South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 12 September 1942
Hickleton Win Council Final
A faultless Innings of 94 by the veteran, Alban Turner, a bri#lliant 50 by G. W. Gibbs, followed by devastating bowling by Joe Riley, were the high-lights of Hickleton Main’s, unexpectedly easy win over Batley in the Yorkshire Council championship final at Brodsworth on Saturday and Monday.
When Batley had two wickets down for 18 runs in reply to Hickleton’s total of 212 at the end of the first day’s play, it was evident that they would have to fight for runs when the match was continued on Monday, but it was not anticipated that Batley would be back in the pavilion in just under an hour for the meagre score of 63.
At the outset when the Batley bowling and fielding were remarkably keen and Hickleton were in rather a sorry plight. Alban Turner came to the rescue, played patiently, not attempting to go for the runs, but merely scoring singles here and there. Later on, in spite of his age—he is 57—he showed the crowd that he could still hit. He scored eleven boundary strokes—ten fours and one six. His was the finest innings seen on the Brodsworth ground for a long time. First man in. he was last out, being caught in trying to make a six hit to reach his century. He was at the wicket nearly four hours—a test of endurance and a tribute to his physical fitness.
Early Disaster
Hickleton first wicket fell with only eight runs scored, two more wickets falling with the total at 15. With J Riley (19), Turner put on 52 for the fourth wicket, but for the addition of 27 runs three more players were sent back. Then came the biggest stand of the match. G.W.Gibbs, the Denaby footballer, joined Turner, and after he had settled down, the former scored quickly, is 50 including nine fours. Gibbs came in at a time when Hickleton needed runs any batted soundly, not giving a single chance. Turner and J Sanderson (13), added 29 for the ninth wicket, and the innings eventually closed at 212. Turner received a wonderful ovation at the end.
Batley were left with only an hour to bat on Saturday. First, the opening batsmen, was clean bowled by J Riley with only three runs on the board and the next wicket fell for the addition of seven runs. When play was resumed on Monday, the Batley players fared badly against J. Riley and wickets fell with monotonous regularity, only A. Brearley (15) reaching double figures. The only stand of note was one of 21 between Brearley and Goodall. Six of Riley’s victims were clean bowled.
With W. Lockwood (1 for 16) Riley bowled unchanged.
- Barratt, the Batley captain, did not bat, having broken a thumb in a charity match at Batley on Sunday. H. Newton (5 for 77) had the best bowling return for Batley, while W. Burnett took 3 for 66. H. Williams 1 for 15, and W. Goodall 1 for 11. In addition to winning the cup for the first time, Hickleton performed the feat of making the highest score this season against Batley, while Turner and Gibbs had the honour of being the only two batsmen to hit 50 or over against Batley this season.
Scores:—
Hickleton.
A Turner c Goodall b Newton 94, H Riley b Burnett 6, J Hutchinson b Newton 0, C Probert c Harwood b Newton 0, Riley c C Kitson b Williams 19. W Lockwood c Hirst b Burnett 6, W Hinchliffe lbw b Burnett 4. R Butler c Hirst b Newton 1. G W Gibbs b Newton 50, J Sanderson c D Kitson b Goodall 13, J Green not out 1 extras 18; total 212
Batley.— F Hirst b J Riley 3, H Williams b J Riley 5, A Brearley b J Riley 15, C Kitson b J Riley 3, W Goodall b J Riley 8, C Harwood run out 4. D Kitson b Lockwood 0, W Burnett c H Riley b J Riley H Newton b J Riley 0, F Burton not out Barrett did not bat, extras 19; total 63