War of the Roses

By Brian Sanderson

The above scorecard is 94 years old and was filled in by somebody

who was there on the Monday 2 August 1926.The Old Trafford 

crowd reveled in the sunshine for once as Lancashire's total of 

509 for nine declared ,scored in the best part of two days , was

the highest Roses total.

In the ninety minutes before lunch on the first day ,Makepeace 

and Hallows took the score to 74 for no wicket.The first wicket

fell ten runs later when Hallows was leg before to Robinson.

Makepeace and Ernest Tyldesley added 169 for the second 

wicket before Makepeace ,attempting a hugh drive ,was 

bowled by Rhodes for 126. Batting for four hours and fifty

minutes.

Tyldesley., photographed above, his career spanned from 1909 to 

1936. In the years between he scored more runs for the 

county at the better average than any other batsman -

34222 at 45.20. In 1926 , in a remarkable sequence he 

scored 1477 runs in 13 innings between 26 June and 6 

August. Frank Watson , a persevering batsman of the true

Lancashire breed ,missed a century by only eight runs.

The only Yorkshire bowler to gain any reward was 

Wilfred Rhodes , who took  seven for 116, his last four

wickets costing just 21 runs.

For the rest of the second day ,Holmes and Sutcliffe played some 

beautiful cricket and at the close of the day were 183 for no wicket.

On the morning of the last day ,the Yorkshire openers were within

one run of a making a 200 partnership when the immaculate

 Sutcliffe was out leg before to Richard Tyldesley.

The next batsman, Oldroyd, had scored 12 when he was hit 

 on the back of the head by a short ball by Mc Donald .

He was carried from the field unconscious

but was even additionally unlucky in that he hit his stumps as he fell.

Holmes was next to go for a magnificent 143 , in five and

 a half hours.

Yorkshire defended stoutly as Green, the Lancashire captain rang 

the bowling changes but were eventually bowled for 352.

The aggregate attendance of the match was 70998. Yorkshire

players  were paid £11 for home matches and £15 for away 

matches. In the winter they were paid £ 2 per week , in the 

playing season £1 for a win.  Footballers were on £8 per week.

Some Rugby League stars were on £17 a match .