TWO CLUBS MOVING LEAGUES

By Brian Sanderson,

Wednesdays will be a long days in future as the evening league have started.

However the first match to go to was Yorkshire under17 against Durham under 17.
It was a 50 over match with 13 players.Yorkshire were batting first.New Rover ground was look very good . When look over the ground you would not believe it is four miles from the centre of Leeds.

It was good to see Mollie Staines and Jenny at the match.They know all the information about the players.As there is no programmes you have to keep asking who the players are.One of the Durham bowlers stopped the ball from a throw with the inside of his knee. He had to be carried off.It remind be of article in The Telegraph about Siegfried Sassoon who used to stop the ball with his shins instead of using his hands.

I went home for lunch and when I came back Yorkshire had scored 227 with the help of many wides bowled by Durham.Wainman opened the bowling for Yorkshire. Last time I saw him was at Belpher Medows last week.However it was Curtis Free who collected the wickets.His nickname is Care. Mick Bourne turned up after his painting bring some autographs .These had been purchased by him but he could not read the signatures.As they were not cricketer I could not help.He always keeps us entertained.

When I left New Rover Durham required 70 runs with 14 over to go with five wickets down. I will find out to-morrow the result.So on to Harrogate to meet Ron Deaton and visit to matches in the Harrogate Evening League. The first one at Little Ribson Seconds against Ripon. I had visited this ground last year with Mick Bourne.This season they were moving into the Nidderdale League from the Wetherby League.They wished to play matches in more rural areas.The club could have to move grounds as the owner is going to increase the rent .There is Oil Rape field near the ground and it left me with a nasty taste in by mouth.

Moving on to Spofforth who were also moving to the Nidderdale from Wetherby.This was my first visit to the ground and was soon impressed by the largeness of the ground.
They were playing Knaresborough Forest who had scored over 100 in 16 overs.Spofforth won the match easily.Ron told me that Gerald Smithson, ex Yorkshire players was born in the village.On the wall of the pavilion there was a picture dated 1921 with two Smithson,s playing.One must have Gerald father but which one?.

Arrived back home at 10.15 after a cup of tea at Ron,s. A shorter day to-morrow.