Posted by Brian Sanderson.
Woke up to a cloundy day.Yesterday was a Yorkshire record day so I required so signature on the scorecard.
Record first innings partnership against Durham by Lyth and Sayers.
Record third wicket stand against Durham by Rudolph and McGrath.
First Championship match for Best.
Third highest total at Headingley by Yorkshire.
Obtained all five signatures.
Di Venuto who has a Italian passport and Blenkenstein from South Africa opened the innings.They progressed to 156 for 3 by lunch in no difficulty as Yorkshire bowling was nothing special.
After lunch Blenkenstein was brillently stumped by Bairstow of Wainwright better ball.
However the rain came when Durham were 215 for 4.
Andrew went to his room in the hotel on the ground to read his 1930 Wisden he purchased from William Roberts.William sells cricket memorabilia in the Long Room and
is a focal point for discussion on the match and cricket.
Rain still falling went home. The match will be a draw and has been from the first session.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Statisticians Day
Posted by Brian Sanderson
A cricket match is like a book to me and this was chapter two.Weather was still warm but not as sunny as yesterday.
McGrath and Rudolph opening the days play.They did not go for the extra batting point and were 329 for 2 after 110 overs. Durham had no bowling points.One of the many talking points at cricket is to work out when the captain will declare.
First theory was that Yorkshire would bat to half an hour before tea.
Both batsmen batted carefully and Rudolph got to the century first and then McGrath.
McGrath was then run out by Blenkenstein causing him to go off injured.
At lunch the score was 408 for 3. The theory was working.
In the afternoon Andrew and myself were joined by Brian Coulthard who worked in the Bank . He has watched Championship cricket for fifty years.The game was meandering on with Gale and Bairstow out.
Half an hour before tea past without Yorkshire declaring. The score was 530 for 5 with Rudolph still there sort of his 200.
Next theory was they may declare at tea or they would bat on so Rudolph could beat his highest first class score of 222.
Yorkshire came out to bat. One theory gone.Rudolph finished on 228 from 389 balls with 35 fours ansd in seven and three quarter hours.
Durham started to bat with Tino Best opening the bowling. He tried to bowl fast but the wicket could not help him. It would be the spinners who would get the wickets.
At this stage Peter Davies arrived in the ground for the quiz this evening.
I went to sit with him a three Durham wickets fell withe two to Rashid the leg-spinner.
Durham reached 54 for 3.
Qiiz had good company including Tony Hutton, Brian Senior and Mick Bourne.
A cricket match is like a book to me and this was chapter two.Weather was still warm but not as sunny as yesterday.
McGrath and Rudolph opening the days play.They did not go for the extra batting point and were 329 for 2 after 110 overs. Durham had no bowling points.One of the many talking points at cricket is to work out when the captain will declare.
First theory was that Yorkshire would bat to half an hour before tea.
Both batsmen batted carefully and Rudolph got to the century first and then McGrath.
McGrath was then run out by Blenkenstein causing him to go off injured.
At lunch the score was 408 for 3. The theory was working.
In the afternoon Andrew and myself were joined by Brian Coulthard who worked in the Bank . He has watched Championship cricket for fifty years.The game was meandering on with Gale and Bairstow out.
Half an hour before tea past without Yorkshire declaring. The score was 530 for 5 with Rudolph still there sort of his 200.
Next theory was they may declare at tea or they would bat on so Rudolph could beat his highest first class score of 222.
Yorkshire came out to bat. One theory gone.Rudolph finished on 228 from 389 balls with 35 fours ansd in seven and three quarter hours.
Durham started to bat with Tino Best opening the bowling. He tried to bowl fast but the wicket could not help him. It would be the spinners who would get the wickets.
At this stage Peter Davies arrived in the ground for the quiz this evening.
I went to sit with him a three Durham wickets fell withe two to Rashid the leg-spinner.
Durham reached 54 for 3.
Qiiz had good company including Tony Hutton, Brian Senior and Mick Bourne.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Debuts at Headingley.
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
On sunny Tuesday morning I walked round to Headingley to collect some autographs.Two new players were playing with different backgrounds. One Chris Rushworth aged 23 out of Sunderland Premier League side and Tino Best from West Indies. He has played 14 Tests and 12 O.D.I.
I joined Andrew to watch the match.He had sent off from London at 5 O,Clock in the morning to be here for the start.Yorkshire won the toss and batted.Rushwoth and Davies opened the bowling .The last time I saw Davies at Arthington in October playing friendly cricket.
Lyth and Sayers started well with Lyth scoring very freely.At lunch it was 124 for 0.
After lunch Lyth was caught a slip by Di Venuto off Blackwell for 85 with 16 fours making Yorkshire record opening stand of 146.Durham attack were without Steve Harminson , Graham Onions and Mich Claydon.
Next to go was Sayers for 63 a more quieter innings.
For the rest of the afternoon McGrath and Rudolph batted to the end of the day. 100 were overs were bowled and saw the sight of all the players sit down for five minutes to have a drink.So that Durham did not bowl to many overs.
Yorkshire scored 304 leaving them to score another 46 runs in 10 overs to get another batting point. Why they did increase the scoring rate I do not know.
For the record Rushworth bowled 13 overs for 53 runs with no wickets. The wicket was slow and did not suit his style of bowling.
See what to-morrow will bring.
On sunny Tuesday morning I walked round to Headingley to collect some autographs.Two new players were playing with different backgrounds. One Chris Rushworth aged 23 out of Sunderland Premier League side and Tino Best from West Indies. He has played 14 Tests and 12 O.D.I.
I joined Andrew to watch the match.He had sent off from London at 5 O,Clock in the morning to be here for the start.Yorkshire won the toss and batted.Rushwoth and Davies opened the bowling .The last time I saw Davies at Arthington in October playing friendly cricket.
Lyth and Sayers started well with Lyth scoring very freely.At lunch it was 124 for 0.
After lunch Lyth was caught a slip by Di Venuto off Blackwell for 85 with 16 fours making Yorkshire record opening stand of 146.Durham attack were without Steve Harminson , Graham Onions and Mich Claydon.
Next to go was Sayers for 63 a more quieter innings.
For the rest of the afternoon McGrath and Rudolph batted to the end of the day. 100 were overs were bowled and saw the sight of all the players sit down for five minutes to have a drink.So that Durham did not bowl to many overs.
Yorkshire scored 304 leaving them to score another 46 runs in 10 overs to get another batting point. Why they did increase the scoring rate I do not know.
For the record Rushworth bowled 13 overs for 53 runs with no wickets. The wicket was slow and did not suit his style of bowling.
See what to-morrow will bring.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Starting at 'O'...
Posted by Peter Davies
Sunday 25 April
A couple of hours in Almondbury on the opening day of the Huddersfield Central League season.
Old Almondburians were entertaining Birkby Nuffield at Arkenley Lane and I surprised myself with my near-perfect navigational skills after a few horror stories in previous years. The ground was located in quick time without having to do laps of various nearby avenues! Thank goodness for that. It was a still and very pleasant Sunday. We’d missed the mid-afternoon deluge and just seemed to have arrived at the right time.
The ground was a picture with the tree-lined boundaries looking particularly good. It’s one of those grounds where it’s actually quite difficult to locate another building of any sort when you look out from the pavilion. We sat on a bench near the green pavilion and were soon greeted by John Clutterbrook – a very nice man, who was our main contact at the club when we were researching its history in 2005. He’d invited me to a couple of club dinners and now, retired, he was filling in as the first team’s wicketkeeper. Good effort. His son is a fiercesome fast bowler, and John said that he was a little nervous when Clutterbrook Jnr came on to bowl. He was also bemoaning the plight of his beloved Hull City – relegated the day before at a match he was present for at the KC.
We ordered a cup of tea and then paid £2 for a collection of the club’s finest leftovers from tea. This involved three cheese rolls, a tuna sandwich and a mixture of coleslaw and savoury rice. Very good value indeed. Mrs Steve Slack was serving in the kitchen and Mr Steve Slack – long-serving club loyalist – was readying himself to go in at no.3. I took some photos, did some reading, and admired our 2005 exhibition boards – still on display in the club pavilion (good news).
Then to Kaye Lane, home of Almondbury Wesleyans, where Flockton were the visitors. Tea had just been taken and there were a couple of cheese and chive sandwiches left over – so I was pleased to ensure nothing went to waste. While I was in the pavilion I availed myself of the TV in the corner of the room. The remote control was handy so I checked on Lancashire’s score away at Surrey: they had posted a big total but, incredibly, the home side looked like they were going to overhaul it.
Outside there were plenty of spectators in attendance, with a large posse from Flockton. We had a cup of tea and spotted Wes chairman Mark Binns sitting on a bench behind the bowler’s arm at the pavilion end. Mrs Binns then walked past us also. Had a quick chat with another Wes official, Keith Crawshaw. He asked whether I was starting my 2010 cricket-watching with the letter ‘A’! I said no – I’d actually started with ‘O’! Keith is very interested in the history of his club and I asked whether he would speak about the Wes at the Pennine Cricket History Conference some time in the future. He didn’t rule it out!
I picked up a Wes newsletter and also noticed that the club is now sponsored by a company that arranges foster-parenting. Maybe unique in local cricket?
Sunday 25 April
A couple of hours in Almondbury on the opening day of the Huddersfield Central League season.
Old Almondburians were entertaining Birkby Nuffield at Arkenley Lane and I surprised myself with my near-perfect navigational skills after a few horror stories in previous years. The ground was located in quick time without having to do laps of various nearby avenues! Thank goodness for that. It was a still and very pleasant Sunday. We’d missed the mid-afternoon deluge and just seemed to have arrived at the right time.
The ground was a picture with the tree-lined boundaries looking particularly good. It’s one of those grounds where it’s actually quite difficult to locate another building of any sort when you look out from the pavilion. We sat on a bench near the green pavilion and were soon greeted by John Clutterbrook – a very nice man, who was our main contact at the club when we were researching its history in 2005. He’d invited me to a couple of club dinners and now, retired, he was filling in as the first team’s wicketkeeper. Good effort. His son is a fiercesome fast bowler, and John said that he was a little nervous when Clutterbrook Jnr came on to bowl. He was also bemoaning the plight of his beloved Hull City – relegated the day before at a match he was present for at the KC.
We ordered a cup of tea and then paid £2 for a collection of the club’s finest leftovers from tea. This involved three cheese rolls, a tuna sandwich and a mixture of coleslaw and savoury rice. Very good value indeed. Mrs Steve Slack was serving in the kitchen and Mr Steve Slack – long-serving club loyalist – was readying himself to go in at no.3. I took some photos, did some reading, and admired our 2005 exhibition boards – still on display in the club pavilion (good news).
Then to Kaye Lane, home of Almondbury Wesleyans, where Flockton were the visitors. Tea had just been taken and there were a couple of cheese and chive sandwiches left over – so I was pleased to ensure nothing went to waste. While I was in the pavilion I availed myself of the TV in the corner of the room. The remote control was handy so I checked on Lancashire’s score away at Surrey: they had posted a big total but, incredibly, the home side looked like they were going to overhaul it.
Outside there were plenty of spectators in attendance, with a large posse from Flockton. We had a cup of tea and spotted Wes chairman Mark Binns sitting on a bench behind the bowler’s arm at the pavilion end. Mrs Binns then walked past us also. Had a quick chat with another Wes official, Keith Crawshaw. He asked whether I was starting my 2010 cricket-watching with the letter ‘A’! I said no – I’d actually started with ‘O’! Keith is very interested in the history of his club and I asked whether he would speak about the Wes at the Pennine Cricket History Conference some time in the future. He didn’t rule it out!
I picked up a Wes newsletter and also noticed that the club is now sponsored by a company that arranges foster-parenting. Maybe unique in local cricket?
All our yesterdays and some new grounds
Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Posted by Tony Hutton
Saturday 24th April
Today's trip to Lancashire has been a long time in the planning. I have wanted to visit the Lancaster and Morecambe area, where my cricket watching friend Ian Cockerill is based, for some time. This is partly a nostalgic journey to see grounds I first visited as a teenager in the 1950s and also a chance to see some new grounds in the local Westmorland league.
First stop was Lancaster Royal Grammar School up the hill from the town just below Williamson Park with it's landmark monument which can be seen for miles around.
Ian was already in place in his favourite spot as the school first XI were playing Woodhouse Grove school with an 11.30 start.
The ground has marvellous views across Lancaster to Morecambe Bay, but the fine day brought something of a heat haze in the distance so that the Lakeland fells could not been seen clearly. Another coachload of boys from Woodhouse Grove arrived bearing the under 15s and under 13s who would start their games at 1 p.m. They were soon being put through their paces with fielding drills supervised by school cricket coach Arnie Sidebottom.
I then discovered master in charge of cricket for Woodhouse Grove, Ian Frost, doing the scoring. Knowing that he had scored a half century for Burley in Wharfedale last Saturday in their crushing defeat of my local club Adel, I asked why he was not playing today. However his school duties take precedence for the next five weeks, before he can return to league cricket action.
After a very pleasant hour or so it was time to move on and after lunch I called in at the ground of Northern Premier league club Lancaster in Lune Road, This brought back a lot of memories from previous visits in the 1950s when I watched my uncle, Geoff Stones, playing for Lancaster as their professional and subsequently for Morecambe as first professional and then later as captain.
Lancaster 2nd XI were playing Barrow 2nd XI in front of a handful of people, but with the sun shining it made a pleasant site with the castle and church on the hill looking down on the ground. The old railway line and goods sidings at one end had gone, only a grass bank remains, but I can remember the Australian Bill Alley hitting sixes against the railway wagons as he progressed to a century for Blackpool.
Then it was on to nearby Heysham, again with many boyhood memories of holidays here, but a first visit to the tidy cricket ground where Heysham were playing Milnthorpe in the Westmorland league. Also time for a walk up to the ancient church on the cliff top overlooking the bay. A beautiful spot but the ambience ruined by deafening pop music coming from the beer garden of a neighbouring pub.
Then on into Morecambe, more boyhood memories of holidays here too, and a quick call at Morecambe's ground where they were playing Leyland. The visitors batting and putting up a good score as they neared the end of the first innings with one of their batsman stranded on 80 odd not out.
Then on to nearby Trimpell cricket club, another member of the Westmorland League which straddles the Lancashire/Cumbria border now. The main thing about this ground is the huge sports and social club on one side which dwarfs the ground, and was full of happy afternoon drinkers. On the other side a very functional pavilion which adds little to the scenic appeal.
Next stop, helped by Ian's instructions, was to head for a sign to the crematorium just outside Lancaster, appropriately down a one way system ! This as it turned out was down a very narrow country lane. Then suddently as Ian had told me you come on to no less than three cricket grounds side by side and opposite to Vale of Lune's rugby union ground.
A real bonus to a collector of new grounds, three for the price of one. First stop was the ground of Torrisholme, who play in the Palace Shield competition, an entirely north Lancashire league, followed by Westgate and then Bare who both play in the Westmorland league. I watched the action for a while at Torrisholme, but only saw a few balls bowled on both the other grounds, before they all dissappeared for tea.
Then it was time to head a few miles north up the A6 to Bolton-le-Sands, where my uncle and his wife had a bed and breakfast hotel for many years, again the scene of many boyhood holidays. The village ground, where my uncle finally ended his cricket playing careeer is just a hundred yards or so down the road from their former residence and again I got their just in time to see the last couple of overs before visiting Silverdale were all out on the stroke of tea.
And finally as they say, it was on down country lanes through Halton to Caton, crossing the River Lune at the famous viewpoint and bend in the river, known as the Crook of Lune, made famous by Turner's painting. The cricket ground at Caton was not as scenic, again just as Ian had told me, being also used as a soccer ground. However I got quite a good picture with a wind farm on top of the neighbouring hills forming a backdrop to the play.
The sun was still shining as we headed home after a wonderful day rekindling old memories and visiting new places.
Monday, 26 April 2010
WHERE DID YOU GO YESTERDAY?
Posted by Brian Sabnderson.
On Sunday morning I phoned Andrew in London. During the week he went to Whitgift School to watch Surrey v Worcs. He said it was a pleasent ground but the pitch was in bowl and spectators were along way from the players.He disliked the Surrey supporters and the beer was flat. He was coming to Headingley on Tueday morning to see the Durham match.
Next Peter Mann rang about a lift to East Bierley to see the Black Sheep Final between Woodland and York.The match was delayed from last Season.Peter is Burley supporter who went to North Leeds yesterday.He was joined by Ken Hickin from Blackpool. He had caught the 9.30 train and would arrive back in Blackpool at 10,O clock at night.Ken travels all over North of England by public transport .
Woodlands was captain by Brice as Swanepoel was still in South Africa.
The first person I meet was David from Brighouse. He had been to watch Pudsey St Lawrence on Saturday.Next person was Bob Procter who went on Saturday to Tadcaster to watch his grandson play.
York won the toss and fielded.Bartram and Groves bowled well and had Woodlands 79 for 6.
Tony Hutton had arrived and told me agbout his travels to Lancashire on Saturday and then Brian Senior arrived. His trip on Saturday started at Baildon after a two hour journey and finished at Salts.
It started to rain and Tony left.Brian went to the tea tent again.
The match was reduced to 44 overs and Woodlands reached 141 with Brice 39 not out.
After tea we were joined by Ken Lawson who is the Grandfather of Mark. Mark is a leg spinner who was released by Yorkshire and Derby. He now plays for Kent and was due to replace Tredwell who was going to the World Cup.However he was involved in a car crash yesterday. He has whiplash and a sore back so would not be able to play for two weeks.
Ahmed bowled well and had figures of 14 for 2 in 9 overs.Mason reached 52.
We left at 5.30 to get back for tea.
York won by 4 wickets in 37.4 overs.
On Sunday morning I phoned Andrew in London. During the week he went to Whitgift School to watch Surrey v Worcs. He said it was a pleasent ground but the pitch was in bowl and spectators were along way from the players.He disliked the Surrey supporters and the beer was flat. He was coming to Headingley on Tueday morning to see the Durham match.
Next Peter Mann rang about a lift to East Bierley to see the Black Sheep Final between Woodland and York.The match was delayed from last Season.Peter is Burley supporter who went to North Leeds yesterday.He was joined by Ken Hickin from Blackpool. He had caught the 9.30 train and would arrive back in Blackpool at 10,O clock at night.Ken travels all over North of England by public transport .
Woodlands was captain by Brice as Swanepoel was still in South Africa.
The first person I meet was David from Brighouse. He had been to watch Pudsey St Lawrence on Saturday.Next person was Bob Procter who went on Saturday to Tadcaster to watch his grandson play.
York won the toss and fielded.Bartram and Groves bowled well and had Woodlands 79 for 6.
Tony Hutton had arrived and told me agbout his travels to Lancashire on Saturday and then Brian Senior arrived. His trip on Saturday started at Baildon after a two hour journey and finished at Salts.
It started to rain and Tony left.Brian went to the tea tent again.
The match was reduced to 44 overs and Woodlands reached 141 with Brice 39 not out.
After tea we were joined by Ken Lawson who is the Grandfather of Mark. Mark is a leg spinner who was released by Yorkshire and Derby. He now plays for Kent and was due to replace Tredwell who was going to the World Cup.However he was involved in a car crash yesterday. He has whiplash and a sore back so would not be able to play for two weeks.
Ahmed bowled well and had figures of 14 for 2 in 9 overs.Mason reached 52.
We left at 5.30 to get back for tea.
York won by 4 wickets in 37.4 overs.
TRIP TO THE SEASIDE.
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
On Saturday we set of to Cleethorpe with Ron and my wife.It takes about 90 minutes to the ground from Leeds. It is situated on the South side of the prom. There is a sign on the main road to the ground.
When we arrived I parked next to Mollie.Margaret went to shops in the town and we watched the match.
Cleethorpes had signed Peter Fulton who is a New Zealand international. His nicknamed "Two metre Peter" has played 10 Test matches ,41 ODI,s and 11 T20.
Cleethorpe won the toss and decided to bat.The Academy captain was Alex Lees.
Fulton and Kirby opening the batting.Fulton was bowled out by Killer Hargreaves.I am sure Fulton will score many runs this season.
Ashraf bowled well for seven overs for 14 runs.
However it was the spinners who bowled Cleethorpes for 165. Randhawa bowled 6 for 51 and Jack Hughes 2 for 30.
At half-time the Academy were favorite however the team was very inexperenced.They started well until leg spinner Alex Osmond came on to bowl.It was him and Fulton bowled out the Academy for 143. Osmond took 45 for 4 and Fulton 9 for 3.
They players will learn quickly hopefully during the season.
On Saturday we set of to Cleethorpe with Ron and my wife.It takes about 90 minutes to the ground from Leeds. It is situated on the South side of the prom. There is a sign on the main road to the ground.
When we arrived I parked next to Mollie.Margaret went to shops in the town and we watched the match.
Cleethorpes had signed Peter Fulton who is a New Zealand international. His nicknamed "Two metre Peter" has played 10 Test matches ,41 ODI,s and 11 T20.
Cleethorpe won the toss and decided to bat.The Academy captain was Alex Lees.
Fulton and Kirby opening the batting.Fulton was bowled out by Killer Hargreaves.I am sure Fulton will score many runs this season.
Ashraf bowled well for seven overs for 14 runs.
However it was the spinners who bowled Cleethorpes for 165. Randhawa bowled 6 for 51 and Jack Hughes 2 for 30.
At half-time the Academy were favorite however the team was very inexperenced.They started well until leg spinner Alex Osmond came on to bowl.It was him and Fulton bowled out the Academy for 143. Osmond took 45 for 4 and Fulton 9 for 3.
They players will learn quickly hopefully during the season.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Oldham odyssey
Saturday 24 April
Posted by Peter Davies
An Oldham tour. First up, Austerlands, near Lees. They play in the Saddleworth League. It was a sunny day – according to the forecasters, in fact, the warmest day of the year so far. We visited Austerlands last year and really liked it, mainly because it’s at high altitude and the views out over Manchester – in the far distance – are amazing. You can make out the contours of the city-centre skyline, and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that, on a clear day, you could spot the outline of Old Trafford cricket ground, which would make me very happy.
The ground is well appointed with a nice white fence running most of the way round. There’s a compact, handsome scorebox, a Rastrick-type hill overlooking the playing area, changing-room block and pavilion. We had a 50p mug of tea and my Dad excelled himself by bringing a packed lunch of salad sandwiches, pancakes, bananas and low-fat pineapple yoghurts. Soccer Saturday was on the pavilion TV and one of the home side’s star players was hanging out with his attractive girlfriend by the bar. I spotted a print of the ground in a frame on the wall and asked the woman behind the bar if copies were available. She said I might be in luck. Dad did a few laps of the ground and I read my Sight & Sound film magazine.
We headed to Hollinwood CC in the Hollins area of the town. They play in the same league as Austerlands but when we arrived two hard-looking blokes told us: ‘No match’. We couldn’t work this out. But there was a game the day after. Then a few blocks away, Werneth CC. They’re a Central Lancashire League club so again, no match, because that league does generally play on Sundays not Saturdays. Schoolboy error on our part. We had a five-minute sit in the sun, admired the fading grandeur of the ground and bemoaned our luck or foolishness.
Woodhouses was our final port of call. An idyllic little village in the middle of Failsworth - inner city Oldham/Manchester. Weird. The club is famous for one cricketer: Michael Atherton. He spent his formative years at the club, and he describes this period in detail in his autobiography. His name is in lights – naturally – in the club pavilion, and there’s even a road named after him 100 yards away. The ground is very pleasant – well cared for and looked after.
Duckinfield were the visitors and the home side were struggling to get close to their first-innings score – 70-odd for 6 when we arrived. We had a J2O each and sat on a very sturdy bench in front of the changing rooms. This was a mistake as a Woodhouses batter was soon adjudged caught behind and, when he arrived back in the pavilion, took his frustration out on the changing-room wall with his bat. He also swore in a loud voice about a dozen times. I was sat about two yards away. All very embarrassing.
Posted by Peter Davies
An Oldham tour. First up, Austerlands, near Lees. They play in the Saddleworth League. It was a sunny day – according to the forecasters, in fact, the warmest day of the year so far. We visited Austerlands last year and really liked it, mainly because it’s at high altitude and the views out over Manchester – in the far distance – are amazing. You can make out the contours of the city-centre skyline, and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that, on a clear day, you could spot the outline of Old Trafford cricket ground, which would make me very happy.
The ground is well appointed with a nice white fence running most of the way round. There’s a compact, handsome scorebox, a Rastrick-type hill overlooking the playing area, changing-room block and pavilion. We had a 50p mug of tea and my Dad excelled himself by bringing a packed lunch of salad sandwiches, pancakes, bananas and low-fat pineapple yoghurts. Soccer Saturday was on the pavilion TV and one of the home side’s star players was hanging out with his attractive girlfriend by the bar. I spotted a print of the ground in a frame on the wall and asked the woman behind the bar if copies were available. She said I might be in luck. Dad did a few laps of the ground and I read my Sight & Sound film magazine.
We headed to Hollinwood CC in the Hollins area of the town. They play in the same league as Austerlands but when we arrived two hard-looking blokes told us: ‘No match’. We couldn’t work this out. But there was a game the day after. Then a few blocks away, Werneth CC. They’re a Central Lancashire League club so again, no match, because that league does generally play on Sundays not Saturdays. Schoolboy error on our part. We had a five-minute sit in the sun, admired the fading grandeur of the ground and bemoaned our luck or foolishness.
Woodhouses was our final port of call. An idyllic little village in the middle of Failsworth - inner city Oldham/Manchester. Weird. The club is famous for one cricketer: Michael Atherton. He spent his formative years at the club, and he describes this period in detail in his autobiography. His name is in lights – naturally – in the club pavilion, and there’s even a road named after him 100 yards away. The ground is very pleasant – well cared for and looked after.
Duckinfield were the visitors and the home side were struggling to get close to their first-innings score – 70-odd for 6 when we arrived. We had a J2O each and sat on a very sturdy bench in front of the changing rooms. This was a mistake as a Woodhouses batter was soon adjudged caught behind and, when he arrived back in the pavilion, took his frustration out on the changing-room wall with his bat. He also swore in a loud voice about a dozen times. I was sat about two yards away. All very embarrassing.
Casuals dinner
Posted by Peter Davies
Woodsome Hall Golf Club for the Almondbury Casuals annual dinner in the company of club historian and writer Dave Walker, who had just arrived back in Huddersfield after a canal holiday in Oxford. The golf club was a handsome venue. Maybe 40 or 50 Casuals in attendance with Rupert Wilson MC for the night. The food was wonderful and the speech - by a local divorce lawyer - very clever and funny. The Casuals are a friendlies-only team. They have a long history and Dave has already penned two books about it, with more to come I believe. A very good night.
Woodsome Hall Golf Club for the Almondbury Casuals annual dinner in the company of club historian and writer Dave Walker, who had just arrived back in Huddersfield after a canal holiday in Oxford. The golf club was a handsome venue. Maybe 40 or 50 Casuals in attendance with Rupert Wilson MC for the night. The food was wonderful and the speech - by a local divorce lawyer - very clever and funny. The Casuals are a friendlies-only team. They have a long history and Dave has already penned two books about it, with more to come I believe. A very good night.
Daffodils Wilts
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
On Thursday picked you Ron from the barbers and set off for the second day at Weetwood. Still the cold Westerly wind and sat by the daffodils.
John and Jenny had joined us and they had been to Stamford Bridge yesterday. Said Yorkshire struggled batting as the Lancashire side were much more experienced apart from Brophy.
Also sitting in the sunshine was Glyn Pearson. He worked for Yorkshire Bank and I have known him for 30 years. He is now umpiring in the Bradford League and other important matches. He looked well after his months holiday abroad.
Leeds and Bradford batted on till they were all out for 327 with Hawley reaching 105.
Cardiff started well and at lunch time they were 80 for2.
After lunch they bowled the two spinners Craddock and Hawley.They collapsed to 110. Craddock getting 5 for 30 and Hawley 3 for 21. I t must have been the arrival of Brian Senior.
Leeds and Bradford had a lead of 227 and asked Cardiff to bat again inorder to gain extra points.
The conversation had ranged from counting the planes into Yeadon airport, Yorkshire scores at Canterbury and which is the best mobile phone.
Cardiff receached 124 for 2. Leeds and Bradford got 18 points and Cardiff 4. So to tea.
On Thursday picked you Ron from the barbers and set off for the second day at Weetwood. Still the cold Westerly wind and sat by the daffodils.
John and Jenny had joined us and they had been to Stamford Bridge yesterday. Said Yorkshire struggled batting as the Lancashire side were much more experienced apart from Brophy.
Also sitting in the sunshine was Glyn Pearson. He worked for Yorkshire Bank and I have known him for 30 years. He is now umpiring in the Bradford League and other important matches. He looked well after his months holiday abroad.
Leeds and Bradford batted on till they were all out for 327 with Hawley reaching 105.
Cardiff started well and at lunch time they were 80 for2.
After lunch they bowled the two spinners Craddock and Hawley.They collapsed to 110. Craddock getting 5 for 30 and Hawley 3 for 21. I t must have been the arrival of Brian Senior.
Leeds and Bradford had a lead of 227 and asked Cardiff to bat again inorder to gain extra points.
The conversation had ranged from counting the planes into Yeadon airport, Yorkshire scores at Canterbury and which is the best mobile phone.
Cardiff receached 124 for 2. Leeds and Bradford got 18 points and Cardiff 4. So to tea.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Dewsbury Matters - yes it does!
Posted by Peter Davies
Thursday 22 April
A Dewsbury Matters monthly meeting, staged in the wonderful surroundings of Dewsbury Minster. My brief: Cricket in Dewsbury. Talked about the project and discovered that out of 25 DM regulars in attendance at least two-thirds had cricket connections - son played for Hanging Heaton, husband watches cricket at his local club etc. 'Mr Dewsbury Cricket' Maurice Pollard was also present. He was involved in the old Dewsbury & Savile club and then helped to form Dewsbury CC. Now, after the 1989 Dewsbury/Hopton Mills merger, he supports HM in the CYL. His association with the Savile Ground goes back to 1941. Wow. And he still walks round it each day out of nostalgia.
Then on to Dewsbury cricket. Got everyone working - picking out themes in some old photos of the Savile Ground (the main conclusion was that the women wore splendid hats in those days!) and then a picture quiz based around team photos eg. name the decade the photo was taken in. The winning team scored 4/10. Harder than it looked. All in all a very good evening.
Thursday 22 April
A Dewsbury Matters monthly meeting, staged in the wonderful surroundings of Dewsbury Minster. My brief: Cricket in Dewsbury. Talked about the project and discovered that out of 25 DM regulars in attendance at least two-thirds had cricket connections - son played for Hanging Heaton, husband watches cricket at his local club etc. 'Mr Dewsbury Cricket' Maurice Pollard was also present. He was involved in the old Dewsbury & Savile club and then helped to form Dewsbury CC. Now, after the 1989 Dewsbury/Hopton Mills merger, he supports HM in the CYL. His association with the Savile Ground goes back to 1941. Wow. And he still walks round it each day out of nostalgia.
Then on to Dewsbury cricket. Got everyone working - picking out themes in some old photos of the Savile Ground (the main conclusion was that the women wore splendid hats in those days!) and then a picture quiz based around team photos eg. name the decade the photo was taken in. The winning team scored 4/10. Harder than it looked. All in all a very good evening.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
My First University Matches
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
Following in Tony's footsteps I arrived at Weetwood to see the two day match Leeds Bradford MCCU X1 V Cardiff Glamorgan MCCU Ist x1 .Also because of the cold breeze I joined three other spectators among the daffodils. Quite appropriate for Cardiff.
No Brian Senior must have gone to the Nottingham v Somerset match.No Tony Hutton was told he was going to Stamford Bridge . One of the Umpires was A Bullock who I have known since my Bradford League days.He also Umpires in Minor County Cricket.
Settled down in the sunshine to watch Leeds bat.They opened with Dougherty and Slater. However Dougherty was soon out caught bowled by Reed.Reed must have been 6 foot 7 in height.
By lunch time Leeds were four wickets down for 80.
At this time there had been quite a bit of movement and bounce in the wicket.However Hawley and Whitleley produced a excellent partnership.Both went on to produce half centuries and by 6.00 pm when I left there were about five overs to go the total had reached over 300 for 8.
So Leeds are in good position for to-morrow.
On the second pitch Leeds University thirds were playing Manchester University. Manchester were all out for 88 and Leeds won the match easily.Two matches in one day .Brian Senior should have been here.
The umpire told us a incident at the Townville v Hanging Heaton match.A Hanging Heaton right bowler bowled a ball left handed and behind the umpire. It got a wicket but had to been a no-ball for two reasons. One he did not tell the Batsman he was changing hands and he bowled behind the umpire.A good quiz question.
Following in Tony's footsteps I arrived at Weetwood to see the two day match Leeds Bradford MCCU X1 V Cardiff Glamorgan MCCU Ist x1 .Also because of the cold breeze I joined three other spectators among the daffodils. Quite appropriate for Cardiff.
No Brian Senior must have gone to the Nottingham v Somerset match.No Tony Hutton was told he was going to Stamford Bridge . One of the Umpires was A Bullock who I have known since my Bradford League days.He also Umpires in Minor County Cricket.
Settled down in the sunshine to watch Leeds bat.They opened with Dougherty and Slater. However Dougherty was soon out caught bowled by Reed.Reed must have been 6 foot 7 in height.
By lunch time Leeds were four wickets down for 80.
At this time there had been quite a bit of movement and bounce in the wicket.However Hawley and Whitleley produced a excellent partnership.Both went on to produce half centuries and by 6.00 pm when I left there were about five overs to go the total had reached over 300 for 8.
So Leeds are in good position for to-morrow.
On the second pitch Leeds University thirds were playing Manchester University. Manchester were all out for 88 and Leeds won the match easily.Two matches in one day .Brian Senior should have been here.
The umpire told us a incident at the Townville v Hanging Heaton match.A Hanging Heaton right bowler bowled a ball left handed and behind the umpire. It got a wicket but had to been a no-ball for two reasons. One he did not tell the Batsman he was changing hands and he bowled behind the umpire.A good quiz question.
A short lesson in abbreviations
Posted by Tony Hutton
Tuesday 20th April - Leeds/Bradford MCCU v Cardiff MCCU
As cricket between the leading universities is now sponsored by the M.C.C. what was known as Leeds/Bradford UCCE (University centre of cricketing excellence) has now become Leeds/Bradford MCCU. Their headquarters is the Leeds University ground at Weetwood a vast playing area open to all the winds that blow and not blessed with great facilities for spectators.
Their rather abbreviated season is already underway having played two away matches against the county sides of Essex and Worcestershire. As well as these friendly matches against counties, the university side plays in two competitions - a one day competition known as BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) and a two day competition now known as MCCU. Strangely this two day competition has a one day final at Lord's.
If you are still with me after all that you are nearly half way to a university degree ! Today's match at Weetwood was in the one day competition and by coincidence was between the two teams who played in last year's Lord's final, which was won by Cardiff.
Most of these games start at 12.30 which confuses a lot of people programmed for 11 0'clock starts. I understand the reason for this is that the visiting teams can travel on the morning of the match thus saving hotel expenses. However on this occasion Cardiff had travelled on the previous day.
I learned later that the two umpires received letters from the ECB telling them to report for an 11.00 start. They breakfasted together quite early and were at the ground soon after nine, only to find no one else there apart from the groundsman, so a long wait ensued.
However the game did eventually get underway in sunny but very windy conditions. The dozen or so hardy perennials (spectators that is) found a sheltered spot amid the daffodils under the pavilion wall completely out of the wind. The Cardiff coach Kevin Lyons, former Glamorgan player and first class umpire, greeted us with 'Is this the member's enclosure ?'.
The next surprise for the assembled multitude was the appearance of the Cardiff players - coloured clothing no less, a real shock for the system. Whereas the Leeds players came out in smart navy blue and yellow outfits which were fairly acceptable, the Cardiff players had a mixture of some in grey shirts and some in black track suit tops. Then the crowning glory for the already bemused spectators appeared in the shape of a box of pink cricket balls.
However as the day progressed it must be said that most spectators found the pink ball much easier to follow in flight rather than either the red ball or the white ball that looses colour so easily. So a plus point there.
Finally to the match itself. Leeds/Bradford had a lot of new faces in this year's squad but it was initially two of the 'old stagers' in Dougherty the Irish opening batsman with 85 and Blake from Kent with 42 who got most of the runs. Then towards the end of the 50 overs innings, when the total looked as if it might be a little below par, new boy Ross Whiteley, an all rounder who plays for Derbyshire 2nd XI, weighed in with a hard hit 42 not out, including two fours and three sixes.
So the final total of 235-6 looked pretty respectable but not beyond the capablilities of the Cardiff side we saw last season. However things did not work out for them from the word go and leading batsman Bishop was run out almost immediately going for a risky second run.
Things went from bad to worse as the evening progressed, getting colder all the time, and wickets fell at regular intervals. Only one person, number six Barber made double figures with 26 and the visitors were all out for 117 in 39 overs. Another 'veteran' of last season, Hawley, was the best bowler with 4-34.
By this time the band of spectators had dwindled to only two or three, but probably even more will be here tomorrow for a two day game between the same sides, hopefully played in whites and with a more competitive conclusion.
Tuesday 20th April - Leeds/Bradford MCCU v Cardiff MCCU
As cricket between the leading universities is now sponsored by the M.C.C. what was known as Leeds/Bradford UCCE (University centre of cricketing excellence) has now become Leeds/Bradford MCCU. Their headquarters is the Leeds University ground at Weetwood a vast playing area open to all the winds that blow and not blessed with great facilities for spectators.
Their rather abbreviated season is already underway having played two away matches against the county sides of Essex and Worcestershire. As well as these friendly matches against counties, the university side plays in two competitions - a one day competition known as BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) and a two day competition now known as MCCU. Strangely this two day competition has a one day final at Lord's.
If you are still with me after all that you are nearly half way to a university degree ! Today's match at Weetwood was in the one day competition and by coincidence was between the two teams who played in last year's Lord's final, which was won by Cardiff.
Most of these games start at 12.30 which confuses a lot of people programmed for 11 0'clock starts. I understand the reason for this is that the visiting teams can travel on the morning of the match thus saving hotel expenses. However on this occasion Cardiff had travelled on the previous day.
I learned later that the two umpires received letters from the ECB telling them to report for an 11.00 start. They breakfasted together quite early and were at the ground soon after nine, only to find no one else there apart from the groundsman, so a long wait ensued.
However the game did eventually get underway in sunny but very windy conditions. The dozen or so hardy perennials (spectators that is) found a sheltered spot amid the daffodils under the pavilion wall completely out of the wind. The Cardiff coach Kevin Lyons, former Glamorgan player and first class umpire, greeted us with 'Is this the member's enclosure ?'.
The next surprise for the assembled multitude was the appearance of the Cardiff players - coloured clothing no less, a real shock for the system. Whereas the Leeds players came out in smart navy blue and yellow outfits which were fairly acceptable, the Cardiff players had a mixture of some in grey shirts and some in black track suit tops. Then the crowning glory for the already bemused spectators appeared in the shape of a box of pink cricket balls.
However as the day progressed it must be said that most spectators found the pink ball much easier to follow in flight rather than either the red ball or the white ball that looses colour so easily. So a plus point there.
Finally to the match itself. Leeds/Bradford had a lot of new faces in this year's squad but it was initially two of the 'old stagers' in Dougherty the Irish opening batsman with 85 and Blake from Kent with 42 who got most of the runs. Then towards the end of the 50 overs innings, when the total looked as if it might be a little below par, new boy Ross Whiteley, an all rounder who plays for Derbyshire 2nd XI, weighed in with a hard hit 42 not out, including two fours and three sixes.
So the final total of 235-6 looked pretty respectable but not beyond the capablilities of the Cardiff side we saw last season. However things did not work out for them from the word go and leading batsman Bishop was run out almost immediately going for a risky second run.
Things went from bad to worse as the evening progressed, getting colder all the time, and wickets fell at regular intervals. Only one person, number six Barber made double figures with 26 and the visitors were all out for 117 in 39 overs. Another 'veteran' of last season, Hawley, was the best bowler with 4-34.
By this time the band of spectators had dwindled to only two or three, but probably even more will be here tomorrow for a two day game between the same sides, hopefully played in whites and with a more competitive conclusion.
Full Car
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
Set off on Tuesday for Stamford Bridge however one or two stops on the way.
First to pick up Brian from Headingley and then to his doctors to drop a prescription. Next was Ron at Horsforth Surgery as he was having his foot bandaged. Lastly to Bardsey to pick up Bob Procter.
Three quarters hours later arrived at Stamford Bridge to Sunshine but a cold Westerly wind.
Picked you a scorecard from Mollie which was unusual as it just had Yorkshire Team and Lancashire blank.We discussed what would be the best oversee players Lancashire had so the could win the Championship.
Lancashire won the toss and batted. Opened with Brown from Burnley and Andra Agathagelou from South Africa.Bob Deardon was at the match a confirmed Andra was on a year contract as Lancashire had nobody better.He is involved in Lancashire youth cricket.
First sat near the Pavilion however it was to warm. Went to stand next to the sightscreen .People were dressed for the Antartic so sat in the car. Mollie brought three of her scrapbooks for 1986 and 1987. Great pictures of the Yorkshire players. Shown Steve Oldham the scrapbook as there are a number of pictures of him.
Back to the match Brown had been given out caught down the legside after a half hearten appeal from Yorkshire. At lunch Lancashire were 120 for 2 after 35 overs.
The weather had clounded over and still the cold breeze.When walking round Bob Deardon said that two of the decisions were poor and could effect the cricketers career.
The wicket was another good wicket at Stamford Bridge with the Yorkshire bowlers struggling.
We left at 5.30 with Cross scoring freely.
Set off on Tuesday for Stamford Bridge however one or two stops on the way.
First to pick up Brian from Headingley and then to his doctors to drop a prescription. Next was Ron at Horsforth Surgery as he was having his foot bandaged. Lastly to Bardsey to pick up Bob Procter.
Three quarters hours later arrived at Stamford Bridge to Sunshine but a cold Westerly wind.
Picked you a scorecard from Mollie which was unusual as it just had Yorkshire Team and Lancashire blank.We discussed what would be the best oversee players Lancashire had so the could win the Championship.
Lancashire won the toss and batted. Opened with Brown from Burnley and Andra Agathagelou from South Africa.Bob Deardon was at the match a confirmed Andra was on a year contract as Lancashire had nobody better.He is involved in Lancashire youth cricket.
First sat near the Pavilion however it was to warm. Went to stand next to the sightscreen .People were dressed for the Antartic so sat in the car. Mollie brought three of her scrapbooks for 1986 and 1987. Great pictures of the Yorkshire players. Shown Steve Oldham the scrapbook as there are a number of pictures of him.
Back to the match Brown had been given out caught down the legside after a half hearten appeal from Yorkshire. At lunch Lancashire were 120 for 2 after 35 overs.
The weather had clounded over and still the cold breeze.When walking round Bob Deardon said that two of the decisions were poor and could effect the cricketers career.
The wicket was another good wicket at Stamford Bridge with the Yorkshire bowlers struggling.
We left at 5.30 with Cross scoring freely.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Quotes of the week
Posted by Tony Hutton
After eleven days of cricket already this season, a rare blank day due to rain at Stamford Bridge got me thinking that we should have a quotes of the week column.
Here are just a few offerings for starters:-
From a spectator at Headingley after Anthony McGrath went to ground with a thud to prevent a boundary - 'They'll be 'avin earthquakes in Japan after that'.
Spectator at Stamford Bridge waiting for the rain to stop and surveying the Lancashire team sheet - 'It's all Greek to me' - having seen that number three batsman was listed as Andreas Agathagelou. He is in fact yet another South African.
From 'Stockport Geoff' (professional cricket watcher) having had five pounds reluctantly extracted from him to buy a copy of 'Two Men and a Blog' - 'I won't be able to eat today now'.
From Peter Davies - '£160 (membership subscription) is good value to watch Lancashire' !!!
From Chris Waters in the Yorkshire Post, after ten of the first seventeen wickets to fall at Headingley were given out lbw - 'Umpires Neil Mallender and Nigel Llong have appeared trigger happy at times, as though they have made alternative arrangements for Sunday afternoon'.
After eleven days of cricket already this season, a rare blank day due to rain at Stamford Bridge got me thinking that we should have a quotes of the week column.
Here are just a few offerings for starters:-
From a spectator at Headingley after Anthony McGrath went to ground with a thud to prevent a boundary - 'They'll be 'avin earthquakes in Japan after that'.
Spectator at Stamford Bridge waiting for the rain to stop and surveying the Lancashire team sheet - 'It's all Greek to me' - having seen that number three batsman was listed as Andreas Agathagelou. He is in fact yet another South African.
From 'Stockport Geoff' (professional cricket watcher) having had five pounds reluctantly extracted from him to buy a copy of 'Two Men and a Blog' - 'I won't be able to eat today now'.
From Peter Davies - '£160 (membership subscription) is good value to watch Lancashire' !!!
From Chris Waters in the Yorkshire Post, after ten of the first seventeen wickets to fall at Headingley were given out lbw - 'Umpires Neil Mallender and Nigel Llong have appeared trigger happy at times, as though they have made alternative arrangements for Sunday afternoon'.
Final Day at Headingley
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
The weather was fine but still a cold breeze.De Bruyan , from South Africa, and Wright from Australia were batting.On his second over of the day Hannon- Dalby got Wright L.B.W.At lunch they had reached 314 for 8. Yorkshire bowling was poor.
Thought Yorkshire would win the match if the total 220 in fifty overs.Somerset achieved 344 with Oliver getting another five wickets.Well done.
Yorkshire needed 198 in 63 overs .They should win or they do not deserve it.
Lyth batted very well to reach 90 in 130 balls.Gale reached 64 not out with 10 fours. The wicket had plenty of movement through the match. Also there was spin in the wicket.It was a good four day match. I heard that next season that there would only be 10 matches.Bad news.
Yorkshire top of the League however Shahzad and Bresnan will be going to The World Cup.
Looking forward to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
The weather was fine but still a cold breeze.De Bruyan , from South Africa, and Wright from Australia were batting.On his second over of the day Hannon- Dalby got Wright L.B.W.At lunch they had reached 314 for 8. Yorkshire bowling was poor.
Thought Yorkshire would win the match if the total 220 in fifty overs.Somerset achieved 344 with Oliver getting another five wickets.Well done.
Yorkshire needed 198 in 63 overs .They should win or they do not deserve it.
Lyth batted very well to reach 90 in 130 balls.Gale reached 64 not out with 10 fours. The wicket had plenty of movement through the match. Also there was spin in the wicket.It was a good four day match. I heard that next season that there would only be 10 matches.Bad news.
Yorkshire top of the League however Shahzad and Bresnan will be going to The World Cup.
Looking forward to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
First Day at League Matches.
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
On Saturday morning watched Yorkshire bat with Andrew. Weather is cloudy with a cold breeze.
Rashid and Shahazad batted well and reached 407-7 at lunch.I thought would bat until about three o,clock and Somerset would be about four down by the end of Saturday.
We moved on to see Yeadon v East Bierley .The pitch was near The White Swan pub so was a small boundary. The wicket was slow and Yeadon creeped to 69 for 5 in 90 minutes.Steve Oldham, the Yorkshire bowling coach was watching the match. He spoke to Gavin Hamilton.
Decided to move on to Underscliffe v Baildon match as we thought it would be a better match.
When we got there Baildon was 170 for 3 with 17 overs to go.Walked round the ground and saw G.T.Reid who is the Bradford League Chairman and my Second Team captain at Yorkshire Bank Cricket team.
Baildon reached 264 for 5 with 46 extras. Wicket had more bounch than Yeadon so a better total.
After tea Mark Gulliver and Bhatti opened the innings.They start well scored 50 in 37 minutes.
The match would depend on Baildon left arm spinner called Ahmed.He bowled 15 overs for 45 for 4 wickets.Undercliffe received 204 for 9 and the total was always to much for them. Ashley Metcalfe was playing for Undercliffe and batted 6 and scored 3.
Saw a old Undercliffe second team bowler called Wells. He had just finished playing cricket at 63 years old.
Yorkshire had reached 419 and Somerset were 201 for 6.
Also Leeds Rugby beat Hull at Rugby League. Another good day.
On Saturday morning watched Yorkshire bat with Andrew. Weather is cloudy with a cold breeze.
Rashid and Shahazad batted well and reached 407-7 at lunch.I thought would bat until about three o,clock and Somerset would be about four down by the end of Saturday.
We moved on to see Yeadon v East Bierley .The pitch was near The White Swan pub so was a small boundary. The wicket was slow and Yeadon creeped to 69 for 5 in 90 minutes.Steve Oldham, the Yorkshire bowling coach was watching the match. He spoke to Gavin Hamilton.
Decided to move on to Underscliffe v Baildon match as we thought it would be a better match.
When we got there Baildon was 170 for 3 with 17 overs to go.Walked round the ground and saw G.T.Reid who is the Bradford League Chairman and my Second Team captain at Yorkshire Bank Cricket team.
Baildon reached 264 for 5 with 46 extras. Wicket had more bounch than Yeadon so a better total.
After tea Mark Gulliver and Bhatti opened the innings.They start well scored 50 in 37 minutes.
The match would depend on Baildon left arm spinner called Ahmed.He bowled 15 overs for 45 for 4 wickets.Undercliffe received 204 for 9 and the total was always to much for them. Ashley Metcalfe was playing for Undercliffe and batted 6 and scored 3.
Saw a old Undercliffe second team bowler called Wells. He had just finished playing cricket at 63 years old.
Yorkshire had reached 419 and Somerset were 201 for 6.
Also Leeds Rugby beat Hull at Rugby League. Another good day.
Second Day at Headingley.
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
When Tony was in Durham I watched Yorkshire bat with Andrew Wickham.I first met Andrew three years ago at Hove when Yorkshire were beaten by Sussex in three days.
Yorkshire started with Sayers and McGrath. However McGrath was soon out LB.W to Thomas. Never moved his feet.At lunch Yorkshire were two wickets down.
Similar to the first day Yorkshire lost some quick wickets.. Gale grafted very hard a deserved his century. It was his first century as Captain whilst Bresnan scored 61 making a 149 stand.
The weather was a lot warmer than Thurday which was very cold.
Yorkshire finished at 320 for 7 with a lead of 48 runs. Overall It was a even match which was a excellent four day match.
When Tony was in Durham I watched Yorkshire bat with Andrew Wickham.I first met Andrew three years ago at Hove when Yorkshire were beaten by Sussex in three days.
Yorkshire started with Sayers and McGrath. However McGrath was soon out LB.W to Thomas. Never moved his feet.At lunch Yorkshire were two wickets down.
Similar to the first day Yorkshire lost some quick wickets.. Gale grafted very hard a deserved his century. It was his first century as Captain whilst Bresnan scored 61 making a 149 stand.
The weather was a lot warmer than Thurday which was very cold.
Yorkshire finished at 320 for 7 with a lead of 48 runs. Overall It was a even match which was a excellent four day match.
Return Fixture
Posted by Brian Sanderson,
On Wednesday I picked up Ron Stansfield and set out for New Rover. The match was Yorkshire Academy v Durham Academy.The weather was cloudy and a sneaky cold wind.
When we got there Mollie Staines was giving out the teas. Mollie has watched Yorkshire since 1947 and is very interested in the Academy.
Durham bat first in the 45 over match and losed a quick wicket.The next batsman was Ramanpreet Singh , I name to remember. He born in Newcastle and is 17 years old. On Friday he scored 50 retired to-day he scored 100 retired with beautiful shots.
Durham reached 246 in the forty five overs to much for Yorkshire.
Durham opened bowling with Jamie Harrison ,educated at Sedbergh school. He is a fast left -arm bowler to good for Yorkshire again.
John Abrahams was there on behalf of England under19.I spoke to Ramanpreet father who said his son is looking to be picked for England under19.
Durham have a excellent set-up is the lending County in England all through the ages.
On Wednesday I picked up Ron Stansfield and set out for New Rover. The match was Yorkshire Academy v Durham Academy.The weather was cloudy and a sneaky cold wind.
When we got there Mollie Staines was giving out the teas. Mollie has watched Yorkshire since 1947 and is very interested in the Academy.
Durham bat first in the 45 over match and losed a quick wicket.The next batsman was Ramanpreet Singh , I name to remember. He born in Newcastle and is 17 years old. On Friday he scored 50 retired to-day he scored 100 retired with beautiful shots.
Durham reached 246 in the forty five overs to much for Yorkshire.
Durham opened bowling with Jamie Harrison ,educated at Sedbergh school. He is a fast left -arm bowler to good for Yorkshire again.
John Abrahams was there on behalf of England under19.I spoke to Ramanpreet father who said his son is looking to be picked for England under19.
Durham have a excellent set-up is the lending County in England all through the ages.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Bric-a-brac for sale!
Posted by Peter Davies
A three-pronged Cleckheaton tour: Spen Vic, Gomersal and Scholes. At Spen Lane, Woodlands were the visitors in the Heavy Woollen Cup. A drab, melancholy afternoon but in the tea room all the fun of the fayre. Not every day you see a second-hand bookstall at a game, with plenty of bric-a-brac and car-boot-type stuff on sale also. Some good cricket books available for 50p paperback and £1 hardback. We had a cup of tea and Dad, rather than me, had a couple of fruit scones. He declared them to be the best-quality scones he had eaten in a long while and went back to buy four for the week ahead. He also bought a new wallet and a Roy Hattersley book. I signed up to sponsor a Spen matchball in early August, took a photo of the FOUR tea ladies on duty, and purchased a 2010 Bradford League handbook.
I sat on a bench dedicated to Harry Hoyle - a very loyal club man who died last year. Harry had helped us with our Spen research in 2004-5 and it was very sad to realise that he had passed away recently. Then some chance encounters: Stuart Thompson of Illingworth St Mary's CC who passed on a copy of the new club history by Andrew Smith. A very beautiful volume - in-depth historical research plus really attractive modern design. Very impressive. Then Alan Birkenshaw of Spen and the Bradford League who told me that David Morgan of the ICC - no less - was going to be opening the league's history exhibition at Bradford Industrial Museum later in the summer. And Jeff Bulmer from Leeds who described himself to me as an 'Amateur Professional Cricket Watcher'. He just couldn't keep up with his PCW friends and kept blotting his copybook by going to watch football...
Down the road at Gomersal, Baildon were in town in the same competition. Oxford Road is a well appointed ground with some very nice features. You feel you're right in the middle of the village when you're sat at the ground, with shops and terraced houses overlooking the playing area. The clubhouse is also mightily impressive - bar and function room with the same feel as Hanging Heaton. There's also a new 'shelter' outside - for smokers perhaps? Some nice yellow flowers added to the ambience. I bought a designer Gomersal cricket shirt and enjoyed a double orange J20 in a huge pint glass. The clubhouse was busy with football on the big screen, a function seemingly going on in the function room, and cricket punters drinking in the bar. At tea I took some great action shots of the two GCC groundsmen rolling the wicket and whitening the creases. The real hard workers on a Saturday afternoon!
Finally, Scholes, a lovely rural venue just off the motorway. A very friendly and sociable place with the best pavilion decking in the area, I would argue. Kirkheaton were the Heavy Woollen visitors - with one couple saying they had bumped into me yesterday too at Hill Top. My SCC friends Mr Jackson and Mr Mitchell were wandering round the boundary when I arrived - two very friendly guys who have helped us with our project research. The latter said the club should in reality be winning lots of 'most improved ground' awards but wasn't for some reason he couldn't put his finger on.
Scholes were struggling on the field but the afternoon was lovely, even though there was no sun to be seen. I had a couple of cups of tea and we dined on some gorgeous cheese and spring onion open-topped sandwiches, with a couple of small scotch eggs and mushroom vol-au-vents. The Scholes tea ladies also did some slices of baked potato - very nice indeed. Bought a raffle ticket and retired to a picnic table to read the Observer and, in particular, an article about the pointlessness of being an Athletico Madrid fan these days. I also enquired about buying a Scholes replica cricket top and the club are going to get back to me. Just fancy building up a collection of local cricket shirts.
A three-pronged Cleckheaton tour: Spen Vic, Gomersal and Scholes. At Spen Lane, Woodlands were the visitors in the Heavy Woollen Cup. A drab, melancholy afternoon but in the tea room all the fun of the fayre. Not every day you see a second-hand bookstall at a game, with plenty of bric-a-brac and car-boot-type stuff on sale also. Some good cricket books available for 50p paperback and £1 hardback. We had a cup of tea and Dad, rather than me, had a couple of fruit scones. He declared them to be the best-quality scones he had eaten in a long while and went back to buy four for the week ahead. He also bought a new wallet and a Roy Hattersley book. I signed up to sponsor a Spen matchball in early August, took a photo of the FOUR tea ladies on duty, and purchased a 2010 Bradford League handbook.
I sat on a bench dedicated to Harry Hoyle - a very loyal club man who died last year. Harry had helped us with our Spen research in 2004-5 and it was very sad to realise that he had passed away recently. Then some chance encounters: Stuart Thompson of Illingworth St Mary's CC who passed on a copy of the new club history by Andrew Smith. A very beautiful volume - in-depth historical research plus really attractive modern design. Very impressive. Then Alan Birkenshaw of Spen and the Bradford League who told me that David Morgan of the ICC - no less - was going to be opening the league's history exhibition at Bradford Industrial Museum later in the summer. And Jeff Bulmer from Leeds who described himself to me as an 'Amateur Professional Cricket Watcher'. He just couldn't keep up with his PCW friends and kept blotting his copybook by going to watch football...
Down the road at Gomersal, Baildon were in town in the same competition. Oxford Road is a well appointed ground with some very nice features. You feel you're right in the middle of the village when you're sat at the ground, with shops and terraced houses overlooking the playing area. The clubhouse is also mightily impressive - bar and function room with the same feel as Hanging Heaton. There's also a new 'shelter' outside - for smokers perhaps? Some nice yellow flowers added to the ambience. I bought a designer Gomersal cricket shirt and enjoyed a double orange J20 in a huge pint glass. The clubhouse was busy with football on the big screen, a function seemingly going on in the function room, and cricket punters drinking in the bar. At tea I took some great action shots of the two GCC groundsmen rolling the wicket and whitening the creases. The real hard workers on a Saturday afternoon!
Finally, Scholes, a lovely rural venue just off the motorway. A very friendly and sociable place with the best pavilion decking in the area, I would argue. Kirkheaton were the Heavy Woollen visitors - with one couple saying they had bumped into me yesterday too at Hill Top. My SCC friends Mr Jackson and Mr Mitchell were wandering round the boundary when I arrived - two very friendly guys who have helped us with our project research. The latter said the club should in reality be winning lots of 'most improved ground' awards but wasn't for some reason he couldn't put his finger on.
Scholes were struggling on the field but the afternoon was lovely, even though there was no sun to be seen. I had a couple of cups of tea and we dined on some gorgeous cheese and spring onion open-topped sandwiches, with a couple of small scotch eggs and mushroom vol-au-vents. The Scholes tea ladies also did some slices of baked potato - very nice indeed. Bought a raffle ticket and retired to a picnic table to read the Observer and, in particular, an article about the pointlessness of being an Athletico Madrid fan these days. I also enquired about buying a Scholes replica cricket top and the club are going to get back to me. Just fancy building up a collection of local cricket shirts.
County championship round up
Posted by Tony Hutton
15th April - Yorkshire v Somerset at Headingley
Yorkshire's first home championship match of the season provided four days of competitive cricket at it's best in fine weather and with a good attendence on each day.
Following their fine win at Edgbaston last week with a side consisting of ten Yorkshire born players and only one overseas man - Jacques Rudolph, hopes were high against a Somerset side which contained five South African born players and one from Malaysia.
However it was home grown Marcus Trescothick who provided most of the entertainment on the opening day with a fine century. He raced to 50 off only 46 balls with 10 fours, but then slowed down somewhat, but seemed to be able to pierce the field at will picking up singles and twos into the gaps all the time.
Tim Bresnan broke the back of the Somerset innings by picking up three wickets as the score went from 121-2 to 139-5, but Peter Trego the hero of Somerset's great win against Yorkshire at Taunton last season, joined Trescothick to take it to 206-6 before Rashid had Trescothick lbw for a fine 117. Eventually they were all out for 272 with wickets for all the bowlers with the exception of part-timer McGrath.
Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth to the second ball of their innings, but 51 from Sayers and a fine captain's innings of 101 by Andrew Gale took them into the lead. Bresnan showed his all round capabilities with 61. However probably the turning point of the match came on Saturday morning (day 3) when Rashid and Shahzad put on a partnership of 111 for the eight wicket. Playing with great concentration they took their time initially and took the score beyond 400 before Shahzad was out for 45. Rashid the last man to go made 63.
When Somerset started their second innings Bresnan again made the important breakthrough having Trescothick lbw for only 16. Young Oliver Hannon-Dolby, who had impressed at Edgbaston, then added to his growing reputation with 5 wickets for 68, but the Somerset tail enders worked hard to take the total to 344 leaving Yorkshire to score 198 with about half a day's play remaining.
Initially they made hard work of it but after the early loss of Sayers and McGrath, it was the two left handers Adam Lyth with a splendid 90 and skipper Gale this time with 64 not out who saw them home to a six wicket victory greeted with rousing cheers all round the ground at about quarter to six in the evening.
Next opponents will be Kent at Canterbury who lost by an innings at Trent Bridge yesterday, but apparently by then Shahzad and Bresnan may well have departed for the West Indies and the World T20 competition. Tino Best the West Indian has been signed by Yorkshire but whether he will arrive soon presumably depends on a lifting of the air travel ban caused by the Icelandic volcano.
16th April - Durham v Essex at Riverside, Chester-le-Street (second day)
Taking a day off from Headingley to meet up with a friend of mine who is an Essex supporter at the Riverside on an absolutely perfect sunny day. I had told my friend to bring every item of clothing available expecting the usual freezing early season weather at county cricket's most northerly outpost. However we were able to sit in shirt sleeves for most of the day.
Essex had been put in by champions Durham on the first day and scored 263-4 with an unbroken partnership of 161 between 20 year old Jaik Mickleburgh and wicketkeeper James Foster. To everyone's amazement, including the Durham bowlers, missing Harmison and Onions both injured, these two proceeded to break the all time Essex 5th wicket partnership record by putting on no less than 339.
Mickleburgh, who hails from Norfolk, took his overnight maiden century to 174 before he was finally out at 441-5. Then suddenly everything changed and wickets fell like ninepins, Ten Doeschate for 3, Foster for a marvellous 169, then Napier newly returned from the IPL for 0 and in no time Essex were all out for 484.
Plunkett suddenly seemed to achieve an extra yard of pace and took three wickets very quickly, but Durham had looked anything but the champion county in the field despite two stunning catches by Dale Benkenstein.
Durham progressed steadily to 83-1 at the close of day two, but the following day were shot out for 198 and had to follow on. Fortunately they recovered in the second inning and the game ended in a draw with Durham on 352-7 and two near misses with Di Venuto out for 99 and Benkenstein for 98.
So some early suprises for the champions at the hands of newly promoted Essex. I wonder if this heralds a closer faught championship this season, but as we all know this game can continually suprise us. For these early games to go the full course in good weather has been a real bonus.
15th April - Yorkshire v Somerset at Headingley
Yorkshire's first home championship match of the season provided four days of competitive cricket at it's best in fine weather and with a good attendence on each day.
Following their fine win at Edgbaston last week with a side consisting of ten Yorkshire born players and only one overseas man - Jacques Rudolph, hopes were high against a Somerset side which contained five South African born players and one from Malaysia.
However it was home grown Marcus Trescothick who provided most of the entertainment on the opening day with a fine century. He raced to 50 off only 46 balls with 10 fours, but then slowed down somewhat, but seemed to be able to pierce the field at will picking up singles and twos into the gaps all the time.
Tim Bresnan broke the back of the Somerset innings by picking up three wickets as the score went from 121-2 to 139-5, but Peter Trego the hero of Somerset's great win against Yorkshire at Taunton last season, joined Trescothick to take it to 206-6 before Rashid had Trescothick lbw for a fine 117. Eventually they were all out for 272 with wickets for all the bowlers with the exception of part-timer McGrath.
Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth to the second ball of their innings, but 51 from Sayers and a fine captain's innings of 101 by Andrew Gale took them into the lead. Bresnan showed his all round capabilities with 61. However probably the turning point of the match came on Saturday morning (day 3) when Rashid and Shahzad put on a partnership of 111 for the eight wicket. Playing with great concentration they took their time initially and took the score beyond 400 before Shahzad was out for 45. Rashid the last man to go made 63.
When Somerset started their second innings Bresnan again made the important breakthrough having Trescothick lbw for only 16. Young Oliver Hannon-Dolby, who had impressed at Edgbaston, then added to his growing reputation with 5 wickets for 68, but the Somerset tail enders worked hard to take the total to 344 leaving Yorkshire to score 198 with about half a day's play remaining.
Initially they made hard work of it but after the early loss of Sayers and McGrath, it was the two left handers Adam Lyth with a splendid 90 and skipper Gale this time with 64 not out who saw them home to a six wicket victory greeted with rousing cheers all round the ground at about quarter to six in the evening.
Next opponents will be Kent at Canterbury who lost by an innings at Trent Bridge yesterday, but apparently by then Shahzad and Bresnan may well have departed for the West Indies and the World T20 competition. Tino Best the West Indian has been signed by Yorkshire but whether he will arrive soon presumably depends on a lifting of the air travel ban caused by the Icelandic volcano.
16th April - Durham v Essex at Riverside, Chester-le-Street (second day)
Taking a day off from Headingley to meet up with a friend of mine who is an Essex supporter at the Riverside on an absolutely perfect sunny day. I had told my friend to bring every item of clothing available expecting the usual freezing early season weather at county cricket's most northerly outpost. However we were able to sit in shirt sleeves for most of the day.
Essex had been put in by champions Durham on the first day and scored 263-4 with an unbroken partnership of 161 between 20 year old Jaik Mickleburgh and wicketkeeper James Foster. To everyone's amazement, including the Durham bowlers, missing Harmison and Onions both injured, these two proceeded to break the all time Essex 5th wicket partnership record by putting on no less than 339.
Mickleburgh, who hails from Norfolk, took his overnight maiden century to 174 before he was finally out at 441-5. Then suddenly everything changed and wickets fell like ninepins, Ten Doeschate for 3, Foster for a marvellous 169, then Napier newly returned from the IPL for 0 and in no time Essex were all out for 484.
Plunkett suddenly seemed to achieve an extra yard of pace and took three wickets very quickly, but Durham had looked anything but the champion county in the field despite two stunning catches by Dale Benkenstein.
Durham progressed steadily to 83-1 at the close of day two, but the following day were shot out for 198 and had to follow on. Fortunately they recovered in the second inning and the game ended in a draw with Durham on 352-7 and two near misses with Di Venuto out for 99 and Benkenstein for 98.
So some early suprises for the champions at the hands of newly promoted Essex. I wonder if this heralds a closer faught championship this season, but as we all know this game can continually suprise us. For these early games to go the full course in good weather has been a real bonus.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
From Shelley to Skelmanthorpe
Posted by Peter Davies
A Huddersfield League tour on the first day of the Drakes season. The sun was shining on Westerley Lane, Shelley at 12 noon. Kids were playing soccer on the outfield and club officials were working hard at both ends of the field as the afternoon's encounter against Clayton West was being anticipated. I took some photos and moved on to Kirkburton where club official Steve Ireland was working behind the bar and sorting out the club noticeboard.
Again, perfect conditions - sunny but also cool. We ordered a cup of tea - price 50p - and took a perch by the garage at the pavilion end of the ground. The scene was very beautiful - what a great start to the summer of 2010. 'Burton were entertaining Elland in Premiership 2 and there was a good smattering of spectators. The raffle man came round and in an early-season bout of generosity I bought FIVE at £1 each. Surely a personal record. Picked up a Kirkburton CC newsletter and also studied some plans and drawings on the wall for a new pavilion.
Next stop Lascelles Hall where Paddock were the visitors. It was mid-afternoon and the ladies in the tea room didn't seem to think there would be any teas available for spectators, which was a blow. They were even unsure if they could make us a brew. So we found a bench at deep long-on and stopped for almost an hour. I had a book on Indian cricket and a music magazine on the go - Sachin Tendulkar and Paul Weller at the same time! The cup of tea eventually emerged and I sprawled out on the glass - so fantastic was the weather. Dad went to tidy his car which he had parked near the scorebox. I said hi to Paddock's Australian all-rounder Steve Abbott, who I'd met in 2009.
At Kirkheaton, Delph & Dobcross were the visitors. Because Hill Top is so high, the views are always incredible and it is possible to feel as though you are somewhere quite remote. More bad timing, with no food available except three different flavours of crisps. So we ordered yet more tea at 30p each. Delph had just scraped over 100 in their innings and the home side were 10-1 as we arrived. Quite a few people in the bar.
Finally, to Skelmanthorpe where Honley were the away team. Lidgett Lane was packed, with supporters lining the boundary edge. It almost had the feel of an outground county match - really impressive in all respects. Maybe 150-200 people in the crowd, according to one bloke who hazarded a guess. This included league chairman Roger France and his wife Judith, Honley groundsman and ex-player Peter Green, and Riaz - a former teammate of mine at Birkby Nuffield CC who now owns a newsagents in Skelmanthorpe.
Honley had scored over 300 but as we sat down, Wasim Jaffer - the home side's new pro - was setting about the bowlers after a watchful start. There was a real sense of expectation that he might take his side to victory but he holed out to deep long-on when a sizeable innings was looming. The temperature was falling. It was now actually quite cold after being quite warm when we walked in. I said hello to club chairman Margaret Dollive and ordered a pint of lemonade and a bag of mini-cheddars.
A Huddersfield League tour on the first day of the Drakes season. The sun was shining on Westerley Lane, Shelley at 12 noon. Kids were playing soccer on the outfield and club officials were working hard at both ends of the field as the afternoon's encounter against Clayton West was being anticipated. I took some photos and moved on to Kirkburton where club official Steve Ireland was working behind the bar and sorting out the club noticeboard.
Again, perfect conditions - sunny but also cool. We ordered a cup of tea - price 50p - and took a perch by the garage at the pavilion end of the ground. The scene was very beautiful - what a great start to the summer of 2010. 'Burton were entertaining Elland in Premiership 2 and there was a good smattering of spectators. The raffle man came round and in an early-season bout of generosity I bought FIVE at £1 each. Surely a personal record. Picked up a Kirkburton CC newsletter and also studied some plans and drawings on the wall for a new pavilion.
Next stop Lascelles Hall where Paddock were the visitors. It was mid-afternoon and the ladies in the tea room didn't seem to think there would be any teas available for spectators, which was a blow. They were even unsure if they could make us a brew. So we found a bench at deep long-on and stopped for almost an hour. I had a book on Indian cricket and a music magazine on the go - Sachin Tendulkar and Paul Weller at the same time! The cup of tea eventually emerged and I sprawled out on the glass - so fantastic was the weather. Dad went to tidy his car which he had parked near the scorebox. I said hi to Paddock's Australian all-rounder Steve Abbott, who I'd met in 2009.
At Kirkheaton, Delph & Dobcross were the visitors. Because Hill Top is so high, the views are always incredible and it is possible to feel as though you are somewhere quite remote. More bad timing, with no food available except three different flavours of crisps. So we ordered yet more tea at 30p each. Delph had just scraped over 100 in their innings and the home side were 10-1 as we arrived. Quite a few people in the bar.
Finally, to Skelmanthorpe where Honley were the away team. Lidgett Lane was packed, with supporters lining the boundary edge. It almost had the feel of an outground county match - really impressive in all respects. Maybe 150-200 people in the crowd, according to one bloke who hazarded a guess. This included league chairman Roger France and his wife Judith, Honley groundsman and ex-player Peter Green, and Riaz - a former teammate of mine at Birkby Nuffield CC who now owns a newsagents in Skelmanthorpe.
Honley had scored over 300 but as we sat down, Wasim Jaffer - the home side's new pro - was setting about the bowlers after a watchful start. There was a real sense of expectation that he might take his side to victory but he holed out to deep long-on when a sizeable innings was looming. The temperature was falling. It was now actually quite cold after being quite warm when we walked in. I said hello to club chairman Margaret Dollive and ordered a pint of lemonade and a bag of mini-cheddars.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Posted by Peter Davies
Friday 16 April
25 overs in the late-afternoon sun at Old Trafford, Lancs v Warwickshire. Arrived 4.45 via the slow train to see Lancashire’s openers make their way to the middle, the visitors having taken an ultra-slim one-run lead on first innings. It was cool and sunny – really perfect spring conditions. And hadn’t OT changed? The grass looked greener and the ‘new structure’ to the right of the pavilion looked imposing and very red, and also not yet open.
Going to OT for the first time in a summer is always special – I have a great sense of anticipation and ritual. Just somewhere I love being. Sat outside the pavilion in my usual spot. Familiar but unfamiliar faces all around. Had a cup of tea, then a pint of pineapple and lemonade. Not a huge turnout but I had come at teatime and many will have been and gone.
Smith is still opening the batting. A talented cricketer but they seem to be ‘forcing’ him into being a proper batsman when maybe he just isn’t. Moore and Horton, on the other hand, looked steady. Their partnerships upfront or at 1 and 3 will hopefully be a feature of the summer. And they remind me of each other: in the way they look as batsman, their attitude and also their Southern Hemisphere connections. Moore always scored runs at Worcester when I was there. I was also watching when he was a guest on Cricket AM last year and he’s a very impressive bloke – mentally strong as they say. Also more aggressive today than I thought he was going to be. Anderson made a cameo as nightwatchman late on.
Other goings on? Heckles for the Bears’ over-zealous appealing, Ashley Giles in supershades, and sitting next to a girl who later gave the impression of being Tom Smith’s lady friend. She was lovely! And she high-fived him when she saw him in front of the pavilion, even though he’d just been out for 7. I picked up my season ticket – or card. A good-value £160.
Friday 16 April
25 overs in the late-afternoon sun at Old Trafford, Lancs v Warwickshire. Arrived 4.45 via the slow train to see Lancashire’s openers make their way to the middle, the visitors having taken an ultra-slim one-run lead on first innings. It was cool and sunny – really perfect spring conditions. And hadn’t OT changed? The grass looked greener and the ‘new structure’ to the right of the pavilion looked imposing and very red, and also not yet open.
Going to OT for the first time in a summer is always special – I have a great sense of anticipation and ritual. Just somewhere I love being. Sat outside the pavilion in my usual spot. Familiar but unfamiliar faces all around. Had a cup of tea, then a pint of pineapple and lemonade. Not a huge turnout but I had come at teatime and many will have been and gone.
Smith is still opening the batting. A talented cricketer but they seem to be ‘forcing’ him into being a proper batsman when maybe he just isn’t. Moore and Horton, on the other hand, looked steady. Their partnerships upfront or at 1 and 3 will hopefully be a feature of the summer. And they remind me of each other: in the way they look as batsman, their attitude and also their Southern Hemisphere connections. Moore always scored runs at Worcester when I was there. I was also watching when he was a guest on Cricket AM last year and he’s a very impressive bloke – mentally strong as they say. Also more aggressive today than I thought he was going to be. Anderson made a cameo as nightwatchman late on.
Other goings on? Heckles for the Bears’ over-zealous appealing, Ashley Giles in supershades, and sitting next to a girl who later gave the impression of being Tom Smith’s lady friend. She was lovely! And she high-fived him when she saw him in front of the pavilion, even though he’d just been out for 7. I picked up my season ticket – or card. A good-value £160.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Preparations for the Season
Posted by Brian Sanderson.
Two days to go to the first Championship match at Headingley.There are four books required before the season starts.
The first one purchased is a diary for 2010 to put the fixtures in.
Second book is Playfair Cricket Annual. This supplies details of first class players together with first class fixtures so this needs to be transfered to the diary. I purchased this book from Amazon for £3-50 plus free packing. The usual price is £ 6-99.
Third book is First -class Counties second Eleven 2010. This supplies information about all the second team players for 2009 and fixtures for 2010. This is purchased from the Assocation of Cricket Statisticians and Historians at Sleaford for £8 .This information required to the diary.
Fourth book is The Yorkshire Yearbook which is now included in your Yorkshire subsciption.
I went yesterday to pay for this subscripition after I had purchased a Leeds Card for myself and the wife. Brian Senior had mention that you could get 10% of your cost of subscription. So we went down to the old Central High School in Leeds to obtain the cards. On filling the form in it stated that a photograph was required. So off to Merrion Centre to pay £ 4 for the snaps.
Went back to the office and found out that they took photographs to attach to the cards. This cost us £ 4 .However I am still in front as I will receive a cheque from Yorkshire Cricket for £ 24 .
Went over to the Cricket ground and found Vivien and Geoff sorting out the books for the new season.Heard on the radio at 3.30 that Yorkshire had won there first match with Bairstow helping to win the match.
Geoff and Vivien had gone to Weetwood on Saturday to see a match however they played on Friday which I went to.
The sun is still shining and looking forward to New Rover Wednesday.
Two days to go to the first Championship match at Headingley.There are four books required before the season starts.
The first one purchased is a diary for 2010 to put the fixtures in.
Second book is Playfair Cricket Annual. This supplies details of first class players together with first class fixtures so this needs to be transfered to the diary. I purchased this book from Amazon for £3-50 plus free packing. The usual price is £ 6-99.
Third book is First -class Counties second Eleven 2010. This supplies information about all the second team players for 2009 and fixtures for 2010. This is purchased from the Assocation of Cricket Statisticians and Historians at Sleaford for £8 .This information required to the diary.
Fourth book is The Yorkshire Yearbook which is now included in your Yorkshire subsciption.
I went yesterday to pay for this subscripition after I had purchased a Leeds Card for myself and the wife. Brian Senior had mention that you could get 10% of your cost of subscription. So we went down to the old Central High School in Leeds to obtain the cards. On filling the form in it stated that a photograph was required. So off to Merrion Centre to pay £ 4 for the snaps.
Went back to the office and found out that they took photographs to attach to the cards. This cost us £ 4 .However I am still in front as I will receive a cheque from Yorkshire Cricket for £ 24 .
Went over to the Cricket ground and found Vivien and Geoff sorting out the books for the new season.Heard on the radio at 3.30 that Yorkshire had won there first match with Bairstow helping to win the match.
Geoff and Vivien had gone to Weetwood on Saturday to see a match however they played on Friday which I went to.
The sun is still shining and looking forward to New Rover Wednesday.
Monday, 12 April 2010
A day in the Lancashire sun
Posted by Tony Hutton
Thursday 8th April - Lancashire v Durham (Old Trafford)
Firstly I would like to thank Brian Sanderson for getting the blogging season off to such a good start with his comprehensive reports of the early days of the new cricket season.
Secondly on behalf of everyone connected with the cricket heritage project and all professional cricket watchers I would like to wish Peter Davies a speedy and full recovery from his recent illness. Hopefully he will be posting his first cricket tea report next Saturday.
Lancashire entertained county champions Durham in a two day friendly at Old Trafford in perfect weather condition. It could not have been better for the first county action with really warm sunshine for most of the day.
Durham batted for all the first day and made it all look rather easy with Tasmanian Michael Di Venuto carrying on where he left off last season with a splendid 103 before retiring. Skipper Will Smith with a solid 40 and Dale Benkenstein with 57 gave him good support.
Lancashire's opening attack of James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood looked rather innocuous and new West Indian signing Powell proved quite expensive. The other new signing Ashwell Prince from South Africa had a mixed day in the field, catching one but dropping two chances.
The fireworks came after tea when newcomer Ben Stokes hit a quickfire 70. Stokes was born in New Zealand, but brought up in Cumbria and starred recently for England Under 19s in the world cup. He looks a considerable asset to the Durham squad.
Durham's final score was 349-7 declared, with three of those being batsman 'retired out'. So a poor day for Lancashire was made even worse when left arm spinner Gary Keedy broke his collarbone late in the day. With skipper Glen Chapple and Tom Smith already injured Lancashire could have problems.
I did not attend on day two, but Lancashire stuggled to make 181 all out, the unlikely top scorer being James Anderson with 34 at number ten. The two counties respective websites had conflicting accounts of the match. Lancashire claimed a draw, presumably on account of no second innings having been played, but Durham quite rightly claimed a win by 169 runs, although the mathematicians among you will work out that this does not add up quite with the scores.
However that does not detract from the pleasure of a great day in the sun, only spoilt somewhat by the new huge red monstrosity which had been built next to the traditional old pavilion which quite literally has been put in the shade.
Thursday 8th April - Lancashire v Durham (Old Trafford)
Firstly I would like to thank Brian Sanderson for getting the blogging season off to such a good start with his comprehensive reports of the early days of the new cricket season.
Secondly on behalf of everyone connected with the cricket heritage project and all professional cricket watchers I would like to wish Peter Davies a speedy and full recovery from his recent illness. Hopefully he will be posting his first cricket tea report next Saturday.
Lancashire entertained county champions Durham in a two day friendly at Old Trafford in perfect weather condition. It could not have been better for the first county action with really warm sunshine for most of the day.
Durham batted for all the first day and made it all look rather easy with Tasmanian Michael Di Venuto carrying on where he left off last season with a splendid 103 before retiring. Skipper Will Smith with a solid 40 and Dale Benkenstein with 57 gave him good support.
Lancashire's opening attack of James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood looked rather innocuous and new West Indian signing Powell proved quite expensive. The other new signing Ashwell Prince from South Africa had a mixed day in the field, catching one but dropping two chances.
The fireworks came after tea when newcomer Ben Stokes hit a quickfire 70. Stokes was born in New Zealand, but brought up in Cumbria and starred recently for England Under 19s in the world cup. He looks a considerable asset to the Durham squad.
Durham's final score was 349-7 declared, with three of those being batsman 'retired out'. So a poor day for Lancashire was made even worse when left arm spinner Gary Keedy broke his collarbone late in the day. With skipper Glen Chapple and Tom Smith already injured Lancashire could have problems.
I did not attend on day two, but Lancashire stuggled to make 181 all out, the unlikely top scorer being James Anderson with 34 at number ten. The two counties respective websites had conflicting accounts of the match. Lancashire claimed a draw, presumably on account of no second innings having been played, but Durham quite rightly claimed a win by 169 runs, although the mathematicians among you will work out that this does not add up quite with the scores.
However that does not detract from the pleasure of a great day in the sun, only spoilt somewhat by the new huge red monstrosity which had been built next to the traditional old pavilion which quite literally has been put in the shade.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
NEW ROVER
Posted by Brian Sanderson
Saturday 10 April,
Went to pick up Ron Stanfield who had been unable to come out for the last two weeks due to his bad foot. I have known Ron for forty years and worked with him.On arriving at New Rover it looked in excellent condition again. Keith Boyce looks after the ground and the pitches are always excellent.
Olicanians were batting and there must have been about six or seven watching.Mel Rueben and his wife looks after the food and drinks.John and Jenny arrived after about fifteen minutes.Wickets were falling often due to bad batting rather good bowling.
Next to arrive was Reg Parker.He always has good stories and. he used to play for Holbeck in 1949 .He was a good cricketer and still organise a cricket team called Rounday Allerton. They are a friendly side and play all the matches away.
Tony Hutton was the next person to arrive.We noticed Denis Nash,the elder opening bowler for Arthington. He told a tale that he played for Yorkshire over 60 team against Australia and got four quick wickets and then was taken off.
Olicanians struggled to 146 for about 12 wickets in 45 overs.
Walked on the ground with Reg at tea time. The outfield was still soft but the wicket was hard.
Ron backed the winner of The Grand National.
Micheal Richmond and Toby Ibbotson batted very well and both retired after they scored 50,s.
New Rover won the match easily.
Going to the Rugby to-morrow.
Saturday 10 April,
Went to pick up Ron Stanfield who had been unable to come out for the last two weeks due to his bad foot. I have known Ron for forty years and worked with him.On arriving at New Rover it looked in excellent condition again. Keith Boyce looks after the ground and the pitches are always excellent.
Olicanians were batting and there must have been about six or seven watching.Mel Rueben and his wife looks after the food and drinks.John and Jenny arrived after about fifteen minutes.Wickets were falling often due to bad batting rather good bowling.
Next to arrive was Reg Parker.He always has good stories and. he used to play for Holbeck in 1949 .He was a good cricketer and still organise a cricket team called Rounday Allerton. They are a friendly side and play all the matches away.
Tony Hutton was the next person to arrive.We noticed Denis Nash,the elder opening bowler for Arthington. He told a tale that he played for Yorkshire over 60 team against Australia and got four quick wickets and then was taken off.
Olicanians struggled to 146 for about 12 wickets in 45 overs.
Walked on the ground with Reg at tea time. The outfield was still soft but the wicket was hard.
Ron backed the winner of The Grand National.
Micheal Richmond and Toby Ibbotson batted very well and both retired after they scored 50,s.
New Rover won the match easily.
Going to the Rugby to-morrow.
FIRST VISIT TO WEETWOOD
Posted by Brian Sanderson
Friday 9th April.
In the morning I went up to Morley to finish off the winter work for Yorkshire Cricket Archives.
Arrived home about 1.00pm and draged the folding chair out of its winter habitat and set off to Weetwood. The sun was shining and warm.Going up the drive to Weetwood I passed what I thought were Japanese students. However I found out later there was a Vietnamese boys and girls football finals.
The first I talked to was Ian from Lancaster who travels the North watching sport.He was just working out which football match he could watch on the way back home after the cricket.
Good to see him again.
The next person to arrive was Brian Senior who had been missing on Tuesday and Wednesday. He had been to Wetherby races on Tuesday and doing a Yorkshire cricket mailout on Wednesday.He was going to the bookies to bet on the Antree horse racing.
It turn out that it was lunch-time and Durham had batted 40 overs to score 175.Tony Hutton and David Thorpe were in The Stables pub so I joined them.David had very kindly brought a Lillywhite book showing a cricket club called Cuckoos based down South.This was interesting as I had purchased a scrapbook about Lockwood. He had played on 20 May 1871 in a match Cuckoos v Butterflies at Meltham.However I do not think it would be the same team.
Lunch was over and Yorkshire were batting.Root and Lees opened the batting. I was sat next to Root grand father who took him all over Yorkshire. He was hoping his grandson would pass his
Driving Test so he could have a lift instead.
Durham bowled well and one of the bowlers was N.Killeen step son. Half way through the innings John and Jenny arrived from the Supporters Lunch at Headingley. They mainly watch the Second Team and Academy all over England.
Yorkshire batted poorly and lost the match. They managed about 130 for 7. Found out that the same teams were playing at New Rover on Wednesday and Thursday.Hope the sun is still shining then.
Looking forward to going to New Rover to-morrow.
Friday 9th April.
In the morning I went up to Morley to finish off the winter work for Yorkshire Cricket Archives.
Arrived home about 1.00pm and draged the folding chair out of its winter habitat and set off to Weetwood. The sun was shining and warm.Going up the drive to Weetwood I passed what I thought were Japanese students. However I found out later there was a Vietnamese boys and girls football finals.
The first I talked to was Ian from Lancaster who travels the North watching sport.He was just working out which football match he could watch on the way back home after the cricket.
Good to see him again.
The next person to arrive was Brian Senior who had been missing on Tuesday and Wednesday. He had been to Wetherby races on Tuesday and doing a Yorkshire cricket mailout on Wednesday.He was going to the bookies to bet on the Antree horse racing.
It turn out that it was lunch-time and Durham had batted 40 overs to score 175.Tony Hutton and David Thorpe were in The Stables pub so I joined them.David had very kindly brought a Lillywhite book showing a cricket club called Cuckoos based down South.This was interesting as I had purchased a scrapbook about Lockwood. He had played on 20 May 1871 in a match Cuckoos v Butterflies at Meltham.However I do not think it would be the same team.
Lunch was over and Yorkshire were batting.Root and Lees opened the batting. I was sat next to Root grand father who took him all over Yorkshire. He was hoping his grandson would pass his
Driving Test so he could have a lift instead.
Durham bowled well and one of the bowlers was N.Killeen step son. Half way through the innings John and Jenny arrived from the Supporters Lunch at Headingley. They mainly watch the Second Team and Academy all over England.
Yorkshire batted poorly and lost the match. They managed about 130 for 7. Found out that the same teams were playing at New Rover on Wednesday and Thursday.Hope the sun is still shining then.
Looking forward to going to New Rover to-morrow.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Mixed Bag
Posted by Brian Sanderson
Wednesday 7th April.
It had rained on Tuesday night so they would not be started on time at Headingley.So I telephone David Thorpe in Paddock to tell him the weather conditions and to find the room at Huddersfield University where the meeting would be to-night. With the spare time before the match I finished a summary of scrapbook mainly about Major Booth from 1912 to 1914.Also there is press reports about The Leeds Pal.
Looking on the Yorkshire web-site I saw they had started at the ground. Met Kevin Sharp on the way in who said the match yesterday finished about 6.00pm and a new match had started to-day. It turned out to be Rudolph,s X1 V Blain X1. Blain X1 were batting and Sayer was out a duck.
Gerry joined us and is the Middlesex book seller.He said he was going to Old Trafford to-morrow to watch Lancashire v Durham and then catching a coach at 1.am. in the morning to Birmingham and then on to Worcester to see the Middlesex match. Things people do to watch cricket.
Left Headingley about 12.45 to go to Leeds. Mc Grath was 40 not out.Enjoyed a good Chinese buffet however it stated to rain so the match would not be playing.
Went home to log on to Cricket Archive to look at the matches for M.C.C to South Africa 1913-14Tour.
These were included in the scrapbook.Will update the web site to-morrow.
Sent off to Huddersfield by train. Set next to Frenchman who had just come back from two months in India.He was going to Huddersfield New College for a Juggling Convention.Did not understand cricket..
Walked on to University to learned from Sean Read about Irish Cricket in the Nineteeth Century. No nothing about it. First person who I saw there was Mick Bourne who had been two months in Australia. Great to see him again and he will always have interesting tales.Sean did a excellent talk and shown again what interesting cricket matters out there.
Good to see Peter Davies there after he had come out of hospital.
Mick gave me a left home and watched the second half of the Manchester football match.
Great to be a Pensioner.
Wednesday 7th April.
It had rained on Tuesday night so they would not be started on time at Headingley.So I telephone David Thorpe in Paddock to tell him the weather conditions and to find the room at Huddersfield University where the meeting would be to-night. With the spare time before the match I finished a summary of scrapbook mainly about Major Booth from 1912 to 1914.Also there is press reports about The Leeds Pal.
Looking on the Yorkshire web-site I saw they had started at the ground. Met Kevin Sharp on the way in who said the match yesterday finished about 6.00pm and a new match had started to-day. It turned out to be Rudolph,s X1 V Blain X1. Blain X1 were batting and Sayer was out a duck.
Gerry joined us and is the Middlesex book seller.He said he was going to Old Trafford to-morrow to watch Lancashire v Durham and then catching a coach at 1.am. in the morning to Birmingham and then on to Worcester to see the Middlesex match. Things people do to watch cricket.
Left Headingley about 12.45 to go to Leeds. Mc Grath was 40 not out.Enjoyed a good Chinese buffet however it stated to rain so the match would not be playing.
Went home to log on to Cricket Archive to look at the matches for M.C.C to South Africa 1913-14Tour.
These were included in the scrapbook.Will update the web site to-morrow.
Sent off to Huddersfield by train. Set next to Frenchman who had just come back from two months in India.He was going to Huddersfield New College for a Juggling Convention.Did not understand cricket..
Walked on to University to learned from Sean Read about Irish Cricket in the Nineteeth Century. No nothing about it. First person who I saw there was Mick Bourne who had been two months in Australia. Great to see him again and he will always have interesting tales.Sean did a excellent talk and shown again what interesting cricket matters out there.
Good to see Peter Davies there after he had come out of hospital.
Mick gave me a left home and watched the second half of the Manchester football match.
Great to be a Pensioner.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
First Match
Posted by Brian Sanderson
Tuesday April 6 Headingley,
This morning I was returning back from a walk into Headingley when we called into the cricket pitch to see the condition . To our surprise there was a match on between Tuesday v Wednesday sides.These were a mixed sides of Yorkshire players. Mc Grath and Lyth were already out.Bowling was on top with the minmum pacers bowled all innings apart from one over before lunch by Wainright.Lyth batted twice and got two ducks. The innings finished at Tea break with 175 on the board.
The maximum crowd was eleven.I left at 5 o,clock with the Wednesday side 60 for 5 . Hodgson had bowled three overs with one wicket and twenty-five runs.
The weather was fine however there was a cold breeze which made it uncomfortable.
It is a two day match so look forward to-morrow and hope the temperature is higher.
It was like watching smokers v non-smokers match.
Tuesday April 6 Headingley,
This morning I was returning back from a walk into Headingley when we called into the cricket pitch to see the condition . To our surprise there was a match on between Tuesday v Wednesday sides.These were a mixed sides of Yorkshire players. Mc Grath and Lyth were already out.Bowling was on top with the minmum pacers bowled all innings apart from one over before lunch by Wainright.Lyth batted twice and got two ducks. The innings finished at Tea break with 175 on the board.
The maximum crowd was eleven.I left at 5 o,clock with the Wednesday side 60 for 5 . Hodgson had bowled three overs with one wicket and twenty-five runs.
The weather was fine however there was a cold breeze which made it uncomfortable.
It is a two day match so look forward to-morrow and hope the temperature is higher.
It was like watching smokers v non-smokers match.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
AUCTIONS
Posted by Brian Sanderson
The first auction I went was the Cricket Memorabila Society at Old Trafford.The first thing you see arriving there is the New Stand painted red. It is still being built and workmen were still there on Saturday.
Bob Taylor , Derbyshire and England wicket keeper was signing Memorabilia. I took along the scorecard for 1981 at Headingley.He told us that he had the cricket ball for the second Australian innings when he took four catches. Before the auction I purchase three photographs fom David Drabble.The first one was Yorkshire Under 25 winnig the 1978 Final at Edgbaston.The players were confirmed by Mollie Staines.They were Sharp,Ingham,Hartley S.N.A Sidebottom,N.Crawford,M.D.Brearley,Woodliffe,Heritage,D.T.Smith,Dennis and Padgett.Second one was Taylor and Boycott going out to bat. The third one was Yorkshire in the 1980,s at Scarborough.
The auction did not include much Yorkshire items.
The second auction was Vennett-Smith at Gotham. The auction took place on Tuesday however I also went on Monday.There were excellent items about Denton and Herbert Sutcliffe. Denton had put together four scrapbooks about his career. They were excellent historical items and should have stopped in Yorkshire. However they went out of County for a total over£ 4000 .
Herbert Sutcliffe items included a gold fob,pen knife and cuff links. These were kept in Yorkshire.
I purchased two pictures of Trueman and Yardley.Scorecards and two scraqpbooks. One of the book was a exercise book of Ephraim Lockwood scores.
It was a brillent auction with excellent Yorkshire items.
Still waiting for warmth and sun.
The first auction I went was the Cricket Memorabila Society at Old Trafford.The first thing you see arriving there is the New Stand painted red. It is still being built and workmen were still there on Saturday.
Bob Taylor , Derbyshire and England wicket keeper was signing Memorabilia. I took along the scorecard for 1981 at Headingley.He told us that he had the cricket ball for the second Australian innings when he took four catches. Before the auction I purchase three photographs fom David Drabble.The first one was Yorkshire Under 25 winnig the 1978 Final at Edgbaston.The players were confirmed by Mollie Staines.They were Sharp,Ingham,Hartley S.N.A Sidebottom,N.Crawford,M.D.Brearley,Woodliffe,Heritage,D.T.Smith,Dennis and Padgett.Second one was Taylor and Boycott going out to bat. The third one was Yorkshire in the 1980,s at Scarborough.
The auction did not include much Yorkshire items.
The second auction was Vennett-Smith at Gotham. The auction took place on Tuesday however I also went on Monday.There were excellent items about Denton and Herbert Sutcliffe. Denton had put together four scrapbooks about his career. They were excellent historical items and should have stopped in Yorkshire. However they went out of County for a total over£ 4000 .
Herbert Sutcliffe items included a gold fob,pen knife and cuff links. These were kept in Yorkshire.
I purchased two pictures of Trueman and Yardley.Scorecards and two scraqpbooks. One of the book was a exercise book of Ephraim Lockwood scores.
It was a brillent auction with excellent Yorkshire items.
Still waiting for warmth and sun.
WOMBWELL CRICKET LOVERS
Posted by Brian Sanderson
On the 25 th March ,the final meeting of the above society finished for the Summer.
There was presentations to young cricketers who played excellent cricket in the winter nets.
Ralph Middlebrook spoke about the present situation of Yorkshire Cricket and want he thought might happen next season. Ralph is advocate of Yorkshire players not overseas or Kolpac.His background is the Yorkshire Cricket School and Pudsey Cons in the Bradford League.He very experienced speaker and always interesting views.
The winter speakers were excellent they included Tony Cotty, Geoff Pullar,Grahame Lloyd author,Mark Wagh,Charlie French,Duncan Hamilton,John Barclay and David Warner.
It brighten the long winter and all the Committee must be praised.
On the 25 th March ,the final meeting of the above society finished for the Summer.
There was presentations to young cricketers who played excellent cricket in the winter nets.
Ralph Middlebrook spoke about the present situation of Yorkshire Cricket and want he thought might happen next season. Ralph is advocate of Yorkshire players not overseas or Kolpac.His background is the Yorkshire Cricket School and Pudsey Cons in the Bradford League.He very experienced speaker and always interesting views.
The winter speakers were excellent they included Tony Cotty, Geoff Pullar,Grahame Lloyd author,Mark Wagh,Charlie French,Duncan Hamilton,John Barclay and David Warner.
It brighten the long winter and all the Committee must be praised.
NORTHERN CRICKET SOCIETY.
Posted by Brian Sanderson
On the 23rd of March the last meeting of the above society took place at The Longroom at Headingley.The Rev Michael Vockins talked about his career especially his thirty years as Secretary of Worcstershire Cricket Club.
He took over from Ted Lester who returned to Yorkshire to be Secretary.At Worcester when he first started had a staff of about four.During the winter he had problems finding things to do.How things have changed.
He was in charge of a number of tours to Australia,New Zealand,India and Pakistan.There was a tale that there was a spare night in Pakistan.To fill in the time a young lady snake charmer was arrange the players.However when the poison snaker were crwl round her feet he could take no more and went to his room for a Whisky.A few minutes there was a knock on the door and Antony McGrath arrived also as the snakes were now in her mouth. A bit different from Bingo.
He was very entertaining to listen to.
The Spring dinner was on Tuesday with Mick Cowan which I understand was excellent.
So I waiting for the cricket and sun.
On the 23rd of March the last meeting of the above society took place at The Longroom at Headingley.The Rev Michael Vockins talked about his career especially his thirty years as Secretary of Worcstershire Cricket Club.
He took over from Ted Lester who returned to Yorkshire to be Secretary.At Worcester when he first started had a staff of about four.During the winter he had problems finding things to do.How things have changed.
He was in charge of a number of tours to Australia,New Zealand,India and Pakistan.There was a tale that there was a spare night in Pakistan.To fill in the time a young lady snake charmer was arrange the players.However when the poison snaker were crwl round her feet he could take no more and went to his room for a Whisky.A few minutes there was a knock on the door and Antony McGrath arrived also as the snakes were now in her mouth. A bit different from Bingo.
He was very entertaining to listen to.
The Spring dinner was on Tuesday with Mick Cowan which I understand was excellent.
So I waiting for the cricket and sun.
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