Doing a Dilshan!

Posted by Peter Davies

An amazing day! At Stones, Denholme Clough were the visitors. It was a blazing hot afternoon with visiting sun-worshippers using the word 'tan-tastic' to describe the Ripponden climate! Stones were in the field and the bulky seam bowler pounding in from the far end put in an amazing spell - capturing four wickets in seven balls including a hat-trick (balls 5 and 6 in one over, and ball 1 in his next). Wild scenes of jubilation followed - I can't remember the last time I witnessed a hat-trick in the flesh. Swift Cross and its new redeveloped pavilion were looking resplendent in the late-afternoon sunshine. The tea ladies were panicking because the Denholme innings looked as if it might fade away before the food had been prepared. They were selling flapjack, parkin and chocolate buns to spectators, as well as hot and cold drinks. And the players seemed to be getting the 'drinks' treatment every few overs! The local scenery was magnificent, with the M62 high on the horizon. I was also - very nearly - stung by a wasp!

Down the road at Outlane, more amazing action. The home side were rattling up a massive score against local rivals Augustinians with boundaries flying everywhere, and one ending up on the hard shoulder of the nearby M62. The Outlane innings finished on an extraordinary note: the batter 'doing a Dilshan' and scooping the ball up over his own head to where a very fine third man was fielding. The fielder made a heroic effort to grab the ball but to no effect. The ball went for four and I had seen my first ever 'Dilshan' in local league cricket. Outlane is a very well organised club and have recently been 'Clubmarked'. Their teas are also excellent: cheese, egg mayo and turkey and tomato slices, followed by raspberry-flavoured Swiss rolls and some donuty-type delicacies. Local cricket artist Martin Farrar said hello (I'd bought one of his M.S.Dhoni paintings in early season) and revealed that he'd now moved on to painting animals. He also told me that Lancashire wicketkeeper Luke Sutton was doing a Q&A at Glodwick CC in Oldham this Friday coming - and I thought I must try and get a ticket.

From then on, something of a let-down. At Stainland, no game. At Greetland, no game and a few people drinking in front of the pavilion. At Brighouse, no game and a few people still socialising. At Lightcliffe, no game and a hardworking groundsman in a very chatty mood as me and my dad reflected on our tragic luck. So back in the direction of Huddersfield, and Rastrick where Hall Bower 2nd XI were the visitors. A beautiful evening there, with long shadows casting darkness onto the playing area but the ground looking radiant in the sunshine. Rastrick is one of my favourite grounds: lots of character on account of the motorway and the amazing mound that is Round Hill; lots of banter on the terrace near the pavilion (with the same bloke keen to make me laugh with his jokes each time I'm there); a good bar with two TVs; and the club also have our 2005 exhibition boards framed to wonderful effect in the snooker room. It's also very accessible - always close by when we're travelling back from Halifax or even North Kirklees. The barmaid served me an ice-cool orange and lemonade and the pavilion seemed to be hosting an engagement party, post-cricket match, with lots of excellent food laid out for guests. Rugby league was on the TV and Man United were playing Spurs on the car radio. A young lad biffed a few late boundaries to ensure that Hall Bower won the game, but it was a decent climax.

Finally, Blackley, where the game was going on well past 7pm. Again, gorgeous autumnal conditions. There is a real melancholy about the dying days of the season: the long shadows, the end-of-season, nothing-to-play-for feel to some games, and the realisation that football and chilly evenings are back. A really lovely time of year, but also, in a strange way, quite sad.