miscellaneous The following items are reproduced from the 1986 Sesquicentennial brochure... The Lisburn Standard Newspaper was founded in 1876. In 1896 it cost one old penny (1d). The paper consisted of eight pages with the advertisements on the front page. False teeth could be purchased from Mrs. Johnston, 17 Market Street. The Lisburn Standard ceased publication in May 1959. In 1860 Lisburn became the first club to defeat the newly formed N.I.C.C. The margin of victory was 3 wickets. Remarkably, when the teams met in the Senior Cup Final 125 years later, Lisburn's margin of victory was exactly the same. On 21 June 1902 Lisburn Second XI and Ulidia were involved in the first tied match in Junior cricket. Both sides scored 44. The top scorer in the Lisburn innings was Mr. Extras with 10. Later that same season (1902) the Lisburn innings was opened by two clergymen The Revs. Rentoul and Peacock. Unfortunately divine inspiration wasn't forthcoming and Lisburn were soundly beaten by Holywood. J. I. Peacock later went on to become Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. An interesting match took place at Wallace Park in the summer of 1909 between a Ladies team, and one composed of juniors of the club. The Juniors were hampered in their movements by having to wear skirts! The left-hand Lisburn batsmen had to bat right and vice versa. Not surprisingly the Ladies struck an early blow for 'Women's Lib' by winning the match over two innings. Emily Pankhurst would have been delighted. Women didn't get the vote until 1918. In the club's centenary season (1936) you could have watched 'The Werewolf in London' at the Lisburn Picture House. It starred Warner Oland and Valerie Hobson. Ticket prices were the following: Balcony is, Stalls 6d, Pit 4d. 'Charlie Chan in Paris' was one of the forthcoming attractions. That same year, the World's first high definition television broadcasting service was opened from Alexandra Palace, London. There were about one hundred sets in the United Kingdom at this time. The former Lisburn all-rounder Billy McCleery had a unique record in Senior Cup Finals. He played in 14 between 1929 and 1952, winning 9 medals with 3 different clubs! In addition he was a Northern Ireland soccer international, winning 8 caps for his country. Fred 'Snooker' Blaney played for Lisburn in four different Cup competitions during the club's centenary season (1936). As well as turning out in the Senior, Junior and Minor Cups, Fred was also a member of the 'Ramblers' side that won the inaugural Centenary Cup. Former Lisburn batsman Maurice Robinson was awarded his county cap by Clamorgan in July 1946. Earlier that season he hit his maiden century against Derbyshire. In 83 first class matches Maurice scored nearly 3,000 runs with a top score of 190. In the club's first Cup winning year (1929) the subscription of £2 would have bought you 8 new cricket balls. Today a new cricket ball will cost £10. Following the lead from their Belfast counterparts in 1955, the Lisburn hair-dressers proposed to increase the price of a hair-cut from is 9d to 2s. Most of the Lisburn team got their hair cut at George Wright's in Seymour Street. One of Lisburn's finest all-round sportsmen, Raymond Hunter missed part of the 1962 season because he was touring South Africa with the Lions' Rugby Team. He played 12 matches on tour, kicking four penalties and two conversions. In September 1978 the base of the N.C.U. League trophy was found by a woman in Lurgan, nine years after it had gone missing. It was returned to Lisburn by Michael Reith at a benefit match for John Solanky. The base had gone missing after some high jinks following Lisburn's league success in 1969! When Lisburn won the Cup for the ninth time in 1962, Frank Ifield was at Number One in the Hit Parade with 'I Remember You'. The Beatles were still appearing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, but there was an uproar when Pete Best was replaced on drums by Ringo Starr! The late Harry Connolly was without question the finest golfer ever to play senior cricket for Lisburn. Harry played off scratch and set the amateur record at Belvoir Park, a record that was to stand for many years. As a youngster he was good enough to receive an invitation to compete in the British Boys' Championship.. Harry was also a member of Lisburn's first ever Craham Cup winning team in 1930, a year that saw the great American golfer Bobby Jones do the 'Crand Slam'. Elsie Kelsey became the first Lady Mayor of Lisburn when she was appointed in 1977. That year she was among the spectators at the Lisburn - Waringstown Cup semi-final, and her appointment was nearly a short-lived on, when a ball hit into the pavilion nearly knocked her for six as well. In May 1979 Jimmy Kirkwood became the youngest player ever to score a century for Lisburn in senior cricket. Jimmy hit 117 against Donacloney at the tender age of 17 years, 103 days. There was a marked contrast in the fortunes of the various Lisburn professionals on their debut matches for the club. John Solanky and Jim Horsley were both dismissed for ducks. Ted Bates scored 42, while Arnold Holt led the way with 7-15 in his first game against Cregagh. During the 1975 season Lisburn were captained for one match by an Englishman, when Bob Schofield took over temporarily from Dermott Monteith. Many Lisburn players 'enlisted' during both World Wars. The following would have been a match for most 'Elevens': Brigadier NELSON RUSSELL Lieutenant FRED BLANEY Sergeant BENNY HOBSON Captain JACK BARCLAY Major JACK MARTIN Sergeant MAURICE ROBINSON, Sergeant BILL CILMOURA Sergeant-Major TED BATES, Sergeant LEN PEARSE Flight Lieutenant HARRY CONNOLLY Corporal HARRY HARDCASTLE Lisburn has produced many famous sportsmen over the years. As well as the more traditional sports, she can also boast the former Irish Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, Henry 'JACK FLASH' Shirlow. Henry formed an effective opening bowling partnership with Laurence Hunter during the 1960's. His batting prowess usually consisted of trying to hit his first ball for six! Among Dermott Monteith's 326 victims for Ireland are such illustratious names as Hanif Mohammed, Ian Chappell, Rodney Marsh, Viv Richards and Cordon Creenidge. Lisburn's first match against old rivals Waringstown was back in 1858. Lisburn won that match by 45 runs but over the years Waringstown were to exact considerable revenge. On one particular occasion during the 1970's the 'Villagers' dismissed Lisburn for an embarassing 24 in a league encounter. The Lisburn innings consisted of 19 singles, a two, and three extras. Rob Schofield was the only home batsman to get into double figures. In June 1958 Billy Mc Cloy and Raymond Hunter put on 205 for the first wicket in a league match against Queen's at Wallace Park. It is a club record that will take some heating. Still on records, the First XI scored a massive 389 in the First round of the Cup against Lurgan in 1965. There were centuries for Tom McCloy and Herbie Martin. Davy Partridge only made 86! On Saturday 29 August 1959, Tom McCloy scored 73 for Ireland in the first innings of the game against the M.C.C. In doing so, he became the first Lisburn player ever to score 1,000 in a local season. Batting confidently against an attack that included Australian Test cricketers Keith Miller and George Tribe, Tom passed his personal milestone and finished the season with an average of 54.80. In May 1980 the Lisburn IV XI achieved a whirlwind victory in a league match against Holywood IV's. Holywood were dismissed for 46, and Patsy Harrower and Davy Wilson must have had trains to catch because they only 2.5 overs to overtake that total. One of the Lisburn's ~Double' Internationals, Raymond Hunter was also a useful soccer player. He kept goal for the Northern Ireland Schoolboys and played against Duncan Edwards, when England came to play at Grosvenor Park. Edwards later became one of the most famous 'Busby Babes' who was destined to become one of the world's great midfield players when tragically killed in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958. Former Lisburn professional W. E. Bates had a highest first-class score of 200 not-out. This was scored when playing for Glamorgan against Nottinghamshire in the early thirties. At that time the Nottingham attack was led by Harold Larwood, he of 'Bodyline' fame, who was then the fastest bowler in the world. The Lisburn cricket teas are famed throughout the length and breadth of the province. Gertie Woods, 'Mm' Elliott, and the Bowden sisters Isobel and Phoebe were some of the early 'pioneers'. The trend continues today with the Ladies' Committee playing an increasingly important role in the off-the-field affairs of the club. Thoughts from Downpatrick Alfie Linehan Remembers One man the Lisburn supporters have always viewed with divided loyalties over the years is Alfie Linehan of Downpatrick. Whilst it is always a pleasure to welcome this most modest and popular of cricketers to Wallace Park, he had a nasty habit of outstaying his welcome at the crease, and those unfortunate enough to be standing in the vicinity of the bicycle-track were often in mortal danger when Alfie was in full flow. When Sir AIf hit a cricket ball, it stayed hit!! Indeed it is difficult to think of a more powerful striker of the ball in the local game. Not only did he go on to play for, and captain his country, Alfie is the current Team Manager of the Irish International side. He has always been a good friend of Lisburn's, and here he looks back at a long association with the Lisburn Cricket Club... "Of all the grounds I have been honoured to play on, none gave me more pleasure than Wallace Park, Lisburn. As a raw teenager I vividly remember way back in the mid-fifties making my first pilgrimage to play against the team of the year, and the one everybody wanted to beat. It was a deserved but hard-earned reputation, and you can imagine my delight when we managed a rare victory - albeit without my bat being required - although I did manage to hold four catches. I felt well pleased that July day and although fortunes have fluctuated over the past 30 years, Wallace Park still holds warm and affectionate memories for me. It is a sobering though that the 1956 star-studded team contained five internationals and at least two others who probably should have donned the Irish sweater. Yet the 1985 Lisburn team I faced in September, was one of comparative rookies with not an International in sight. Such are the uncertainties of cricket ... we lost that match! MEMORIES OVER THE YEARS As a batsman renowned for attack rather than defence, I suppose the compact little Wallace Park arena has always appealed to me. I remember Noel Ferguson scoring 130 in no time at all after being dropped first ball - a real dolly! Tom McCIoy accumulated a magnificent 111 on a rain-affected wicket. Then again, there was the day we chased 232 and won in 38 overs. Against that we were once bowled out for just 43 on a beautiful summer's afternoon and lost by 10 wickets. On a personal note, I have been able to clear the boundary on a few occasions over the years with perhaps the most memorable a few years ago when I hit three successive sixes in the last over to win a league game. Cricket brings you down to earth very quickly, and on another occasion I suffered the agony of being out first ball to a skier when a lot more application was expected from me at the time! It would be impossible to list all the memories I treasure from those thiry years as Wallace Park engenders warm thoughts of great friends and a rather unique banter from the locals. The compact Lisburn ground creates a special 'closeness' between friend and foe alike. It was brought home to me last season when I failed to move as quickly as I would have liked to stop the ball reeling off to the boundary. An unsympathetic local wry wit commented "Alfie's done! I remember the time he'd have stopped that wi' no bother"! As I walked away from the boundary I had to inwardly chuckle because he was quite right, if brutally honest. I have always regarded the Lisburn supporters amongst the most knowledgeable and fair-minded. MANY FINE PLAYERS The Lisburn Club has been blessed with many fine players. I have greatly admired batsmen of the calibre of Simpson Robinson, Tom McCloy, Herbie Martin, Jack Bowden, Cecil Walker, Dermott and Roger Monteith, Richard Burton and the blossoming Jimmy Kirkwood. Nevertheless, the player I most liked to see the 'back of' was big Raymond Hunter. In his day he was a terrific player. In the bowling department Jack Simpson was a fine opening bowler, while Henry McAuley has been a loyal stalwart of recent years. However Lisburn's peculiar ability to prbduce top quality spin-bowlers is something unique in Ulster cricket. Lindsay Woods and Given Lyness were two of the best off-spinners I have played against, although for outstanding brilliance Jack Bowden and Dermott Monteith were something very special. Everybody has compared them and I'm no exception. Jack was outstanding at Club level but not always at his best for Ireland, so Dermott will always get the nod from me. I have played with him on many occasions and he never ceased to amaze me for the consistency and quality of his performance at all levels, including his spell in county cricket with Middlesex. He fully deserves his hallowed reputation throughout Irish cricket, and like everyone else I was devastated when a serious road accident robbed us of his talent. Irish cricket cannot afford to lose his special personality, and I feel for him in his courageous fight to regain fitness. "Good luck Monty, we're all rooting for you!" That special team of 1956 not only possessed players of great talent but it contained men of character, who once their playing days were over, did much to guide the Club to prosperity. Simpson Robinson as Club President, Jack Simpson as Chairman and Cecil Walker as Secretary proved to be a formidable administrative team and the backbone of your healthy Club. Cecil has been elevated to the Presidency of the N.C.U. and it's an honour richly deserved for my old mate and sparring partner. I wish him well in this special year at Union and Club level. With such solid support the 'Young Lions' of '85 under the guile of Ian Thompson have a future second to none in local cricket. I congratulate Lisburn on reaching this historic milestone of 150 years, and on their fine record of success on the way. The Club has a proud tradition and I have no doubt much more lies ahead in the years to come. From His Worship The Mayor of Lisburn Councillor T. W. Lilburn I am delighted as Mayor of Lisb urn to acknowledge the outstanding part played by Lisburn Cricket Club in the sporting life of our town over the past 150 years. The Club can be justly proud of its progress and achievements during this period. It has shown great enterprise by providing excellent facilities for the enjoyment of the game in Wallace Park. I trust that the Borough Council will not only maintain its excellent relationship with the Club but will be able to assist it in bringing its ground up to full international standard. The initiative and foresight shown by the Club in the appointment of a playing professional coach and by adopting a youth policy has not only contributed to its playing success but has also helped to raise the standard of the game in the Province. A progressive Club with such a long history has undoubtedly produced many well known personalities over the years. During the past twenty-three years Cecil Walker has given outstanding service to the Club both as Club Captain for eight years and as Club Secretary for fourteen years. It is most fitting that, during the term when he has the honour to be President of the Northem Cricket Union, Lisburn Cricket Club should win the Senior Cup in 1985 and celebrate its sesqui-centennial year in 1986. It will be the fervent wish of all of us that your distinguished international player and former Irish Captain, Dermott Monteith, will be fully recovered from his recent accident and able to enjoy your celebrations this year. Personally, I will be looking forward with you to welcoming a Bermuda XI on 6th June and the M.C.C. XI on 18th July, 1986. Congratulations to you for your notable achievements in the past and best wishes for your continued success in the future. From Michael Bannigan President Irish Cricket Union I am particularly pleased that in my years as Irish President I have the great privilege of extending congratulations to Lisburn Cricket Club on reaching 150 years not out, yet another milestone in the history of this great club. Lisburn, a club steeped in tradition, has provided the Irish team with many outstanding players since the 1920's right up to the present day. We remember especially the Lisburn side of the 1950's and 1960's which reigned supreme in the Northern Cricket Union. Long may the game of cricket continue to flourish in Lisburn and so attract the youth of that area to guarantee the success of the club over the next 150 years. From the President Northern Ireland Cricket Union Cecil Walker It is with much pride and not a little nostalgia that I take pleasure on behalf of all those involved in the Northern Ireland Cricket Union area in congratulating Lisburn on reaching their Sesquicentennial Year. My position as President of the N.C.U. this year, which also coincides with the Union's Centenary Celebrations, is due entirely to the contribution the Lisburn Club, through its administrators and players, has made not only to Ulster but also to Irish Cricket over the past 150 years. The Wallace Park has been a focal point in my life since early boyhood days and I often think of the tales those stately trees could unfold as the game we watch today is mingled with the accumulated store of all the cricket the park has ever seen. During my time I have had the good fortune to rub shoulders with such giants of our game as George Crothers, Jack Bowden, Herbie Martin, Tom McCloy, Raymond Hunter and Dermott Monteith, who together with so many other fine players, too numerous to mention, have played their part in keeping Lisburn always to the fore on the Irish Cricket Scene. We can recall too, with sadness and regret how Tommy Martin, Sammy Edgar and Jimmy Corken were among some of the fine young men whose careers were so cruelly and tragically cut short in their prime. However, we have been fortunate in having stalwarts like our present Senior Officials, Simpson Robinson, Jack Simpson, Tom McCloy and Ian McBride who have all given a life time of service to the Club. William Waring, Jim Johnston, Albert Hunter, George Anderson, the inimitable Fred Blaney provide strong links with the past and remind us of the debt we owe to them and others of their era for establishing the present fine tradition and heritage that is ours in Lisburn. Such then is the legacy handed on to the present generation and in this respect the future looks bright indeed. The successful development of the modern set-up owes much to the tireless efforts of a small band of willing hands and of course we go in to this historic year as holders of the Senior Challenge Cup under the youthful leadership of Ian Thompson. Ian, with Jimmy Kirkwood our latest international and peer of any of his illustrious predecessors together with great servants in Roger Monteith and Henry McAuley, now leads a Club bulging with young talent, the fruits or recent years of youth policy mainly under the guidance of Michael Bowden, John Solanky and Steve Perryman. To all those who have played their part in the success of Lisburn over the years we are eternally grateful and we can only hope that as we progress towards the unknown of the 21st century that the future is as kind to our Club as has been the past 150 years. From the President Lisburn Cricket Club Simpson Robinson I have many happy memories of Lisburn Cricket Club, having played as a boy over 50 years agd in Wallace Park and later during the so called ~Golden Years' when Lisburn was in the forefront of N.C.U. cncket. It was a great honour for me when I was elected President in 1978 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Club members and the officials for their support and their efforts over the years to keep the game of cricket flourishing in Lisburn. This year we celebrate our sesquicentenary, the first cricket club in Northern Ireland to do so and credit must be given to our present Management Committee under the Chairmanship of Ian McBride for organising an interesting programme of events and matches to make 1986 the extra-special year that it is. We look forward especially to playing host to Bermuda and the M.C.C. at Wallace Park and I know that all lovers of cricket will turn out to give our visitors a great Lisburn welcome. It is a happy coincidence that in this year also our own Cecil Walker has attained the high office of President of the Northern Ireland Cricket Union in its Centenary Year. It is also appropriate that my friend and cricketing companion Jack Simpson has recently been elected to Senior VicePresident of the Club after holding the office of Chairman for many years. Our thanks are due to our sponsors for their financial backing in this special year and we are also greatly indebted to all those who bought advertising space without whose generosity this brochure would not have been possible. Research for the brochure was carried out by Brian Johnston whilst Cecil Kirkwood worked on the advertising side. The thanks of the club must go to them both for all their efforts. I can look back to the days when the club house was only a wooden pavilion with a corrugated iron roof. We, as a club, have certainly moved far since those days. I have played with, and against, many fine players, and through Cricket I have forged life-long friendships. Lisburn, in my opinion, has always been a friendly club and I value the close links that we have with other sporting clubs in the town. My hope is that the players of today continue to enjoy their cricket in this fine club. That Was The Summer That Was bv Bill Ireland Cricket Correspondent - Ulster Star Lisburn are reaping the benefits of success in terms of media exposure and Press projection. The winning of the John Player Cup - Ulster's Premier Knock-out Trophy last August, has pushed the Wallace Park club to the fore-front. It was the Lisburn players who basked in the limelight at the Northern Cricket Union Dinner last October. Cameramen queued up to take pictures of the Cup presentation by the Sponsors, and teenage fast bowling discovery Peter Reid is building up his own fan club. Peter, voted Ulster Young Cricketer of the Year, was also much in demand at the Dinner. Suddenly, they all want to know Lisburn, a healthy sign for the Club going into its 150th year. But behind the headlines is a story of worry gnawing at club officials - notably secretary Cecil Walker - that the summer of 1985 would be one of the worst in the history of the club. The Wallace Park hierarchy make no secret of the fact that they feared a disaster. The team had been dismayed by an out-of-season accident to leading personality Dermott Monteith and decimated by the departure of top bastman Richard Burton and professional coach John Solanky. The resources were threadbare, an inexperienced squad, boosted by the appointment of a seasoned former county player Steve Perryman, as a Professional coach, being saddled with the awesome responsibility of seeing the club through a crisis. Early indications seemed to suggest they were just not up to it. An encouraging first day win over Ballymena on a freezing April afternoon at Wallace Park, was followed by a succession of shattering defeats. The awful prospect of relegation in the season before one of the Club's biggest milestones was taking shape in some minds. The John Player Cup offered an escape valve, an opening round victory being comfortably achieved at Dundrum. This was put in perspective by the fact that the opposition was of inferior quality, the reality would come later. And it almost did in the second round at Saintfield where, on one of the most glorious days of an otherwise soggy summer, the local side set a target of exactly 200 runs. It seemed a daunting prospect when wickets, including that of opening batsman Jimmy Kirkwood, went down quickly and cheaply. But Lisburn, and the pattern was to be repeated often, found the man for the hour ... Roger Monteith, growing in maturity and responsibility as the summer moved towards its dramatic and traumatic climax, scored a brilliant century and was involved in a major, match-winning partnership with one of the exciting new boys - opening batsman Trevor McKeown. Lisburn were safely home and Wallace Park became a less ~oomy place even though daring deeds in the Cup were not matched at league level where the struggle seemed to be unrelenting. The next Cup hurdle looked the most formidable - an away game with Bangor, and again Lisburn, dismissed for a low total, found themselves on the edge of the precipice.They clawed clear but could not stage a repeat when a League Fixture took them back to Ward Park a week later. So, while the spectre of relegation still hung around, Lisburn found themselves in the semi-final of the Cup. Here too the prophets of doom were predicting the end of the road with League champions Waringstown blocking their path. Some spirited late resistance on the Saturday, led by Steve Perryman, the first inkling that he was a more than useful batsman, hoisted the Lisburn total to 162. It still did not look enough to trouble Waringstown, even with Robert Dennison, off on a football trial in Birmingham, rendered unavailable when rain prevented a first day conclusion. Water seeped under the covers on Monday afternoon, prolonging the agony until Tuesday night ... but from a Lisburn point of view the wait was well worth-while. They bowled out Waringstown for around half the total required. There were those at Wallace Park who refused to believe it was happening, notably diehard Dermott Monteith, an ever-present spectator and welcome dressing-room influence throughout the summer. Dermott reckoned it was tempting fate when a newspaperman warned his office that a sensational story was on the way. Yet the next day the headlines confirmed it. Against all the odds Lisburn were in the Cup Final for the first time in 8 years. The euphoria was understandable but, unfortunately, the miserable wet weather kept interfering with the league schedule preventing Lisburn making any appreciable progress up the league table. The rain was also present on the two days of the Cup Final, happily concluded on schedule with Lisburn scoring a never-to-be-forgotten victory, the winning runs being struck by Perryman in the last over. It was the ultimate triumph over adversity but there was immediate deflation, a mid-week League game against North Down at Wallace Park being lost from a promising position. So, it was back to stern reality. A fight had still to be won and it was, Lisburn showing almost ruthless determination and dedication. This was reflected in their almost fanatical zeal to have matches played, a beat-the-weather campaign being devised and led by skipper Ian Thompson, a young man who won his spurs, coming triumphantly through a baptism of fire. A series of Friday fixtures proved the salvation, providing Lisburn with an escape route. The weather showed its kinder face and Lisburn responded by piling up enough points to obliterate the threat of relegation. Indeed, so successful was their late season surge that an unbelievable fourth placing in the Benson & Hedges league table was achieved. Lisburn, long since dubbed "The Young Lions' by their local newspaper, which also brought out a colour supplement in honour of cup final qualification, set themselves up for a memorable 150th year. An unfathomed depth of playing talent, much of it nurtured by John Solanky, has come to the surface and the good old days are back at Wallace Park. Indeed, the sun, conspicuously absent throughout the summer of 1985, is metaphorically shining on Lisburn. Memories From Our Patron - W. J. Waring At the request of some of the members, I attempt to record some of my memories in connection with the Club for approximately fifty years. During this period I can recall many exciting and outstanding performances. It is now many years since professionals took part in Ulster cricket, but I can look back to those engaged by the Lisburn Club. Amongst these were the names of Jones, Gamble, Kerry, Awty, Vincent, Grundy, Horsley, Bates and Eldridge. To my mind, Awty, Horsley and Bates gave the best service to the Club, and in the order named. A note on Eldridge would not be out of place, as he only played in one match. This was at Holywood, and from his Iperformances, prior to, and during this game, it was obvious that he was an impostor. The Club Committee therefore decided to dispense with his services, and settled with him with a month's wages in lieu of notice. In the year 1926 when I joined the Club, Awty was the professional, and his boys' team became famous. It included many who afterwards gave great service to the Club. Amongst these were Maurice Robinson, Fred Blaney, Harry Connolly, Jack Small and Jim McCartney. In these early days there was no motor mower, so the professional had to look after the horse that was used to pull the mower and heavy roller. The horse was stabled in a shed to the East side of the present pavilion, so you can realise what the professional had to do in these days. Awty was a good all-rounder, and a real character. Horsley was a great bowler, and a perfect gentleman. His best products were probably Tommy Martin and Sammy Edgar. Tommy who incidentally joined the Club the same year as myself, was one of the best cricketers Ireland ever produced, and a true sportsman in every sense of the word. On one occasion in a Cup-tie at Shrigley, he took 9 of the 10 wickets to give Lisburn an easy victory. Sammy Edgar, who took his cricket very seriously, was a real stylist in batting. In his first game for Ireland against M.C.C. at Sion Mills, he scored 123 runs. The early deaths of these two young men, and others associated with the Club, were a great loss to cricket both locally and generally. Before joining the Club I was always interested in cricket, and watched many games before the ground was enclosed. One of my earliest recollections was a League Match between Lisburn and Cliftonville, when Sandy Thompson scored a century. This was played on a Saturday afternoon and in doing so Sandy laboured for 2½ hours in scoring his century. By comparison on the following Monday evening, Bob Stevenson scored a century against Harmony in less than 11/4 hours. In these days the Lisburn side contained the names of R. J. Barclay, J. Shaw, W. A. Mussen, R. C. and C. W. Bannister, J. Corken, and W. P. Bullick, who all gave good service to the Club. N.C.U. rules in earlier days permitted the side that batted first to declare at any time within the five hours allotted to play. It was not unusual for the side batting first to occupy the wicket for three hours, with the result that their opponents would not attempt to go for the runs, but play for a draw thus gaining two points. This produced dull cricket and eventually a change in the rules, which only permitted each side to play 2½ hours if possible. This also proved unsatisfactory, as a discrepancy in the number of overs bowled by each side often occurred. During one match Cregagh v. Lisburn played at Cregagh, the home team batted first and scored 100 odd runs. Lisburn, whose innings finished in bad light, were within 5 runs of Cregagh's total for the loss of 8 wickets when time was called, and thus got no points. J. Keery and L. Woods were the not-out batsmen on this occasion, and were quite capable batsmen When the overs were totalled it was seen that Cregagh had bowled 5 overs fewer than Lisburn in the 2½ hours. This was brought to the notice of the Authorities, thus exposing the unfairness of the rule. The outcome was the adoption df the present 50 over rule, and one can only wonder why this was not adopted much earlier. When the first XI won the Senior Cup in 1929 for the first time, the match was against North Down and was played at Ormeau. Lisburn was captained by Jim Kerr. A. E. Hunter opened for Lisburn and scored 48 runs in 51/4 hours, so it could be truly said he wore down the bowlers. W. F. Keery was No.8 on the Lisburn side, and scored 50 odd when he was dismissed before Hunter. Ireland's Saturday Night on this occasion gave Hunter the large heading, "As stubborn as Snowdon". Snowdon was the Labour Government's Chancellor of the Exchequer at that time, and despite all the calls made on him to reduce taxation there were no concessions, hence Ireland's Saturday Night caption. North Down had to follow-on in this match, and eventually Lisburn won by 5 wickets. Another outstanding Cup-tie between these teams was played at Comber, when it was agreed that the two professionals, Moffat and Awty, would act as umpires. Under N.C.U. rules professionals were debarred from Cup-ties. When stumps were drawn on Saturday evening Lisburn were in a very strong position, as North Down with 9 wickets down still required almost 100 runs to win. The two remaining batsmen were two recognised bowlers, J. Shields and B. Hill. The game was resumed on the following Monday, when Shields batted very soundly, whereas Hill was uncertain with every ball. However, despite many bowling changes these two stayed together and won the match to the great disappointment of the Lisburn followers. The two professionals took up very definite attitudes for their respective sides on this occasion, and this ended the practice of the professionals acting in Cup-ties. There was one occasion during the game when one of the last two batsmen was caught in the slips, and the bowler was no-balled. Nelson Russell captained Lisburn in this match, and the side included J. Harris, T. Martin, J. Robinson, J. Corken, W. Bullick, C. W. Bannister, C. M. Crothers, T. C. Browne and the Keery brothers. There were many dour struggles between these sides. On another occasion Lisburn won by 1 run in a League Game at Comber, T. Martin running out the last North Down batsman, Dr. D. R. Taylor, thus giving Lisburn the victory. In another mid-week League match played at Wallace Park, North Down batting first were dismissed for 45 runs. This was during Awty's reign, and two of his victims were James and T. J. McDonald, the former being an outstanding all-rounder, probably one of the best Ireland ever produced. The North Down captain, Wm. Andrews, claimed a second innings on this occasion as Lisburn obtained the runs with the loss of only a few wickets. His claim was not upheld, much to the delight of the home spectators. Amongst the many close finishes, one in particular was against Woodvale at Ballygomartin Road, when the game ended in a tie. I scored on this occasion with a young man named Sandy Lyttle. As the game reached the close the tension was too great for Sandy, so he left the score box before the finish. Jim Kerr, the captain, was the batsman to face the bowling of Charles Billingsley, one of Ireland's finest fast bowlers. The scores were level as Billingsley proceeded to bowl, Jim took a mighty swipe at the ball, but failed to connect, and his wicket was spreadeagled to the delight of the home supporters. The Cup Final N.I.C.C. v. Lisburn played at Ormeau, I believe during the early fifties, is one worth mentioning. This one I missed as I was on holiday at the time. Lis burn batting in the fourth innings faced a large total. This they failed to reach, but in the attempt set up a record for the number of runs scored in a Cup Final fourth innings.They were all out for 330 odd runs, J. Bowden scoring 146 not-out, and T. McCIoy 89. This was a gallant failure. Another exciting finish in which I participated as scorer was the war-time cup final against Waringstown at Ormeau. This was a one-innings match, and Lisburn batted first and reached a respectable total. Waringstown fought back very well, and when Eddie McMulIan, No.9 on the Waringstown side, came to the wicket Waringstown required two runs to win. In attempting the winning hit he was caught on the long-on boundary by Jimmy Finlay. When the last man, Baird, came in to face the bowling of J. Bowden, excitement was at fever pitch. Many of the Lisburn spectators had left the ground earlier, as they considered Lisburn's chance of success to be hopeless. However, Bowden came to the rescue as he clean bowled Baird with his first ball, so Lisburn ran out winners by one run. Standing out very vividly in my memory is a League game played at Donacloney. Frank Strain, one of the Donacloney bowlers, was in the pavilion awaiting his turn to go to the wicket. Prior to leaving the pavilion he came over to me where I was scoring, and said "This man Crothers is my bogey". I replied, "Just you go out to the wicket and forget about him". Frank was facing the bowling of Tommy Martin, and as Tommy proceeded to bowl George moved over to the leg side of the wicket. Tommy sent down a fast delivery on the leg-side, and Frank made a swing at the ball, missed, and George removed the bails before Frank regained his crease. On returning to the pavilion he threw his bat across the room, and appeared very downcast. In this game George dismissed the last five Donacloney batsmen for one run, three wickets falling to T. Martin, and one to Horsley, who was the professional at this period. Horsley was a fast bowler, who had played for Derbyshire. He told me that George Crothers was the only wicket-keeper who had ever stumped a batsman off his bowling. Another incident worth recording is an unusual one. This took place during a cup-tie, Lisburn v. Ulster, played in the Wallace Park. Rain had prevented a decision on the Saturday, so play was resumed on the following Monday when the wicket was soft. J. N. Martin was bowling to D.C. Loughery when the ball kicked up sharply. Loughery tried to hook the ball, but missed and the ball struck him on the face. He, in turn, on swinging the bat lost control, and struck Crothers on the head, the result being that both Loughery and Crothers were laid out temporarily. The opening of the new pavilion by Mrs. H. Woods, wife of the Patron, in June 1954, was a red-letter day in the history of the Club. Woodvale provided the opposition on this occasion. Woodvale batted first and scored 102, with J. Simpson taking 4 wickets for 47 runs, and J. Bowden 4 for 27. In reply Lisburn scored 171 for 4 wickets before stumps were drawn. The Lisburn side on that day was H. Martin J. Bowden J. Corken C. M. Crothers T. McCloy W. McCIoy T. McCuIIy S. Robinson J. Simpson J. Stevenson L. Woods. The principal scorers for Lisburn were H. Martin 68 and S. Robinson, 55. Writing from memory it is difficult to record all the outstanding events over the years, and one regrets that the score-books are not retained in the custody of the Club. I have not attempted to deal with the more recent years, so in closing I wish the Club all success in the future. W. J. Waring (Oriqinally penned in 1971) The Junior Elevens While the club's First XI not unnaturally receives most of the attention, be it praise or criticism from the public and the media, Lisburn, like any other club, could not survive if it were not for the unselfish efforts of those who turn out for and help to run the Junior elevens. Youngsters need good coaching from an early age as they are the life-blood of any club. Healthy competition for places keeps everyone on their toes, but this can only happen if the young talent is allowed to develop. One of Lisburn's early professionals Joe Awty was an innovator in this respect. He spent considerable time coaching the young players in the club. In fact the Boys' team soon became known as 'Awty's Boys', with the young Sammy Edgar probably the most famous product of all those who blossomed under Awty's tuition. The Graham Cup competition started in 1927 and three years later Lisburn had their first success. Fred Blaney and Jack Bowden both came through the ranks, as did another two of the club's international players, Herbie Martin and Tom McCIoy. They joined Lisburn at the same time and in their second season together (1939) helped bring back the Graham Cup for the second time, with considerable help from Tom's brother Ernie. Awty's good work was carried on fifty years later by John Solanky. His appointment was largely responsible for the major re-kindling of interest in cricket among the school-boy generation. On any given Monday or Thursday there would be upwards of fifty boys practising in the Park. On one occasion eighty were counted. Before Solanky's arrival the boys had been looked after by Mike Bowden and Mike Parsons and they helped lay the basis for what was to follow. The North Down League was won in 1973 and some well-known names were beginning to emerge. Among those to benefit from John Solanky's considerable experience was Jimmy Kirkwood. Other members of the 1985 Senior Cup winning side like skipper Ian Thompson, UeI Craham and Peter Reid were also indebted to John, who must have been a very proud man to see so many of his protege's now playing at the top level. The future certainly looks rosy for Lisburn as long as she can hold on to these 'Young Lions'. However, there is no room for complacency. If the young talent isn't encouraged and given a chance, then disillusionment sets in and with so many other activities to choose from today, cricket can ill afford to lose any budding ~wieIder of the willow' or 'trundler of the leather'. It is true to say that during the early part of the 1900's the Lisburn Second XI was infinitely more successful than the senior side. Proof of the pudding is that they were the first team in the club to lift a trophy, winning their league championship several times and also lifting the Junior Cup in 1903, a full 26 years before their Senior counterparts were to get in on the act. In 1933 the team under Jack McMaster's captaincy won the Junior Cup for the second time. They certainly gave opponents Saintfield every chance in the final at Ormeau, being dismissed for a paltry 54 in their first innings. Only Johnny Robinson with 15 got into double figures. Lisburn though fought back well largely thanks to some magnificent bowling from Johnny Robinson, who with 8-20 bowled Saintfield out for 41. On the Saturday, Lisburn knocked up 236 in their second innings. Fullerton Keery hit 64 and the redoubtable Albert Hunter 59, as Saintfield were asked to make 250 to win. Another four wickets for Johnny Robinson, giving him match figures of 12-71 broke the back of the Saintfield batting and they were all out for 144. The Second XI was to retain a remarkable level of consistency during the 1930's and 40's, until it suffered the ignominy of becoming the first ever Lisburn side to be relegated in 1952. Lisburn Cricket Club (Winners Northern Cricket Union of Ireland Junior Challenge Cup, 1947) Back Row (1 to r)- J Briggs A E. Hunter R. Bell T. McCloy R. Armour J. B. Cathcart Front Row (1 to r)- T Robmson D. Barclay G. Anderson (Capt) J. J. Keery H. Clarke Jack McMaster, Harold McKinley and Ceorge Anderson all led the side with distinction, bringing back numerous trophies. McKinley's team pulled off the league and cup 'double' in 1958 and he led the team to their last Junior Cup success in 1964 The 1959 Final against Bangor II XI was a personal triumph for opening batsman Davy Partridge. He made exactly one hundred in the Lisburn first innings total of 205. It was Bangor who put themselves in a match-winning position by knocking up 256 to give themselves a considerable first innings 'cushion'. With Davy Partridge in excellent form once again, the first innings deficit was soon cleared. Davy seemed poised for a second successive century, when alas, he fell to Harry Eadie just two short of a famous milestone. A young Dermott Monteith chipped in with 44 and Bangor were left to get 204 to win. Thanks to some consistent bowling and fielding they fell well short, and the Junior Cup was in Harold McKinley's hands for another year. With the First XI winning the Senior Cup, a special celebration Dinner was held at Malone House in October. Despite a shortage of numbers, Lisb urn were fielding a Third XI as far back as 1909. The games then were played exclusively in midweek and although they were entered for the Minor Cup in the 1920's, it was to be another thirty-odd years before regular Third XI Saturday cricket came about. 1960 marked the admission of the Third XI into Section 'H' of the second division league, and they were to enjoy considerable success under the captaincy of Harry Allen (currently the Sports Correspondent of the Leader). In 1961 they strolled to the league title and also won through to the Minor Cup Final where they met Dunowen. Their opponents had won the section above Lisburn with a one hundred per cent record and started the match at Bladon Drive as the clear favourites. Early events seemed to indicate that Dunowen were worthy of the favourites' tag, as they dismissed Lisburn for a mere 54. At 32-1 Dunowen looked 'home in a boat' but a brilliant piece of fielding by Ceorge Long at a vital time cast seeds of doubt in the minds of the Dunowen batsmen. At 42-5 the odds were still in their favour but Lisburn's bowling and fielding held firm and with Rob Browne picking up the final two wickets, Lisburn won the match by 8 runs, to climax an amazing turn around of events. In 1962 they lost the league title to La me having played a match fewer, but they did beat the eventual winners on the only occasion the sides met that summer, and what a game it was. Lisburn were bowled out for 21 but still managed to win by 2 runs! The Minor Cup came to Lisburn once again and they completed the hat-trick in 1963. LISBURN CRICKET CLUB 3rd XI, 1963 (Winners Minor Qualifying Cup) Back Row (1 to r)- W. M. Gibson W. Welis 1. J. Scott W. J. Muiholland W. j. Harvey G. bixon Front Row (I to r)- R. W. McBride W. R. Irwin J. S. Hasley (Capt) J. Wiseman S. P. Leonard Insets (1 to r)- N. W. Shaw W.J. N. Cruikshanks D. L. Fullerton Mike Parsons took over the helm in the earty 1970's. The side at that time consisted of Mike and 10 school-boys. Mike was succeeded by Sam Hillis who began to collect league titles almost at will. Just as Harry Allen's team managed a hat-trick of Cup wins, Sam's team pulled off three league titles in a row (1982-1984). The Third XI has been the most successful team in the club in recent years and hopes are high that they'll deliver the goods once again in 1986. A Fourth XI under Norman Campbell began playing a series