A Game Sustained

45 Keeping going: 1914-1915 players were soldiers and had had to return to their military duties. Whitwood won and their supporters congregated by the pavilion, but it was announced that there would be no presentation as Hemsworth had lodged an objection about an ineligible man. This led to angry scenes. Subsequently, the objection was upheld and the cup authorities ordered the match be replayed, which Whitwood refused to participate in. The enthusiasm for cricket continued to be seen elsewhere in large attendances. In Dewsbury, holidays were arranged to allow factory machinery to be overhauled and cool down after 12 months of extraordinary usage. In response, Dewsbury and Savile Town Cricket Club organised two attractive matches to take advantage of the lull, securing big crowds. Later in August, some 7,000 people saw the Priestley Cup final at Park Avenue, paying £84 in gate receipts. Rain brought an end to proceedings when Bowling Old Lane replied to Windhill’s score of 107 and the team agreed to finish on the Monday. Bad weather again affected the game and Windhill offered to give the match to Bowling Old Lane. Their opponents would not take the cup in such circumstances, and so – in another sign that the game was being taken seriously despite the war – it was decided that the final must be played out on 11 September. The season came to a more satisfactory conclusion elsewhere in the county. Glusburn Institute won the Skipton and District League in North Yorkshire. Between 4,000 and 5,000 people attended the final of the Huddersfield and District League, which was won by Lockwood over Slaithwaite. Birstall beat Ossett in the final of the Heavy Woollen District competition. The Bradford League was won by Bowling Old Lane, largely thanks to C.H.Grimshaw, a batsman who had appeared for Yorkshire from 1904 to 1908 without ever realising his potential. Despite the presence of Barnes (who took 92 league wickets at 4.4 each and a further 15 Priestley Cup wickets) and Hobbs, Grimshaw was the most successful player in the League in 1915, scoring 618 runs at an average of 47.5, and being even more effective in the Priestley