Lives in Cricket No 38 - Lionel Robinson

58 captain Bosanquet promoted O’Brien to open and was rewarded with a fine century. O’Brien’s 111 was not as rapid an innings as his first, lasting for 200 minutes, but, with hard-hit half-centuries from Jack MacBryan and the skipper, it meant that Hall reached the safety of 311 for seven at close of play. CEYMS returned to Old Buckenham in late July and, having dismissed them for just 127 (largely due to a six-wicket haul by Roderick Falconer), Lionel Robinson must have been certain that revenge would be obtained for the drubbing that he had been forced to endure earlier in the season, especially as the CEYMS attack did not look formidable. However, ‘Old George’ Pilch took six for 54 and Hall were shot out for a mere 97 to lose by 30 runs on the first innings. There was enough time for Ted Gibson to take eight wickets ‘at a small cost’ when CEYMS batted again – however, the ‘Churchmen’ had secured a rare season’s double over the Hall, albeit in two one-innings matches. The team as a whole, and Pegler as an individual, returned to winning ways in the final match before the Great War. Hall batted first and, when their sixth wicket fell at only 188, Garboldisham Manor must have thought that they were in with a chance. However, Archie batted very well, making an unbeaten 128 and taking part in century partnerships for the seventh and eighth wickets with Evelyn Metcalfe (who scored 50) and Pegler (with Further Successes At Old Buckenham Sir Tim O’Brien, the only man to make a first-class century for Lionel. (Roger Mann)