Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

improvement in the wicket, Lionel and Frank Phillips adding 91 for the third wicket. All the other batsman struggled against Blythe and Mason who were still receiving a fair amount of help from the pitch. Lionel was last out at 189, having batted three hours and 35 minutes in making his 89. He batted in a class above his colleagues, combining sound defence with aggressive hitting when the opportunity came. With the wicket easing Kent made 356 in the second innings, setting Somerset 234 to win. Somerset slipped to 99 for four and the result was in doubt. Lionel was still there and with some support the total reached 166 for six when Sam Woods joined him. The pair added 60 in only 40 minutes and this swung the game in Somerset’s favour. Lionel was seventh out, caught in the slips, after batting two and three quarter hours for his 80, and Somerset went on to a narrow, two wicket victory. After a draw with Yorkshire, Lionel made a rare guest appearance for the Somerset Stragglers making 124 against Chetnole Chappies. His lobs also captured eight wickets in the match, including his former teammate William Roe. This led nicely to the last Championship match at Taunton against Surrey. In an exciting match, yet again after rain had fallen heavily overnight, the pitch initially was drying out under a hot sun. As was the norm Surrey elected to bat and thanks to Ernie Hayes’ unbeaten 86, Surrey managed 170 against some fine bowling by Cranfield and Braund. With the wicket still difficult Lionel carried his bat for 45 out of 126, with only Gill (29) lasting long, Lionel’s innings included six fours, and did not contain one faulty stroke. By the close of the first day Surrey progressed to 32 for one. On an easier wicket on the second day, Surrey made 252 setting Somerset a challenging 297 to win with well over a day remaining. After losing Lewis with the score at three, Lionel was joined by Braund. Both of them started well and within 50 minutes the 50 was signalled. Lionel then increased the tempo with some lovely drives and cuts. Braund went for 47, having added 96 in 70 minutes. Lionel reached his fifty in an hour and a half. He was eventually dismissed for 77, fifth out at 160, having batted for two hours and ten minutes, and not giving a chance. After 1902 and one more good season 86