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.