Three Divisions

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Saturday I set off first to visit Weetwood to see John and Jenny.They were in the shelter of the pavilion from the cold northerly wind. They had been to Scarborough on Thursday and enjoyed the day. Tony arrived to show his picture of Park Avenue to them.Mollie Staines was futher on the pavilion wrapped up for winter.Steve Oldham came and collect his sweets from her.

The Academy were playing Harrogate in the Yorshire league match which started at 12.00.Harrogate were batting and lost a wicket just as I was leaving to pick Ron up.

We sent off down the M1 after picking Brian Senior up at Headingley. The major match we were seeing was Wakefield Thornes v Wakefield St.Michaels at Field Lane.This match was in the Central Yorkshire League.The ground is situated 15 minutes walk from the centre of Wakefield.

A new pavilion had been built with grants from Sport England,Coalfield Regeneration Trust,Waste Recycling Environmental and Biffaward scheme. It was opened in March.

Wakefield St Michaels were batting and were soon losing wickets.With the help of the pavilion we watched the match in relative comfort.In the pavilion there were some old pictures of the side and cakes for tea.

There was a brillent catch at gully to claim one wicket and St Michaels were all out for 140 with a number overs to go.

Brian Senior tasted the tea and stated Peter Davies wouild put it on his list especially the chocolate cake. I walked round the ground to see the bowls match but it was too cold to watch. My mother used to play the game when she retired from work.
There were three spectators at the far in the face of the wind. It must have been uncomfortable.

Thornes soon lost a wicket but started to hit the bowling all over the ground.I moved the car to see the match and be warmer.All through the afternoon news kept coming through about Leeds United match and at just before five they had won.

Thornes lost another wicket but won the match easily with over 30 overs to spare.In order not to go through the centre of Leeds we decided to visit Colton.They were playing New Rover in the Airedale and Wharfedale League.Colton were batting with two wickets down chasing 147.

Walking round the ground I meet Peter Eckersley who went to Temple Moor with me. He was a year younger but we played together in Colton youth team and first team in the 1960,s. Colton lost three quick wickets. Peter was saying that 10 of the side were local.There pavilion was new and compared a lot better than when I played.

Colton won the ground and set off home. Dropped Brian off at Whitkirk. He thought it was to early to go home it was about 6.45.