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

36 Undercliffe on September 5. Johnny made 13 not out and took three wickets as Windhill had made 210 for eight and had their opponents teetering on 114 for nine when rain saved Undercliffe and handed the 1936 title to Bradford. Windhill and Lightcliffe joint runners up were just one point behind. The 1937 season started with a friendly at North Leeds. Johnny played for Herbert Sutcliffe’s XI in that match on 24 April. Sutcliffe’s XI scored a massive 257 for nine with Johnny 19 not out, and then North Leeds disintegrated to a total of 62 with Johnny taking three wickets and a catch. Apart from Saturdays in the Bradford League with Windhill, Johnny continued to attend the Headingley nets during this period – and he continued his association with the likes of Hirst, Robinson and Sutcliffe. The first serious recognition of his talents came in May of that season when he played his one and only match for Yorkshire Seconds XI in a Colts Roses match at College Grove, Wakefield on May 17 and 18 alongside Miles Coope who became his closest friend. He took three Lancashire wickets in the first innings including that of future successful Lancashire opening batsman, Winston Place, A Professional in League Cricket from 1934 Trophies galore at Windhill for the first and second team in 1939. Johnny sits on the ground, left of centre.