Lives in Cricket No 15 - Michael Falcon

Titchmarsh scored 80 and put on 104 for the fourth wicket with Chapman whose contribution was 68. Over 3,000 spectators were present to see the South Africans set a total of 320; they reached a promising 66 for the loss of one wicket before rain stopped play at 6.15 pm on the second day. On the final day Michael Falcon bowled like a Trojan, with, at first, little support from his team-mates. He captured the first five wickets to fall, including the famous batsmen Dave Nourse and Herbie Taylor. However, he bowled himself to a standstill and, at 257 for six, the South Africans looked to have saved the game. Falcon turned to slow left-armer Walter Beadsmoore for one last effort and he responded by claiming a wicket immediately, but the South Africans made a further stand and the Minor Counties chance appeared to have gone. Suddenly Beadsmoore struck gold and took the remaining three wickets in 13 balls to secure a win by 25 runs, with but two minutes to spare. In his only first-class game Beadsmoore took four for 53 and, like Coldham, this match was the high point of his career. Michael Falcon, with second innings figures of five for 103, has not received sufficient credit for his sterling work as captain and strike bowler in a major upset and a magnificent result. Perhaps there were too many Norfolk players involved for most Minor County observers to be interested, but given the Norfolk-based flavour of the victory, it’s a fair bet that Michael Falcon would have been immensely proud of his team. 1925 Norfolk’s season was encouraging with five wins and only one defeat. In contrast to previous seasons Michael Falcon did not dominate proceedings, but was one of a group of leading players, all of whom contributed significantly to Norfolk’s cause. Four players topped 400 runs and averaged over 30 with the bat: Geoffrey Stevens, Geoffrey Colman, Jack Nichols and Falcon, whilst four players also took 28 or more wickets and averaged under 20 with the ball: Walter Beadsmoore, Harold Watson, Jack Nichols and Falcon. The skipper finished as low as fourth in both batting and bowling averages, but was the leading wicket taker, in a season which for him has to be rated a little below par. He made an excellent start with the bat, rattling up 136 in 150 minutes against Leicestershire II in a knock which contained two sixes and At His Peak: 1919-1929 73