Alfred Hartley

Lieut Alfred Hartley (R.G.A.) could not be classed among the greatest of Lancashire batsmen, but during his few seasons for the county he was invaluable to the XI, his strong defence making him a worthy successor to Albert Ward. He was given three trials for Lancashire in 1907 having shown fine form that summer for the second XI. He justified the committee's action in selecting him, scoring 126 runs in six innings. Having found a place in first-class cricket he improved from year to year, scoring 1,053 runs for Lancashire in 1908, and 1,129 runs with an average of 36 in 1909. Then in 1910 he left all his previous form far behind. Scoring 234 against Somerset at Manchester, 126 not out against Somerset at Bath, and 168 against Leicestershire at Leicester, he had a record for his county of 1,511 runs with an average of 38. On the strength of his fine cricket he was deservedly chosen for Gentleman against Players, both at Lord's and the Oval. The Gentlemen failed dismally at Lord's, going all to pieces on a difficult wicket, but Hartley himself played very well--24 and 35. In his second innings he received two dead shooters in succession from George Thompson. He stopped the first one but the second bowled him. In 1911 Hartley fell off a great deal in his batting, and in the following year he practically retired from first-class matches.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack