Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

91 At the end of the season of 1888, Emmett was included in the Yorkshire side which played MCC at the Scarborough Festival, receiving ‘a very flattering reception’ when appearing on the field and being cheered when he came out to bat. It was to be his last first-class match, and coincidentally, David Hunter’s debut for the county, the old generation passing on to the next. Emmett took the wickets of W.Gunn in the first innings and G.F.Vernon in the second, but did not make a major contribution. Appropriately enough, his final innings in first-class cricket saw him bowled by W.G.Grace. So ended a career of more than 20 years with Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Coinciding with this landmark, it was reported in the press that Emmett would no longer be engaged at Bradford and that he had accepted a ‘remunerative and permanent position’ at Rugby School as coach. Ever generous with his time, Emmett ended the season with a match at Thirsk Cricket Club, played between a George Freeman’s XI and a Tom Emmett’s XI, in aid of a former professional who had fallen ill. ‘Owd Evergreen’ 1884-1888