TRIP TO THE DALES

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Wednesday is a hot humid day and I was going to see first Leeds Met v Birmingham University.It was played at Kirkstall Education ground on Queenswood Drive in Headingley.It started at 12.30 and Leeds were batting.Birmingham bowling was poor and Leeds reached 352 for 7 in 50 overs. Mick Bourne and Brian Senior arrived. Brian had been watching Leeds Ladies at Weetwood.

I left them at tea-time to pick up Ron Deaton from Harrogate.We had planned to visit some grounds in the Wensleydale Evening Cricket League.The first one was Leyburn who were playing Middleham.The pitch was situated in the Wensleydale School.However when we got there no cricket was playing just kids playing football.

So plan B went Spennithorne which was about 10 minutes away.The ground is situated down a cart track behind a pub.The pitch is surrounded by farmers fields and a woodern fence round the cricket field. Spennithorne were bowling and consisted mainly of young lads about 16.West Tanfield play in the Nidderdale League and should be the stronger side.We saw 10 overs when West Tenfield had scored about 40 for none.

We moved on to Thorp Perrow which was about 15 minutes away. The ground is in Snape and is situated in the grounds of a Stately Home.Richmondshire had batted and scored 93 and Thorp Perrow had just started batting. A West Indian player had opened the innings and was soon out. He took ages to leave the field and then drove off in his car. We walked round the field to see the brillant views round the ground.We were told that the pavilion was built about 1900 and needed repairs.Were asked if we were joiners to fix the pavilion however we declined. Thorp Perrow won the match and a very enjoyable Wednesday evening.