Lives in Cricket No 52 - Schooled in Cricket (2nd edition)

162 Johnny’s recovery regime included long walks for the rest of the season and during the following winter. Then we find Johnny back in action in 1975. Bilton were the beneficiaries as all four cricketing members of the Lawrence family moved there with friends Malcolm Naylor and Jimmy Walker. Despite its geography as a village near Harrogate, Bilton like Ilkley played in the Airedale and Wharfedale League. The family made a huge impact as early as April 26 as the Harrogate Advertiser proclaimed ‘Splintered wood and broken glass – the Lawrences are here’. Both Bilton teams were playing against Illingworth. The seconds were away and this is where Stephen brought up his 50 with a six which smashed into the pavillion and then took a hat-trick as part of four for seven while his uncle Sam took two for 29 helping Bilton’s victory. Meanwhile Illingworth firsts had got off to a slow start at Bilton Lane and totally caved in on 79 all out after Johnny had come on to join opener Harvey Langley. Johnny took four for 20 also including a hat-trick and then Bilton cruised to victory with the bat. Johnny now wanted to take it easy and do more batting than bowling. In the end he was called upon with the ball far more than he originally bargained for. Johnny remarkably finished the season on top of the League bowling averages slightly ahead of Dave Horsey of Alwoodley who took twice as many wickets as he had bowled many more overs. The 1976 season was less successful for the first team who finished bottom of the table. Johnny, I understand, became unhappy as a new captain came who didn’t understand cricket sufficiently and caused the team to slide. Nevertheless he and company did have their moments. One or two of these are recorded in the appendix but records seemed to be fairly skimpy. In the end all the Lawrence family and their friends Malcolm Naylor and Jimmy Walker all left the club at once at the end of the season. Johnny went back to Leeds for a while at the start of 1977 Aftermath to a professional career