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

225 wicketless and plundered for 58 runs in a match which stretched over two weeks of evenings due to rain, at times torrential. On the three evenings when there was actually some cricket, College Grove again saw large crowds and large gate receipts. A lanky seam bowler called John Burton denied Wakefield with six for 53. This cup defeat eclipsed a league win over Mirfield in the middle of it. Heads must have gone slightly down as a result of this notable cup defeat and Wakefield only drew with Dewsbury and then with Huddersfield ICI. They performed better against East Ardsley but were thwarted by rain and bad light. 1966 In the first match on April 30 Johnny and his new opening partner Arthur Pearson bowled through and demolished the home team, Thornhill – all out 68. Only their number 11, F. Ineson spoiled Johnny’s figures with some swings of the bat, but still Johnny had five for 41 and reached ten not out in Wakefield’s six wicket win. The Wakefield Express complained bitterly of Hanging Heaton’s dull batting (“just the ‘fare’ to kill cricket”) on May 14 at College Grove but that dull batting achieved a draw which was yet a rarity against the strength of Wakefield and hero of the day was former Wakefield all-rounder Harry Atkinson (18 not out) who must have known he could take no liberties against the likes of Johnny Lawrence. Johnny’s 15 overs yielded two wickets for 13 runs but early losses meant that Hanging Heaton were only ever going to achieve no more than safety, Wakefield having scored 175 for seven including a bright cameo innings of 20 from Johnny. Cup matches were now to be played on Sundays and Johnny’s continued refusal to play Sunday cricket meant that Hanging Heaton were able to produce a more vigorous display the following day and cause Wakefield’s early exit from the Heavy Woollen Cup with Atkinson in a brighter mode scoring 64 not out. Then at Heckmondwike, Wakefield suffered their first league defeat for over a year. Johnny bowled economically until being struck for two sixes but only achieved one wicket. As a team Wakefield were well beaten on the day – by eight wickets, in fact. Two wins in three matches over Whitsuntide was not good enough forWakefield’s attempts tocatchgroundon leaders, Heckmondwike. Wins over Chickenley and East Ardsley were interspersed with a surprise defeat to Hunslet Nelson. While in the wins Johnny took four for 39 and three for 45 respectively, his one for 29 against a low total of 90 contributed to Wakefield’s rare failure. Appendix Two: Some of Johnny Lawrence’s league career in more detail