FIRST ROUND OF THE CUP,

By Brian Sanderson,

I had decided to visit Bolton Villas ground as Burley were playing them in the Waddilow Cup.It was a ground I had never visited and was very pleased with my visit.The ground is situated in Idle and is in the middle of a housing estate.
There was a new pavilion with excellent pictures and award boards.The club started in 1924.The ground slopes down from the changing rooms to the pavilion with a new electric scorboard by the changing rooms.There was a strong westerly wind blowing across the pitch with a threat of showers.As it happen the match was only reduced by two overs because of rain.To my surprise in the pavilion was Ken from Blackpool and Mick from Idle with Peter Mann,Burleys supporter.

Bolton Villas are in the second division of the Airedale and Wharfedale League and Burley are in the first .Bolton Villas batted first and soon started to lose wickets.There was a set back for Burley when Etherington,the opening bowler, pulled a leg muscel and could not complete his overs.There was no scorecard so struggled to know the Bolton Villas batters.One of them scored 60 and another 30 bring their score up to 167 in 42 overs.In this match the overs were 45 with a maximum of nine overs per bowler.

There was a excellent tea which Peter and Mick tucked into with relish.Bolton Villas opened with Umar Yaqoob who turn out to be the best bowler.Burley started quickly but lost two wickets.However N.Brooke and D.Healey but a partnreship of nearly a hundred before Healey was out for 48.Brooke went on to score over 60 to help to win the match with overs to spare.This pleased Ken as he did not have to rush to get his train.He hoped to to back home at 10.30 after catching the 9,00 train in the mornig.A long day again for him but was good to see him.

On the way back home I called into the Caverley against Kirksstall Education in the same cup fixture.Kirkstall had scored over 260 and Caverley were behind the scoring rate with five wickets down.As I was leaving I recognised Dave Hodgson with his hood on to protect him from the cold wind. Hope Kirkstall win.

The visit to Bolton Villas was a pleasent expereience.