Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

Chapter ten The final years At the age of 55, Lionel and his wife now could look forward to a long and happy retirement at their new home. Sadly like so many things in life it did not always go according to script. In his first year of retirement, Lionel concentrated on various committees and played as usual a lot of golf. With his handicap now up to six, he again failed to win a competition. He did however play five times for his county. In March, Devon crushed Dorset 16 and a half to five and a half at Bournemouth, Lionel winning his foursomes but halving his singles match. A few days later he travelled to Bristol, as Gloucestershire won 9-6, Lionel losing both matches. Then in June at Lelant, Devon beat Cornwall 11-9 with Lionel winning two games to pick up two points. Later in the week at Yelverton, Somerset beat Devon 11-7, with only a half in the singles for Lionel. In his final game of the season for Devon at Budleigh Salterton, Devon beat Dorset 10-5. Lionel again halved his singles, but easily won his foursome match with a Mr Mitford as his doubles partner. The 1926 season would be the last time that he played cricket. He played three matches: in late July he made 24 and 41 for the Free Foresters against Devon at Exeter, making some of his old trademark drives and cuts and showing good form for a man of his age. Again for the Free Foresters a month later he batted attractively for 29 and 31 against Sidmouth. His final competitive game was a benefit match for WT Cook’s eleven against Sidmouth, a two day game in mid-September. After making a duck in the first innings, he again played some nice drives in making 31 in his final innings. The match included some notable players: WG Quaife (Warwickshire), JJ Bridges (Somerset), Jack Hobbs and Frank Woolley. Lionel’s team lost by an innings, as Hobbs (102) and Woolley (134) made excellent centuries. It was a nice way for his cricket career to come to a close. By 1927, the Palairets had settled into retirement well. Both children had now left home, and the Palairets now only employed a cook and two maids at their residence. Lionel played quite a bit 113