On top of the hills.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Another sunny day and Mick Bourne was doing the driving.The first match we went to was Hunslet Nelson against East Leeds.The ground is situated at the bottom of Middleton hill and opposite Cockburn School.Mick had not been for a few years are there were a number of improvements. The major one was a new car park.They should have been playing Pollington but they had dropped out.East Leeds were batting as we set off to Halifax.

The first match in the Halifax League was Greetland against Old Crossleyans. I passed the ground on Thursday when I went to Barkisland.On one corner of the ground is a dove cote. Greetland were bowling and in the first over the ball was lost in the long grass or in the stream. A second ball was lost in the same place a few over later.At this rate the match would finish about nine o,clock.

Going up the road to Rippondon we went to the Triangle ground behind the pub with the same name. Mick had to park his car on a steep slope. Thankfully the hand brake worked. The ground is in a valley and a stream running at the side.Sowerby St. Peters were batting and hit a ball over the stream. A young lad in wadders tried to find it but to no avail. Another ball landed in the stream but was found.

Going out of Triangle we went to find the Stones ground.With great difficulty we did find it on the Old Rippondon Road.Stones seconds were playing Bradshaw. Bradshaw were batting and a young player got fifty in a total of about 190.There are excellent views across the valley.

Dropping down to Rippondon we moved on to Mytholmroyd who were playing Booths.It was just tea time and Mytholmroyd scored just short of 200.The ground is near a new industral estate with views of the trees on the hill side.We had a cup of tea and some cakes.

Moving on to Old Town which is situated out of Hebden Bridge on the Keighley Road.It is another high ground with good views. Wibsey Chapel was batting and one batsman got a century. It must have been about fifty balls with numberous lost balls.They were easily winning the match.

Next I navigated to Booths as Mick had not been there before.There seconds were playing Mytholmroyd.A person recognise us from Mytholmroyd a few hours earlier.
The match finished early so we went to Copley.The ground is situated next to Railway arches.They were playing Stones. They are planning to build a new pavilion.A beautiful setting for a ground.

On the way back we called into Badger Hill and Raistrick. There was no cricket but I took some pictures. Another good day with seven new grounds for me.