Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

seven runs. In the second innings restored as opener, Lionel was going well until one of WG’s slows beat him for 37. Going north to play Yorkshire at Scarborough Somerset were well beaten, but then crossing to Liverpool, made a better fight of it, leading by 17 runs on the first innings. This was largely down to a good opening stand of 84 between Lionel and HT Stanley. Lionel went on to 71 before being smartly caught. Sadly the second innings saw a breakdown in the batting and Lancashire easily won. Returning to Taunton for the opening August game against Middlesex, Somerset would have hoped their fortunes would change. Winning the toss, in good weather before a crowd of 5,000, Somerset batted. From the first ball Lionel got after the Middlesex attack. His fifty came out of 70 in 57 minutes, and after 75 minutes he had made 76 of 103. He then quietened down as he was joined by Phillips who made 65. Having just reached his hundred, Lionel was dismissed by Hearne for 104, made out of 164. After this the innings folded and Somerset were bowled for 221 on a good pitch. Middlesex’s first innings 354 was enough for a win by ten wickets. Lionel’s good form continued as he then hit 60 in the drawn game with Sussex. In the return with Kent at Taunton starting on August 11, Somerset found their batting form. In good weather again, Kent were dismissed for a poor 210. Lionel opened and immediately went on the attack; he hit his 50 out of 61 in 65 minutes. By the close he had made 73 of 108. The second day witnessed some heavy scoring. Lionel soon went in the morning having hit 88 of 141, including eleven fours with only one chance at seven. The press described the innings as ‘beautiful’. The talking point on the day was a stand of 240 in two and a half hours by SamWoods and Vernon Hill, who hit a tired Kent attack all over the place. Both made hundreds and Somerset closed on 503. Sadly though even with a day to go Kent easily batted out for a draw. Lionel, having a long bowl, took one for 47 off 21 overs. After an innings defeat to Gloucestershire, Somerset played their final county game of the season against Surrey at Taunton. In good weather Somerset elected to bat. After the early loss of Marriage, family, work and Somerset 59