July 1936

In their first game of July 1936, Derbyshire travelled to Worcester and the rain meant that their innings lasted until the afternoon of the second day, when Arthur Richardson declared on 234-8. The odds would have been on a draw at that stage, but Worcestershire slipped to 6-5 before being all out on the third morning for 64. In the second innings they fared even worse, all out 47 as Bill |Copson followed figures of 5-38 with     7-16.

It boded well for the first Chesterfield cricket week, with Warwickshire the first visitors. Mitchell, Copson and Pope bowled out the visitors in two hours for 117, Derbyshire racing to 235-4 by the close thanks to Stan Worthington's century. That total reached 381 and a lead of 264 on the second day, truncated by more rain. On the third, Copson, Alf Pope and Les Townsend bowled them out for 105 and a massive victory. More to the point, this ninth victory of the season saw us move to the top of the table for the first time.

Hampshire were the next visitors after a long journey from Portsmouth, but they were disposed of in 75 minutes for just 88 runs, Pope taking 4-15. Derbyshire responded in style, Townsend making 153 not out by the close with four sixes in a total of 336-8. Little play was possible on day 2, when we declared and Hampshire slipped to 10-2 in reply. The rain washed out the final day and almost certain victory was snatched from our grasp.

The next game at Old Trafford was also drawn, rain washing out the first two days. and this game marked the last time that Derbyshire fielded an entirely locally born side. What followed was a key match, a top of the table match against Kent at Burton.

Rain again restricted the first day, but Derbyshire reached 268 on the second, to which Kent responded with 184. Brisk innings by Townsend and Worthington on the third morning set Kent 289, but they were bowled out for 147 with fine bowling and excellent catching. The final wicket came just before a storm hit the ground and with their nearest rivals drawing, Derbyshire opened up a lead at the top of the table.

A game against the visiting Indians followed, the prelude to a massive game against Yorkshire at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Batting was difficult and we were indebted to a superb innings by Worthington, who opened the innings and made 135 from a total of 216 all out against an attack featuring both Hedley Verity and Bill Bowes. The next highest score was 17...

In reply, Yorkshire also struggled, Copson and Pope taking all ten wickets between them as Yorkshire took the important first innings lead points by just two runs. Derbyshire than batted out time and maintained a lead in the title race.

The final game of the month saw the action return to Ilkeston, our 187 just edging first innings lead as Tom Mitchell took six wickets. Then came a batting collapse against Larwood and Voce, with a first wicket stand of 83 being followed by a dire collapse to 125 all out. A target of 131 was reached for the loss of four wickets, although three dropped catches made their task easier.

As the month ended, Derbyshire were top with Nottinghamshire in second place, Kent third and Yorkshire fourth. The next match was an away game in Essex, one that turned out to be a quite remarkable affair...