ON THIS DAY By Paul Hargreaves
21st June, 1947
Lowerhouse vs Burnley
It was midsummer’s day and also local derby day. Crowds for all sports thrived as people basked in the return to a pre-War normality.
Burnley took first knock and were largely easy pickings for the Lowerhouse attack, especially pro’ Manny Martindale. He was a West Indian Test player and this was his first of four consecutive seasons at ‘House. Only two other pro’s have that tenure in Lowerhouse history. Impress me and name them? Answers at the end of the article,,,,,,,,,,,no peeping.
Martindale scored 2,100 runs and took 307 wickets for Lowerhouse. Excellent consistency! In the 1950’s Manny’s two boys, Colin and Fred, were good recruits for ‘House and the latter has the distinction of being the only Lowerhouse amateur to score a Worsley Cup century pre-2,000.
On this occasion Manny took a brilliant 6-30. The only resistance came from Aussie Syd Barnes with 49, half of the 97 all out total. Barnes was later sacked by Burnley as rumours of shady dealings arose. He would, though, have the last laugh as he returned a year later with the 1948 Australian ‘invincibles’.
Another interesting player for the visitors was Peter Kippax(7). He was an amateur footballer with Burnley F.C. and an English amateur international. Not many unpaid amateurs left in the top tier of English football! Burnley C.C. has been the ideal location to attract a star footballer or two. Notables besides Kippax include Jerry Dawson, Tommy Lawton and Leighton James.
It was a nervy chase for the ‘House faithful and they were in big trouble at 64-7. Arthur Stevenson(22 n.o) became the unheralded hero. He normally played for the Second Eleven and his innings started shakily , when he was involved in a run out with his more noted brother George.
Arthur found an ally with another Arthur (Green) 10 n.o. and a famous two wicket victory was achieved.
It wasn’t a shock win , though, as Lowerhouse finished five places higher than Burnley in 1947. ‘House were fifth and Burnley tenth.
Answers to question…. Ben Gregory(1898-1901) and Billy Cook (1919-1922)
Honourable mention for a guess of Jimmy Amarnath, who was pro’ for 4 out of 5 years between 1977 and 1981.