Chris, Ian and Jack

Posted by Peter Davies

Saturday 10 July

A trip to gorgeous Lightcliffe to say hi to my friend - and University of Huddersfield PhD student - Bob Horne. Lightcliffe is always the most beautiful venue and today was no exception. The home side scored 216-6 in their 50 overs with ex-Yorkshire player Chris Taylor scoring 82. Manningham Mills knocked this off for the loss of just four wickets. They gained 17 points and Lightcliffe 6 points.
Bob was a fine host and was continually supplying us with teas and snacks. It was a gorgeous afternoon and Lightcliffe - beautiful anyway - was looking even more beautiful than ever. We found a perch near the pavilion, then near the sightscreen on the far side of the ground.
The ex-Yorkshire batter was in fine form and heading towards another big score in a fruitful summer. His new wife was also circling the ground with a large pram in tow - obviously they are new parents. Taylor has found his home at Lightcliffe - married to a local lass and obviously loving the scenery and square.

Saturday 31 July

A journey into the heart of North Kirklees. First up Liversedge, looking gorgeous in the early-afternoon sun. We sat in front of the pavilion, had a drink (me diet coke) and my Dad had a little bit of a wander. The home side were actually entertaining Northowram Fields (the only Calderdale side in the CYL?) and my friend Ian Rushworth - sports editor of the Halifax Courier - was opening the batting very effectively for Fields. They were on about 75 for 0 and going well.
Then onto Memorial Park, Mirfield, where both 'home' sides were at home. In the Mirfield pavilion we befriended the tea lady and explained that we were the matchball sponsors from the week before and that club secretary Pat Neal had said we could still claim a tea one week on. So we sat down in the lounge and partook. The cakes were put out on some rather ornate silverware. Dad enjoyed his bap and I only had some fruit and a drink. But very nice and a nice reward for sponsoring the club for £20. We nipped onto Moorlands' half of the park and bumped into Yorkshire CCC's 'man in Dewsbury' and also Jack Carson, president of the HCCL - what a nice bloke. We exchanged pleasantries and moved on.
Finally, Mirfield Parish - one of our favourite grounds. It always feels very enclosed and you can hear the players talk. Today, the long leg was complaining that he was the best fielder in the side and still only fielding at long leg! You always feel part of the action at Parish. We stayed for quarter of an hour and then took our leave.