Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

42 The Great All-rounder (1872-1877) made runs in a poor score of 65, but it was still enough for a Yorkshire United first innings lead, before Hill, with 18 wickets, was instrumental in securing a victory by 32 runs. In July, Yorkshire met Lancashire at Bramall Lane. According to Derek Hodgson, ‘Lancashire needed only 89 to win and looked like completing an easy victory with Hornby and Barlow at the wicket. ‘Never mind about Barlow, ’said Emmett. ‘We can get him out if he tries to get runs. But we must get rid of the other.’ Emmett promptly bowled Hornby with what was claimed to be one of the worst ever deliveries seen in a Roses match, a slow half-volley outside the off stump which Hornby leapt upon and hammered, only for Hill, at point, to take a most astonishing point-blank catch. Hill was put on to bowl at the other end, where he took five wickets for three runs, all bowled, and Lancashire were all out for 70.’ 35 During the summer of 1876, W.G.Grace was in extraordinary form. Later he recalled the impact his high scoring had on bowlers, apparently even Emmett. Referring to his 318 against Yorkshire, he wrote that he had been scoring so freely that bowlers were reluctant to take him on. On this occasion: Lockwood, who was captain of Yorkshire this season, never had his team under firm control, and he found it difficult to get anyone to bowl. All sorts of excuses were made by the bowlers when they were requested to go on. Hill was pressed to take a few overs, but he tried to excuse himself. While Lockwood was persuading him to bowl, Tom Emmett joined in the conversation, and, turning to Lockwood, said, “Why don’t you make him, you are captain.” Then someone suggested that Tom should have a go himself. Tom, however, showed no anxiety, and someone remarked, “You’re frightened to go on yourself.” Nettled by this remark, Emmett took the ball, and began to bowl, but he was so angry that he could not get near the wicket. During the first over most of his balls went anywhere but in the direction of the batsman’s wicket. At all times Emmett was erratic, but on this occasion he excelled himself. 36 Another story relating to this match was told about when the Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire teams came across each other at Cheltenham after Grace’s 177. This happened after the 344 against Kent. The Yorkshire team ‘were told to ‘look out for squalls.’ Emmett laughed, and said “The big un has tired himself out, then. He can’t get a hundred three times running. If he does against us, I’ll shoot him for the sake of the game.’ (There were other versions; W.G. suggested that Emmett had said if he got three centuries in succession ‘I’ll eat him’.). In fact, Grace made 318 not out. It was also reported that the Mayor of the borough invited the teams to dine with him, and after dinner, Emmett was called upon to make a speech, something which he did not enjoy. During his remarks, ‘he observed ‘Cricket is very like a tree; theer’s ‘WG’ he’s topmost branch…. Yorksheer’s blooming roots, and ain’t commenced to sprout yet.’