Birchencliffe and Birkby Nuffield

Posted by Peter Davies

Two clubs - whose names both begin with 'B', who both play in the HCCL and who are big rivals - their grounds being just over a mile apart.

Birchencliffe's ground was looking superb in the May sun - with fantastic vistas over towards the Galpharm, Emley Mast and Castle Hill, and the very distinctive Mormon church just down the road. Old Halifax Road was in mid-distance and the golf club at Fixby just over the hill. Silkstone were the visitors and the home side were in all kinds of trouble, spooning catch after catch and subsiding to a paltry all-out total well before their overs were up. The ground is famous for its new chalet-like changing rooms/kitchen block, electronic scorebaord and kiddies play area. Lindley Swifts, a local rugby team, also use the facilities. The big family are the Smiths: Bob was away playing for the 1st XI, Janet was on teas duty - their son was in the 1st XI, daughter no.1 was scoring for the 2nd XI and daughter no.2 doing odd jobs around the ground. A great effort! Janet said she was famous for her 'new potatoes with mint sauce' and there were piles of Mr Kiplings apple pies also available. The social scene on the boundary edge was top-notch and there were also non-cricket-lovers drinking inside the old clubhouse.

A 25-minute walk...and Birkby Nuffield's gorgeous Rose Hill ground came into view. Fortunately or unfortunately, their game had just finished against Denby Dale. A rout for the Nuffielders. The players were just getting into their cars with their huge cricket bags. The pavilion had been painted white over the close season because opposition cricketers objected to the blue! And some excellent new nets had been built. The Hussain brothers seem to be the main organisers and the elder sibling, Mushtaq, told me they had a vision and a plan for the future. They had set up a new junior team, established a proper committee, and even Mushtaq's wife was chipping in - preparing the teas at home every Saturday morning before a permanent tea lady (hopefully) gets to work. Mushtaq's younger brother happens to be my dentist - his surgery is on Queensgate, Huddersfield - and Mushtaq told me he was currently in Egypt but texting him every day to find out the Nuffield cricket news! My dentist friend also wears the best and most stylish Italian shoes this side of Milan.