South Yorkshire Times, August 11th, 1951

“All Square”

Novel experience for veteran cricket supporters at Swinton on Monday was to see the wicket “going under” beneath torrential rain.  It is doubtful whether there is a supporter living who has seen it happen before.  The Swinton wicket is noted for its powers of recovery after heavy rain.

At 11 a.m. on Monday it was unfit for play, but the match started as scheduled at 3 p.m. An hour and a quarter later, the pitch was under water and the match was abandoned.

In the limited time available for play, Swinton had Wath in trouble. Five Wath wickets fell with Swinton captain Rowland Butler causing most of the trouble.  This was one of the most ideal wickets he has had this season, and he made full use of its potentialities. He finished with three wickets for 24 runs, and only Sid Ellis, Wath’s opening bat, played him with confidence.  Watching every ball with infinite care he kept his wicket intact for 34 runs, a commendable achievement under the circumstances.

When Jack Kerry replaced pace bowler Bill Ward, he met with immediate success, but as rain stopped play, he finished with the unusual analysis of one wicket for no runs.  Wath and Swinton finish the season “all square” for the earlier game at Wath was drawn.