Roses Occasion

Sunday 30 May

Posted by Peter Davies

The Roses Match at Headingley Day 2, but the first with play on. Lancashire were batting and building a decent score, but it was all pretty slow.

There is always something about a Roses Match that stirs the soul and this was exactly the case this time. It was the 250th first-class game between the two counties and I am always reminded of one of my favourite books: a compilation of Neville Cardus reports on Roses Matches he had reported on.

Saying that, though, there was something pretty low-key about this Sunday at Headingley. Lancashire were dawdling towards a decent total and the crowd was pretty average to below-average in size. I arrived just after 2pm with a plan to meet Dad in mid-afternoon.

I sat by the members' area and as usually happens at Leeds I immediately bumped into Headingley-based Professional Cricket Watcher Brian Sanderson. He entertained me for a short while, and then I came across fellow Professional Cricket Watcher Brian Senior, who was just on his way to Kirkstall Eddies - I think - for a game. He was on good form and happy to exchange a Roses Match for a local league game.

Dad arrived and said he approved of the ground - one of his favourites - and the sunny weather. We went into the pavilion for a coffee and some warmth. I said hello to William Roberts and enjoyed sitting in a variety of seats in and amongst. Lancashire were impressing with their middle-order solidity and Tom Smith - batting at no.6 instead of his ridiculous postings at the top of the order - made it past 50 and was looking towards the century mark.

The Test match was on the TV and Lancashire looked as if they were enjoying the late-afternoon sun. At the close of play, we grabbed a taxi into the city centre and had a nice meal in a bar on Leeds train station.