Lives in Cricket No 38 - Lionel Robinson

29 press stated only that its home games took place at ‘Old Buckenham’; presumably it was still playing on the existing wicket, which may have been on the village green, the largest in England. It was certainly the same group of players as those who represented the village in 1909, with the inclusion of the mystery Hearne. Robinson himself featured regularly and there were also a couple of effective contributions with the ball from a mysterious bowler, who was described as captain of the Stock Exchange Cricket Club and who was presumably one of Robinson’s banking chums. Alas, we cannot even be sure of his name for he appears as both B.H.Conran and as B.H.Couran. 26 ‘L Robinson’s XI’ made its reappearance with its debut being against Yarmouth Conservative Club on 26 July. This year it both played regularly and also fielded a significant number of cricketers with first-class and Test experience; notable players who played for Robinson in 1910 included Archie MacLaren, 27 Albert Lawton of Derbyshire, Albert Trott, Cyril Staples, Charles Robson of Hampshire and the Gaekwad of Baroda; several were regular visitors. There was little intermixing with the village club as, apart from Robinson himself, the shadowy B.H.Conran was virtually the only player to play for both village and hall sides. The Eastern Daily Press seems to have become confused on one occasion as a fixture dated 26 The Eastern Daily Press even fails to be consistent about this player’s initials for, as well as ‘B.H.’, he also appears as “PH”. For the purposes of brevity, he will be referred to as ‘B.H. Conran’ in all subsequent appearances in the text. 27 Given that MacLaren was soon to be appointed as Lionel’s director of cricket, it is tempting to view his arrival in Old Buckenham at precisely the same time as the new cricket ground was opened as more than a coincidence. However, there is no evidence that Archie was anything other than just another visiting cricketer at this time. Robinson comes to Norfolk Lionel Robinson (second left) with his team in front of the pavilion at the first ground in 1910. MacLaren is far right with Jack Mason rear centre and Charles Robson standing second right.