No Tea!

Thursday 9 September

Posted by Peter Davies

An afternoon out in the company of David Thorpe: Lascelles Hall for a Huddersfield-Leeds junior game. Super weather and the young lads were looking very keen as they warmed up. They were under-13s.

A smattering of supporters – parents, Professional Cricket Watchers, Lascelles Hall folk – but no catering! This was a surprise because usually these games are all very ‘official’, with caterers hired and a good impression always being sought by the organisers. But today a woman in the pavilion confirmed there was to be no food. And of course, because it was an afternoon game only – 30 overs a side – there was no elongated tea interval. Hence no food!

But still disappointing as cricket matches tend to lose some conviviality if cups of tea and sandwiches are not available – well, that’s my view anyway! The bar was open, so I could buy David and Tony Hutton an orange J20, but the only food on sale were Quavers and cheese and onion crisps.

I went on a couple of walks and located a good sturdy bench on the other side of the ground – the one dedicated to club stalwart Mike Pamment, who sadly died a couple of years ago. Almost fell asleep at one point.

Then Tony appeared on my side of the ground and said I shouldn't really lie on the ground INSIDE the boundary edge! A fair cop I thought. He then showed me his latest scrapbook – very impressive.

The game finished about 4.30, with Dave and Tony going on to the Lee Booth ‘Cricket and the Internet’ seminar at the university and me returning to Shelley.