Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

an incredible game by 279 runs, and even today this must be the greatest victory in the club’s history. Yorkshire had not lost a Championship match since 1899 and this was the 48th game they had played since. On the conclusion of the team’s victory the Yorkshire crowd appreciated the fight-back of Somerset, surrounding the pavilion and applauding. After cries of ‘speech’, Sammy Woods came out smiling and waved, Braund and Lionel also had to make an appearance to the excited crowd. Sammy never got his money from the mayor. On the team’s return a large crowd gathered at the train station in Taunton to welcome the team home; the players must have felt like heroes. After the excitement of Headingley, the team then travelled to Portsmouth in Hampshire the following week. After Hampshire made a good total of 372, Lionel and Braund commenced the innings and hit well as the day closed with Somerset on 89 without loss, Lionel having just reached his fifty. The following morning the pair continued in fine form. The opening partnership reached 196 when Lionel was bowled for 96; he had batted only two hours and five minutes, having hit nine fours and eight threes, in a delightful innings. Braund went for 111; a brilliant start was wasted as the team collapsed to 296, thereby trailing by 76 runs. Hampshire declared their innings, setting Somerset 276 to win. Lionel again batted well making a solid 64, but he found little support and Somerset crashed to 173 all out, to lose by 103 runs. Lionel then missed a narrow defeat to Kent but returned to against Middlesex at Taunton. On a good wicket Somerset dismissedMiddlesex for an acceptable 265; by the close Somerset had reached 103 for two with Lionel unbeaten on 52 and going well. The following morning he continued in the same form, until he had made 92 when he was caught at deep mid-off trying a huge drive. He had batted two hours and 55 minutes; among his hits were a six (off Richard More) and ten fours. Somerset went on to a first innings lead of 109; however they could not bowl Middlesex out a second time, and Middlesex easily saved the game. Lionel did help himself to an unbeaten 35 in the second innings as the match petered out. The visit of Sussex immediately followed. Lionel’s great form continued. Sussex batted on a good wicket and struggled to 236, A new century and 1901 76