Friday 30 July 2010

Saturday League Match

Saturday 24 July.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Saturday I decided to go to Colchester which is a county ground even though it was a second team match. The ground is situated at the bottom of the Castle park about five minutes from the Centre of the town.The opponent was Harold Wood which is on the outskirt of M25.The field is huge with trees surrounding the ground.The pavilion has no cricket memorabilia.
The match started at one-thirty and would finish with twenty overs at six o,clock.Colchester batted first and scored two hundred and ninety in forty-seven overs. Nathen O,Brien , Australian wicket-keeper, scored one hundred and thirty-three and Andrew Gilhooly scored one hundred and twelve.The bowling was very poor but it still took some getting.
Harold Wood soon collapsed until the opening bowler scored eighty .Together with a young lad they put on a stand of over a hundred.The team scored one hundred and eighty -three and the last wicket fell to a L.B.W with two balls to go.
The match looked like it would finish early but the century stand made a match of it.

Chelmsford

20 July to 23 July.
Posted by Brian Sanderson.

I had never watched cricket in Essex before so I .did not know what the ground would be like.Andrew from London was coming on Tuesday and Thursday.To arrive at the ground I went under a bridge next to the river.We decided to sit in the shade as the weather was hot.The field was parched due the lack of rain and sat at the side of the wicket looking at the Sky camera position together with the black clothing for the twenty over match.The pavilion has no good cricket memorabilia however there is a small museum.
Essex in the first innings scored three hundred and ninety-nine with Bopara and Foster batting well.Rashid was again the best wicket taking bowler.The foecast was that some time during the match it would rain however this did not happen
Yorkshire scored three hundred and twenty-four with Lyth and Rashid batting well.Essex would have to set up a total to stop it coming a draw which they did.Yorkshire had to score three hundred and sixty-nine in eighty-seven overs.
They managed to score three hundred and thirty - three and if Rudolph had not been bowled for one hundred and six they could have won the match.
The group of Essex supporters I sat with were excellent company, weather was dry and a excellent match.Over-all a excellent four days.

New School Ground

MONDAY 19 JULY 2010

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On our way to Essex I decided to do a small detour.We came off the M1 and headed for Bedford School were Bedfordshire were playing Hertfordshire on the second day.After great difficulty we arrive at the school at lunch time. Hertfordshire were nine wickets down for two hundred and forty-eight.
The ground is situated in next to the school with a excellent pavilion were I .had by sandwiches looking over the pitch to a school church. On the right was a second pitch.On walking round I meet a gentleman who was born in Middlesbrough.He was thinking of going to Chelmsford on Wednesday subject to the weather.The weather here was red hot.
After lunch two bowls were bowled in the Hertfordshire innings the first nearly took the batsman head-off and the second ball shoot on the floor to bowl the number eleven batsman.Bedfordshire started their second innings one hundred and sixty nine in front.They seem to be batting well as we left.
Later I found out that Bedford scored two hundred and sixty-six.Hertfordshire finished eighteen runs short with Alleyne scored one hundred sixty and eight.He is the ex-Middlesex and Nottingham player.

PCW Fixtures - week commencing 1st August 2010

Posted by Tony Hutton

SUNDAY 1st AUGUST

Heavy Woollen Cup Final - Hanging Heaton v Wrenthorpe (at Hanging Heaton) - 12 noon

Waddilove Cup Final - Bilton v Burley (Rawdon) - 2 p.m.

Wetherby Senior Evening Cup - semi-finals and final (Walton CC, Nr. Wetherby)
First semi-final - St Chads v Spofforth - 10.30 a.m.
Second semi-final - Old Modernians v Church Fenton - 1.30 p.m.
Final at approx. 5 p.m.

Yorkshire League Cup semi-final - York v Doncaster - 12 noon

Pool Paper Mills Cup final (Dales Council) - Leeds Sikh v Mount (Pudsey Congs) - 1.30 p.m.

Huddersfield League 20/20 final - Golcar v Elland (at Golcar) - 2 p.m.

Village knock-out quarter final - Sessay v Woodhouse Grange - 1 p.m.

MONDAY 2nd AUGUST

Second XI Trophy - Lancashire II V Yorkshire II (Northern CC, Crosby) and Derbyshire II v Leicester II (Derby) - both 11 a.m.

Lancashire Under 19 v Warwickshire Under 19 (Heywood) - day one of two - 11 a.m.

Yorkshire Lord's Taverners Under 15s week commences, including Aire Wharfe v Heavy Wollen (Green Lane) and Bradford Central v Nidderdale (Thornbury) - 1.p.m.

TUESDAY 3RD AUGUST

2nd XI Championship - Lancashire II v Yorkshire II (Northern CC, Crosby ) - day 1 of 3 - 11 a.m.

Under 15s Lord's Taverners games, including Heavy Woollen v Nidderdale (Liversedge) and Aire Wharfe v Bradford Central (Addingham)

Yorkshire under 17s v Derby Under 17s (Weetwood, Leeds) - day 1 of 2 - 11 a.m.

WEDNESDAY 4th AUGUST

Games at Crosby and Weetwood continue.

Lord's Taverners games include Wetherby v Craven (Walton) and Nidderdale League v Aire Wharfe (Beckwithshaw)

THURSDAY 5th AUGUST

Lord's Teverners Under 15s semi-finals at Altofts CC, Nr Normanton and Tickhill CC, South Yorks

Under 17 cup - Yorkshire U 17 v Derby U 17 at Weetwood - 11 a.m.

Friendly - MCC North East v MCC East Midlands (Harrogate) = 11.30

England Under 17s v Sri Lanka Under 19s (Sleaford, Lincs)

FRIDAY 6th AUGUST

Lord's Taverners under 15 Final (Methley) - 11.30 a.m

Millhouses (Sheffield) v MCC (150th anniversary)

Yorkshire Under 16s v Durham Under 16s - (New Rover, Leeds) - This game now cancelled.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

PCW fixtures - week commencing 25th July 2010

Posted by Tony Hutton

SUNDAY 25th JULY


Full Bradford League division one programme - includes Cleckheaton v Bradford & Bingley, Farsley v Pudsey St Lawrence, Undercliffe v East Bierley and Woodlands v Saltaire.

Inter League Presidents TropHy semi-final - North Yorks & S.Durham League v Notts Premier League (Marton) 1.30.

Inter League Cedric Rhoades Trophy Quarter final - Bassetlaw League v Derbyshire & Cheshire League (Cuckney)

National ECB club knock out includes Northern (Crosby) v West Indian Cavaliers (Nottingham) and Farnworth (Bolton) v Bamford Fieldhouse - both 1 p.m.

Friendly Matches include - Yorkshire Post v Almondbury Casuals (Glen Rd, Far Headingley) and Menston v Mutineers

MONDAY 26th JULY

Yorkshire Lords Taverners under 13s competition commences.

2nd XI Trophy - Yorkshire II v Worcester II (Bingley) - 11 a.m.

Lancashire Under 19 v Yorkshire Under 19 (St Annes) - day 1 of 2 - 11 a.m.

Bunbury Festival - Under 15s Regional Competition commences - two fifty overs a side games - London & East v Midlands (Chester Boughton Hall) and North v South & West (Tattenhall, Cheshire) - both 11 a.m.

Friendly - Yorkshire Gentlemen v Wiltshire Queries (Escrick Park, Nr York)

TUESDAY 27th JULY

England Under 19s v Sri Lanka Under 19s (Scarborough) - day 1 of 4

2nd XI championship - Yorkshire II v Worcester II (Centre Vale, Todmorden) - day 1 of 3 - 11.a.m.

Bunbury Festival - Undder 15s Regional Comnpetition - two fifty overs a side games -
North v London & East (Neston) and South West v Midlands (Christleton) - both 11 a.m.

Under 17s - Cheshire v Lancashire (Grappenhall) - day 1 of 2 - 11 a.m.

Under 14s - Yorkshire v Durham (East Bierley)

Friendly - Saints v Wiltshire Queries (Harrogate) - 11.30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY 28th JULY

Yesterday's games continued.

Friendly - Yorkshire Academy v Cheshire Development XI (Weetwood, Leeds)

Bunbury Festival - two T20 games - both at Neston

Under 13s National club championship Northern Final day at Woodhouse Grange near York. Semi-finals Old Leos (Leeds) v Tynemouth and Workington v Heaton, followed by final.

Friendlies include - Sewerby (Bridlington) v Leeds Allerton and Ilkley v Wiltshire Queries - both 2 p.m.

THURSDAY 29th JULY

Games at Todmorden and Scarborough continue.

Bunbury Festival - two fifty over games - North v Midlands (Tattenhall, Cheshire) and London & East v South & West (Alvanaley, Cheshire)- both 11 a.m.

Whixley Evening league games include Leeds University Staff v Church Fenton (Weetwood, Leeds) and Adel v Rufforth (both 6.30)

FRIDAY 30TH JULY

Last day of England U19s v Sri Lanka U19s (Scarborough)

Yorkshire Senior Schools v Northuumberland U19s (Pudsey Congs) 11 a.m.

Lords Taverners Under 13s final (Cleckheaton)

Bunbury Festival - two T20 games both at Chester Boughton Hall.

All these fixtures come with a Government Health Warning. Games can be cancelled, moved to other venues etc without warning. Do not always believe what you read in the newspapers. Yorkshire Post for Sat 24th July published the wrong fixtures for every league in Yorkshire - showing fixtures to be played on 31st July !

Sunday 18 July 2010

Disappointing Semi-Final

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Another early start to Weetwood to see Yorkshire Academy against Sheffield Collegiate.
I sat next to John and Jenny trying to keep out of the wind.Yorkshire batted first and established a good opening stand of one hundred and twenty by Alex Lees and George Ross. Alex looked the more comfortable and scored seventy runs. The score was as I left was one hundred and twenty-nine for three.

The major match was Kirkstall against Bilton in the cup Semi-final. I was joined by Malcolm for Whitkirk, Brian Senior, Reg Parker and Mick Bourne.Bilton lost wickets gradually during the afternoon but was able to reach two hundred and thirty-eight in the forty- five overs. A six smashed the rear window of one of the Bilton players.

After tea Kirkstall lost wickets quickly to the good bowling of Bilton. When I left Kirkstall had lost there ninth wicket still over a hundred behind.

The company was good but Kirkstall was disappointing.

Saturday 17 July 2010

Cricket Talk.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

I had agreed to see Bob Procter at Weetwood. Yorkshire Academy were playing York.However it was raining but we were going to Adel to speak to Reg Parker. In the Horace Fisher possession were pictures of Holbeck in the 1950,s. Reg played in the team until it finished in 1962.
Bob used to watch Holbeck in the 1950.s and Reg brought his two scrapbooks about this period.He named the players in two pictures of Holbeck. He told us numerous stories of the matches.

We moved on to Farsley against Bradford and Bingley. Farsley were bowling and Bradford and Bingley reached one hundred and sixty-nine in the fifty overs.After tea McCarthy bowled well from the top end. Farsley had scored forty-six for three and I found out at home they lost the match.

We moved finally on to Weetwood to see the end of the Yorkshire match.Yorkshire were batting after York had reached one hundred and ninty-seven for eight.Hargreaves and Leaning were batting and put on a partnership of ninety to bring the total of one hundred andfifty-two for four wickets. Woods bowled well to produce figures of seven for fifty-five.Yorkshire reached one hundred and seventy-two for nine.

The Academy tried hard but were up against a experenced team.

Friday 16 July 2010

Big hitting at York

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On a cloudy and rainy day I sent off for St Peters at York.Arriving at the Senior Schools under 19 against Durham County Board the weather was dry but a cold breeze was blowing.

Yorkshire were batting and there were only two Professional Cricket Watchers ,Malcolm from Whitkirk and David from Brighouse.A young wicket-keeper called Holliday managed to get to fifty.It started to rain heavily and Lunch was taken at twelve -fifty.Brian Senior had arrived.

After lunch David Allen arrived to watch the match. He last played here in 1956 for Clifton School against St. Peters.Yorkshire reached one hundred and five for four when a partnership developed.Walmsley, who plays for Cleckheaton and lad from Brighouse.They both reached their fifty and put on a stand of one hundred and twenty.

A big lad from Pudsey Congs hit a number of six,s to bring the score up to two hundred and ninety- five in fifty overs. A good score in cold wind.

Next game is Rugby League to-night.

PCW - cricket fixtures

Posted by Tony Hutton

Fixtures will in future be posted here on the blog page rather than the Professional Cricket Watchers page.

SUNDAY 18th JULY

Minor Counties Championship - Cumberland v Cambridgeshire (Barrow) - day 1 of 3.

Waddilove Cup semi-finals - Kirkstall v Bilton and Burley v Green Lane

Yorkshire Premier League - Yorkshire Academy v Sheffield Collegiate (Weetwood, Leeds) - 12 noon

Friendly - New Rover v Mutineers (Richmond Oval, Leeds) - 2 p.m.

MONDAY 19th JULY

Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire - five day Under 15s county festival, with four matches each day from 11 a.m.

Under 15s - Lancashire v Yorkshire (Turf Moor, Burnley)

TUESDAY 20th JULY

2nd XI Trophy - Lancs II v MCCYC (Heywood) - 11 a.m.
- Derby II v Durham II (Alvaston & Boulton, Derby)

County Under 17s - Durham v Yorkshire (Darlington) - all day 1 of 2 - 11 a.m.
- Lancashire v Derby (Southport)
- Cumbria v Hereford (Sedbergh School)

County over 60s - Cheshire v Yorkshire (Grappenhall) 1.30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 21st JULY

Test Match - Pakistan v Australia (Headingley) - day 1 of 5

2nd XI championship - Derby II v Durham II (Denby) - both day 1 of 3 - 11 a.m.
Lancs II v MCCYC (St Annes)
Combined University v Northants II (Weetwood, Leeds)

Friendly - MCC North East v MCC North West (Harrogate) - day 1 of 2 - 11.30 a.m.

THURSDAY 22nd JULY

Matches listed above continued

County Under 15s - Derby v Lancs (New Mills)

Whixley Evening League includes New Rover v Horsforth and North Leeds v Adel - 6.30 p.m.

FRIDAY 23rd JULY

Headingley Test - day 3

Ampleforth Festival - final day

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Cold Roses Day

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Set off down the M1 with Ron to Barnsley were Yorkshire under 17 were playing Lancashire under17.Yorkshire had beaten Durham at Hartlepool in there last match. There was a col wind blowing and it was cloudy.All the professional cricket watchers were there. The ST. Peters match had been called off as Northumberland got the wrong date.

Yorkshire batted on a poor pitch which bounced and spun.Yorkshire could not cope with the bowling and conditions.It was to cold to sit out and had to watch the match from the car. Not pleasant.They managed just over one hundred by two thirty.

Lancashire soon lost a wicket but managed to stay that way till tea.Left the ground then with it threatening to rain.

Not the best day of cricket this summer.

Sunday 11 July 2010

Area Final

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Another trip to York to see them play West Indian Cavaliers who are based in Nottingham.The cup match was the Area Final for the ECB National Club Championship.

The weather was cooler and a strong wind blowing towards the pavilion.York were not allowed to play their overseas professional Wilson. Whilst Nottingham side could play a ex Test Player, Alex Tudor. Funny rules in this competition.

York batted first and lost two quick wickets.Simon Mason batted well to reach fort-eight before he was bowled when the ball kept low.I had been joined by Bob Procter who had watch the Academy against Cleethorpes yesterday.York lost wickets consistently to reach one hundred and eighty-five in forty-three overs. The total was low and they should have lasted their full overs.

At Tea time wander over to watch Clifford Alliance play in the next ground. It has the most beautiful Pavilion.

York would have to bowl well and got two quick wickets. Leaving Dominic Williamson the Captain batting. He used to play for Leicestershire. He batted very soundly until he was run out going for a extra run which was not required.Tudor was left to carry on the innings which he did do very well until he was given L.B.W.

However the Nottingham side to win the match by five wickets with two overs to spare.
York never got enough runs but good to see some good batted by Williamson and Tudor.

Saturday 10 July 2010

Jeeves Cricket Ground

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

I sent off to Harrogate to join Ron Deaton and Nigel Pullen. We were starting our trip in Hewes.At The Stone House is were Jeeves was a gardener and a cricketer before the First World War.Jeeves became famous as the butler in P.G.Wodehouse,s books. However he was a very good cricketer born in Dewsbury. He was turn down by Yorkshire but was taken up by Warwickshire.His career was cut short by the War were he was killed.

The ground is about a half an mile down the hill toward the town.They were playing The Hawkes who are a friendly side based at Kellington who batted first. The pitch is a island in the middle of the river Ure.The batsmen were soon hitting the ball out of the ground. Tony Hutton,s car was hit twice before he moved it.Most of the Hewes side were youngsters.

Moving on to Lofthouse which is near Pateley Bridge.The ground is situated on the only flat ground in the area. They were playing Ripley Seconds who had scored one hundred and eight. However Lofthouse batsmen hit a number of six,s to win the match in quick time. One batsman scored eighty-two.

Next match was Glasshouse against Crakehall. Glasshouse had score one hundred and eighty-three and Crakehall had just started batting.The two opening bowlers were a thirteen year old lad and a twenty year old girl.They managed to get four wickets but lost the match easily.The team are struggling to keep going so I hope they succeed.It is a great ground with brilliant views.

Excellent day with three beautiful grounds and good company.
Sunday 4 July

Posted by Peter Davies

A tour of cricket grounds between Huddersfield and Halifax. First up Elland, one of our favourites. Stones were the visitors in the Halifax League Sunday Section. It was all very low-key and subdued, with the Stones players waiting to bat just in front of the pavilion. I had a quick word with Peter McConnell - a very chirpy and friendly guy - and I sent my regards via him to David Normanton. I bought Dad a drink and we watched the game from a bench in front of the pavilion.

Then we moved on to Outlane, where there were lots of spectators enjoying the Sunday sun. But it was incredibly windy, as befits a ground on the hard shoulder of the motorway. We had a cup of tea - the last customers in the kitchen - and sat outside. Lots of spectators enjoying the game and the weather - and the club's decking was a big hit with the locals.

Then, finally, Rastrick. Verywindy, again, but also sunny. We sat in front of the famous hill and then had a wander to the pavilion, where I had a £1 plate of sandwiches - cheese and egg. The tea lady was almost apologetic that she had to charge me. The bar was busy and as ever there was lots of banter in and around the clubhouse. I like Rastrick - always friendly and a ground with many interesting features.

Thursday 8 July 2010

Last Chapter

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

After shopping, I walked round to Headingley for the final day.Yorkshire had to bowl well.Sat in the Rugby Stand again with Andy and Richard.The weather is cloudy but warm.

Javid is soon out caught behind by Brophy off Rashid.Troughton did not come in as he must be still injured.The new ball is taken by Pyrah and Pattinson.The two opening bowlers were not used.At lunch they had reached two hundred and seventy for six.

After lunch Clarke reached his hundred in three hundred and twenty-six minutes.Rankin is run out with a brilliant throw from Pyrah.By three twenty Warwickshire are all out for three hundred and seventy-one which sets up a good match.

Yorkshire were set two hunred in thirty-nine overs. Lyth is soon out but Rudolph looks in good form.Mc Grath was out L.B.W to Rankin.Bairstow and Rudolph were batting well when Rudolph is run out.However Bairstow batted well to finish up for sixty-four to win the match.

Excellent four day match with a good Yorkshire victory.

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Another rainy finish

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Another cloudy day with prospects of rain in the afternoon.Going into the Long Room sat down with John, Jenny and Mollie. The talk was about the new pavilion. It seems the dressing room is to small for Hannon-Dalby.

Warwickshire were seven wickets down. There was more play last night after I had left and two wickets were taken.Pattison took the three wickets with a brilliant catch by Pyrah.Andy and Richard were there again. Richard is making strawberry beer.AT lunch Warwickshire were twenty-eight for one wicket.Maddy was the first to be out from Rashid.

After lunch Troughton got hit with a rising ball from Best causing him to leave the field.Rashid looked like the bowler to take the wickets but bowled some bad balls.By tea they had reached one hundred and forty-two for three wickets.Javid replaced Troughton.

Clarke and Javid progressed easily to one hundred and ninety-three when it started to rain.Yorkshire will have to bowl better to-morrow to win the match. Nottingham had lost to Essex.

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Rainy finish at Headingley

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

To-day started cloudy but warm. Sat with Andy and Richard soon joined by Tony Hutton.
Yorkshire soon lost the wicket of Rashid to Carter. However Brophy scored his second Yorkshire century. Carter tried to bowl from the next pitch before stopping himself. Pyrah was sick on the pitch but managed to get to lunch. Yorkshire were four and seventeen for eight. They should have declared then but came out after lunch.

At two o,clock I went on a guided tour of the new pavilion. It is a excellent view from behind the wicket and good long distance views of Leeds.Yorkshire were bowled out and Warwickshire start quickly with Westwood batting well.At tea they were one hundred and eleven for two. The clouds were gathering and it started to rain. Yorkshire managed to get another three wickets before they went off. Rashid got three wickets.
Warwickshire were one hundred and eighty-six for five.

A interesting day looking round the new pavilion.

Monday 5 July 2010

South African day at Headingley

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

I had to go shopping before walking to Headingley. Yorkshire were playing Warwarkshire in the a four day championship match. The weather was cloudy but warm with a strong breeze.

Yorkshire won the toss and batted. No Sayers again but have not heard what is wrong with him.Rudolph is quickly out to Carter who originally came from South Africa. I was watching from the Rugby Stand end with Andy and Richard.Carter was making the ball swing.By lunchtime Yorkshire had reached 119 for 1.With Lyth could have been out at least twice.

After lunch Mc Grath was first to go for 57 making a partnership of 148 with Lyth.Lyth had to stay there but was out for 84 in 187 minutes . A slow innings for him.The middle session was slow going . They only scored seventy-three in two hours.

After tea Bairstow got out for forty-four in one hundred and twenty- four minutes.Piolet had got his first Championship wicket. He Brophy progressed well and seems to do well against Yorkshire after last week Second Team match.Brophy progressed well to be ninety-two by the close. He also originally came from South Africa and would not have played if Sayers had not been ill.

Reasonable day for Yorkshire. It will be a interesting day to-morrow.

Sunday 4 July 2010

Windy Cleethorpes

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Decided to go an watch Minor County cricket at Cleethorpes. Lincolnshire were playing Cumberland.The weather was sunny but there was a strong wind blowing down the pitch. Sat with Tony Hutton and his wife in protected spot away from the wind.

Cumberland batted first against a strong Lincolnshire side. By lunch they had reached one hundred and twenty-four for five. The batsmen in was Gary Pratt who has been fielding substitute for a Test Match against Australia and Chris Marsden who plays for Pudsey St. Lawrence in the Bradford League.

At lunch time I walked round the ground and spoke to two brother who visit Arthington in September. They live in Doncaster and had watch York take on Scarborough yesterday.They see a number of matches at the weekend.

After lunch Gary Pratt was soon out and Cumberland reached two hundred and seventeen.There was some poor batting. Lincolnshire opened with Birch who is ex-Derbyshire player. He hits the ball very hard and far. He put two balls in the nearby gardens. He was dismissed for just over fifty.

This slowed the run rate down and they had reached one hundred and ten for three wickets after thirty overs.Left at six to get home at a reasonable time.

Cleethorpes ground is very pleasant situated near the sea.

A short Saturday afternoon.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

The Yorkshire Academy matches start at twelve o,clock so I sent off to watch them play Barnsley at Weetwood.The weather was sunny and the car park was full due to a wedding at the Hotel nearby.

Sat in the shade with Mollie Staines and Audrey Woodhouse. Two ladies who have watch numerous cricket matches.Academy batted first against the bowling of Hannon- Dalby , the Yorkshire first team bowler. Geldart was soon out which left Alex Lees and George Ross batting.Ross looked the more confident but was the first out. Wilkinson, the ex -Yorkshire Second player, bowled some excellent off-spin. He collected five wickets for fifty-five. The score reached just short of two hundred in the fifty-five overs. Lees scored seventy-seven.

At half time I had a pint of Fred Trueman bitter for the first time. Not bad.

When Barnsley batted they were soon nine for three wickets due to the bowling of Jack Hargreaves. I had to leave early to go and watch Leeds against St. Helens.
Barnsley reached one hundred and forty one for nine wickets. The last pair had to play out a number of overs.

Sunny and Sexy

Sunday 27 June

Posted by Peter Davies

A late-afternoon spell at Shepley - after Shelley, my local ground. It was very sunny and we found a perch near the main entrance, on the other side of the ground from the bar and pavilion. We stayed there for quite a while, with a player and his mum(?) perched nearby. In fact, the woman was very attractive: she was sunbathing and dressed in next to nothing - just some very pale-coloured shorts and top. Shepley was a sight - really beautiful in the mid-afternoon sun.

Well done DD!

Saturday 26 June

Posted by Peter Davies

A nice afternoon at Denby Dale - one of our favourite grounds in the area. We bumped into leading club official Richard Hobson as we neared the entrance and then found our favourite perch high above the playing area. A beautiful sight - a real panorama. In the tea room, I managed to pick up £10 for two copies of the 2009 blog diary courtesy of one of the club's top tea ladies. Me and my Dad also helped ourselves to a fine tea that involved sandwiches, pizza and other delicacies. Denby Dale DO sell their teas at all times, thus maximising revenue - excellent!

Friday 2 July 2010

Another century at York.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

We set off to-day to York again but to a different match.The match was St Peters School against M.C.C.The school is near the ground of York Cricket Club.There was rain over night but it was sunny in the morning.

As usual M.C.C. batted first and in the first forty runs there was twenty -eight extras mainly wides.At lunch they had reached one hundred and thirty for three wickets.It seems the school had played in the every day in the week. They had only lost two matches this season. They looked very tired.

M.C.C. batsman Cooper scored a century in the total of two hundred and thirty- one.He is a ex-pupil of the school. We watch the match from a bank over looking the pitch.
A great view.

The school batted and were thirty for one wicket. St Peters are a better batting side rather than a bowling side.

A excellent venue to watch a century.

Thursday 1 July 2010

Cricket at the Crooked spire.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

The weather forecast for Lancshire was poor so decided to go to Chesterfield with Bob Procter.The match was Derbyshire against Surrey on the fourth day.Derbyshire had lost one wicket but with over one hundred on the board.

The first person we meet was Phillip Paine who is a Surrey supporter and has written numerous cricket books.The weather was fine and prospects of a good last day.By lunch time they had reached two hundred and five for two wickets.Derbyshire required two hundred and three to win the match in two sessions.

After lunch there was a short shower of rain which reduced the match by three overs.Surrey bowling was steady but Derby still kept loosing wickets.Madsen scored one hundred and five which was his second century of the match. I saw him play for Derby Seconds at Darlington last year. He comes from South Africa and is a good batsman. Azaal managed to get two wickets with poor bowling.

Tremlett bowled thirty-two overs which is the most I have seen him bowl but he did not have is name on his shirt all day.Jones hit a ball back from Nel on to Lungley arm and had to retire but came back for the last wicket. The report says it could be a broken arm. Nel had problem with the umpire when appeal was turned down and bowled with a leg strain.

Surrey won the match with fifty- five balls to go and by forty-two runs.

A excellent day of competitive cricket. At Old Trafford they only lost eleven overs due to rain.The weather forecast wrong again.

Cricket at the Crooked spire.