DO YOU WANT MILK IN YOUR TEA ?

By Brian Sanderson,

On a lovely warm Saturday morning I drove up to Weetwood to see the start of  the Yorkshire Academy against Castleford. Castleford won the toss and Callis and Brook opened the innings,see above.First ball Brook was bowled by Cook, the Australian overseas player.A further three wickets fell as myself and Ron Deaton left on our travels.

The second match was Skipton Church Institute against Haworth West End  in division three of the Craven League.We visited this ground last year when the fixture was cancelled because of rain.Today the sun was shining and there were beautiful views down the Aire valley. Skipton won the match by 146 run.

Moving on towards the outskirts of Bingley we went to Ingrow St. Johns were their second team were playing Riddlesden Seconds in the Third division of the Craven League. More great views from the hills.

The wicket was very unusual as it had green strips. The ball was either keeping low or trapping the batting gloves against the bat.

Moving to the other side of Bingley we went to the Bradford and Bingley second  ground which is over the River Aire from the main ground. The sides playing were Eldwick @ Gilstead against Barrowfield in the Third Division of the Craven League.The home side had have to move from their original ground as their was no water, electricity and the ground was flooding as there was no drains. They could not afford the drains so moved to this new ground were they share with Bradford and Bingley Third side who are also in the Craven League.

Moving on to Bingley Congregational which  is about a mile from the previous ground.. Their Second team were playing  Gargrave Seconds  in the Division four of the Craven League. A beautiful ground next to the river.

Moving up towards Haworth we went to Wilsden were their first team were playing Ingrow in the Division two of the Craven league. They are just building a new pavilion. We obtained  two cups of tea were the tea lady had a tale tp tell about the umpire. At tea time  she put his milk in first his cup of tea which caused him to swear at her as he wanted the milk in last.There is no need for this this situation and the umpire shown should have apologise  for his   behaviour.

There was just one bad view from the ground a electricity sub station could be seen This is the one blot we had seen in the Craven league.

Moving on back towards Bingley we went to Sandy Lane. Here their firsts were playing Bradford @ Bingley third team in the Division three.The ground is situated in a local park. The home side  won by 51 runs. When we had visited this ground we had now seen all the grounds in the Craven League.

We we arrived back at Weetwood  Castlford were  nine wickets down chasing a total of 198. Castlford overseas star was 41 not out  and had helped to put a last wicket stand of 41. Castlford won the match with.  a four. This was the second week that the Academy had lost a close match.