Here we go again

Cricket in March at Weetwood, Leeds

Posted by Tony Hutton


My first pleasant duty of the new season is to welcome John Winn who has joined our ranks from the other side of the Pennines. We look forward to more contributions from him as the season progresses.



The cricket season in West Yorkshire got started earlier than ever before, with a
practice match for Leeds/Bradford University players at Weetwood on 23/24 March.
Amazingly the weather was fine on both days with plenty of sunshine and some good
cricket to enjoy. The best innings came from wicktkeeper Dan Hodgson with 76, ably supported by Joe Leach with 57.

An added bonus was a two day game at Headingley between a Yorkshire XI and the University side on 29/30 March. We only got to know about these games at the last minute thanks to the Brian Senior grapevine. He had been helping with a mail out at Headingley and found out about both games then. Otherwise there was no publicity for either of them and of course only a few people turned up.

Again the weather was good at Headingley on day one and Gerard Brophy was the star of the show with a very accomplished innings of 130. Joe Root also looked in good form with a splendid 46, after his winter trip to Darren Lehman's Academy in Australis. He must be pushing for a first team place.

Unfortunately on day two rain came in the afternoon after the University had made 147-8 in reply to Yorkshire's 336-8 declared. Steve Patterson had the best bowling figures removing three of the first four batsmen for only nine runs.

Good to see a fine gathering of professional cricket watchers at New Rover yesterday for the game with Olicanians. These included Peter Davies and his Dad. They both took advantage of their first cricket teas of the season with piled high plates.
Peter said it may be the first, but certainly not the last of the season. He is planning a visit to Aigburth on Friday to see his beloved Lancashire perform.