Lives in Cricket No 27 - CB Llewellyn

85 analysis. When he began the summer by taking six wickets for 49, the margin of victory over Colne was only 13 runs, but in the next match, his seven victims at the cost of 14 runs led to the overwhelming of Rawtenstall by 116. Eight for 29 led to the defeat of East Lancashire by five wickets, and in the return with them, a further eight wickets, this time for 62, resulted in a colossal win by 120 runs. In the following game Lowerhouse were disposed of by 93 runs, thanks to his nine for 40; he had captured 46 wickets and it was still only the month of May. So it continued to the end of the season. He was slow to reach his best form at the crease, but he reminded spectators and opponents alike of his powers with two centuries in successive matches in mid-June: 129 not out against Church, with Parkin, when Accrington were successful by 93 runs and 103 versus Rawtenstall, whose pro was George Leach, formerly of Sussex, in the course of which, Buck added 180 for the third wicket with Ormerod. There was time to defeat the opposition by 149 runs. He went on with a string of useful scores, slowly petering out as he began a chain of match-winning bowling feats, including seven for 24 against Todmorden, seven for 17 versus Bacup, followed by six wickets for eight in the return match with them played back to back (Bacup scored just 21). Finally he took five for 33 against Nelson on 11 September 1915. After this last match, a huge crowd roared their enthusiasm as Accrington were presented with the Cup and many went on to enjoy the celebration dinner. Perhaps we should note here Buck’s performances against Bacup over the four seasons 1912 to 1915, during which, in eight games, he scored 586 runs at 117.20 and took 51 wickets at 5.56. In detail his achievements were: Season Home Away 1912 100 9-23 92* 6-42 1913 188* 5-64 83 5-52 1914 18 7-23 50* 6-45 1915 39 7-27 16 6-8 Accrington in those years before the Great War were not a one- man band though. Johnny Pollard was a consistent bat capable of reaching three figures, with A.W.Chadwick and Billy Ormerod not far behind him. W.Brown was a useful all-rounder and Pollard was another valuable member of the attack. Buck’s figures in 1913, however, demonstrate the value of a top-notch professional. With the bat he scored 729 runs at 33.13, followed by Pollard with 534 Accrington