WORLD CUP FREE DAY.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

The sun was shining which was much better than the last three days.Agreed with Mick Bourne that we would go to see some grounds in North Yorkshire.

Before I meet him I called into Woodhouse who are in the Airedale and Wharfedale League and start at 1 P.M.The seconds were playing Ben Rhydding. I used to play against them when they were not in the League.Ben Rhydding were batting and a wicket fell in the second over L.B.W . The bowler was left handed and the batsman was well down the wicket. The umpire must want the match to finish early.

Picked Mick up and decided to call into Alwoodley who were playing Menston.We noticed that Old Leos Second team were at home to Walton. Mick knew the groundsman and talked about the week in August when a three days of cricket will be played on Nidderdale grounds.

Going down the Harrogate road we decided at the last minute to go to Pannal ground.To arrive at the ground you have to drive through a field full of cows.There was three spectators watching Pannal Seconds against Bishop Thornton.The pavilion has some good pictures of some of the old teams.

Moved on to a new ground for me Goldsborough who were playing Ouseburn.The ground is on the left-hand side coming into the village.There were trees on one side of the ground and three farmers fields on the rest.

Moving on over the A1 we went to Kirk Hammerton which is the birth place of LT.Col.Ronald Stanyforth who played three times for Yorkshire and Captain England in South Africa in 1927/28. To get there we had to ask for the railway gates to be opened. A man came out of a shed with a mobile phone to his ear and unlocked the gates. Just waved us through without saying a word.Called into the church graveyard were he was buried. Found his grave eventually.We went down the lane to the ground which was purchased for him by his father.They were playing Bilton in Ainstey Seconds.We asked the scorer about him and said he was the worst England Captain. A bit harsh.

Moving on to Green Hammerton were there second team was playing Little Ribston.It is a new ground with a multi -purpose club house. It is very nice but not a proper cricket pavilion.

Next ground was Whixley were the seconds should have been playing Bramhan Clifford however they could not rise a team. So Whixley were playing a practise match.They have recently purchased the ground and are leveling the ground. A new pavilion will be built but at the moment they are using a portacabin.So if we call next we should see the new building.

Moving on to Ouseburn after passing over a toll bridge. There seconds were playing Newby Hall and the second innings were just started.Had a cup of a tea and a scone with cream and strawberry.Excellent. Peter Davies would have approved. Another multi-purpose club house.

Next was Alne seconds against Birstwith. The ground is through a farmyard with rubbish all about.Another multi-perpose clubhouse.The ground had no scenery.

Moving on to Easingwold seconds against Sessay.The club was founded in 1829 and has numerous old pictures in the club house.The match finished when we were there. A comment by one supporter was that it was anther two and half hours to the football and the cricket had finished to early.

Next ground was Raskelf who were playing Scotton . Another flat ground with multi-perpose clubhouse.Did not stay long.

Move swiftly on to Helperby who were playing Dacre Bank.Met a lad who played at Athington and talked to a friend of Rob Light. He recognised us from Huddersfield University. Dacre Seconds had won their match early. The first were losing their match. Another bad L.B.W.

Fourteenth and final match was Sessay against Easingwold. Saw Adrain Grayson again.He told us we were following him around. Easingwold had scored just over 200 but Sessay knocked them off with no wickets down. Excellent finish to a brilliant day.

On the way back we called into Follifoot who had been playing Colton Seconds but the match finished at 4.30.Arrived home at nine o,clock.