened that, whereas Wath have managed to scramble home with a couple of points, the majority of other clubs have been “cooling their heels” inside the pavilion, waiting for a break in the clouds which never came.
But putting the question of luck all one side, we have Wath occupying a worthily won position at the bead of the League, their last game with the champions further emphasising their strength and lability on a wicket admirably suited to them. Had the season been composed of the fine weather associated with cricket, with hard and firm pitches, there would have been a different tale told. Suffice it to say then that the Queen of Villages has thanks to brilliant work by the professional Feirn, and Banks, and Booth (the Yorkshire colt) enabled to put themselves into a winning position for the first time in their honourable career, and to bring the Whitworth Cup home, at least for 12 months.
Saturdays match was undoubtedly the pick of the half-dozen down for decision, and with the Athletic proving superior by three wickets their prospects have been further strengthened. Mr Booth again proved what a find he has been, for in addition to taking three of the wickets he compiled an excellent 42. The holders only made 104, which total three men put on 75. Hey being the top scorer with 34, Baddiley a good second with 24. and Dyson 17, the only men to reach double figure. Strangs to relate. Banks, the Athletics crack bowler, never got a wicket
Mexborough’s Inconsistency.
Mexborough have proved strangely inconsistent, though it cannot said that from spectator view they are not worth watching. Consequently they are favoured with capital attendances. A sensationally exciting victory over Mitchell’s the previous week surely presaged a fairly comfortable journey at Hoyland, the present wooden spoonists. But again Mexborough in a sense failed, although they won three wickets. It was a low scoring match, though full of inequalities. For instance. Hoyland scrambled together 63, thanks in the particular to Scott, who with 35 really enabled them to put respectable fight. None of the other batsmen reached double figures, though Wadsworth had narrow squeak with nine. Brown and Scott for Mexborough were the bowlers who, tumbled them out with something of their old skill.
We were really beginning to imagine that the team’s bowlers had lost cunning. Billy Scott, the old Denaby bowler, who was evidently considered by the colliers too old for League cricket again, hit the top score for his side, and again incidentally helped his new team to another victory.
Denaby Doings.
We had good deal of merry hitting at Denaby as was only to be expected when two such strong sides as Hickleton and colliers meet.
The game finished about equal after the scoring of some 368 runs in the four and half hours. Denaby started in good style. Arthur Robinson, who since his adoption of glasses, has once more returned his old form, but Billy Williamson, who should surely be dubbed the father Mexboro League cricket, and Jack stott, who previous to joining the Mainers, did yeoman service for his opponents of Saturday, made things hum.
They simply tired out the bowling, despite the frequent ringing of the changes the veteran finally succumbing after a capital 68, and Stott, being caught out when two short of the half century. J. Williamson and Symester were associated when the closure was applied at 211 for six wickets.
Dennbv started very badlv with five down for 70, but Arthur Robinson and Percy Bury again levelled matters up, both, being not out, the former with 51 to his credit and the secretary of the club 21.
Iron Hague Fails