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

227 league leaders Heckmondwike on July 23. The following week Wakefield were thwarted by the rain but only after as stand-in captain, Johnny had had to take himself off, wicketless, and it was a match Wakefield might well have lost despite a good opening partnership of over 50 between son Miles and Geoff Hodson. On August 6, six for 37 including a stinger of a caught and bowled and two bowleds from googlies from Johnny reduced Hunslet Nelson to 91 for nine with the only resistance coming from Reg Parker with 51 not out. This helped Wakefield to an eight wicket win. At this time the Express commented that even second place in the table now looked impossible – and a wash out on August 13 seemed to confirm that prediction. Then it started. Johnny took five for 35 against a hapless Dewsbury, who were 56 all out with Lumb four for 21 as Wakefield secured a six wicket win. Seven for 56 the following week allied to Boothroyd’s second big score for the club versus Gomersal as Wakefield won by 87 runs, and six for 28 in a marathon (though not unusual for Johnny) 23 over spell in the final match of the season saw Mirfield 76 all out and soon enough defeated by eight wickets. Including a match which I do not find covered by a newspaper on Bank Holiday Monday, Johnny had taken 24 wickets at seven apiece in the last four matches, all wins for Wakefield. Morley 1967 Even when he did not play in the Sunday cup tie (May 21) and Hunslet Nelson beat Morley by 12 runs the headline was “Lawrence was much missed by Morley”! On June 3 they beat Batley by 100 runs with Johnny taking six for 20 and scoring 82 not out. On June 10, a 93 run win at home at Scratcherd Lane against East Ardsley followed, Johnny scoring 21 and taking two for 24 after the opening bowlers did most of the damage. Then a close encounter at Drighlington 123 versus 106 gave Morley a narrow win. In such a match even Johnny’s score of nine was useful but with the ball he took six for 24, and three of those wickets were stumped by Rodney Fairburn. “It couldn’t have been easier for Morley” the paper reported after Cleckheaton surrendered to themon June 24. Johnny wasn’t needed Appendix Two: Some of Johnny Lawrence’s league career in more detail