Posted by Peter Davies
To Elland for the Anthony McGrath 20/20 testimonial year bonanza - or what we thought would be the Anthony McGrath 20/20 testimonial year bonanza! A notice greeted all those entering the Hullen Edge ground to the effect that McGrath's Yorkshire team had given backword and there was now no charge for the day's cricket - which would now comprise a 40- (not 20-) over game between the Huddersfield and Halifax leagues. Poor do! The McGrath event had been advertised widely and the Elland club felt very let down. Word had come through at 8.40pm the night before to the effect that McGrath and his boys wouldn't be showing up. Club officials looked very embarrassed with Stuart Fletcher trying to explain the situation to disgruntled folk. Elland had produced a nice programme, lots of food, and the no-show had inconvenienced them massively. The event was supposed to be raising money for McGrath's benefit year. 'He must already have enough money!' sighed various spectators near the clubhouse. McGrath and Co. had claimed that they needed some extra rest after consecutive days' county cricket and were fearful of players getting injured in a benefit game with the county struggling on the relegation front. But this explanation hadn't gone down very well. Elland had also hired a huge sound system which was churning out Eminem and Stereophonics every time there was a boundary or a wicket. It was far too loud! We stayed until tea, sampled some pasta twirls and yummy pizza - and then left.
At Hanging Heaton the Crowther Cup final was being played out in front of a good crowd in fine weather: Woodlands v Barnsley. The Bradford side chalked up 160 - and the South Yorkshire side reached their target in pretty comfortable fashion. Bennett Lane is one of my favourite grounds on account of the excellent facilities and the 22 tall, handsome trees at the far end of the ground. A great sight - and I love the fact that there are exactly 22, as if the cricketing gods decreed it! The food is also excellent. The club have a huge kitchen and dispense a variety of meals. My dad says it's the only place in the area where you are guaranteed to be able to order a good, hot square meal - seemingly at any time in the day. Today we had steak and onion pie, chips and peas, and for the rest of the day I could hardly walk it was that filling! Heaton also possess wonderful club stalwarts in Nat Lawrence and Mel Dearden - always very friendly and very chatty. Many Heavy Woollen League and Bradford League VIPs were in attendance and a very vocal set of Barnsley fans. A good stumping was executed by the Woodlands keeper and a few lusty blows by the middle-order Barnsley batters. One of the umpires, I overheard, lives in a house about 20 yards away from Barnsley's football ground. Headingley-based Professional Cricket Watcher Brian Sanderson was at the game - he had watched Scholes-Golcar on Saturday and was enjoying the Batley sun. He was sat, studiously, behind the bowler's arm at the pavilion end like the connoisseur of the game that he is.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Exhibition switch
The Cricket Heritage Project display about cricket in Dewsbury, which we donated to Ravensthorpe Library, has been found a temporary home at Garden Street Community Centre, Ravensthorpe, while Ravensthorpe Library is being re-developed. When the library re-opens, the display will move back to Ravensthorpe Library.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Cuppas and collisions
Posted by Peter Davies
A five-star afternoon! First, Kirkburton - cold and blustery but sunny. A second-team game against Skelmanthorpe and there was a strong Shat presence on the boundary edge. In the pavilion, club stalwarts Steve Ireland and Mike Nicholas were in evidence with everyone trying to keep up to speed with the Giants in their Wembley final against Warrington Wolves (not good news for the locals). I had a new camera which I was testing out - about as big as a mobile phone, slimline, with a top-notch zoom facility. The results were good - with video to experiment with at a later date. Tea was early because of Skelmanthorpe's poor batting display and even so the head tea lady was in good spirits. I enjoyed a cheese sandwich with salad accessories (including a rather bolognese-esque pasta dish). The tea lady was in such a buoyant mood that she was handing out free egg custard slices (with chocolate trim). Kirkburton's ground somehow feels quite a long way from the centre of the village - the greenery and the handsome church tower offer the visitor a very attractive scene.
At Lepton it was very windy with Rastrick the visitors. It always seems to be when I go there - it always feels very exposed. The views from the Wakefield Road ground are exceptional and the new pavilion - shared with the footballers - is exquisite in a very modern, state-of-the-art way. The scorebox also seemed to be new. The football results were coming in, the Giants having lost, and Liverpool had just gone 3-2 up against Bolton. A couple of windswept strolls round the boundary and I'd had enough so off we went to Dalton & Edgerton, based high up in Dalton amid lots of roads with Lake District-themed names - Coniston, Buttermere etc. Again, more wind and blustery conditions - at a ground that is very high with some amazing panoramas out over Huddersfield town centre and Leeds Road. Denby were the visitors but it was teatime when we arrived and not a soul could be seen. So I wandered in the tea room - for the first time ever - and got the impression it was shared with the local bowling club. The sole tea lady on duty was working hard, with cuppas appearing at regular intervals and the D&E players on good form in one corner of the room. There were some framed photos of the old Dalton CC on display and a rather cute bar in the far corner. Sandwiches and a variety of sweets were on offer - jam tarts and a variety of choclatey delicacies. I kept asking if D&E legend Johnny Bradbury was around but he had seemingly stayed at home to watch the Giants in the comfort of his living room. He turned up just as we were leaving. A true legend. If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be a club.
We headed for Brighouse, one of our favourite grounds, mainly because of its superb new clubhouse. The game had finished so we sped to Rastrick, where their match was coming to a close with them trying to defend 150 or so. They did so - just - but it was a close call. The evening was drawing in and autumn felt just around the corner as we watched the action from outside the pavilion. It also got cold. The pavilion was a hive of activity with lots of punters knocking about and at least two people serving behind the bar. I took some photos of some of the framed photos on the wall and took a slight interest in the 'leftovers' that were now going for free on the long table by the windows. The egg mayo slices and the mini-sausage rolls were particularly appealing! Out on the boundary, Rastrick veteran John Edge was having a torrid time - dropping two chances and then colliding with a young Rastrick player while trying to field the ball (think Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie). The young lad was OK but it looked nasty.
We skirted past Badger Hill - game over - and ended up at Elland, where the 1st XI fixture against Scholes was reaching a climax, in the visitors' favour. Again cold and dark but plenty of chatter among the Scholes fielders. We tried Blackley on the way back into Huddersfield but game over there too.
A five-star afternoon! First, Kirkburton - cold and blustery but sunny. A second-team game against Skelmanthorpe and there was a strong Shat presence on the boundary edge. In the pavilion, club stalwarts Steve Ireland and Mike Nicholas were in evidence with everyone trying to keep up to speed with the Giants in their Wembley final against Warrington Wolves (not good news for the locals). I had a new camera which I was testing out - about as big as a mobile phone, slimline, with a top-notch zoom facility. The results were good - with video to experiment with at a later date. Tea was early because of Skelmanthorpe's poor batting display and even so the head tea lady was in good spirits. I enjoyed a cheese sandwich with salad accessories (including a rather bolognese-esque pasta dish). The tea lady was in such a buoyant mood that she was handing out free egg custard slices (with chocolate trim). Kirkburton's ground somehow feels quite a long way from the centre of the village - the greenery and the handsome church tower offer the visitor a very attractive scene.
At Lepton it was very windy with Rastrick the visitors. It always seems to be when I go there - it always feels very exposed. The views from the Wakefield Road ground are exceptional and the new pavilion - shared with the footballers - is exquisite in a very modern, state-of-the-art way. The scorebox also seemed to be new. The football results were coming in, the Giants having lost, and Liverpool had just gone 3-2 up against Bolton. A couple of windswept strolls round the boundary and I'd had enough so off we went to Dalton & Edgerton, based high up in Dalton amid lots of roads with Lake District-themed names - Coniston, Buttermere etc. Again, more wind and blustery conditions - at a ground that is very high with some amazing panoramas out over Huddersfield town centre and Leeds Road. Denby were the visitors but it was teatime when we arrived and not a soul could be seen. So I wandered in the tea room - for the first time ever - and got the impression it was shared with the local bowling club. The sole tea lady on duty was working hard, with cuppas appearing at regular intervals and the D&E players on good form in one corner of the room. There were some framed photos of the old Dalton CC on display and a rather cute bar in the far corner. Sandwiches and a variety of sweets were on offer - jam tarts and a variety of choclatey delicacies. I kept asking if D&E legend Johnny Bradbury was around but he had seemingly stayed at home to watch the Giants in the comfort of his living room. He turned up just as we were leaving. A true legend. If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be a club.
We headed for Brighouse, one of our favourite grounds, mainly because of its superb new clubhouse. The game had finished so we sped to Rastrick, where their match was coming to a close with them trying to defend 150 or so. They did so - just - but it was a close call. The evening was drawing in and autumn felt just around the corner as we watched the action from outside the pavilion. It also got cold. The pavilion was a hive of activity with lots of punters knocking about and at least two people serving behind the bar. I took some photos of some of the framed photos on the wall and took a slight interest in the 'leftovers' that were now going for free on the long table by the windows. The egg mayo slices and the mini-sausage rolls were particularly appealing! Out on the boundary, Rastrick veteran John Edge was having a torrid time - dropping two chances and then colliding with a young Rastrick player while trying to field the ball (think Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie). The young lad was OK but it looked nasty.
We skirted past Badger Hill - game over - and ended up at Elland, where the 1st XI fixture against Scholes was reaching a climax, in the visitors' favour. Again cold and dark but plenty of chatter among the Scholes fielders. We tried Blackley on the way back into Huddersfield but game over there too.
Project news
Posted by Peter Davies
We've had contact recently with some interesting people:
- Nigel Stockley of the lancashireleague.com website is (hopefully) creating a Lancashire League heritage museum, maybe in Oswaldtwistle. So we have passed onto him a set of display boards we inherited from Brian Heywood - which told the history of the league and were originally housed in a Lancashire exhibition venue (and which might have been thrown out if Brian hadn't rescued them).
- Just before the Leeds Test match, we were contacted by the organisation which was planning a huge Ashes-themed cricket festival in Millennium Square, Leeds. They wanted to borrow an 'old-fashioned' cricket scoreboard from a local club to use at the festival.
- We've also been asked to help Blackley Ladies CC fix up some extra fixtures - from contacts we've made through the project.
We've had contact recently with some interesting people:
- Nigel Stockley of the lancashireleague.com website is (hopefully) creating a Lancashire League heritage museum, maybe in Oswaldtwistle. So we have passed onto him a set of display boards we inherited from Brian Heywood - which told the history of the league and were originally housed in a Lancashire exhibition venue (and which might have been thrown out if Brian hadn't rescued them).
- Just before the Leeds Test match, we were contacted by the organisation which was planning a huge Ashes-themed cricket festival in Millennium Square, Leeds. They wanted to borrow an 'old-fashioned' cricket scoreboard from a local club to use at the festival.
- We've also been asked to help Blackley Ladies CC fix up some extra fixtures - from contacts we've made through the project.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Cricket Diary 2009 - Another Saturday, another league
Mulgrave cricket club (above)and Castleton cricket club (below)
Posted by Tony Hutton
Saturday 15th August - Eskdale Cricket League.
Another window of opportunity opens following a recent trip to Whitby with the family on a non-cricketing day (yes, such a thing does exist, however rarely). My wife and sister in law decide on another trip there this time to sample the shops. So after doing some research about the Eskdale Cricket League, including some valuable information and league handbook from secretary Alan Thompson, off we go into the unknown again.
After a roller coaster ride in convoy over the North Yorkshire Moors from KirbyMoorside to Castleton, a major village in the dale, and a very pleasant pub lunch we go our separate ways.
The ground at Castleton is a large one, in the valley bottom, and I assume probably the best as the local cup final is held there. I have a feeling that groundsman par excellance Keith Boyce started his long career here, before moving on to Middlesborough (then a county ground), Headingley and his present post at New Rover in Leeds.
Great scenery, a running stream, a pub and even a railway station are in close proximity to the ground. Castleton are playing near neighbours Danby which does not seem to have aroused much local passion certainly at the start of the game anyway. The handful of spectators include quite a few tourists in what is popular walking country in the North Yorkshire Moors national park.
However a tight schedule awaits if I am to meet my early evening deadline. So on to Lealholm where Alan Thompson lives. However we could not arrange to meet this time round as he is umpiring the game. His very precise directions bring my to within earshot of the game - bat on ball and a few appeals. However the final direction 'go through a garden gate' is like a multiple choice question. Several garden gates obviously just lead into gardens, but soon I found the right one where the path sidesteps a garden with a left and a right into an alleyway which brings you out alongside the pavilion.
The ground itself is ringed with trees, a bit more shut in than Castleton which has open vistas on both sides, but none the worse for that. Lealholm are playing Grosmont the busy village nearer the coast which sees the junction of the two railway lines which serve the area, one of them the privately run North Yorkshire Moors line from Pickering. Runs seem to be flowing a bit more quickly here but soon time to move on again to Glaisdale.
This proves to be yet another valley bottom ground almost next to the well known Beggars Bridge, an old packhorse bridge, and again adjacent to the railway station. My friend Brian Senior may well do all these grounds at some future date by train. Glaisdale are playing the
quaintly named Fryup, which is a side dale off the main valley and a place for further exploration another time. Rumour has it that their ground is rather basic and probably just a farmer's field but no doubt in wonderful scenery. What I did not find out until some time after the event was that I was watching history in the making. Fryup's batsmen certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves but eventually from the website of the Whitby Gazette I discovered that a record score had been made.
Fryup's Andy Raw opened the innings and lost his opening partner for a duck to the second ball of the match. He then proceded to to make a club record score, and probably a league record score, of 214. He batted for the full 40 overs, hitting 15 sixes and 20 fours. It sounds to me that he should be playing in a higher grade of cricket, particularly as he took eight wickets for no runs earlier in the season. Apparently he also took all ten wickets a few seasons ago.
Onwards and upwards up a steep hill and a brief flirtation with the main Whitby to Middlesborough road, until the turn off for another unusual name - the village of Ugthorpe.
Again Mr Thompson's directions are immaculate, with ample parking on a wide grass verge.
Entering the gate to a very big open field you realise that you are in fact on a hill top rather than in a valley and there is a marvellous view across the fields to the sea in the distance. Wickets fall rapidly during my visit and the first innings ends. So it must be getting near tea time.
Another few miles down the lane bring me to the village of Lythe, again on the hill top above the seaside village of Sandsend, adjacent to the large Mulgrave estate. Indeed the village team is known as Mulgrave and they are entertaining Goathland, the village which has become famous from the TV series 'Heartbeat'. Their fame does them no good as they are bowled out for 127.
The ground is only two seasons old, a grand palatial new pavilion serves both village cricket and football teams. An excellent playing area too with lots of space. The sun shines with a strong breeze, almost a gale off the sea. A gentleman who has lived in the village all his life told my how the first match of the season was played in a hail storm in April. Soon after that when all the other teams played, their game was abandoned due a thick sea fret where the visibility made it improssible to play.
So a splendid introduction to a new league, which doesn't get much publicity but which is obviously well run, very competitive with lots of local derbies and all in such admirable scenery.
There are only eleven teams so one of them has a day off every week, but certainly one I will return to next season for some further exploration.
The Alternative Ashes in verse
Posted by Tony Hutton
This may be a little out of sequence in the grand scale of things, but obviously yesterday's events deserve some special treatment.
The umpire's practising his swing, third man's perfecting his putts,
Ian Bell looks a little bit nervous, but KP has sent out for some nuts.
Bopera's gone to the opera, where Strauss is composing again,
Colly's gone racing at Blaydon, while Freddie plays on through the pain.
Everything comes without Onions, so Johnathan's gone to the trots
and Harmie's gone home for his tea, where Anderson's cracking no pots.
Getting ready to be night-watchman, he's even been out for a duck.
Swanny's been sold down the river, by a letter from Alastair Cook.
With runs and wickets galore, a new hero emerges in Broad,
just forget all those MBEs, they might even make him a Lord.
Monty's not even playing but Prior, the man no one loves,
has at the end of the season got one to stick in his gloves.
The day get's longer and longer and we're all going around the bend,
when the Aussies collapse and those Ashes come back home in the end.
This may be a little out of sequence in the grand scale of things, but obviously yesterday's events deserve some special treatment.
The umpire's practising his swing, third man's perfecting his putts,
Ian Bell looks a little bit nervous, but KP has sent out for some nuts.
Bopera's gone to the opera, where Strauss is composing again,
Colly's gone racing at Blaydon, while Freddie plays on through the pain.
Everything comes without Onions, so Johnathan's gone to the trots
and Harmie's gone home for his tea, where Anderson's cracking no pots.
Getting ready to be night-watchman, he's even been out for a duck.
Swanny's been sold down the river, by a letter from Alastair Cook.
With runs and wickets galore, a new hero emerges in Broad,
just forget all those MBEs, they might even make him a Lord.
Monty's not even playing but Prior, the man no one loves,
has at the end of the season got one to stick in his gloves.
The day get's longer and longer and we're all going around the bend,
when the Aussies collapse and those Ashes come back home in the end.
Cricket Diary 2009 - A real mixed bag
Stainborough v MCC (top), Middleton Tyas (middle) and Eryholme (below)
Posted by Tony Hutton
Tuesday 4th August - Yorkshire under 17s v Cheshire under 17s (Hullen Edge, Elland)
Not a game of any great memories or indeed individual performances but important in terms of the result which meant that the Yorkshire side qualified for the nation semi-finals of this one day cup competition.
Yorkshire opened steadily with Calum Geldart and the younger of the two Root brothers, Billy.
The laid a sound foundation but apart from Alex Lees who top scored with 47 the others never really found the momentum for a big score and they settled for 207-8 off 50 overs.
Cheshire also batted confidently but not particularly quickly, loosing wickets at regular intervals and it wasn't until a rain interruption reduced their target to 183 in 44 overs, that they seemed to be in with a chance. In the end they fell only nine runs short.
During the rain interval one or two of us left for pastures new and arrived at Spen Victoria, where another Lord's Taverners under 15 game was just resuming after rain there. Another delightful ground, with good raised vantage points and excellent refreshment facilities which would satisfy even the galloping gourmet Peter Davies.
Bradford under 15s bowled out Halifax for only 115 and knocked them off to win by seven wickets. A young man by the name of Kang scoring an impressive 88 not out, but nobody seemed to know who he was.
Wednesday 5th August - Stainborough v MCC and Yorkshire under 17s v Cheshire under 17s at Clifton Lane, Rotherham - day 1 of 2.
Another wet and showery morning which resulted in a change of plan around lunchtime. Along with Brian Senior we set off intending to make a brief stop at Stainborough, who were celebrating their 150th anniversary with a game against MCC befofe moving on down the motorway for an afternoon at Worksop College where Notts 2nd XI were playing Durham.
The first bit went according to plan. Despite some light drizzle we were welcomed at the gate with a complimentary programme , which not only listed the teams but gave an interesting history of the club. In addition play started on time at 11.30 with team photographs taken,
refreshments available and everything very well organized. So after an hour or so we left rather reluctantly to press on to Worksop.
Here we were greeted with a sad site. Covers still on after heavy overnight rain and a half-hearted attempt at mopping up on the edges of the square going on. Brian decided to partake of the school dinners, while I had my picnic in the car, but the prospects were still poor, with lots of head shaking from the ground staff.. So we decided to try our luck elsewhere and headed for
Rotherham.
Here at the ground shared with Rotherham Rugby Union club the sun was shining and the two day game in the under 17s county championship was in full swing. As on Monday Cheshire batted consistently, but seemed to feel unhappy with one or two umpiring decisions. One young man was heard to say 'You can tell were playing in Yorkshire'.
Thanks to a fine second spell from opening bowler Moin Ashraf, who took 5-22, the tail did not last long and Cheshire were all out for 223. The following day Yorkshire managed to get first innings points thanks to a century from captain Geldart, but did not manage sufficient bonus points in the second innings to qualify for the national play off final.
Although we were not there on day 2 it apparently ended with Cheshire declaring and leaving Yorkshire the unlikely target of 100 runs off only six overs to achieve the number of points they required. They did make a very creditable 76-5 in that time, but sadly not enough.
Saturday 8th August - Darlington and District cricket league.
This is a league I knew nothing about at the start of the season. When viewed from afar Darlington is probably a town most people associate with railways and industry. In fact this league not only straddles both sides of the Tees, i.e. North Yorkshire and Durham, but contains some of the most picturesque village grounds you could wish to see. After a brief foray earlier in the season to such places as Raby Castle, Aldborough St John and Cliffe, which are all paradise for photographers, I decided to extend my knowledge with a few more grounds today.
So in just under an hour's drive up the A1 arrived at the starting point of Scotch corner. For those of you with knowledge of the motorway services here you will see a sign before you turn into the service area to Middleton Tyas. Go through the village and turn left towards Barton (another ground there by the way). On the right hand side you turn into the grounds of Middleton Lodge. You will find a beautiful tree-lined ground, with cattle grazing at the far end, a perfectly rural scene such a short distance from the busy A1 and it's roaring traffic. Wickets fell
regularly in what was to be a low scoring game, the home side 118 all out winning by 42 runs.
Back into the village, turn left and head for Croft-on-Tees home of a motor racing circuit.
Cross the river and turn immediately right, follow the road round to a tree lined avenue on the right where you will find the ground of Rockcliffe Park cricket club, which is adjacent to the Middlesborough FC training grounds. Again still very rural with lots of trees on the pavilion side of the ground, but much house building taking place in the vicinity. Still a good place to watch cricket. Runs a plenty being scored by the home side against local rivals Middleton St George.
Back over the bridge, heading south towards Northallerton, until you see a left turn signposted Eryholme. Having studied the map to find the ground, I could see this road was a dead end and the ground itself was situated in one of the huge loops of the River Tees. So it proved through a quiet village with no shops or pub, just a small church, until you eventually arrive at a closed and gated bridge across the Tees no longer in use. Keep going just a little while longer, past a sign that ominously says 'Ford only' and you arrive at this long narrow ground bordered by the tree lined Tees on one side and fields of crops on the other.
Runs were being scored at a rapid rate by the visitors. Aldborough St John, with long delays while the ball was retrieved from the farmer's fields. Later research revealed that Eryholme were bottom of the league and the visitors ran up the impressive score of 319-5, with their opening batsman, J. Stapleton making 128 not out. Needless to say Eryholme came a bad second, but a place to savour all the same. This really was cricket off the beaten track with a vengence.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Cricket diary 2009 - catching up
Yorkshire Gentlemen v Free Foresters (team picture) and Ampleforth College
Posted by Tony Hutton
Is it really a month since I last contributed to this blog ? Sadly real life, in it's various guises, together with a spell of monsoon like weather at the end of last month have stopped the flow of cricket reports. However today's amazing Ashes victory has prompted me to resume action.
Friday 24th July - County Under 15 competition at Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire.
One of the highlights of any cricket season is a visit to Ampleforth set in marvellous countryside with great facilities for sport of all descriptions, notably four cricket grounds. During this Under 15 week, eight county sides do battle with four matches being played simultaneously each day.
It is so enjoyable that it is hard to criticise the organisers, the London Schools Cricket Association, but there always seem to be a communication problem with the large number of parents, grandparents, friends and professional cricket watchers.
Only very few programmes are printed and unless you are there on the Monday morning little chance of getting one, as we discovered on arrival on the very last day of the week. However we managed to find a rather battered and written on copy at the refreshment stall manned by two girl students, who had made copious notes about the charms or otherwise of some of the young cricketers in the margins.
Some having found out what was going on (in more ways than one) we discovered Durham were playing Notts in the final on the main ground. Notts have a good track record here but this time they were outplayed by Durham who won comfortably by seven wickets with five overs to spare.
The other most competitive match was between London Schools and Cambridgshire, appearing for the first time. This was a low scoring game but fluctuated one way and then the other before London schools tailenders took them to 131-8 to win by two wickets.
The other two games were between Yorkshire's B side and Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan and Cheshire against Cleveland, but we were unable to stay long enough to get the results of these two games.
The luncheon interval brought a bonus with a drive down the hill through the veritable forest of rugby posts (no idea how many pitches there must be) to the nearby village of Gilling East.
The first attraction was the village pub which provided an excellent and importantly a quickly served lunch, despite the large number of diners.
We then crossed the road to the attractive church to enable my travelling companions to see the story about Prince Ranjitsinhji amd his connection with Gilling Castle, now the Ampleforth prep school, which I reported on earlier in the season.
By the middle of the following week the monsoons had set in, so nothing at all to report until Saturday 1st August - Adel v Green Lane (Airedale and Wharfedale League)
It rained so heavily that by early afternoon I had given up all hope of seeing any cricket. However it did stop briefly about three o'clock so I set off to collect some things from the cleaners. As I passed my local club the players emerged in whites to remove the covers.
So of course I pulled in and to my amazement saw them start to play. Just as I did, of course, it started to rain again, so I watched one over with the windscreen wipers on and saw Green Lane progress to seven for no wicket. After that one over they all left the field never to return!
So I went about my business and spent the remainder of the day indoors. Later press reports stated match abandoned, but I and one or two others are claiming this as a one over match, which we saw in it's entirity.
Sunday 2nd August - St Chad's v Barwick in Elmet (Fred Fleetwood Cup semi-final)
Fortunately the weather took a turn for the better and we had a full match, although it must be said not of a very high quality. That didn't matter the weather was good and we were entertained by Michael Bourne for most of the afternoon.
For the record Barwick made 184 and St Chad's subsided to 99 all out. Shame about the cricket, but a friendly and hospitable club made for a nice atmosphere under the shadow of the church, with the clock striking the hours and a village green sort of feel about the whole occasion.
Monday 3rd August - Yorkshire Gentlemen v Free Foresters day 2 (Escrick Park) and Pontefract Under 15s v York Under 15s at Fishlake.
A rather strange day wandering around the byways north and south of Selby to find a match between two teams of gentlemen in hooped caps and striped blazers already into it's second day.
A lovely ground, but cricket not of the best although the game did produce some unusual scores.
Both team in fact declared their first innings at 194-4. The home side were then dismissed for 194 in their second innings.
Unfortunately the perfect tie did not ensue as the Free Forester were all out for 175 to lose by 19 runs. The final details were obtained from the Yorkshire Gentlemen's excellent website, which revealed yet another eccentricity. The full scores and bowling analysis of each player were given, but only of the home side. So no mention was made of the opposition performances at all except for the total scores. A very strange method of doing things, but perhaps it is just one of those old traditions.
Then for something rather different through the old mining village of Askern to the rather remote flatlands village of Fishlake, a place I had not visited before. One of series of games going on throughout Yorkshire all week in the local Lord's Taverners Tropy under 15 competition was taking place. The visitors York put up a good score of 207-8 in their 45 overs, hitting powerfully at the end, but the home side, Pontefract, then subsided for only 118. Good cricket and great enthusiasm all round make this a compeition well worth watching.
One of the many parents attending told me he had two sons playing, one a pace bowler and the other a spinner. Great rivalry between the two of course, the quickie having to bowl against the best batsman not getting too many wickets and the spinner getting a few by bowling against the tailenders.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Coffins and vanilla slices
Posted by Peter Davies
Friday 21 August
To Altofts CC with Yorkshire Cricket Board's Tony Bowry to help at the club's Clubmark presentation. A great privilege to be involved - with Yorkshire Cricket Board coach Steve Archer also in attendance. Really nice do with plenty of club people on hand and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Wakefield also present. Altofts is a small mining community almost on the hard shoulder of the M1 and it is obviously a major achievement to gain Clubmark accreditation. The club tea lady put on a special buffet which included mini-sausage rolls and pasties, quiche, sandwiches and salad - plus some amazing mini-vanilla slices for dessert. The pavilion had Sky Sports so everyone was able to keep in touch with England's sensational day in the Test - with Australia bowled out for 160!
Saturday 22 August
Meltham v Clayton West at a sun-drenched, but fairly spectator-less, Mean Lane. Not many folk around at all. Maybe they were all watching the Test match at home or at the football somewhere. The home side were coming to the end of their innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals. In the clubhouse England were on the verge of declaring against Australia in the deciding Oval Test - 500-odd ahead. Were the Ashes about to be regained? One TV was showing the cricket; the other Gillette Soccer Saturday. That's what you get at a well-appointed club - two different TV channels on view! I bumped into a few MCC VIPs including Ian Shaw (watching the Test), Roger Peaker (moving around) and his wife (masterminding the catering operation). Just enough time for a cup of excellent tea and a nibble at a butterfly cake. The flapjack and the fruit cake also looked superb! (There also seemed to be a huge cavernous dish of trifle that I did not dare to make a start on given that the players were due in for their tea any minute!). Ex-Golcar stalwart Dave Robinson was waiting to bat in front of the pavilion and Mark Firth - a CW committee man - was fielding on the boundary near the clubhouse. A very nice 20 minutes - with Meltham Moor and Castle Hill looking imperious on the horizon.
Deja vu at Linthwaite. Last Saturday there was no game on - and today too, with players getting in their cars at 4.15pm with their big cricket coffins. Game over against Kexborough! So we sat and admired the view - with no batters or bowlers to watch! Down the road at Leymoor there was action aplenty. Loads of spectators by the pub, drinking, chatting and making lots of noise on the boundary edge. Edgerton & Dalton were the visitors. They were chasing the home side's total when we arrived after tea and doing so very effectively. One ball went straight into the pub car park; others rocketed to the boundary. Real exhibition stuff and because the pub is so close to the playing area you really feel involved in the action sitting on the boundary edge. In fact, there wasn't much seating to be had...so three of us had to sit on a bench that was noticeably wonky! The ground looked great, with fielders on the boundary edge getting plenty of abuse from the (very merry) spectators sitting outside the pub. Very entertaining. I even nipped into the pub for a beef and onion sandwich - very tasty indeed.
Friday 21 August
To Altofts CC with Yorkshire Cricket Board's Tony Bowry to help at the club's Clubmark presentation. A great privilege to be involved - with Yorkshire Cricket Board coach Steve Archer also in attendance. Really nice do with plenty of club people on hand and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Wakefield also present. Altofts is a small mining community almost on the hard shoulder of the M1 and it is obviously a major achievement to gain Clubmark accreditation. The club tea lady put on a special buffet which included mini-sausage rolls and pasties, quiche, sandwiches and salad - plus some amazing mini-vanilla slices for dessert. The pavilion had Sky Sports so everyone was able to keep in touch with England's sensational day in the Test - with Australia bowled out for 160!
Saturday 22 August
Meltham v Clayton West at a sun-drenched, but fairly spectator-less, Mean Lane. Not many folk around at all. Maybe they were all watching the Test match at home or at the football somewhere. The home side were coming to the end of their innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals. In the clubhouse England were on the verge of declaring against Australia in the deciding Oval Test - 500-odd ahead. Were the Ashes about to be regained? One TV was showing the cricket; the other Gillette Soccer Saturday. That's what you get at a well-appointed club - two different TV channels on view! I bumped into a few MCC VIPs including Ian Shaw (watching the Test), Roger Peaker (moving around) and his wife (masterminding the catering operation). Just enough time for a cup of excellent tea and a nibble at a butterfly cake. The flapjack and the fruit cake also looked superb! (There also seemed to be a huge cavernous dish of trifle that I did not dare to make a start on given that the players were due in for their tea any minute!). Ex-Golcar stalwart Dave Robinson was waiting to bat in front of the pavilion and Mark Firth - a CW committee man - was fielding on the boundary near the clubhouse. A very nice 20 minutes - with Meltham Moor and Castle Hill looking imperious on the horizon.
Deja vu at Linthwaite. Last Saturday there was no game on - and today too, with players getting in their cars at 4.15pm with their big cricket coffins. Game over against Kexborough! So we sat and admired the view - with no batters or bowlers to watch! Down the road at Leymoor there was action aplenty. Loads of spectators by the pub, drinking, chatting and making lots of noise on the boundary edge. Edgerton & Dalton were the visitors. They were chasing the home side's total when we arrived after tea and doing so very effectively. One ball went straight into the pub car park; others rocketed to the boundary. Real exhibition stuff and because the pub is so close to the playing area you really feel involved in the action sitting on the boundary edge. In fact, there wasn't much seating to be had...so three of us had to sit on a bench that was noticeably wonky! The ground looked great, with fielders on the boundary edge getting plenty of abuse from the (very merry) spectators sitting outside the pub. Very entertaining. I even nipped into the pub for a beef and onion sandwich - very tasty indeed.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Windy village
Posted by Peter Davies
Sunday 16 August
The Halifax League Crossley Shield final at Stones CC. A disastrous 'scenic route' to Ripponden was taken - hence a later-than-expected arrival at 3.10pm. The Ryburn Valley was looking raw, austere and also beautiful as we journeyed from Huddersfield via Scammonden to Barkisland and finally Ripponden. Stones is high in the clouds and the club had been building up to their big day for months. And everything was great apart from the weather which was outrageously blustery. If Chicago is Windy City, Stones is now officially Windy Village! Warley batted first and scored 200. The attendance was around 300 with many folk huddled near the newly renovated clubhouse and on the adjacent boundary (with many thick warm blankets in evidence!).
There were many highlights. First the PA announcer, Peter McDonnell, Stones CC chairman. Throughout the afternoon his voice could be heard over the PA saying things like, 'And coming on to bowl, good old Johnny Moore'. He was part PA announcer, part Test Match Special commentator. The coup de grace came with two overs to go in the Warley innings: 'And coming up - the penultimate over, and that's a word I had to look up in a dictionary!' Liverpudlian wit at its best! The teatime food was also sensational: a buffet which included several types of meat, pasta and rice, beetroot salad, mini-pasties and pork pies plus an array of Indian delicacies and some gorgous brands of bread. For dessert, fruit salad on a stick (a la kebabs), scones, pavlova, some huge wedges of chocolate cake and many other items. Truly wonderful. So good I shook the head tea lady's hand as I left the clubhouse!
The afternoon was very well organised with Halifax League officials in special assigned roles, all club officials wearing designer name badges, and lots of helpful signage. The rain started to come as we left around 6pm. Liverpool had just gone 2-1 down to Spurs on the car radio and Usain Bolt was hours away from another 100m world record. Stones is a small place and the cricket club is the only sign of civilisation for miles around. A really excellent venue for a big final, with Triangle coming out on top in the end.
Sunday 16 August
The Halifax League Crossley Shield final at Stones CC. A disastrous 'scenic route' to Ripponden was taken - hence a later-than-expected arrival at 3.10pm. The Ryburn Valley was looking raw, austere and also beautiful as we journeyed from Huddersfield via Scammonden to Barkisland and finally Ripponden. Stones is high in the clouds and the club had been building up to their big day for months. And everything was great apart from the weather which was outrageously blustery. If Chicago is Windy City, Stones is now officially Windy Village! Warley batted first and scored 200. The attendance was around 300 with many folk huddled near the newly renovated clubhouse and on the adjacent boundary (with many thick warm blankets in evidence!).
There were many highlights. First the PA announcer, Peter McDonnell, Stones CC chairman. Throughout the afternoon his voice could be heard over the PA saying things like, 'And coming on to bowl, good old Johnny Moore'. He was part PA announcer, part Test Match Special commentator. The coup de grace came with two overs to go in the Warley innings: 'And coming up - the penultimate over, and that's a word I had to look up in a dictionary!' Liverpudlian wit at its best! The teatime food was also sensational: a buffet which included several types of meat, pasta and rice, beetroot salad, mini-pasties and pork pies plus an array of Indian delicacies and some gorgous brands of bread. For dessert, fruit salad on a stick (a la kebabs), scones, pavlova, some huge wedges of chocolate cake and many other items. Truly wonderful. So good I shook the head tea lady's hand as I left the clubhouse!
The afternoon was very well organised with Halifax League officials in special assigned roles, all club officials wearing designer name badges, and lots of helpful signage. The rain started to come as we left around 6pm. Liverpool had just gone 2-1 down to Spurs on the car radio and Usain Bolt was hours away from another 100m world record. Stones is a small place and the cricket club is the only sign of civilisation for miles around. A really excellent venue for a big final, with Triangle coming out on top in the end.
Moonrakers and cuckoos
Posted by Peter Davies
Saturday 15 August
A Colne Valley journey. At Linthwaite for some reason there was no cricket when we arrived. Too much morning rain or a blank day on the fixture calendar? Not quite sure. Anyway the Manchester Road playing surface was in fine condition and looked a picture. At Slaithwaite the visitors were Skelmanthorpe. The home side were in the middle of a dramatic batting collapse and only veteran Chris Payne looked as if he was determined to stay around. But even he fell late on and looked very annoyed with himself as he made his way back to the pavilion. More than at any other ground I always feel like I'm going to walk behind the bowler's arm at Slaithwaite - and this I almost did on several occasions again at the bowling green end. Even when I'm so conscious of it - bizarre! Tea was being prepared in the Slaithwaite tea room - a very tradional affair with lots of salad accessories and some gorgeous, slightly ornate cake stands on display. The beef and onion rolls were very tasty and the cups of tea being dispensed spot-on. In the bar the barmaid on duty was dealing in beer, sandwiches and also pies. Lots of punters in and around - playing snooker, watching Gillette Soccer Saturday on the first day of the new Premiership season, and also keeping an eye on the cricket. The afternoon was now bright with plenty of blue sky. Hill Top looked in fine fettle and the new (and controversial) housing estate looked on from above.
At Marsden, Lepton were in town. The home side were batting and coming to the end of their innings. The views down the Colne Valley were at their awe-inspiring best - Pule Hill round to Scapegoat Hill. There were three tea ladies on duty - with a variety of sandwiches, some gorgeous-looking potato salad and plenty of varied cakes and buns on display. Marsden were building up to a big day the following day - the Paddock Shield final against Scholes, with the hope for good weather and plenty of spectators. But also fears that Pennine weather at its most raw might also play a part! Plenty of stories were doing the rounds in the clubhouse: of the Australian junior touring team who only recently rated Hemplow as one of their favourite grounds in the whole of the UK; of Phil Mustard's recent batting exploits for Lepton Highlanders - on the back of a deal with Colman's (get it??); and of Dickie Bird being very aware of Marsden's picturesque ground and its notorious summer climate! Marsden's bowlers were also doing their stuff on the adjacent green while the cricketers were in action. An MCC official told me that it would be beneficial and advantageous if the four Hemplow clubs - cricket, bowling, tennis and golf - talked to each other more, but as of yet this wasn't happening. Raffle tickets were being sold in the pavilion, Championship football was being screened on the TV in the bar, and just as we left the rains came down - another reminder of that distinctive Marsden weather.
Saturday 15 August
A Colne Valley journey. At Linthwaite for some reason there was no cricket when we arrived. Too much morning rain or a blank day on the fixture calendar? Not quite sure. Anyway the Manchester Road playing surface was in fine condition and looked a picture. At Slaithwaite the visitors were Skelmanthorpe. The home side were in the middle of a dramatic batting collapse and only veteran Chris Payne looked as if he was determined to stay around. But even he fell late on and looked very annoyed with himself as he made his way back to the pavilion. More than at any other ground I always feel like I'm going to walk behind the bowler's arm at Slaithwaite - and this I almost did on several occasions again at the bowling green end. Even when I'm so conscious of it - bizarre! Tea was being prepared in the Slaithwaite tea room - a very tradional affair with lots of salad accessories and some gorgeous, slightly ornate cake stands on display. The beef and onion rolls were very tasty and the cups of tea being dispensed spot-on. In the bar the barmaid on duty was dealing in beer, sandwiches and also pies. Lots of punters in and around - playing snooker, watching Gillette Soccer Saturday on the first day of the new Premiership season, and also keeping an eye on the cricket. The afternoon was now bright with plenty of blue sky. Hill Top looked in fine fettle and the new (and controversial) housing estate looked on from above.
At Marsden, Lepton were in town. The home side were batting and coming to the end of their innings. The views down the Colne Valley were at their awe-inspiring best - Pule Hill round to Scapegoat Hill. There were three tea ladies on duty - with a variety of sandwiches, some gorgeous-looking potato salad and plenty of varied cakes and buns on display. Marsden were building up to a big day the following day - the Paddock Shield final against Scholes, with the hope for good weather and plenty of spectators. But also fears that Pennine weather at its most raw might also play a part! Plenty of stories were doing the rounds in the clubhouse: of the Australian junior touring team who only recently rated Hemplow as one of their favourite grounds in the whole of the UK; of Phil Mustard's recent batting exploits for Lepton Highlanders - on the back of a deal with Colman's (get it??); and of Dickie Bird being very aware of Marsden's picturesque ground and its notorious summer climate! Marsden's bowlers were also doing their stuff on the adjacent green while the cricketers were in action. An MCC official told me that it would be beneficial and advantageous if the four Hemplow clubs - cricket, bowling, tennis and golf - talked to each other more, but as of yet this wasn't happening. Raffle tickets were being sold in the pavilion, Championship football was being screened on the TV in the bar, and just as we left the rains came down - another reminder of that distinctive Marsden weather.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Golcar glory
Posted by Peter Davies
Sunday 9 August
The Sykes Cup final at Honley between Golcar and Elland - two heavyweights of the Huddersfield League. Far End Lane was bathed in sunshine for most of the day and estimates put the crowd figure at anything between 300 and 1,500! The playing area was ringed with spectators, with the Golcar crew by the pavilion making plenty of noise! Golcar batted first and totalled 230-odd - a good solid effort after a slow start. Elland got within 20 runs or so but if I had been a Hullen Edger I would have been disappointed by the tempo of the Elland reply. At no stage did they look like they wanted to keep up with the required rate. The Golcar bowling was good and captain Ashley Pamment seemed to have his finger on the pulse as regards tactics in the field. But still the Elland batters showed little positive endeavour...until it was too late, that is. Easy to say, but their top-order batters didn't give the impression they wanted to keep up with the rate and make it easier for the middle and lower order.
It was a perfect day for a major cup final and one that Golcar supporters will remember fondly after their champagne-and-bacon-butty breakfast. They also hired a large yellow bus to transport them from the Colne Valley to Honley. Around the ground they were very vocal and in the end they cheered their heroes on to their first ever Sykes Cup victory - an amazing stat given the history of the club. A bit like Aston Villa never having won the FA Cup! Tea was chicken and quiche salad followed by lemon cheesecake and there were outlets around the ground doing a roaring trade in burgers, sandwiches, scones and chocolate cake. Golcar's stalwarts were out in force - including Messrs Thorpe, Law and Sutherland - and for the last 45 minutes of the game my view of the action was blocked by ex-Yorkshire and Glamorgan batter Matthew Wood, Honley's new player-coach, who had a pint in his hand on the boundary near the pavilion. One visitor from afar was Bolton umpire Malcolm Kinder - on a day trip from Little Lever. He said he enjoyed the day.
Sunday 9 August
The Sykes Cup final at Honley between Golcar and Elland - two heavyweights of the Huddersfield League. Far End Lane was bathed in sunshine for most of the day and estimates put the crowd figure at anything between 300 and 1,500! The playing area was ringed with spectators, with the Golcar crew by the pavilion making plenty of noise! Golcar batted first and totalled 230-odd - a good solid effort after a slow start. Elland got within 20 runs or so but if I had been a Hullen Edger I would have been disappointed by the tempo of the Elland reply. At no stage did they look like they wanted to keep up with the required rate. The Golcar bowling was good and captain Ashley Pamment seemed to have his finger on the pulse as regards tactics in the field. But still the Elland batters showed little positive endeavour...until it was too late, that is. Easy to say, but their top-order batters didn't give the impression they wanted to keep up with the rate and make it easier for the middle and lower order.
It was a perfect day for a major cup final and one that Golcar supporters will remember fondly after their champagne-and-bacon-butty breakfast. They also hired a large yellow bus to transport them from the Colne Valley to Honley. Around the ground they were very vocal and in the end they cheered their heroes on to their first ever Sykes Cup victory - an amazing stat given the history of the club. A bit like Aston Villa never having won the FA Cup! Tea was chicken and quiche salad followed by lemon cheesecake and there were outlets around the ground doing a roaring trade in burgers, sandwiches, scones and chocolate cake. Golcar's stalwarts were out in force - including Messrs Thorpe, Law and Sutherland - and for the last 45 minutes of the game my view of the action was blocked by ex-Yorkshire and Glamorgan batter Matthew Wood, Honley's new player-coach, who had a pint in his hand on the boundary near the pavilion. One visitor from afar was Bolton umpire Malcolm Kinder - on a day trip from Little Lever. He said he enjoyed the day.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Grace and relish
Posted by Peter Davies
Saturday 8 August
Batley, Mount, Hopton Mills - a North Kirklees tour. Batley were playing Scholes at Mount Pleasant (a ground W.G.Grace once played on) in the Central Yorkshire League and the home side were batting. Not many spectators - just one or two by the main entrance. The Batley players were congregated in the viewing area outside the pavilion. The Batley and Mount clubs have always been close - and are also close geographically - but it looks like some kind of merger has taken place with some ex-Mount players now turning out for Batley and several key Mount officials working hard in the kitchen. And, uniquely perhaps, those slaving away on the catering side were all men! Farid Karolia was in charge, ably assisted by at least two others. They were making chips, beefburgers, a rice dish and salad, with fruit salad to follow. I know Farid quite well on account of his Mount CC connections (he was a co-founder) and because of this friendship he kindly offered me a burger and chips in advance of teatime and a bowl of fruit salad. I could hardly refuse...and he even did a bowl of fruit salad for my dad, who had nipped off to get some photocopying doing. The burger was very spicy and I passed on a type of relish sauce that would have made the whole experience even spicier!
It was also teatime down the road - literally - at Mount. Crumpark were the visitors at Hyrstlands Park in the Dales Council. The council-owned ground was looking good and the sun was shining down seriously. Farid's brother was masterminding the Mount catering operation in the small room that doubles as a tea room inside their multi-purpose clubhouse building. Over the past few years I have come to realise that it is an Asian custom to smother guests with hospitality and food. I had just experienced this at Batley and the same was to follow at Mount. I was gifted a cup of tea and a box of mini-Swiss rolls, which I shared with my dad. Beware anyone who turns down any such hospitality! We sat on the banking and watched Crumpark begin their reply. Some amazing views out over Batley and Dewsbury - awesome in fact, with the area's textile heritage really obvious from the buildings all around. Mount have had plans to redevelop Hyrstlands Park but it now looks like they will be moving to Staincliffe, notwithstanding also the kind-of merger with Batley. Hanif, the club chairman, was away with the 1st XI, I was told.
Late afternoon at Hopton Mills, one of the most picturesque grounds in the area. It is set on its own 'estate' at the end of a long, winding road. There is even a monkey tree by the pavilion! The home side were entertaining Moorlands. In fact, the visitors were on the verge of claiming victory during our stay. They had racked up a 200+ score and the home side were struggling. Just like England in fact who, on our mini-radio, were in the process of losing five wickets for 20-odd in reply to Australia's massive 1st innings total at Headingley. Poor do! Lots of spectators at Woodbottom, on all sides of the ground in fact. A really beautiful place to watch cricket - so much so that my dad fell asleep doing so! The bar man was working hard inside the 'bungalow' pavilion and there were mini-pork pies, scones, jam tarts and mini-chocolate rolls available gratuis for any latecomers. I was frustrated by the fact that the boundary rope was set right on the edge of the grass so there was no room to lie down - but I got over my disappointment with a very cool pint of diet coke.
Saturday 8 August
Batley, Mount, Hopton Mills - a North Kirklees tour. Batley were playing Scholes at Mount Pleasant (a ground W.G.Grace once played on) in the Central Yorkshire League and the home side were batting. Not many spectators - just one or two by the main entrance. The Batley players were congregated in the viewing area outside the pavilion. The Batley and Mount clubs have always been close - and are also close geographically - but it looks like some kind of merger has taken place with some ex-Mount players now turning out for Batley and several key Mount officials working hard in the kitchen. And, uniquely perhaps, those slaving away on the catering side were all men! Farid Karolia was in charge, ably assisted by at least two others. They were making chips, beefburgers, a rice dish and salad, with fruit salad to follow. I know Farid quite well on account of his Mount CC connections (he was a co-founder) and because of this friendship he kindly offered me a burger and chips in advance of teatime and a bowl of fruit salad. I could hardly refuse...and he even did a bowl of fruit salad for my dad, who had nipped off to get some photocopying doing. The burger was very spicy and I passed on a type of relish sauce that would have made the whole experience even spicier!
It was also teatime down the road - literally - at Mount. Crumpark were the visitors at Hyrstlands Park in the Dales Council. The council-owned ground was looking good and the sun was shining down seriously. Farid's brother was masterminding the Mount catering operation in the small room that doubles as a tea room inside their multi-purpose clubhouse building. Over the past few years I have come to realise that it is an Asian custom to smother guests with hospitality and food. I had just experienced this at Batley and the same was to follow at Mount. I was gifted a cup of tea and a box of mini-Swiss rolls, which I shared with my dad. Beware anyone who turns down any such hospitality! We sat on the banking and watched Crumpark begin their reply. Some amazing views out over Batley and Dewsbury - awesome in fact, with the area's textile heritage really obvious from the buildings all around. Mount have had plans to redevelop Hyrstlands Park but it now looks like they will be moving to Staincliffe, notwithstanding also the kind-of merger with Batley. Hanif, the club chairman, was away with the 1st XI, I was told.
Late afternoon at Hopton Mills, one of the most picturesque grounds in the area. It is set on its own 'estate' at the end of a long, winding road. There is even a monkey tree by the pavilion! The home side were entertaining Moorlands. In fact, the visitors were on the verge of claiming victory during our stay. They had racked up a 200+ score and the home side were struggling. Just like England in fact who, on our mini-radio, were in the process of losing five wickets for 20-odd in reply to Australia's massive 1st innings total at Headingley. Poor do! Lots of spectators at Woodbottom, on all sides of the ground in fact. A really beautiful place to watch cricket - so much so that my dad fell asleep doing so! The bar man was working hard inside the 'bungalow' pavilion and there were mini-pork pies, scones, jam tarts and mini-chocolate rolls available gratuis for any latecomers. I was frustrated by the fact that the boundary rope was set right on the edge of the grass so there was no room to lie down - but I got over my disappointment with a very cool pint of diet coke.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Bad hair day
Posted by Peter Davies
Monday 3 August
To Skelmanthorpe for a couple of hours to watch the Leeds and Huddersfield leagues clash in the junior Lord's Taverners tournament. Professional Cricket Watchers Mick Bourne and Dave Thorpe were both in situ when I arrived - with the former cheering on the visitors and the latter very much a Huddersfield man. Mr Bourne was on fine form - eating cake and meditating on the declining standards in the way that junior cricketers were attired - while Mr Thorpe was building up to Golcar's big day on the 9th: the Sykes Cup final against Elland. Both sides were bedecked in some very fine coloured caps and one or two players were sporting fairly outrageous 'KP c.2005' hairdos. Not great! The Skelmanthorpe caterers were doing a roaring trade and even after the tea interval - when I arrived - they were happy to serve up some fine egg mayo sandwiches, salad, quiche and extras. It was chocolate cake and trifle for dessert. I've never really enjoyed chocolate cake so I opted for the latter - and the enthusiastic tea lady said I could take the bowl and finish it off. A good offer! SCC chairperson Margaret Dollive was selling lottery tickets and a number of Huddersfield junior cricket VIPs were patrolling the boundary. Inside the clubhouse, Australia were busy drawing the 3rd Test - all very disappointing after the great start at Edgbaston.
Monday 3 August
To Skelmanthorpe for a couple of hours to watch the Leeds and Huddersfield leagues clash in the junior Lord's Taverners tournament. Professional Cricket Watchers Mick Bourne and Dave Thorpe were both in situ when I arrived - with the former cheering on the visitors and the latter very much a Huddersfield man. Mr Bourne was on fine form - eating cake and meditating on the declining standards in the way that junior cricketers were attired - while Mr Thorpe was building up to Golcar's big day on the 9th: the Sykes Cup final against Elland. Both sides were bedecked in some very fine coloured caps and one or two players were sporting fairly outrageous 'KP c.2005' hairdos. Not great! The Skelmanthorpe caterers were doing a roaring trade and even after the tea interval - when I arrived - they were happy to serve up some fine egg mayo sandwiches, salad, quiche and extras. It was chocolate cake and trifle for dessert. I've never really enjoyed chocolate cake so I opted for the latter - and the enthusiastic tea lady said I could take the bowl and finish it off. A good offer! SCC chairperson Margaret Dollive was selling lottery tickets and a number of Huddersfield junior cricket VIPs were patrolling the boundary. Inside the clubhouse, Australia were busy drawing the 3rd Test - all very disappointing after the great start at Edgbaston.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Raffle success
Posted by Peter Davies
Sunday 2 August
The Parish Cup final at Sowerby Bridge: Booth v Mytholmroyd - a real Calder Valley local derby. Halifax League officials are always proud of the fact that the first Sunday in August rarely lets them down in terms of weather, and this year was no exception. Overcast at the start, but red hot towards the end. Booth batted first but would have been disappointed to hobble to only 154-9. They had a good start, lost wickets in the middle, and then the lower order slogged a few towards the end. But Mytholmroyd began badly and only some dogged late batting gave their total some respectability (they ended up 96 all out) - Booth running out easy winners ultimately. It was a fine occasion with league officials resplendent in their designer dark blue coats, the whole ground being ringed by spectators, and a burger stall doing good business at the top end. Dick Rodger - a lovely man - was umpiring and the PA system was extremely audible. In fact, the host club's tip-top organisation was a key feature of the day - with the parking superbly managed, an early raffle and two sittings for tea. I think I also spotted SBCC tea ladies and club officials communicating by walkie-talkie - a military operation! I was fortunate to be invited for an official cup-final tea with league officials (second sitting) and it was an extravaganza: different types of meat, salmon, curried chicken, quiche plus many salad accessories. Awesome! With mini-cheesecakes, fruit salad and an endless supply of other desserts to follow. Awesome! The Parish Cup final is a meeting-point for cricket players and fans from all over. I spotted Peter Jowett and Ian Uttley (Southowram), Andrew Oates and Alan Sutton (Warley) and many many others. And I also chatted with Mrs Keith Goulden - what a lovely lady! As per a few weeks ago, my digital radio didn't like the airwaves around Sowerby Bridge so I was devoid of Radio 5 Live Sports Extra for the afternoon, so I had to make do with common-or-garden Radio 5. England were totting up the runs in the 3rd Test at Edgbaston with Flintoff and Prior very much in the mood. And I won the raffle - two bottles of wine after buying £5 worth of tickets. But I donated them to someone whose need was greater than mine...
Sunday 2 August
The Parish Cup final at Sowerby Bridge: Booth v Mytholmroyd - a real Calder Valley local derby. Halifax League officials are always proud of the fact that the first Sunday in August rarely lets them down in terms of weather, and this year was no exception. Overcast at the start, but red hot towards the end. Booth batted first but would have been disappointed to hobble to only 154-9. They had a good start, lost wickets in the middle, and then the lower order slogged a few towards the end. But Mytholmroyd began badly and only some dogged late batting gave their total some respectability (they ended up 96 all out) - Booth running out easy winners ultimately. It was a fine occasion with league officials resplendent in their designer dark blue coats, the whole ground being ringed by spectators, and a burger stall doing good business at the top end. Dick Rodger - a lovely man - was umpiring and the PA system was extremely audible. In fact, the host club's tip-top organisation was a key feature of the day - with the parking superbly managed, an early raffle and two sittings for tea. I think I also spotted SBCC tea ladies and club officials communicating by walkie-talkie - a military operation! I was fortunate to be invited for an official cup-final tea with league officials (second sitting) and it was an extravaganza: different types of meat, salmon, curried chicken, quiche plus many salad accessories. Awesome! With mini-cheesecakes, fruit salad and an endless supply of other desserts to follow. Awesome! The Parish Cup final is a meeting-point for cricket players and fans from all over. I spotted Peter Jowett and Ian Uttley (Southowram), Andrew Oates and Alan Sutton (Warley) and many many others. And I also chatted with Mrs Keith Goulden - what a lovely lady! As per a few weeks ago, my digital radio didn't like the airwaves around Sowerby Bridge so I was devoid of Radio 5 Live Sports Extra for the afternoon, so I had to make do with common-or-garden Radio 5. England were totting up the runs in the 3rd Test at Edgbaston with Flintoff and Prior very much in the mood. And I won the raffle - two bottles of wine after buying £5 worth of tickets. But I donated them to someone whose need was greater than mine...
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