Walsden's cricketing Hileys

At the end of the 1890s and the beginning of the 1900s the pages of the Todmorden & District News contained a number of cricket reports and scorecards featuring appearances by Hileys. As many as six different Hileys played for some of the local teams.
                         

These excerpts are from the Todmorden & District News of 18 September 1908.


Knowlwood's opening batsman was J H (John Henry) Highley. Killed in WW1 in November 1914, he was featured in the post of 16 January 2019 when his 'Dead Man's Penny' was sold at an auction.

John Henry Highley

The Highley opening the batting for Inchfield Bottom was W (Walter) Highley, a cousin of John Henry.












Walter was joined by his younger brother Albert for this match against Walsden Wesleyans, reported on 13 May 1921.











                                                                                         

Walter Highley scored 36 out of a total of 131 in a match against Cloughfoot, reported on 14 May 1909.

Whilst only a modest effort in today's village cricket, 36 would have been an impressive individual score in 1909, and 131 a huge total for the team.

In the same paper that day, scorecards showed whole sides dismissed for less than 36. Eastwood made 23, Unitarians 24, Cornholme 32, and Mytholmroyd Wesleyans could only manage a total of 12!

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