Old local cricket competitions

[Guest Old Canny Street Kid]

OLD LOCAL CRICKET COMPETITIONS

From the Green Un 1963

The following item, which appeared in the Green Un in the summer of 1963, recalls a competition which no longer exists so far as I know. The Sime Cup was very popular with players and spectators on certain midweek summer evenings 40 or 50 years ago, and I wonder if anyone remembers it. And does anyone know what happened to the trophy. (A similar query could be raised re the Thorne Cup and the Barnes Hall Cup).

Incidentally, mention of Amos Gledhill (a grand chap he was!) reminds me that there is still a seat at the Whitley Hall CC ground dedicated to his memory.

This is the Green Un piece

AMOS HIT FIRST HUNDRED SCORED IN ECCLESFIELD PARK

One of the best-known cricketing personalities in South Yorkshire has been extra busy this week. Amos Gledhill, secretary of the Sime Evening Cricket League, has been putting final touches to arrangements for the Sime League Cup final on Monday and Tuesday next week.

The pipe-smoking ex-schoolmaster, aged 67, has been secretary of the Sime League for almost 40 years –in fact, ever since it was formed in 1924. He recalled that he went along to the inaugural meeting at the Black Bull, Ecclesfield, merely as an interested observer, and came out “very surprised” to find himself having been elected secretary and treasurer!

Evening cricket today isn’t what it used to be, said the man who scored the first century in Ecclesfield Park.

The Sime Cup, a trophy which was valued at £50 in 1924, was presented by Mr J. Sime in memory of his brother Dr. R Sime, of Ecclesfield.

All the villages in which the rosy-cheeked doctor (he was a Scot) had carried out his practice (travelling by pony and trap) were allowed to enter teams in the competition.

“Ah, what feeling, what excitement the competition used to inspire in the old days –and how hard the job of secretary was!”

chuckled Amos.

“To win a game was a great triumph, but to lose…oh, it was such a tragedy.”

In those early days each side batted for 90 minutes, but teams used many devices to shorten their opponents’ batting time.

The tension was tremendous, and crowds flocked to see the games.

Amos, who now lives at Herries Road, Sheffield 5, can remember the days when Ecclesfield Park was crowded for the final.

Today some of the “bite” has gone out of the games. Amos thinks the fact that there are fewer long, hot summers has a lot to do with it –and counter attractions, such as television, have had an effect, too.

Next Monday at Lound Side, Chapeltown, the home of Thorncliffe CC, Mr Gledhill, along with the chairman wee pipe Hollingsworth and Bill Childs will be watching the modern Shiregreen and Thorpe Hesley teams battle for the Sime Cup –and no doubt it will evoke many memories.

Footnote: Shiregreen scored 158 for five when this final began on the Monday, and on the Tuesday Thorpe replied with 108 all out, John Moore finishing with six for 45 for Shiregreen.