The son of R.Leach of Rochdale. His four brothers all played for Lancashire; Harlod (1881), John (1866-77), Roger Chadwick (1885) and William Edmund (1885).

He was educated at Marlborough College, which he entered in April 1863. He was a member of the cricket eleven from 1866 to 1869, being captain in the last two years. He was also a member of the football twenty in 1868. A middle order batsman and a good fielder at point, he occasionally kept wicket.

He went up to Christ Church College, Oxford, where he played for his College, but not for the University team. He represented the University in the inter-university sports in 1871, coming third in the Quarter-Mile. He gained his M.A. and took Holy Orders in 1874.

His first match for Lancashire was on 9th and 10th July 1868 against Yorkshire at Holbeck, Leeds, while he was still at school. He made a pair.

His next match was also against Yorkshire, this time at Bradford, on 10th to 12th August 1874 when he opened the Lancashire innings and scored 12 in his only innings.

On 22nd to 24th June 1876 he again played against Yorkshire, at Old Trafford, when he made 9 and 14.

His club cricket was played for the Rochdale and Castleton Clubs.

He was Vicar of St.Silas, Pentonville in 1887, Hornsey in 1900 and Rector of Church Brampton 1912-21.

In 1933 he was living at Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Don Ambrose)

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