This week we remember the early 1950s – in his book ‘The History of Menston Cricket Club’, Jack Kell calls this the ‘Golden Age’ of Menston Cricket Club, insofar as winning League and Cup honours were concerned. Jack records that there were two significant factors in the 1st XI’s championship success – the election of William Foster Shepherd as President and Eric Thornton’s captaincy over a well-balanced side.
William Shepherd was an outstanding President of the cricket club. During his term of office, he was actively concerned with almost every department – no job was too big or too small. He umpired, he scored, he collected, he helped with transport, he attended practices, saw the Saturday wickets prepared, represented the club at senior and junior League meetings and presided over committee meetings. Although he had occasional moments of childish petulant demanding his own way, overall he was a wonderful personality and has a permanent place in the annals of Menston Cricket Club.
In 1950, three members of the Thornton family were appointed as captains of the three teams; Eric as 1st XI skipper, brother Jack leading the 2nd XI and Jack’s son Tony in charge of the juniors. The Thorntons were instrumental in the club’s success for a number of years and also organised a ‘Grand Cricket Match’ on 24 July 1950 in aid of Len Hutton’s benefit fund. Today, Eric’s son, Bernard, is an active supporter of the club and is currently joint secretary of the Airedale & Wharfedale Umpires’ Association. Thank you to Bernard for digging out the Len Hutton Benefit Fund poster – it is a huge poster and a challenge to scan using modern technology!
The 1950 championship was not resolved until the last match of the season, when Menston beat Burley by 4 wickets, chasing a meagre total of 39. This was the club’s first major success in its history – there was a celebration at The Fox in November. Many tributes were paid to the victorious team and its captain Eric Thornton. In a modest reply, Eric said the success was a combined 1st & 2nd team affair, with no stars.
In 1951, Menston won the Waddilove Cup, beating DP&E in the first round, Guiseley in the second round, Otley in the semi-final and then Ilkley in the final, which was played at Otley on Tuesday 7 August, reportedly a dismal day. Ilkley had first knock on a slow, unresponsive pitch. Ilkley’s innings was suspended after two and half hours with the score on 128-4. Menston then batted until the light faded for 100-5. On Wednesday evening, Menston continued their innings and posted a total of 181, which meant Ilkley needed 54 runs to win with 6 wickets remaining. With the score on 157-6, three wickets were taken in an over to virtually win the match for Menston. The team also finished runners-up in the league to North Leeds – winning a league and cup ‘double’ was so close!
In 1953, the 2nd XI reached the final of the Birtwhistle Cup against DP&E. The match was held at Burley on 27 & 28 July. DP&E elected to bat and were routed for 46, with 16-year old Barry Normington taking 3-26 and Roy Bowland taking 7-14. The next day, victory for Menston came within an hour for the loss of only one wicket.
In 1955, the 2nd XI won the Birtwhistle Cup again, defeating Ilkley in the semi-final. Menston scored a modest 107, but Ilkley were shot out for 65. The final took place at Guiseley against Horsforth. On the first day, Horsforth scored 150 and the following evening saw Menston reach 140-8, with 16-year olds David Thackeray and David Bagshaw deciding by the flip of a coin who should be next man in. An extract from the Ilkley Gazette records the following:
‘In failing light, Brian Parker was joined by the youngest member of the side, David Thackeray, who made the winning hit with a perfectly timed leg glance to the boundary, which showed that fast bowling or a tense situation had no fears for him.’
We hope you enjoyed this latest trip down memory lane – there’s more to come in future weeks. In the meantime, stay well, keep safe and maintain those social distancing rules.
