Considerable feeling entered into the game and some of the Bradshaw men had occasion to complain of a section of the crowd "booing" and shouting.

During the interval the unpleasant incident that had brought about Derbyshire's dismissal was a much discussed topic. That Derbyshire was out there could not be much doubt, but Bradshaw men objected and

Objected Very Strenuously

to the manner in which he was dismissed. Tonge did not view their task with much concern, though they had not forgotten many tight battles with their near and I had almost written dear rivals. The fact remains that Bradshaw have not yet beaten Tonge in a League Match".

A report of the Bradshaw v. Eagley game on July 7th 1906 estimates the crowd at 2,000 and also relates that Silcock quilted the ball into the river, a not uncommon expression of the day, prompting recourse to the Oxford Dictionary - quilt, (sl.) thrash.

A photograph of this game shows the square to be mown, but the rest of the outfield to be cropped to about one inch, no doubt by grazing cattle. With the engagement of Silcock as professional and full-time groundsman for £3 per week, plus a benefit match, ground improvements continued.

It was resolved on August 7th 1906, that Silcock's benefit from the Adlington match be made up to a net £7, and the club pay his expences. At the meeting on the 28th it was stated that Silcock would pay his own expenses and also give a donation of 10/-d to the club funds. The committee was unanimous in its thanks.... These certainly were the good old days.

In May 1908 it was decided to embark on the construction of a tennis court. Silcock was set to work on the project, and twelve months later, on the 8th May 1909 the court was opened by Major H. M. Hardcastle, This was a single lawn tennis court to which a second was added later.

At this time a tender had been accepted of £9.18.0d. to erect a tea room, and a later decision was taken to place it on three pillars at the further cost of 5/-d per pillar. This tea room was attached to the pavilion and many years later was used as a score-box.

That no expense be needlessly incurred was a constantly recurring theme in the early cricket club minutes. A typical entry is found in 1908: The Sec. read a letter from Robinson the printer to the effect that he had made a mis-calculation in estimating the cost of printing the balance sheet, and he would deem it a favour if the club would pay £1.2.6d., the estimate having been for £1.0.0d. net. The consistency of previous minutes is maintained and there is hardly need to pass to the very predictable unsympathetic response:

"Resolved we pay the original estimate".

Bradshaw's balance sheets for 1907 and 1908 show that even though in 1908 three of the nine home matches were cancelled because of adverse weather conditions, gate receipts and subscriptions covered the professional's wages and umpires' fees. The professional, of course, was then also groundsman. Receipts from social events took care of lesser expenses, just keeping the club solvent.

By 1909 the ground had been enclosed. Negotiations were started to place a bridge over the brook at the tennis court end, the only access to the ground being over the footbridge by the cottages, or down from Rigby Lane via Turton Road. A mowing machine suitable for a pony was purchased from Silcock and Higham pre-season 1910 for £10 and Silcock the club professional (and presumably partner in the firm) promised to put in a roller as a present to the club.

The problem of the pony was solved when "a deputation appointed to wait on Mr. S. Slater re pony, reported that they had come to terms with him whereby he would allow the club to use the pony free, he to have the grazing free".

For that season of 1910, 53 players were registered for the two teams. By the time the last match was played Peter Roscoe, the one remaining member who had played for the club in their 'Shooting Butts' days, had taken 24 catches, still 73 years later a club record. Remarkably, four years later he held another 23. In the away game at Radcliffe, two more batsmen fell to catches by "Roscoe".

Brother Bill, who for many years lived in one of the cottages at the ground, also played in the same match, and all attempts to establish which of the brothers should be credited with the catches have failed. It is therefore possible, even probable, that Peter beat his own record in 1914.*

Peter Roscoe a superb fielder and good opening batsman, enlisted in the army as a grenade thrower - what else? - and tragically was gassed on active service. Returning from the war a shadow of his former self and his cricketing career virtually over, he never really recovered his health.

On the first Saturday of Bolton Holidays in the season of 1910, Bradshaw scored what must be their most sensational victory in the 100 years history of the club. W. C. Dakeyne, in the second of his four consecutive seasons as captain, played a remarkable innings at Eagley.

The Bolton Evening News printed the following:

"Bradshaw were left with 1¾ hours to hit off the 170 runs required to win, and certainly the accomplishment of such a feat seemed well nigh impossible, especially as the weather went dull as Bradshaw went in to bat. P. Roscoe was bowled by the first ball sent down by T. Cooper, who relieved Williamson at 46. Silcock partnered Dakeyne, who incidentally hit up 80 on his last visit to Eagley.