A Game Sustained

119 match. ‘Old Ebor’ wondered why four war years had passed since the last county match in Sheffield. The crowd had clearly been pleased to see old favourites, and the match was followed ‘with all the old keen appreciation’ by nearly 4,000 people. The Sheffield Independent also reflected that the appearance of so many familiar faces ‘revived memories and created longings. Cricket will come into its own again when our boys have fully accomplished their task overseas.’ As the summer went on, news from the continent became more positive, and this was reflected in the world of cricket. In June, Lord Hawke confirmed he would take a team of Yorkshire cricketers to Scarborough immediately before August Bank Holiday, with receipts to go to the Mayoress’s Committee for ‘necessaries and comforts for the troops.’ A three-day match was originally suggested, but it was feared that given the players’ lack of practise, the game might end prematurely. Nevertheless, the North Marine Road ground was reportedly in good condition on 2 August 1918 when the match between Lord Hawke’s Yorkshire XI and Lt-Col Hawdon’s XI started. There was a small crowd at the start of the first significant match on the ground since 1914, but it increased later to around 2,000 people. A feature of the first day was 61 by George Hirst in just over an hour, but the match was not played out. The Yorkshire Post considered the experiment ‘quite justified’ by the support shown, while the social side was not neglected as a cricket charity ball was held at the Grand Hotel, the first since 1913. A few days later, Yorkshire and a Yorkshire Council side met at Leeds. Wilfred Rhodes could not get leave from his munitions duties, although he promised to appear when the Huddersfield holidays began. Around 3,000 people were present on the first day, but the match was abandoned due to the rain. A game was then played at Haslingden on 17 August, where a team representing Lancashire and Yorkshire played England. Shortly afterwards, Yorkshire took on an England XI at Bradford. The ground was reportedly ‘satisfactory’ despite all the talk of neglect, and ‘the wicket gave every promise of being of its usual good quality.’ However, the Struggling through to the end: 1918