ANOTHER DEFEAT IN THE SUNSHINE

By Brian Sanderson,

There are very few grounds that you are pleased to return to  annually but Todmorden is one of these grounds.The forecast early in the week  for to-day was poor but gradually  the weather forecasters changed their minds.So this morning the sun was shining and I caught the train to the ground.This is the only ground this happen as my return ticket from Burley Park is £3.Excellent value and as I was waiting at the station John Winn turned up after catching the train at Pannel.

The Todmorden club is celebrating its  175th anniversary and its President is Malcolm Heywood who has helped to write two excellent books on the history of the club. Worth a read together with looking at the clubs web-site.The match was Lancashire Seconds against Yorkshire Seconds in a forty over match which started at noon which surprised myself who thought it started at 11.00.This match gives the Lancashire and Yorskhire P.C.W  a chance to talk about the matches they had been too  recently.

One of the pleasures of Todmorden is the Red Bricked cafe were I met Peter France and Peter Dibb enjoying their tea.I went to sell the programmes for the match but Lancashire as a the home side did not bring any.Howard Clayton,the Yorkshire scorer ,produced a printed sheet but was chargeing 50p.Plus he did not produce many which is a shame because people like to know who is playing.

Yorkshire batted first but were soon 71 for 6 however Rhodes and Lilley manged to get the score to 141 before Yorkshire were all out. There were three run outs in the innings which  did not help the situation.Rhodes scored 39 and the next highest score was 23 by extras.During the innings I was able to taste the delights of the home cooking in the cafe.

Lancashire started well with Bentley and Proctor who scored 92 between them. Yorkshire bowling was poor apart from Lilley who took 2 wickets for 17.Adisappointing match in brilliant sunshine.

The Swedish audience has had enough of the blog and replaced by people from Russia.Hope they enjoy the descriptions of the trips to the cricket grounds.

I have been told off for mentioning the Rugby League Cup Final at Wembley  but Leeds are playing and I am going so will miss some cricket that day.