Tuesday, 31 August 2010

AFTERNOON IN SUNNY ILKLEY

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

As the sun was shining I took the family to Ilkley to see the Olicanian Cricket Festival.As I arrived I noticed Ian from Lancaster watching from his red car.It was a U 17 20/20 Competition.Bardsey had been bowled out for 60 and Olicanians won the match by nine wickets with ten overs to spare.

The next match was Bardsey against a under 14 local area cricketers.One of Bardsey players was James Wainman who is a fast bowler for the Yorkshire Academy.He was wicket keeping for the first eleven overs and then bowled off ten paces.The under 14 side got to 130 in the twenty overs.

At half time I wandered over to the Ilkley ground were I found them playing Follifoot third team played in Conference B match which had been rearranged.Follifot had won the cup yesterday by beating Guiseley easily.In the forty overs they scored 166. Ilkley were leading the League with Follifoot second so it was a vital match.

Back at Olicanian ground Bardsey were batting with Wainman opening the batting. He managed to score 35 but the team were about 40 runs short.

A excellent ground with good views of Ilkley Moor and the vsun was shining.

Monday, 30 August 2010

REVISITING MY YOUTH

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

This afternoon I set off with Ron Stansfield to Whitkirk to see them playing New Earwick in the York Senior Cricket League third Division.I had played on the pitch in the early 1960,s.There was a new club house with a bar ,scorebox and a mobile mast which were not there when I played.Speaking to a ex Whitkirk player the complex of cricket,football,bowls and tennis are now under one committee.

New Earwick batted first but soon lost wickets.We were joined by Tony Hutton as the wickets fell.When we left they were 80 for 6 with about twelve overs to go. I heard that the batting side mainly comprised of second team players.

Moving on to Colton were I played for about four years in the 1960,s. The match was a Under 17 Cup Final between Crossgates and Newton Hill.Crossgates were batting and were 80 for 4. Mick Bourne and Tony Hutton were also there.The young wicket keeper scored 50 to enable them to reach 155.

At tea time I had chance to see some of the old pictures of the Colton sides and talked to a son of one of the players I played with.Newton Hill started off very well and the opening partnership got to 80 . One of the openers scored 80 and Newton Hill won the match with about fifteen overs to spare.

Nice to go back to the old grounds after a number of years.

THRILLING FINISH

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Sunday I picked up Peter in Burley and set of for Haslingden.It had been raining over night and some heavy showers in the morning however the forecast was sunny.After some difficulty we found the ground and parked the car in the ground.The gateman said the match should play even though the pitch had been under water in the morning.The match was a Lancashire Cricket League fixture with Haslingden was second and Church third.

We had lunch of home made stake pie and apple pie.Very nice.The groundmen put some matting on a old pitch and there was a lot of mud near the wicket how ever they started forty minutes late and would be a forty-four over match. The Church professional was Luke Woodcock who had been involved with the New Zealand A team and had come back to England to play the last four matches.Haslingden professional was Phil Hayes who plays for Loughborough University.

Church batted first with the opener Ammer Mirza requiring 56 runs to beat the Church amateur batting record which was held my Alec Holt. He achieved the feat during the innings. Also Steve Dearden achieved the Haslingden amateur bowling record which had been set in 1908 by Jack Hargreaves of 72 wickets.Church reached 177 for 9 so stopping Haslingden claiming another two points.

After tea Haslinden set of confident how ever they started losing wickets with Hayes failing.With two overs to go they required 22 in the last two overs and eight wickets down.They did win the match with three balls to spare.Church had a chance to win at the end but the thoughts were that they had not scored enough runs.

There had been a cold wind blowing but the excellent match was completed with Haslingden still second in the League but 16 points behind Ramsbottom.

Academy's last home match

Posted by Tony Hutton

Saturday 28th August, 2010 - Yorkshire Academy v Castleford (Headingley)

Yet more confusion, as so often seems to be the case where Yorkshire cricket is concerned. Several spectators turned up at the Weetwood ground just before twelve noon, only to find the place deserted. Fortunately someone had John Blain's mobile number and was able to find that the game had been moved to Headingley.

Ten minutes or so later we managed to get to Headingley to see John Blain opening the bowling. The very strong wind made conditions very unpleasant for the players and the few spectators all huddled under the new pavilion to get some shelter.

After the early dismissal of Andrew Bourke for 19, Chris Young and Yorkshire player David Wainwright put on a hundred partnership for the second wicket before Young was bowled by Randhawa for 59.

With little other support, Wainwright batted through the rest of the innings to be unluckily stranded on 98 not out at the end. Some tidy spin bowling by Randhawa with 4-69 and Jack Hughes restricted the scoring rate and Castleford finished on 228-9 which could be regarded as par score for 55 overs.

Those of us who had watched the Rugby League cup final on TV were very disappointed with the heavy defeat of Leeds Rhinos and hoped for better things as the Academy set about the Castleford target. Alex Lees was bowled by Wainwright for only 20 and although Callum Geldart with 53 and Irfan Amjad with 41 batted well, nobody got a really commanding score.

Wainwright and Randerson bowled twenty overs of spin each and worked their way patiently through the middle order and tail, with only Randhawa with 25 putting up much resistance. Wainwright finished with 6-68 with two easy stumpings towards the end and Randerson 4-49 as the Academy were finally dismissed for 179.

So a Castleford victory by 49 runs, but the Academy can take heart from a pretty good season with a very young team and plenty of promise for the future.

Barbados comes to Golcar

Posted by Tony Hutton

Sunday 22nd August 2010 - Golcar Invitation XI v North Stars (Barbados)

Golcar cricket club have strong links with Barbados having toured there several times and North Stars have been regular visitors to Huddersfield on their tours to England.

Today a party of over fifty players and supporters rolled into Golcar on their luxury double decker coach, after the first two games of their tour had been badly effected by the weather. However today they sun was shining, although not quite as warm as Barbados.

Golcar had got together a strong team, with several guests, which was captained by John Booth from Slaithwaite. However the visitors batted first, resplendent in their red caps in front of quite a good crowd boosted by the West Indian supporters, who were soon expressing their opinions of the players.

After a slowish start and the loss of two early wickets the third wicket pair put on a good partnership both I. Broome and Campbell scoring 44 each. Broome, a larger than life character certainly got the scoreboard moving with some hefty blows.

When his younger brother came in at number six, he looked much slimmer, and one of the North Star supporters told me he didn't get enough to eat because his big brother ate everything!

The scoring rate dropped towards the end of the innings and it took some barracking from their supporters to get North Stars back on track and some late hitting took them to exactly 200-9 in their 40 overs. The last man, Floyd, got the biggest cheer of the day when he came in. I commented that he looked like Mike Tyson in build.

However my West Indian informant said the only similarity was that he batted like Mike Tyson!

After tea the Golcar XI made light of their target and knocked off the runs in only 24 overs, with Broad Oak's Howson top scoring with a fine 81 and local boy Kentish weighed in with 40. So an excellent day of friendly cricket in the sunshine with all the visitors keen to see Golcar, and any supporters, in Barbados again in the future.

North Stars moved on with games to come in Essex, London and Sussex as well as a day trip to Paris. Looks like a marvellous tour for the club which are known as North Stars Cultural and Social Club. As well as being a cricket club they apparently do lots of good work in raising funds for various community projects. So good luck and good weather for the rest of the tour.

Friday, 27 August 2010

RECORD PARTNERSHIP

Posted by Brian Sanderson,


There had been talk that the cricket season is coming to a end so I sent out to Scarborough to see the last day .The sun was shining and I arrived ten minutes before the start of the match.

Adams and Vince were still batting looking to increase Hampshire lead. They created a record fourth wicket partnership of 282 beating a record set in 1970 at Lords when Adams was bowled by Patterson.The previous record partnership was between R.E.Marshall and D.A. Livingstone of 259.Marshall was born in Barbados and Livingstone was born in Antiqua. Also in that other team players came from Durban and Barbados so it is not a recent occurrence.

Vince carried on to score 180 caught on the boundary edge.Hampshire declared before lunch to have a few overs at Yorkshire however no wickets fell.

After lunch Lyth and Rudolph put on 87 before Cork worked out Lyth. Rudolph got out to a poor short and McGrath caught when he could have left the ball.
Just before tea Carberry bowled a over with no run up.

At just before five the match was called a draw. It would have been a interesting match if it had not rained on the first day.

Next stop Wembley Saturday.

PCW cricket fixtures - week commencing 29th August 2010

Posted by Tony Hutton

SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST

Priestley Cup Final - Bradford & Bingley v Farsley (Spen Victoria)

Joe Lumb Cup Final - Bradford v York (Undercliffe)

Yorkshire Council play off quarter finals - New Farnley v Hessle, Conisborough v Ackworth, Hill Top v Whitley Hall (at Hull YPI) and Treeton v Wrenthorpe.

Supplementary play off (semi-finals) - Mirfield Parish Church v Fairburn and
Rockingham v Hunslet Nelson

MONDAY 30TH AUGUST (BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY)

First County 2nd XI Trophy semi-final - Middlesex v Lancs (Radlett)

Full programme of Yorkshire Premier League games. Also York Premier League programme and North Yorkshire South Durham League programme.

Ian Chappell Cup Final (Aire Wharfe 3rd teams) - Guiseley v Follifoot (Steeton)

Start of Olicanian CC Ilkley festival week

TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST

Second County 2nd XI Trophy semi-final - Notts v Essex (Trent

WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER

Friendly - Yorkshire 2nd XI v Surrey 2nd XI (Stamford Bridge) - day one of three 10.30 - PLEASE NOTE THIS GAME HAS BEEN ALTERED FROM A FOUR DAY GAME STARTING TUESDAY

Friendly - Lancashire 2nd XI v Sussex 2nd XI (Lytham) - day one of three - 11.0

Nidderdale League XI v MCC (Hampsthwaite) - 11.30

Olicanian CC v Leeds Allerton - 2 p.m.

Chesterfield CC v XL club - 11.30

THURSDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER

2nd XI games at Stamford Bridge and Lytham continue

FRIDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER

Final day of 2nd XI games at Stamford Bridge and Lytham

Derby Academy v Staffordshire Academy (Denby)

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

WAS THE JOURNEY REALLY NECESSARY

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

This morning I set off to Scarborough with Ron Stansfield. The A64 road had cones out for the Leeds Festival and will be closed to-morrow.Taking a short cut passed Pickering we found the road closed so we had to go back to the A64 so losing 15 minutes.

On arriving Hampshire were batting after Yorkshire had scored 322 yesterday.The wicket seemed batsman friendly however Pyrah forced Carberry to give Mc Grath a catch at second slip.

After lunch Hampshire lost two more wickets and Vince came into bat.During this time I had a chance to talk to Ted Lester,ex Yorkshire player, about Horace Fisher photographs in order to try and find some names to the faces.

Yorkshire fielding was poor apart from a excellent effort from Pyrah.Adams and Vince put on a 215 run stand with Vince scoring his maiden century. He is only nineteen years old.Hampshire were 45 runs ahead at the end of the day.

On the way back we ran into a traffic Jam on the York ring road so we had to do a detour via Wetherby.

So overall not a very successful day but met Andrew and Colin from London and the weather was fine.

Sunday, 22 August 2010

SUNNY SUNDAY

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On a Sunny day I sent out with the family and Bob Procter to watch Colne play Lowerhouses. On the way going through Ilkley there had been accident which caused us to use the road on the other side of the river.

The ground is on left hand side of the road to M65 opposite a pub were we had lunch.
Lowerhouses were batting with the professional Aaron Heal taking control.He is Western Australian cricketer who also bowls left arm spin.The team scored 246 with Heal scoring his highest of the season 133.Colne professional was Anwar Ali who bowls right arm medium and took four wickets.

The pitch is a large area with sitting all round the ground. The pavilion was been wallpapered so most of the pictures were not on the wall.

Colne started to bat with the professional needing to score a big hundred however he could only reach fifty. A young lad called Finch took six wickets with Heals taking four.Colne were bowled out for 131 in 37.2 overs. This is why the are near the bottom of the league.

Heal looks a good professional who get bigger scores if he stopped playing the sweep and pull. His cover driving was excellent.

WIDES GALORE

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Saturday I went with Ron Stansfield to Wrenthorpe against New Farnley. Wrenthorpe were top of the league and New Farnley were second.This was the first time I had watched New Farnley who included Ian Fisher who played for Yorkshire and Gloucestershire.

I managed to park the car near the gate for the first time. As we entered the ground I noticed David from Brighouse sunning himself at the far end of the field. Wrenthorpe batted first and soon lost Gary Fellows, ex Yorkshire all rounder.However David Paynter, ex Northants, soon took control of the match.He scored 108 with 10 sixes.
There were some huge hits into the gardens.Wrenthorpe reached 280 for 8 with the help of twenty wides. The two best bowlers were Fisher and Busfield.

It would need a big innings from Fisher to get close to the total. He tried his best and scored 112 with six sixes.Some more huge hits.However there was nobody scoring at the other end. It did threaten to rain during the innings but they completed the inning scoring 241 for 8 with nineteen wides.

Wrenthorpe should now win the Central Yorkshire League.

Saturday, 21 August 2010

PCW fixtures for week commencing 22/8/2010

Posted by Tony Hutton

SUNDAY 22nd AUGUST

ECB National KO semi-finals - South Northumberland v Bamford Fieldhouse and Teddington v Ealing.

Cockspur club Twenty 20 - Area Finals
Skegness CC - 3 matches involving Bracebridge Heath, Wath and Northowram - 10.30
Spondon CC - 3 matches involving Spondon, Oundle Town and Leicester Ivanhoe - 10.30

Over 50s county championship quarter finals all being played in the south of England or Wales - Somerset v Warwicks, Oxford v Hants, Wales v Middlesex and Kent v Derby.

Atkinson Swires Cup Final(Nidderdale League) - Pannal v Helperby(Birstwith CC) - 2 pm

Leeds Area Council KO cup final - York Senior League v Halifax League (Sheriff Hutton Bridge) - 1.00

White Rose Plate Final - Aire Wharfe v Huddersfield Central League (New Rover, Leeds)- 1.30

Friendly matches include Golcar (Huddersfield) v North Star (Barbados) - 2 p.m

MONDAY 23rd AUGUST

Yorkshire v Hampshire (Scarborough) - day 1 of 4 - 11 a.m.

Triangular Tournament between an England Development Squad, Scotland and Ireland at Loughborough University - all week

Under 16s tournament, including Yorkshire, in Jersey - all week

Derby Academy v Leicester Academy (Denby) - day 1 of 2

District cricket (under 14s) - East Yorks v West Yorks East (Londesborough Park) - 1.00 also South Yorks East v South Yorks West (venue not known)

TUESDAY 24th AUGUST

Glamorgan 2nd XI v Yorkshire 2nd XI (Cardiff) - day 1 of 3 - 11.00

District Cricket (under 14s) - West Yorkshire West v South Yorkshire East (Burley in Wharfedale) - 1.00, also North Yorks v East Yorks (venue not known)

Pakistan flood relief charity match - Pakistan XI v International XI (T20) at Birkby Rosehill cricket club, Huddersfield - opposite Nuffield Hospital - 3.30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 25th AUGUST

District Cricket (Under 14s) - West Yorkshire East v North Yorks (Methley) - 1.00
also South Yorkshire West v West Yorkshire West (venue not known)

Friendlies include - Leeds University Staff v Leeds Allerton (Weetwood, Leeds) - 2.00
and Cuckney (Notts) v XL club - 2.00

THURSDAY 26th AUGUST

Lancashire Under 19s v Surrey Under 19s (Southport) - day 1 of 2 - 11.00

Cheshire Development XI v Leicester Academy (Mobberley) - 11.00

District cricket (Under 14s) - Finals Day - top two games at Barnsley CC (two grounds) and third place game at Monk Bretton ?CC - all 12.30

FRIDAY 27th AUGUST

Lancashire Under 19s v Surrey Under 19s (Southport) - day 2 - 11.00

Lullington Park v Derby Academy - 11.00

Friday, 20 August 2010

SHAKESPEAR VISITS ILLINGWORTH.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

After the Yorkshire match we moved on to Illingworth. Brian Senior had seen a Stratford side playing at Ilkley on Wednesday afternoon and found out they were playing at Illingworth Thursday. After great difficulty we arrived at the ground to find the Stratford side batting.They had reach150 with no wickets down and was a 45 over match.

A comment made my one of the bowlers asking the fielder to stop picking his nose and stop the ball. Another comment was that the bowler could only bowl the next over if he had no more than eight off his over.This would have ruled out Wainwright yesterday.
They reached over 250 runs.

Brian Senior and David Thorpe tucked into a excellent tea including a strawberry sponge cake.There was talk that Brian was booking in for Bed and Breakfast it was so good.

Illingworth batted poorly and had lost 8 wickets for just over 100 when it started to rain so we went home.

Better views from this ground than Headingley.

SHAKESPEAR VISITS ILLINGWORTH.

SHAKESPEAR VISITS ILLINGWORTH.

Grassy Fields of The Dales.

Posted by Brian Sanderson.

On Wednesday evening I sent off with Ron Deaton to the Dales.The first match should have been Draughton against Hebden.However we found the field but it had not been cut so the match was off.
So moving on to Harden who were playing are old friends Cracoe with the umpire who wears black pads.The ground is just over the bridge on the right hand side.Cracoe were batting and playing thirteen players.It was very dark as the sun was behind the hills .Another Hebden player arrived from the farm near the ground and soon caught a catch.There were two girls playing and both had a bowl.One of them just stood there a threw the ball.
Moving o to Appletreewick who were playing Burnsall. The ground is through the village next to a caravan park and the river which attracted the midges.The pavilion was a old ice cream van were the scorer tried to keep out of the way of the midges.Burnsall were batting and hit the ball into the river and about five people dived in to rescue the ball.
Some of the rules were,
1- not out on the first ball
2- No L.B.W.
3-you have to run first boundary.
4- If the ball rebounds from the wall on the other side of the road you have to run. and does not count a boundary.
Moving on to Hebden we found Draughton playing.The ground is situated behind the second farm.It slopes down to the farm.Draughton had been bowled out for 56 and Hebden won in the tenth over.

Another interesting evening of watching rural cricket.

Grassy Fields of The Dales.

BREESEY DAYS AT HEADINGLEY

Posted by Brian Sanderson

On Tuesday for two an third days I wandered round to Headingley to see Three day match with Yorkshire Seconds.Looking at the scorecard Tino Best was playing ,the overseas professional and Joe Root was out with injury.

Yorkshire won the toss and batted.Ballance batted well to score 75 and at lunch they were 150 for 3.However they finished at 204 with Borthwick and Breese taking 7 wickets.
Durham batted with Breese scoring a century and South African Richardson scoring 61.
When Borthwick batted he hit Wainwright for three sixes in three balls and finished at 63. During the innings Best limped of injured and it could be his last match.They reached 388 and at the end of the second day Yorkshire were six wickets down.
The match finished before lunch with a Durham innings victory .

There was news black out on the match. No report on the match till Friday and no report in the Yorkshire Post on Thursday.Poor match for Yorkshire.

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

BACK TO THE STADIUM

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

After going shopping I wandered back to Headingley. A bit of a shock sceniclly after Sedbergh. Yorkshire seconds were playing Durham seconds in a fifty over match.

The weather was hot and sat in the Trueman section .Yorkshire won the toss and fielded. At first I thought they had made a mistake with Lee bowling two overs for twenty eight and Durham were ninety-nine for three.Then Wainwright bowled and the ball started to spin.Wickets started to fall with Randhawa bowling at the other end. Durham finished at 147 with Wainwright ten overs for twenty-five with four wickets.

After lunch Durham fielded with two players with Evans on their back with the real Evans not playing.Lewis, the Durham coach, had Breese shirt on his back just to it more complicated.Yorkshire started poorly with Root and Ballance out for twelve.Davies bowled very well.Hodgson was out for 48 and batted well. Yorkshire also struggled when the spinners came on to bowl.However Geldart reached his fifty and Yorkshire won the match by five wickets.

A good victory for Yorkshire but they will not be in the semi-finals.

Monday, 16 August 2010

RETURN TO HEAVEN

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Sunday there was a full car to go to Sedbergh were Cumberland playing against Suffolk.There was myself, Bob Procter,Brian Senior and Peter Mann. It is a two hour journey from Leeds but worth it when you get there. It is situated in the school with a view of the mountain behind he wicket with the church in between.I feel it is the best scenic cricket ground in the North of England.

Cumberland batted first and soon lost two quick wickets but the sun was shining.Cumberland kept scoring at four runs a over. One of the Suffolk bowler was Finch who played in the Yorkshire Academy.Miles ,one of the openers, scored 59.

At lunch time we went to the town to have a excellent lunch.

We moved into the shade to watch the match in comfort.Ullah,the Morecambe professional, scored 58.It was left up to Thompson to push the score on to a good total. He scored 66 not out and after ninety overs Cumberland scored 354 for 9 . Full batting bonus points.

Suffolk finished at 68 for 3 with the sun still shining.

Bob first visit and was duly impressed.

RETURN TO M.C.C

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On numerous occasions Bob Procter had passed Milnrow cricket ground but had not seen a match there and his hero Ces Pepper played there after the war.So on Saturday myself , Bob and Ron Stansfield set off to see Milnrow play Radcliffe.We arrived early before the gateman arrived and had a chance to talk to the groundsman. He said the pitch had been under water at eight o,clock that morning.During the week he worked in Leeds.

Milnrow won the toss and Radcliffe batted.Milnrow were third in the league and Radcliffe were near the bottom.The opening bowler soon took control of the game and Radcliffe soon lost wickets.The best opening bowler was Scholefield who took four wickets for fifty-four.Milnrow overseas professional was Diwan who was due to leave the country in the next week. With his left arm spin he too five for thirty-six.Radcliffe scrambled to 111.

The ground has a large area with the tea-room separate from the club house.It is near the motorway and you can hear the traffic however there is a good view of the hills round the ground.

When Milnrow openers including Scholefield started batting they soon scored quickly .
Scholefield hit the Radcliffe leg-spinner for two huge sixes.He finished up at 58 and Milnrow won in twenty-four overs.

We moved on to Delph and Dobcross were the seconds were playing Micklehurst.The away side had scored 194 and Delph were 119 for 5 when we arrived with about twenty overs to bowl.Delph is another scenic ground with hills behind the tea-room were the sheep graze. The match came to the final over were ten runs were required with nine wickets down. There was a four struck on the first bowl which was inches short of a six.However the final wicket fell on the last ball with four runs short.

A excellent finish to a brilliant day.

Saturday, 14 August 2010

Slipless in Settle by Harry Pearson

Posted by Tony Hutton

Book Review - Slipless in Settle by Harry Pearson

Harry Pearson is best known as a football writer - his football book 'The Far Corner' is a classic. He has also written such diverse books as 'Racing Pigs and Giant Marrows' and 'A Tall Man in a Low Land'.

Now he has turned his attentions to cricket or more precisely as he says - a slow turn around northern cricket. He visits the farthest corners of northern England and visits among others such places as Workington, Guisborough, Lascelles Hall, Carlisle, Bacup, Settle and Windhill.

His first dilema was to decide where the north begins and being from Middlesborough, his father drew a line from the Mersey to the Humber and said anything north of that line is the North. This suprisingly means that the natives of Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley (including Geoffrey Boycott) are regarded as southerners.

However, Pearson has a great feel for the area as well as for league cricket and it's history and character's of which there are so many. A wonderful read for any cricket enthusiast and certainly compulsory reading for all professional cricket watchers.

'Slipless in Settle' by Harry Pearson is published by Little, Brown publishers in paperback at £12.99, but can be obtained from Amazon UK at £8.99.

Golden Oldies beat the weather

Posted by Tony Hutton

Arthington v Millbrook C.C. (Queenstown, New Zealand) - Friday 13th August 2010

Friday the thirteenth - the weather forecast last night and this morning was so bad, heavy rain throughout north east England all day, that I had decided to stay at home rather than set off on a fruitless tour of grounds on the last day of the Golden Oldies Festival.

However around 11 a.m. I received a series of text messages from David Thorpe to the effect that play was about to start at Arthington, despite persistent rain where I live only two miles or so from the ground. My first reply was to say 'you cannot be serious', but when the third message arrived saying 'blue sky, wickets pitched and Brian Senior in full flow', I had to set off.

Sure enough Arthington were batting, although the blue skies had already gone. It was cool and cloudy but to everyone's suprise cricket was going on with the visitor's smartly clad in red and yellow baggy caps.

Early chat suggested that this might be a bit of a mis-match. Millbrook had registered late and had not been seeded, whereas Arthington were in the lowest category of 'social cricketers'. Opener Joe Nash, son of the redoubtable Dennis, who has been getting all the publicity this week, soon went, but the other opener the equally redoubtable Rodney Jones got his head down. He managed to combine watchful defence with his own unique one handed hook shot for four.

A second wicket fell but Jones was joined by experienced all round cricketer Ron Davies and this pair, although taking their time, put on a valuable partership and took the score past the hundred mark. Eventually after some dispute with the scorer, Rodney Jones retired for 37, although he maintained he had made 41.

While discussing this with the three spectators, we managed to elicit that his next sporting fixture would be a chess olympiad in Sibera ! When asked which country he would be representing he added nonchalantly 'the country of my birth of course'. This turned out to be Papua New Guinea !

Ron Davies also had to retire and the scoring rate dropped. At one stage as the innings neared it's end only five runs were scored from five overs, but a few lusty blows eventually took the 40 over total to a respectable 137-4 against a side which not only bowled accurately but fielded very well too.

After an excellent buffet lunch for both teams at the nearby Wharfedale Hotel, battle resumed. The sky was almost bright now and still no
sign of the forecast rain, we could not believe our luck.

Dennis Nash, the oldest British competitor in the competition, bowled his usual accurate eight over spell and eventually took a wicket against this strong batting side. He could have had more but for dropped catches. However the New Zealanders were obviously in a different class, and even with two retirements at 35 runs each, they raced to victory in only 20 overs.

With news coming in of other games abandoned or reduced to 20 overs a side, we realised how lucky we had been. Full marks to all concerned at Arthington, particularly groundsman Brian Meredith, whose mower had broken down at an unfortunate time. They really went out of the way to welcome the overseas visitors all week and the whole Festival has been a great success despite the weather.

The organizers publicity machine have issued newsletters during the week to keep everyone up to date with what has been happening and one of them contained what must be the quote of the week from Sir Thomas Ingleby at the opening ceremony at Theakstons Brewery last Sunday.

He is reported to have said 'This occasion gives me the opportunity to deny for ever that I couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery'.

Friday, 13 August 2010

PCW fixtures - week commencing 15th August 2010

Posted by Tony Hutton

SUNDAY 15th AUGUST

Minor Counties Championship final matches - all day one of three - 11 a.m.

Cumberland v Suffolk (Sedbergh School)
Cheshire v Shropshire (Alderley Edge)
Northumberland v Cambridgeshire (Jesmond, Newcastle)

Jack Hampshire cup final (CYL) - Methley v Wrenthorpe (Methley)

Fred Fleetwood Cup Final (Wetherby League) - Old Modernians v Shadwell (Wetherby)

White Rose Final - North Yorks & South Durham League v Huddersfield League (Great Ayton)

Paddock Shield Final - Golcar II v Skelmanthorpe II (Golcar) - 2 p.m.

Yorkshire Premier League - Yorkshire Academy v Rotherham (Weetwood, Leeds)

MONDAY 16th AUGUST

Minor Counties games continue (day 2)

2nd XI Trophy - Yorkshire II v Durham II (Headingley) - one day game - 11 a.m.

TUESDAY 17th AUGUST

Minor Counties games continue (day 3)

Second XI Championship - Yorkshire II v Durham II (Headingley) - day 1 of 3 - 11 a.m.

Under 14s county cup finals at Oakham School - day 1 of 2 involving Yorkshire, Hants, Surrey and Shropshire

WEDNESDAY 18th AUGUST

2nd XI game at Headingley continues (day 2)

Under 14s county finals conclude at Oakham School

Friendlies include Ilkley v Stratford upon Avon - 2.p.m.

Goldsborough v Leeds Allerton - 2 p.m.

M.C.C. North East v M.C.C. Scotland (York) - day 1 of 2 - 11.30 a.m.

THURSDAY 19th AUGUST

2nd XI game at Headingley concludes (day3)

Under 15s county finals at Oakham School - day 1 of 2 involving Yorkshire, Somerset, Surrey and Warwickshire)

Derbyshire Academy v Durham Academy (Denby) - day 1 of 2 - 11 a.m.

FRIDAY 20th AUGUST

Derbyshire Academy v Durham Academy (Denby) - day 2 - 11 a.m.

Thursday, 12 August 2010

Minor Counties Knock Out Final

Posted by Tony Hutton

Lincolnshire v Shropshire at Emirates Internation Cricket Ground, Durham
(known to you and me as Riverside, Chester-le-Street)

A dry, fine journey up the A1, but as soon as we turn off for Chester-le-street there are large puddles at the roadside. Surely not a repetition of last season's final when rain prevented play until after lunch and took the game into a second day.

However the ground was dry and play started on time with Lincolnshire, possibly the favourites, batting first. They certainly had more big name players and great things were expected of the two openers Dobson and Birch, both with first class experience.
The former Derbyshire man Birch had played some big hitting innings in the earlier rounds, but today was not his day and his early dismissal perhaps set the tone for Lincolnshire.

Dobson and Dowman, both capable of playing big innings, were dismissed for thirties and it was left to captain Cook to accelerate things with a fine 50. Former Yorkshire and Derbyshire spinner, Andy Gray, put a brake on proceedings with an accurate spell of 10-1-29-1 and then it was left to wicketkeeper Burford and newcomer Liam Andrews to put on a fine unbroken partnership of 77. Andrews ending on 52 not out and Burford 30 not out to give Lincoln a competitive toal of 249-6 in their fifty overs.

Shropshire started very positively and had 58 on the board in only nine overs before the first wicket fell. Lincolnshire's opening bowlers sprayed the ball about and Carter, with recent county experience with both Notts and Essex, failed to make a breakthrough. Dowman too was expensive and it was left to the two spinners Dobson and Andrews to slow thing down.

Shropshire's fourth wicket pair of Foster and Leach gradually took complete control of proceedings, with captain Foster leading from the front and never in trouble.
Leach made an excellent 67 not out, but Foster fittingly won the game with a huge six over mid wicket to take him to 95 not out. Shropshire winning by seven wickets with five overs to spare.

Finally my annual gripe about this game which I feel strongly should still be played at Lord's. Riverside is all very well, but not only a long way to travel, but the playing area is so vast and the wicket on the far side of the square means that the teams in the players area and the committees and guests in the boxes are a very long way from the action. Not an ideal situation for teams who are used to playing on smaller, more intimate, country grounds.

Nevertheless an excellent day out, all the better for being with Gilbert Johnston, secretary of Cumberland, and his wife Vera. Gilbert is very positive about his recent illness and was greeted by all the great and the good of Minor Counties cricket with real affection.

Golden Oldies continued

Posted by Tony Hutton

The number of matches being played in this competition was a great temptation to ground-hoppers,like myself, to keep moving. However the best laid plans had to be amended due to the weather, as mentioned by Brian Sanderson at Pannal. I did call in their briefly in the morning and again later in the afternoon, but only saw a few balls bowled.

I started the day at Arthington who continued to receive all the press publicity due to the presence in their ranks of the redoubtable Dennis Nash, still opening the bowling regularly at the age of 74. A photographer from the Telegraph & Argos was present well before the start to take yet more pictures of Dennis in action. All this publicity not really appreciated by tea lady supreme, Mrs Nash, who did not like their ages being published in the press. Such is the price of fame !

However, Mrs Nash who is a Leeds City councillor, may also not have been too pleased with Arthington's captain for the day, former M.P. Nick Hawkings, from the opposite side of the political divide. Hevertheless all this was put aside when the coachload of New Zealanders, the Hawkes Bay Hobblers, eventually arrived for a twelve noon start.

They were given a hearty welcome by this very sociable club who play on to mid-October every year and whose evening league and friendly sides provide such a welcome haven for cricketers of all ages and all levels of ability. Enthusiasm alone is often the key.

Sadly the rain clouds were soon in evidence coming down the valley from Ilkley and eventually an early lunch was taken, with both teams and supporters boarding the vistitors' coach to take them to the nearby Wharfedale Hotel. Surprisingly the teams were eventually persuaded to leave the premises to continue a keenly contested match.

When I returned about five o'clock after a circular tour and more heavy rain at nearby Pannal, I was suprised to find it was dry in Arthington and an exciting finish building. Arthington had made a competitive total of 190 in their forty overs and the visitors were losing wickets, but sadly not to Dennis Nash who bowled his tidy eight over spell without success.

The tournament rule which insists that batsmen who pass 35 must retire came to the Kiwi's rescue, as when the tailenders were dismissed the better batsmen returned and promptly hit off the remaing runs with just two overs to spare at about 6.20 p.m.

So a long day for all concerned, but a most enjoyable occasion much appreciated by the visiting side and their supporters. What a great idea this tournament is and let us hope for fine weather for the rest of the week.

Long Wednesday

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

I set off with Ron Stansfield to Newby Hall which is near Ripon.The match was Lord Taverners against Newcastle Lords Taverners.The ground is situated outside of the Hall.There are two grounds with are next to each other.

The Australian team included Bob Holland who a leg-spinner who played for Australia.Ron Deaton obtained his signature in his books and listen to his stories. Very nice man.

Lord Taverners included Richard Blakley and two Emmerdale actors.The Australian batted first however everything stopped when Ray Illingwoth arrived and photos were taken.

Moving on to Ripley were Ripley Knights Out were playing the Brookfield Brumbies.The ground is next to the Car Park and overlooks the Castle.Ripley were batting and hitting the ball over the ground.They scored over two hundred and fifty.

We moved on to Beckwithshaw were Cardinals against Gladstone Muddies . They were just finishing lunch and Cardinals were due to bat.We watched for thirty minutes and the ball went to the boundary frequently.

After lunch I went to Headingley to watch Yorkshire against Gloucestershire in a 40 over match.Yorkshire batted first and Gale batted well and scored 61 in 62 balls. Dawson and Young bowled well which slowed the runs down. However Mc Grath scored 76 in 80 balls and Yorkshire scored 247 in the forty overs.

Glouchester started well with Gidman and Porterfield and put on a century partnership.However Pyrah bowled well and took four wickets for forty-three.This helped to win the match .

Aexcellent match and arrived home at ten fifteen. Long day.

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Goldern Oldies

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Monday was the first day of the above compertition. There were 29 grounds were matches were being played with teams from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.

After picking Ron Stansfield up I decided to watch Bradford League against Gold Coast Cricket Society at Pannel. Arriving at the match we found only the Bradford League side there.Reg Parker was there again with Brian Cobb and Harry.

The match was due to start at Noon however the Australians were still missing. I got talking to a man who lived in U.S.A.but was born in South Africa.He had come specially to watch the match. Eventually the Australians turned up. It seems the bus driver did not know Harrogate and had been to Killinghall the other side of the town.

Bradford League batted first and had to go off twice due to rain.During the afternoon a number of people turned up.Tony Hutton, Ron Deaton, Richard Pullan and Mick Bourne. It was a meeting of the Professional Cricket Watchers only Brian Senior was missing. He and David Thorpe had gone up to Lofthouse to watch a match.

Bradford reached 180 and the Australian batted. However the rains came again and the match was abandoned.

The next day would be Wednesday for the next round.

Another trip to the Dales.

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

On Sunday I decided to go to Hawes again to see Doncaster Railwaymen. This is a team who play friendlies all over Yorkshire. They are based near Mexborough.

The weather was cloundy when we got there and the hills were covered by clounds. The match started at two o,clock with heavy drazzle but the sun soon came out.Doncaster batted first and lost the first wicket after three balls.However soon the ball was going into the river. The pitch to-day was pitched near the river that last time which saved the cars.

Doncaster was short of a scorer so I took over for their innings. One batsman reached 73 eventhough he should have retired at 50.The captain also reached 50 to bring the total to 188.I balanced the scores.

Two hour drive back for tea.

Semi-Final Saturday

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Saturday was Rugby League day at Huddersfield. Brillent match with Leeds winning.I thought I would spend two hours at Adel to calm the nerves. Arriving there Tony Hutton was watching Kirkstall Education batting and Adel had managed to reach 180. Reg Parker was also there and Mick Bourne arrived after visiting three other matches.

Kirkstall was struggling against Adel bowling. Dave Hodgson, Kirkstall groundsman, was also there.On the other pich Adel were playing Saville Stars in the Dales Council.However the rain arrived again with Kirksstall five wickets down.

Good day for Leeds.

Third and Fourth Days at Headingley

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Nottingham carried on batting for 30 minutes to enable Hussey to get to 250. How this player has not played a test I do not know.Rudolph and Lyth opened the batting with Rudolph taking his time as a big innings was required by him.

I spent some time on completeing the listing of Horace Fisher,s items.Yorkshire were finding it easier to score in the second innings and Nottingham body language was not good.Rudolph was dropped at slip as soon as he had reached his hundred.He moved on to 141 just before the finish of the day and was out caught. This brought in Patterson with McGrath.

On Friday Mcgrath was out for 80 but he had reach a 1000 runs for the season. Wickets fell consistently but Patterson stopped there. After lunch he was out caught . Scoreing 26 of 116 balls in 146 minutes a valueable innigs for his side and shown what a good player he is.

Sidebottom upset the crowd by sliding to stop a four and the crowd thought he had touched the rope. This seemed to get Sidebottom going and got two quick wickets.Shahzad was out just before tea and the rain came. Yorkshire had scored 406 for 8 which was 39 runs in front.

I enjoyed the four day match which came to a exciting finish.Nottingham were now top of the league.

Monday, 9 August 2010

Narrow defeat for Yorkshire over 50s

Posted by Tony Hutton

Yorkshire over 50s v Kent over 50s (Studley Royal) - Sunday 8th August 2010

Yorkshire and Kent had reached the last 16 of the over fifties county championship by both winning six of their seven games up to now. A close contest was anticipated and so it turned out at the very pleasant and spacious Studley Royal ground near Ripon.

A large marquee was already in place in anticipation of the Golden Oldies world cricket festival which starts in the Nidderdale League area on Monday. Kent got off to a good start putting on 50-0 in the first ten overs, before the introduction of slow left armer Mick Kenyon, from Dringhouses, brought the fall of two wickets, as well as slowing the scoring rate.

However 58-2 after sixteen overs became 130-2 after a good partnership for the third wicket. The introduction of Murphy Walwyn, Bradford League stalwart for many years but now playing with Lascelles Hall, brought about a turn in Yorkshire's fortunes.
Walwyn took four wickets in his spell and Kent were 162-7 in the 41st over.

The tailenders kept things going well in the last four overs, with some excellent running between wickets, and added a further 36 runs to see Kent to a total of 196-8 in 45 overs.

Yorkshire opened with Richard Sykes wicketkeeper from Acomb and Dave Furniss from Aston Hall, a century maker in an earlier match. Sadly they struggled against some accurate Kent bowling and only put on eleven runs in the first eight overs. Sykes was then out at 18-1 and Furniss at 33/2, but then came Yorkshire's best partnership of the innings between Colin Frank from Pickering and John Flintoff from Sessay.

They were one short of a hundred partnership, and seemed to be coasting to victory, when Flintoff was out at 132-3 after 35 overs. So Yorkshire required 65 off the last ten overs, with Frank well past his fifty still going strong. However when he was out soon after, wickets began to fall and the required run rate went up from six an over to eight an over.

Hopes were high that Murphy Walwyn, a renowned hitter, would turn things back Yorkshire's way, but he had given everything in his bowling stint and had injured a knee, which prevented him running short singles. After hitting one trademark boundary he was deceived by a slower ball and Yorkshire's hopes took a dive.

Accurate bowling and tight fielding by Kent restricted the run scoring and after needing 42 from five and 24 from three, another two wickets fell and they now needed 20 from the last two overs, which proved just too many. With seven wanted off the last ball a straight driven four was not enough and Yorkshire were out of the competition by the narrowest of margins - just two runs.

A splendid game on a lovely ground, but only a few spectators who were mainly families and friends of the players, probably due to the total lack of publicity for such events - both teams deserved more support. So Kent go through to the quarter finals and will be a hard team to beat.

Thursday, 5 August 2010

PCW fixtures - week commencing 8th August

Posted by Tony Hutton

SUNDAY 8th AUGUST

Huddersfield League Sykes Cup Final - Delph & Dobcross v Skelmanthorpe (Honley)- 1 p.m.

Lancashire League Worsley Cup Final - Ramsbottom v Colne (Ramsbottom) - 1.15 p.m.

Bradford League Priestley Shield Final (2nd XIs) - Baildon v Yeadon (Keighley) 1 p.m.

Aire Wharfe League Birtwhistle Cup (2nd XIs) - Burley v Guiseley (Follifoot) - 2 p.m.

Joe Lumb Under 17s semi finals - Bradford v Leeds (East Bierley) and
York v Sheffield (Sheriff Hutton Bridge)

Over 50s County Championship (last 16) - Yorkshire v Kent (Studley Royal) - 1 p.m.

Friendly matches include - Hawes v Doncaster Railwaymen, Almondbury Casuals v Cambridge Methodists (Low Bradfield) and Mutineers v Halifax Nomads (Arthington)

MONDAY 9th AUGUST

Start of Golden Oldies world cricket festival in Nidderdale - 30 matches involving veterans from overseas (mainly Australians) against local sides - 11.30 or 12.00 start on first day. Full fixtures can be found on www.nidderdaleleague.co.uk/downloads/2010/go-fixtures.pdf

TUESDAY 10th AUGUST

Cheshire Under 17s v Yorkshire Under 17s (Elworth) - day one of two day league match. Bradford Juniors v North Wales Juniors (Spen Victoria CC) - 2 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 11th AUGUST

Minor Counties Knock Out Final - Lincolnshire v Shropshire (Riverside, Chester le Street) - 11 a.m.

Yorkshire Under 15s v Lancashire Under 15s (Pudsey Congs) - day 1 of 2 day match - 11.30 a.m.

Golden Oldies Festival continues with 30 more games on Nidderdale league grounds -
11 a.m.

THURSDAY 12th AUGUST

Yorkshire Under 15s v Lancashire Under 15s (Pudsey Congs) - day 2 - 11.30 a.m.

Cheshire Under 17s v Yorkshire Under 17s (Congleton) - 1 day cup match - 11 a.m.

FRIDAY 13th AUGUST

Final day of Golden Oldies Festival with 30 more matches - 11 a.m.

Happy watching.

First Two days at Headingley

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

I had a telephone call from David Allen, Chairman of the Archive Committee, to say relatives of Horace Fisher was coming to Headingley on Tuesday. They were bring some more pictures of Horice and be photographed with the exsisting memorabillia.

I eventually watched some cricket in the afternoon when Yorkshire were six wickets down.Bairstow was batting well before Sidebottom bowled him.Sidebottom looked the best bowler and Yorkshire finished on one hundred and seventy -eight.

Hales was soon out with a bad shoot and Woods started scoring.It looked to easy for Nottingham.AT the end of the first day Patel and Hussey were batting with prospects of a big score.

On Wednesday it was raining in the morning which give me chance to take stock of the new memorabillia with Bob Appleyard looking on and talking about cricket. Excellent morning without the cricket.

After lunch Patel and Hussey took the Yorkshire attack apart.Yorkshire had two chaces to take wickets but failed. Shahzad dropped a catch and Wainwright missed a run out chance.Patel was finally out for 96 caught by Rudolph of Rashid.However Hussey went on to 222. This is the highest score by a Nottingham player ever and the total of 497 for 6 is the highest total by Nottingham against Yorkshire in this county.

I think Nottingham will bat on.

Monday, 2 August 2010

Two Hours of Cricket

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

After a morning of shopping and gardening I decided to visit Thornbury ground. The match was a Yorkshire Lords Taverners under 15 match between Bradford Central and Nidderdale League. However when I got on the Bradford road there was road works and I could not get to the ground.
Plan B was Green Lane were Central Yorkshire were playing Aire-Wharfedale.On arriving I saw Malcolm from Whitkirk and Brian Senior. Brian had arrived back from the Isle of Man on Saturday.He had been watching European under 17 cricket for a week.

Aire-Wharfedale were batting and were four wickets down for ninety with about fifteen overs to bowl. With some big hitting there total reached one hundred and eighty in the forty-five over. Green Lane ground is on the Guiseley Road in a park . They play Rugby Union there and is a large ground. It has a lake on the left hand side where Angler was fishing.

Short afternoon cricket.

At tea-time is started to rain so myself and Malcolm left for tea.

Sunday, 1 August 2010

Two Finals

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

The weather was fine but cloudy so I decided to go back to Pudsey Congs.The match to-day was Leeds Sikh against Mount in the Pool Paper Cup Final. Mount club is in Batley near the rugby league ground and is connected to Huddersfield University. One of the first people I saw was the founding member of Mount and who had spoken at Huddersfield. He told me he was just doing the under15 and was involved with Batley Cricket Club who were struggling.

Leeds Sikh batted first but struggled against the bowling losing wickets consistently.The crowd was not large but seemed to consist of a number of clubs.The score as I left was ninety for four in thirty overs. It is a forty over match.As I was leaving I noticed Geoff Cope, the ex Yorkshire and England spinner.

Moving on to Rawdon were Bilton were playing Burley in the Waddilow Cup Final.The first person I saw was Ken from Blackpool who was over for the day and would get back home at ten thirty tonight.Moving round the ground I sat next to Peter from Burley.Bilton were batting but had lost early wickets and were ninety for four wickets with fifteen overs to go.They reached one hundred and sixty-one all out in the last over.Not a huge total and I found out the major fast bowler for Bilton was not playing as he got injured yesterday.

Burley hit the first bowl for six and followed it up with a four . Good start for them.They progressed well with the help of three dropped catches.They won the match by six wickeys and overs to spare. It pleased Peter who is from Burley.

When I arrived home I found that Wrenthorpe had won the Heavy Woollen Cup by one hundred and ninety runs. Pleased I did not go to Hanging Heaton.

Two Finalists.

Saturday 31 July,

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

The wife wished to go shopping so decided to go back to Wakefield Thornes who were playing Wrenthorpe.The weather was fine but there was a strong breeze and had to sit outside of the pavilion.

Wakefield Tornes batted first but could not cope with the Wrenthorpe bowling and were bowled out for ninety in thirty-nine overs.Glover and Fellows were the main wicket takers.Wrenthorpe were playing in The Heavy Wollern Cup next day at Hanging Heaton soon won the match.One of Wrenthorpe batsmen was Bradley Parker who used to play for Yorkshire Bank over twenty years ago.

Because the match finished early I decided to go to Hanging Heaton.Tea had just finished and Hanging Heaton had scored two hundred and eleven. Talked to Ken Lawson who is the grandfather of Mark and was playing for Hanging Heaton.Also in the ground was John Verr who is the scorer and I played against him twenty years ago.They were playing Idle who were struggling this season.One of the opening bowler was Tim Bresnan brother.Idle could not cope wiith Mark Lawson leg-spin and soon out for one hundred and five.

On the face of seeing the two sides I think Wrenthorpe should win to-morrow but you never know in cricket.

Two Finalists.

Yorkshire Schools

Friday 30 July

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Decided to see Yorkshire Schools against Northumberland at Pudsery Congs.I was joined by Malco0lm from Whitkirk and Tony Hutton.The fixture should have been at York but Nothumberland got the dates mixed up.We were also joined by Ralph Middlebrook who helpsw to keep the ground excellent. He said he had helped to plant most of the trees round the ground.
It was a fifty over match but lunch at one o,clock.Yorkshire batted first with Womersley and Atkinson who started to attack the bowling.Atkinson was out first and at lunch the score had reached one hundred a thirty.

After lunch Yorkshire started to hit out but started to lose wickets however the rain came. There was only two overs left6 of the Yorkshire innings but the forecast was rain for the rest of the day so we left.

Another rainy day.

Todmorden Match

27 TO 29 July

Posted by Brian Sanderson,

Tuesday,

Todmorden is not easy to get to from Leeds so decided to go via M62 and Littleborough.
There was problems at Huddersfield turn-off due to lorry shedding it,s cargo.I was meeting A ndrew and Colin from London who were staying in Todmorden for the match.Yorkshire seconds were playing Worcestershire in a three day match.

As it does in Todmorden it started to rain so decided to go to the Piece Hall in Halifax via Booths ground.On arriving at the ground we meet the Club Chairman who shown us round the pavilion.He said they purchased the ground from the estate of the mill owner and had purchased some more land for a car park.Excellent ground worth visiting.

Coming back to Todmorden Worcestershire was batting. It seemed they started about two thirty.They would play ninety-nine overs to-day. Worcester batted first with Pardoe and Pinner batting well. Notice Joe Sayers had to leave the ground as he was ill.Left early to play snooker.

Wednesday.

Going over the M62 there was thunder rain so no surprise there was no cricket.So we went to Howarth and the Bradford League Expedition in Bradford. The Bradford League Experdition is excellent showing some old pictures of different teams including Yorkshire Bank. Meet Brian Cobb at the expedition.
Coming back to Todmorden Worcester had declared at three hundred and seventy-four and Yorkshire had lost five wickets for sixty-one. Hodgson ,the Yorkshire all-rounder , had left to join the first team and replaced by Hargreaves.Lilley and Lee helped to steady the ship and the match finished about seven fifteen.

Thursday,

Weather fine and no problems on the M62.Lilley carried on batting and was nearing his century which caused Yorkshire not to declare.He reached ninety-seven when he was caught by the wicket-keeper.Then Yorkshire declared and Worcester batted. One of the openong batsmen was A Yorkshire lad K-Ccadmore who I had seen playing for Yorkshire Schools.He scored thirty-nine and Worcester were bowled out for one hundred and forty-six.
This set Yorkshire were set two hundred and seventy-one in twenty-four overs.Geldart and Lee set about the target which gave the crowd some entertainment.They were both out and Yorkshire settled for a draw.

Disappointing match because of the rain.