A Game Sustained

89 Running out of steam: 1917 would be proud of winning such a medal in the present war time? We are trying to keep the game alive, not win championship medals.’ Other leagues considered their position. The Halifax District Council Cricket League met in February and agreed that, although some clubs would struggle to compete, the public would know they were putting their best teams out. Wherever possible they would also try to put out second elevens. The Norton and District Cricket League in Sheffield also decided to carry on. At the annual meeting of the Chapeltown and District Cricket League, however, only three clubs definitely committed to undertake competitive cricket and it was therefore decided to suspend the league in 1917 but try again the following summer. In the spring, the Sheffield and District Cricket Leagues Association surveyed the scene. Some 18 leagues had affiliated in 1914, but only ten in 1916 and 1917. The Mexborough Cricket League also met and with four of the most prominent clubs withdrawing, it decided to suspend operations until the annual meeting in October. As a result, there was little cricket in places like Darfield, where the field was not maintained until the summer of 1918. 62 Huddersfield clubs also set out to cope with the growing difficulties, but Honley had no fixtures organised and Linthwaite Hall dropped out altogether, so that only 12 clubs were left to constitute the local league. No players were registered and there was no official league handbook. No professionals were engaged, and any who were formerly recognised as such were expected to play as amateurs. Rules were relaxed and teams which were short- handed could borrow any player they could obtain. Financially, clubs everywhere struggled on. Idle – winners of the Bradford League – made a loss of over £20 after paying professional expenses of £200 and £46 in entertainment tax. The Elland Cricket Club also made a loss of £104 on the year despite winning the Yorkshire Council and the Halifax Council League. To keep going, the players agreed to play without payment and to fund their own travelling expenses. Later in the year, Batley Cricket, Athletic and Football