Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

Woods was still reliable as a batsman but his golden days as a fast bowler were well behind him. It was clear that the county needed new talent or would continue to struggle. Against this backdrop of pessimism, the 1898 season opened at Bath against Yorkshire on May 16. The county were totally outplayed losing by 198 runs. A young Wilfred Rhodes, playing in his first championship match, took match figures of 13 for 45, and totally bamboozled the southern county. Lionel’s first innings score of 26 was the highest in either Somerset innings; the team could only make 35 at their second attempt. Without Lionel the team beat Oxford University late in May by 100 runs, Gill bowling quickly having match figures of 10 for 87, and Bertie Cranfield also bowling well. Hopes that the side would rejuvenate and have a good season were soon to be dashed. After a rain-affected draw with Middlesex, Somerset went to Eastbourne and thanks to a blistering 143 from Woods and 10 for 108 in the match by Tyler gained an easy victory by 108 runs after trailing by 69 runs on first innings. This early June victory would be the last of the season. Lionel missed the next couple of county games; however he did play some minor games. On June 16 he scored 189 for Leighton against South Wiltshire, and the following day he added 70 playing for Leighton against Corinthians. At least he was keeping in practice and scoring some runs. He then returned for Somerset against Lancashire at Taunton, starting on June 20. Lancashire were dismissed for 216 with only a brilliant 90 from JT Tyldesley holding the innings together. Batting first Lionel opened with a debutant John Daniell, whose debut innings was brief; after hitting a boundary he was caught off Willis Cuttell. Lionel was the only batsman to offer any resistance as in 95 minutes he scored a valuable 59. Though making a fine innings he was badly missed when 13. Somerset’s innings closed for 135 and second time round Lancashire piled up 458, and went on to win by 260 runs. Daniell’s appearance marked an association with the club that would last for over 40 years, as a player, captain and administrator. After a defeat to Kent, the team travelled to the Oval to play Surrey. Having been made to follow on and going in second Marriage, family, work and Somerset 56