Storeys played Lancaster Lads' Club in final of 1963 '˜Guardian Cup'

Lancaster Guardian football historian Terry Ainsworth writes:
Storeys 2nd XI. Back row, fourth from the left Peter Mills, sixth from the left Jim Cowherd and far right Tommy Bennett. Front row from left: Norman Fisher, Billy Young, George Elner, Billy Clarke.Storeys 2nd XI. Back row, fourth from the left Peter Mills, sixth from the left Jim Cowherd and far right Tommy Bennett. Front row from left: Norman Fisher, Billy Young, George Elner, Billy Clarke.
Storeys 2nd XI. Back row, fourth from the left Peter Mills, sixth from the left Jim Cowherd and far right Tommy Bennett. Front row from left: Norman Fisher, Billy Young, George Elner, Billy Clarke.

Almost 60 years ago the Lancaster Guardian sponsored the “Guardian Cup” for local cricket clubs to enter their second XIs.

In August 1963 Storeys and Lancaster Lads’ Club contested the final on the Lune Road ground of Lancaster Cricket Club and this was the report which appeared in the local newspaper.

Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.
Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.
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“Presenting the trophy to the captain of Storeys 2nd XI, winners of the ‘Guardian Cup’ in the final of this two nights two-innings match at Lune Road on Thursday of last week, Mr. J C Higginson, chairman of Lancaster Cricket Club which kindly placed its ground at the disposal of the local league which organised the event, praised the ‘Guardian’ for its sports coverage.

“He also commended both teams on their sportsmanship and attractive cricket.

“On the opening night Storeys batted first and reached 54.

“Norman Fisher (14) was top scorer and for Lads Club Tony Masheder took three wickets for 20, Terry Ainsworth two for six, Alan Jackson two for 10 and Chris Denny two for 13.

Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.
Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.
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“Lads’ Club replied with 58. Terry Ainsworth hit 34 of them and John Townson scored 13.

“For Storeys Norman Fisher took four wickets for 12 runs, George Elner three for 13 and Billy Clarke two for eight.

“On the following night Lads’ Club increased their aggregate to 123 by scoring 65.

“Tony Masheder 19 and Les Sallis 10 were top scorers.

Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.
Lads Club 2nd XI. Back row from left: H Brown (umpire), Tommy Townson (scorer), Les Sallis, Jim Batty, Keith Stockdale, Chris Denny, Harold Woods, W Charlesworth (umpire). Front row from left: unknown, John Townson, Tony Masheder, Terry Ainsworth, Johnny Young.

“For Storeys Billy Clarke took three wickets for 15 runs, E Birch three wickets for 16 runs, Norman Fisher one for 6 and George Elner one for 22. Storeys replied with 71 for the loss of eight wickets to give them a winning aggregate of 125.

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“Top scorers for Storeys were J Cowherd 27 and G Padgett 13.

“For Lads’ Club Alan Jackson took four wickets for 19 runs, Terry Ainsworth two for 18 and Chris Denny one for 21.”

The Storeys photograph was kindly supplied by Guardian reader, Linda Mills, whose husband Peter played for Storeys.

As can be seen we do need some assistance in naming some of the players although my old friend Joe Sherrington racked his brains and came up with three.

The Lads’ Club photograph is taken from the archives of the Lancaster Guardian and the quality is quite poor but maybe readers can provide an original.