Rawdon v Earby
Below is the scorecard of the Rawdon v Earby match when former Yorkshire & England legend Hedley Verity took all ten Earby wickets.

This was believed to be his last game of cricket in England before he was killed in action in Caserta, Italy during the second world war.

The match ball used that day is on display in the Rawdon club trophy cabinet.

Included in the Earby team that day was the prolific run scorer Stanley Taylor who made a creditable 52. He scored 17 League centuries during his Senior League career.

RAWDON v. EARBY – 28 JUNE 1941

RAWDON INNINGS

BATSMEN	HOW OUT	BOWLER	TOTAL
J.Illingworth	LBW	Richardson	53
J.Palliser	c. Holmes	Oates	5
H.Verity	LBW	Oates	3
A.Carlisle	LBW	Richardson	0
F.Bailes	c and b	Oates	1
W.Hand	Not Out		65
J.Lees	c. Hartley	Richardson	17
J.Bowler	Bowled	Oates	30
H.Fitzpatrick	c. Benjamin	Watson	14
J.Gill	Bowled	Watson	0
A.E.Walker	Did Not Bat
		Extras -	21
		Total (for 9 Wkts declared) -	209

EARBY BOWLING

BOWLER	OVERS	MAIDENS	RUNS	WICKETS
A.Thompson	8	2	43	0
S.Oates	15	2	51	4
K.Richardson	11	1	69	3
J.Watson	5	0	9	2

EARBY INNINGS

BATSMEN	HOW OUT	BOWLER	TOTAL
S.Taylor	c and b	Verity	52
J.Eastwood	LBW	Verity	2
K.Richardson	c. Hand	Verity	18
J.Wear	c and b	Verity	0
J.Watson	st Illingworth	Verity	18
E.Holmes	c. Hand	Verity	6
J.Hartley	c. Hand	Verity	27
N.Benjamin	Not Out		13
S.Oates	c. Fitzpatrick	Verity	0
A.Thompson	st Illingworth	Verity	0
F.Newhouse	c. Bailes	Verity	0
		Extras -	0
		Total (All Out) -	136

RAWDON BOWLING

BOWLER	OVERS	MAIDENS	RUNS	WICKETS
H.Fitzpatrick	7	0	46	0
H.Verity	12.5	1	51	10
A.E.Walker	6	0	39	0

Hedley Verity`s figures ensured that Rawdon CC won the match by 73 Runs

***********

MR JACK LEES

Jack was a Member of Rawdon CC for a magnificent 75 years but sadly died earlier this year

Below is a tribute to Jack, written by Lawrence Walker, the current Secretary of the Club.

JACK LEES A ONE CLUB MAN

A nice warm shower to ease the aching limbs after long day in the field, a comfortable bar lounge to enjoy a drink and debate how the game was won and lost and motorised ground equipment to ease the burden of wicket preparation and groundwork, something we all take for granted these days but something I am certain Jack never dreamed of in his playing days.

Jack was born in Bradford in 1916 and moved to Rawdon in 1925, he joined the club as a junior in 1928, thus beginning a wonderful and quite unique association. He was educated at Rawdon Littlemoor School and Aireborough Grammar School and captained both at soccer and cricket. Being the man he was, he modestly described himself as being an average cricketer. He did however score a century against Burley in 1940 and played in Rawdon's Waddilove cup winning team on two occasions. He also played in the first team match in 1941 when the legendary Hedley Verity took all ten wickets against Earby, in possibly his last game of cricket in England (Scorecard above). In 1952 Jack captained the Second Xl, which won the League championship, and in all he estimated he played over 500 games for the club.

Jack's twenty-five year playing career though is only half the story. He also served the club as Secretary for eight years, Treasurer for seventeen years and President for five years and was elected a Life Member in 1966. As well as his commitment to Rawdon he also served the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League as a member of the Management Committee for eleven years and as Treasurer for four years. He was elected a Life Vice President in 1973.

He had many fond memories of days gone by and was always willing to share them. He recalled how the old wooden pavilion was obtained from the Army Apprentices College at Harrogate which was transported to Rawdon by club members. He recalled scoring in the dovecote above the existing dressing rooms (now housing the clock) and how the outfield cutter was pulled by a horse which wore protective boots so as not to damage the outfield!! Jack reflected on the club dinners being held in the Emmott Arms prior to the Second World War, and also recalled the club staging benefit matches for Herbert Sutcliffe and Len Hutton which brought Learie Constantine and George Headley to Rawdon. He also spoke with fondness of the Yorkshire legend George Herbert Hirst making regular visits to the club for coaching purposes.

When Jack recalled names from the clubs past he was reluctant to name names for fear of offending those he may omit. When pressed though he recalls Harry Stott (father of Bryan), Arthur and Clifford Carlisle, Claude Barrett, Fred Hardaker, Reg Kirkbright, Reg Richardson, Jack Palliser, Colin Stretton, Albert Houghton and Waiter Firth. Of the modern players Jack named Bruce Percy as one of the most talented he has seen.

From a personal point of view I knew Jack virtually all my life, and recall attending the Waddilove cup finals, the Rawdon six-a-side and Presidents matches of days gone by, Jack always had time for a quick chat with a young lad keen on his cricket. When 1 joined Rawdon as a player Jack was always very encouraging and praiseworthy even after several first ball ducks! When I progressed to the administration side of the game Jack's help and advice were invaluable, always readily available but never overbearing.

Jack Lees epitomised everything that is good in Cricket and indeed in life. He was warm, helpful and generous and had time for everyone. In all the time I knew him I can never recall him saying a wrong word about anyone.,His contribution to Rawdon Cricket Club cannot be measured and 1 suspect will never be surpassed. Today's game is a fitting tribute to a wonderful and quite unique man, a one club man in every sense of the word A true gentleman

Lawrence Walker - Cricket Chairman /Secretary - Rawdon Cricket Club