From Hullen Edge to Hedge Top

Posted by Peter Davies

Elland v Micklehurst at Hullen Edge. A red hot afternoon and Elland's ground looking as gorgeous and expansive as ever. The FA Cup final was on in the bar so there were as many people in there as on the boundary edge - or so it seemed. Chelsea had just equalised Everton's first-minute goal and the scoreline was getting through to fielders on the boundary. There were posh fixture cards to pick up in the bar - and also official ECC ties to order if you were so inclined. Elland's workaholic tea lady said she catered every Saturday and Sunday - and even Bank Holiday Mondays. The business was hers - the money she made went to herself rather than the club. Elland CC VIP Denis Midwood was wearing a bright yellow t-shirt and looking very trim. He and others were handing out match programmes and collecting gate money - the first time in a long time I'd actually been asked for an admission fee at any local ground. £1.50 and very good value for that! It was possibly the hottest afternoon of the summer, so it was a good idea to shelter in the shade in front of the pavilion. Elland's junior coordinator, Adrian Finn, told me that the club's youth set-up had become increasingly important over the last decade. They had had the benefit of the input of ex-professional players such as Richard Blakey and Stuart Fletcher and the club also took advantage of the fact that, because of their geographical location, they could opt to play in Halifax or Huddersfield leagues depending on circumstances.

Then to Northowram for Hedge Top v Jer Lane and Fields v Batley - two matches for the price of one. At Hedge Top the batters were creaming the ball to all parts, with the home side's total approaching 400. A club record, some said. In the last few overs every ball almost was being dispatched to the fence or over it. Return to sender was the message etched on every mightily- hit cover drive or ferocious pull. Then Jer Lane were skittled out for a meagre score of around 100 - a game of two halves, as they say. Lots of spectators on the wall side of the ground, the views of Coley in the near distance and Huddersfield in the far distance sensational. The pavilion walls were adorned with Hedge Top teams past and present. The husband-and-wife catering team were in a friendly mood as they dispensed full teas and cups of tea. The pork pies and the yellow-coloured rice were very tasty...and that's not forgetting the custard pies! Huddersfield Phd student Dennis O'Keefe was talking churches and cricket on the sidelines - and he also managed to put away a couple of the custard delicacies.

Over the wall, Fields were going down to defeat rather meekly. Club officials were preparing for a BBQ and advertising their plans for a new village community centre - everything is in place, they said, but they're now working on the funding. Club president Peter Atkinson was ordering a pint in the pavilion, 'Mrs Cricket' Ann Greenwood was busying around, and the tea lady was making it be known that this was her debut in the kitchen! The bar sold J20s at £1.20 and all around the walls were framed coaching certificates. On Friday nights, the club has hundreds of local kids at junior practice. Hence the desire for better facilities. I usually wave to my friend Ian Rushworth fielding at gully when I arrive at Fields but he was away with the 2nd XI at Altofts. He's the sports editor of the Halifax Courier, so a good man to know!