Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

66 do better with the bat. Yorkshire’s performances during the summer were often cause for celebration. The impressive seven-wicket win over Derbyshire at the start of August was followed by the destruction of Lancashire for 47, only for rain to prevent a finish. One commentator observed that the ‘Tykes have at last done justice to themselves.’ Victory was secured by five wickets against Nottinghamshire in front of 15,000 people over the first two days, followed by a resounding victory over Surrey at The Oval by an innings and 123 runs. Only Peate at number 11 did not reach double figures, and Ulyett excelled himself with 141. Hill and Peate then performed well with the ball, the former finishing the game off with a hat-trick. Again, Emmett had only light bowling duties. Defeats to Middlesex and Gloucestershire interrupted the run of success, although sandwiched between them was an innings win over Derbyshire. As ever Emmett squeezed in additional games, several of which were against the touring Australians. He played against them for Northampton in June (taking 7-35), and was engaged at the end of August, just prior to the Scarborough Festival, to play for Eighteen of Stockport against the Australians, taking 5-34 in 35 overs in their second innings. Emmett’s willingness to play the tourists was in contrast to George Ulyett, who had apparently not forgotten or forgiven the incidents of the 1878-79 tour. According to the Leeds Times: If Emmett could play against them, why not Ulyett? Emmett was with Lord Harris in the colonies at the time of the dispute, as well as the Sheffield performer, and yet we have seen the Yorkshire captain sink all bitterness of feeling, and play against them time after time. Yorkshire Captain 1878-1883 George Ulyett, Emmett’s companion for Yorkshire and on tour.