The Twelfth Man 2015

25 He also spoke about Phil Tufnell. “Tuffers was a pain in the neck and sometimes it was a struggle to get him on the field”. November 11th – Brian Halford Our Vice-Chairman, Ron Firth, introduced tonight’s guest Brian, whose background was in media and cricket reporting prior to him concentrating on writing books. Brian’s visit was to discuss his latest book, which is about the life of a very interesting cricketing character Percy Jeeves. Brian explained that PG Wodehouse had seen Percy playing for Warwickshire against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham and was very impressed with the way he conducted himself. This led to P.G. becoming more intrigued with Percy and resulted in the name of Jeeves being introduced into his books. Brian’s research proved how very interesting Percy’s life had been up until his tragic end at a notorious German stronghold (High Wood) during the First World War. Percy was born in 1888 near Dewsbury, and moved with his family to Goole in 1901. During his early days he soon excelled at cricket, playing for school and his local club. Brian talked about a local paper extolling his virtues in a Goole v Luddington match in 1907. All Percy’s brothers worked on the railway and this was not a career that appealed to him. However, due to his meteoric rise through the local cricket league and representative matches, he was able to apply for the professional’s job at Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales. Despite later trials with YCCC, Percy’s feats attracted Warwickshire CCC who promptly offered him a contract and his impressive career commenced. Brian went on to discuss Percy’s cricket and Army careers in detail followed by a very interesting Q&A session. November 20th – Isabelle Duncan Isabelle Duncan is a leading woman cricketer and qualified coach, running her own cricket organisation for boys and girls aged 4-13. Isabelle captained an all–male (apart from her) side at Albury CC in a Surrey league and has played for numerous men’s and women’s teams over the past 20 years, including MCC, The Bunburys, The Heartaches, The Invalids and The Nomads. She is also closely involved in the charity Chance to Shine, bringing cricket into state schools and inner cities, and sits on a committee, Girls on the Front Foot, aiming to empower girls through cricket. Isabelle is also a cricket commentator for BBC radio. She was involved in the MCC debate to elect women in 1998 by appearing on the front cover of the then Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine wearing an MCC sweater. Isabelle has been a full member of the MCC since 2002, represents the club at both cricket and real tennis, and occasionally sits on a disciplinary panel!!! She is currently a member of the Main Committee at MCC. Isabelle was educated at Charterhouse and Durham University, her first book, Skirting The Boundary: A History of Women’s Cricket , was released in May 2013 and half of the royalties will be donated to Chance to Shine. She spends her winters ski-leading for the ski club of Great Britain in Europe and America. Izzy, as she is known to her friends, commenced her evening by talking about Yorkshire sportsmen and women. She then went on to talk about famous lady cricketers (including overseas players) with one particular Australian, Betty Wilson, who achieved the unbelievable feat of a century, ten wickets and a hat-trick, all in one match! Izzy informed us of the early 19th century beginnings of women’s cricket, and how it was the ladies who brought about overarm bowling due to having much difficulty with underarm bowling whilst wearing long skirts. W.G.Grace’s daughter got in on the act, but they were not supported by W.G. who obviously considered it very much a man’s game. The history of the ladies Ashes also proved very interesting, with Australia getting very organised at Test cricket level well before us. Other countries were also late coming to the party, with India not arriving on the scene until the 1990s, and South Africa being hampered with all the apartheid problems. Izzy also explained the background to women getting membership of the MCC and the evening concluded with a first class Q&A session. Author Brian Halford receives his Wombwell glass from David Whittingham.