A sad farewell to the cricket season

Posted by Tony Hutton

Sunday 10th October 2010 - Arthington v Hawksworth

After both Arthington games last weekend had been cancelled due to the wet weather, they did manage to play in cold and chilly conditions yesterday on a very wet wicket.

However today's last match of the season against Hawksworth took place in bright sunshine for much of the day. The biggest suprise for the very healthy crowd was the presence of two Sky Sports vans, complete with huge dishes and a cameraman and presenter for Sky Sports News.

Obviously word had got around that this was probably the last cricket match to be played anywhere in England this season. However on talking to the cameraman he thought they might be inundated by e-mails from clubs who play even later tomorrow morning. We await developments with interest.

The game itself was nothing to write home about. Hawksworth started badly and were 33-4 at one stage, so Arthington decided to transfer their star guest of the day, Mark McEneaney the prolific Blubberhouses batsman, to the opposition. This proved a masterstroke in prolonging the game as he made a rapid 56, including several sixes, which brought a respectable all out score of 157.

Main interest centred around the Sky interviews with luminaries Reg Parker, Brian Senior and Stephen Bindman. We hope to eventually see repeats of this on Sky Sports News or to obtain a DVD of their coverage.

Arthington's run chase started well, with Geoff Barker looking in good form and likely to play a long innings. However the rot set in following some good fielding by Hawksworth and some direct hits for run outs. The target was never in danger and the last few overs of the season were very quiet indeed with few runs being scored and Arthington ended on 98-8.

So a sad end for the spectators as they said their goodbyes and a presentation to groundsman Brian Meredith for all his sterling work and it was all over.

The other very sad note was the news of the recent death of John Ellison, who together with his wife Jennifer, was a very good friend to most of the cricket watchers present today. They were both regulars at all Yorkshire Academy and Second XI matches and great cricket enthusiasts. John was a real gentleman and all cricket watchers will miss his cheerful presence next season.