REVENGE FOR CULLODEN

By Brian Sanderson,

On a sunny Tuesday I wandered up to Weetwood to see Yorkshire Academy play Scotland Academy.Yorkshire had three new players;

James Stuart ,allrounder ,from Doncaster.
Matthew Simpson,Fast Bowler, from Saltaire.
Daniel Hodgson,wicket-keeper,from Leeds and Bradford University.

It was a fifty over match with Yorkshire batting first.Lees and Gildart shown aggression against the bowling.However three wickets fell for 80 and was left to Hodgson and Stuart.They put on a century stand with good batting.Stuart was first out for 50 and left Hodgson to score over 80.The final Yorkshire score was 287.A good score.

At half-time Tony,Jenny and myself went to New Rover.The match was Yorkshire over 60 against Cheshire over 60.Cheshire were batting with two wickets down.The Yorkshire captain had to go off injured.After a slow cricket Cheshire reached over 170.It was good to see players of my age still playing.

Moving back to Weetwood we found Scotland wanting 140 in twenty-five overs with five wickets down.With standy batting they got the toal down to wanting 20 over 4 overs.Wainman,the left arm quick bowler,started to bowl leg-side wides which helped Scotland win the match.

Excellent match and good to see Yorkshire introducing some League players into the side.

A historic day at Stokesley

Posted by John Winn

My confidence that The Northern Echo would reveal the result of yesterday's Wilkinson cup game at Great Broughton was misplaced.Nowhere in their detailed coverage of the weekend's local cricket could I find any reference to the outcome. When I returned home this evening however, the Langbaurgh league website confirmed what I suspected yesterday, namely a comfortable win for The Durham Senior League: by eight wickets with almost half their forty allotted overs to spare.
This morning I drove back up the A19 excited by the prospect of seeing history made at Stokesley where the ambitious and progressive NYSD club were hosting the first professional cricket at their well appointed compact ground. Odd perhaps that it should not involve Yorkshire but it was Durham who were the home team with Derbyshire the visitors in a SET northern section game.Derbyshire won the toss and chose to bat against an experienced Durham attack with Mark Davies and Chris Rushworth opening the bowling and Ruel Brathwaite first change. Derbyshire soon found themselves two down but mounted a good recovery through Slater and Dale.In front of a decent crowd, between 100 and !50 at a rough estimate, and on an extremely warm morning, some big hitting by Derbyshire's middle order saw them to 195 for 6 off their 40 overs.
During the afternoon an explanation emerged for the absence of the Wilkinson Cup result in the local press. A Stokesley member to whom I got chatting was kind enough to approach Chris West who is the Echo's local cricket guru and he confirmed that the result had not been rung through. Chris must be a very busy a man on Sundays for in today's paper detailed accounts of the weekend's cricket in six different leagues appeared under his name.
In their reply Durham soon lost Mark Stoneman but Ben Raine and Gareth Breese pushed the rate up to five an over. Raine is not yet twenty and Durham must hope he can step up to first team cricket when veterans like Di Venuto and Benkenstein eventually retire.Raine brought up his fifty and Durham's hundred with a four but both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession leaving Harmison and Richardson at the crease. The target appeared a comfortable one but some spots of rain were enough to persuade me that a thunder storm was possible so I left for home when Durham were 124 for 5.

BERGER BITES BACK

By Brian Sanderson,

On a warm Monday I set off with Ron Stansfield to Blackley.The ground is situated just of the M62 over looking Elland and they are in the Halifax Cricket League.However we were going to watch Huddersfield New College against Bedford School in the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup.

We were joined by David Thorp ,our Golcar representative,to see Eddy Wilson play for Huddersfield. He plays for Golcar, Yorkshire Academy and Second Teams and is a wicket-keeper however to day he started as a fielder.

Bedford started well and Huddersfield could not get a wicket so Eddy bowled left-arm spin. Even his father did not know he bowled spin however he got a wicket.Then the wicket-keeper hurt his hand and had to retire so Eddy took over the gloves.He stumped two batsman and caught another.However overall the fielding was poor in the last few overs so enabling Bedford to get to 256 in forty overs.

After tea Eddy and the wicket-keeper set off at a good pace until the wicket-keeper was out.They needed about 130 in twenty overs.Then Eddy was out bowled by the left-arm spinner causing Huddersfield to struggle against good bowling.

As we left Huddersfield needed 40 off 4 overs with three wickets to fall.After a stressful journey home, I had a message from David. Huddersfield had won with balls to spare."Berger" had scored the winning runs.Earlier he had conceeded over forty runs in his four overs of bowling.He did say he was a batsman not a bowler and this came true.The headline was choosed by David.

REVISITING GROUNDS

By Brian Sanderson,

On a sunny Sunday morning I set out to Weetwood were the Yorkshire Academy were playing Appleby Frodingham in the Yorkshire Cricket League.Mollie was sat on the pavilion front and Jenny was sitting in the sunshine.Mollie had been to Barnsley to see the Academy lose in the last overon Saturday..She gave the players a large bag of sweets and settled down to watch the Acacdemy bowl with Coad and Wainman.Peter Mann arrived from Burley to tell us of their victory yesterday.

We both then set off to Hoylandswaine who were playing Slaithwaite in the Huddersfield Premier League.The ground slopes away down to the houses at the bottom of the field.There is a brillent view of four Power Stations in the distance.The home side batted first and soon start taking control of the match.One of the openers was John Sadler who has played for Yorkshire Seconds,Leicestershire,Derby and England under19 .
He was out in the fourth ball of the final over after scoring 162 .The number three was Alex Morris who has played for Yorkshire, Hampshire and England under 19. He scored over one hundred not out and put on a stand of 241.The home side scored over 300 in the fifty overs.There was numberous six,s over the nearby houses.

After tea they soon had Slaithwaite 53 for 8 when we decided to leave.It was not a competative match however Slaithwaite did not pay their players.

Moving on to Cawthorne were they were playing Clayton West in the Earnshaw Cup.The ground is situated at the end of a dirt lane which opens on to a large cricket pitch. The pavilion is built of wood and also the scoreboard which also harbours the groundsman mowers.They had scored 165 which one of the home playerssaid was not enough. However Clayton West lost eight wickets winning the match.

Looking at Total Scorer when I arrived home the Academy won by eight wickets .I had visited the Huddersfield grounds two years ago on a end of season trip.However both sides had moved from The Huddersfield Central League to The Drakes Huddersfield League since Ivisited them last.

The lure of lunch

In 2010 my wife saw one day's cricket: the first day of the test match between Australia and and Pakistan at Headingley. The promise that I would stand Sunday lunch and today's high temperatures were sufficient incentive for her to agree to see some more cricket. The game in question was a Round 1 tie in the Decorum Wilkinson Cup Competition which is open to all leagues in the North East.
Today's tie played at Broughton and Kirby was between The Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh Cricket League and The Warmseal Durham Senior Cricket League.How's that for a snappy title?
The match should have been played last Sunday but after the Durham side had made the journey down the A19, heavy rain washed out proceedings.
After a traditional Sunday roast at The Bay Horse in Great Broughton we drove the short distance to the Kirby Lane ground with its splendid views of The Cleveland Hills. A crowd of about fifty were enjoying the warm sunshine and witnessed The Langbaurgh League disintegrate from 51 for 1 to 114 all out in the last of their forty overs.
Langbaurgh's record in this competition is quite impressive. Winners in 1976, the second year of its existence, and 1983, they were joint winners in 2000 with today's opponents when the final was not played due to bad weather. Last year they defeated The West Tyne league in the first round but were easily beaten by The Durham Coast league in Round 2.
Langbaurgh's batting today, which veered from well struck boundaries to air shots, with not much in between, suggested that the Durham League are more likely to travel to the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League in Round 2.Tomorrow's Northern Echo will reveal whether my prediction is correct.
An excellent spread awaited the players in the pavilion but we made our home via the attractive Georgian town of Stokesley still replete from our lunch. I shall be back at Stokesley tomorrow as Durham, intent on colonising this part of Yorkshire, take on Derbyshire in a SET game. For her next cricket my wife is pencilled in for a day at the Cheltenham Festival in July, my presence is in permanent black, heavily underlined.For Liz, Cheltenham's shops will offer a tempting alternative.

Within and Without these Walls

For the third time this season my Saturday afternoon was spent visiting clubs in and around the City of York, covering The York Senior League and The York Vale League. First up, a visit to Heworth where a YSL premier division game was in its first over with Stamford Bridge, the visitors, in the field. After some heavy rain in the last few days the wicket looked green and the outfield slower than we have been used to. I spent an interesting half hour in the company of a Stamford Bridge supporter who was not displeased to see Heworth lose early wickets and they were twenty for three when I left.
Heworth is just off the Malton Road in the north west of York and the playing fields provide two cricket pitches, the headquarters of Heworth Amateur Rugby League and also host York Hockey Club. To say I left is misleading, I merely turned round and watched the beginning of Heworth III against Fulfordgate in the York Vale League Div 2 on the immediately adjacent pitch.Close together they may be, but the two grounds are served by dressing rooms of decidedly differing quality and the scorers were housed in a breeze block construction much inferior to that used by the first team.
From Heworth I moved in a clockwise direction from two o'clock to three o'clock and to the YSL ground of Osbaldwick CC who were taking on Ripon at 'The Leyes'.This has a large, well maintained playing area and Ripon were batting. I always feel Ripon are not quite what one might expect. Their natural home would seem to be The Nidderdale League, but founded in 1810 they were members of The York League from 1920 to 1930 and rejoined in 1949.When I left their openers were still together and they had 80 on the board.
Another short journey this time to four on the York clockface and the University of York playing field at Heslington Lane. When Brian, Mick and Tony visited here with Peter Davies in 2006 there were three games in progress, yesterday just one, in the YVL Div 2 between the University Staff and Westow.Westow were batting on what was by now a very warm afternoon. My stay here was very brief mainly because I could not find anywhere to park that did not involve contravening university regulations.
Abandoning my clockwork movements I drove into the centre of York and to Ovington CC whose ground is across the road from The Knavesmire, York's magnificent racecourse. Ovington had a representative at the meeting in 1933 when the decision was taken to form The York Saturday League, which changed its name in 1988 to the present day, York Vale League, a change that reflected its expansion. At that point Ovington opted not to join,'preferring gentlemen's friendly cricket' but after an unsuccessful application to join The YSL they became members of 'The Vale' in 1960.
They have a thriving junior section and yesterday their first team were thriving against Kelfield, having scored over 80 without loss when I called. Last, and probably least I crossed Tadcaster Road to the Holgate area of the city to find the rather hidden away ground of York RI, themselves members of the league but the not very attractive ground is also where York IV play their home matches. The ground is part of a large sports complex and the chief attraction yesterday was a rugby league match watched by a sizeable crowd, betwen York Lokos and Barnsley Broncos. Seeing some of the crunching tackles I was glad I was brought up in Darlington where that code is not played!
York's opponents were Burton Salmon who had journeyed from their home down the A162,twenty miles south of York.At 74 for 4 they were rather struggling.At a rough count York is home to some 18 clubs, many of whom run first, second, third and even in some cases four teams.Vibrant junior sections are also in evidence and if this interest can be maintained, and more significantly if more people can be found who are prepared to do more than just play, then the future is bright.
Finally an apology. In an earlier posting I referred to one Kevin Gillhouley playing for Yorkshire in 1961, this should have been Keith. I did post a correction by way of a comment on the posting but that may be a good way to hide bad news. In following up that story I found some interesting information about Keith which I will save for another time.Suffice to say that it does link nicely into the history of cricket in York.

VISITING JOHNS RELATIVES

By Brian Sanderson,

After a rainy night I set out with the two Ronies,Stansfield and Deaton to the Darlington and District Cricket League.

We were going to some more new grounds in the League after our visit two weeks ago.The first ground had been recommended by a number of people Raby Castle.The ground is situated in the grounds of the castle.At one end there was three trees within the boundary and another one had been cut down this week.They were playing Lands who fielded first.The match was late starting as the players were not there on time and had to start with a sub fielder.There were no umpires which is disappointing.It started to rain even though none had been forecast so we moved on.

Next a few miles away was Ingleton who were playing Cliffe.The grounds has a nice view over to the hills and a new pavilion which had been built recently.We started talking to a Leeds Rugby Supporter who travelled down to watch matches.There had been a lot of rain during the week which caused the pitch to be damp and the outfield was long.Ingleton were batting and had lost four wickets for just over one hundred.

Moving on to the most scenic ground Cliffe were the seconds were playing Cockerton.The ground is situated in a bowl with sheep grazing in the fields and the sun was shining.Brillent sight.We decided to have tea there when the away side were bowled out.The tea ladies very kindly allowed us to eat and drink free. A very nice gesture.I think this ground should be on everybodies diary to visit at least once a year.

Next ground was Cockerton who were playing Middleton on Tees who were batting.Cockerton had been bowled out in thirty overs but had taken eight wickets when we left.The ground is situated in Darlington and nearby was the Darlington.R.A.club who are in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League.

The Second Team were playing Saltburn Seconds who had scored 271.To get into the ground you have to go through the bar area.Ron Deaton had played his last football match on the ajoining ground.The pavilion had not been altered since 1950,s and was due to be knocked down.

Moving on to Haughton were Joh Winn relatives used to play.The seconds were playing Barningham Seconds.The pavilion is very old and holds the picture John had photographed.

We called into Gilling West were Richmond iv play but the match had finished.

Please visit Cliffe ground especially at tea time.

An early finish

Posted by John Winn

In my blog posted earlier today I said that the game at Edgbaston could be over in as few as two deliveries this morning. For this to occur Somerset would have needed to lose their last wicket to the first ball of the day and Warwickshire's opening batsman to hit a six off the first ball of their innings. In the end neither of these two unlikely events came about for Compton and Willoughby survived a further thirty eight deliveries extending Somerset's lead to twenty two before Compton was out for 95. The Bears knocked these off in 20 balls to win by ten wickets.
This may have set some of you wondering if two teams have ever had to return next morning when just one ball was required to complete a match. Quite by chance one occasion came to my notice this afternoon while reading from the delightful Nico Craven's book, 'Playing A Supporting Role' in which he describes how in 1961 when Gloucestershire were playing Yorkshire at Bristol, the West Country men claimed the extra half hour on the second day. They were successful in capturing Yorkshire's last wicket (M. Ryan bowled D.Allen 0) which left them needing 26 runs in 17 minutes. All was going well until off the fifth ball of the last over Barrie Meyer was bowled by a long hop(conspiracy theorists say a deliberate long hop)and umpires Arnold and Price duly removed the bails in accordance with Law 18.
Wisden recalls that next morning all the players changed into 'flannels' and Brian Bainbridge completed his over and the match, when Bernard, whose name had been drawn from a hat, drove the first ball of the morning to the boundary.In Craven's version 'the match was won and the field deserted by the time the pavilion clock had stopped striking eleven'.The pedant in me says play began at 11:30 in those days, but what the heck.
In the match, which was Arthur Milton's benefit, only two batsmen scored fifties, John Mortimore for Gloucestershire and Vic Wilson for Yorkshire.Also of interest is thatt Ken Taylor bagged a pair, as did Mel Ryan, and Kevin Gillhouley took six wickets in the match. West Yorkshire readers might recall that all three were Huddersfield born. The date of all this? June 23rd 1961.

Fixtures for July 2011

Posted by Tony Hutton

Due to popular demand, well at least from Brian Cobb, here are a selection of fixtures for the discerning cricket watcher during July.

Friday 1st July - 11.30 - St Peter's School York v MCC and Woodhouse Grove School v Old Grovians (Apperley Bridge)

Sat. 2nd July - 11.00 - Grammar School at Leeds v Manchester Grammar School (Alwoodley Gates)

Sun 3rd July - 11.00 - Minor Counties knock out trophy semi-finals - Hertfordshire v Cambridgeshire (Harpenden) and Berkshire v Cumberland (Falkland CC, Newbury)

Sun 3rd July - 14.00 - Presidents Trophy inter league competition includes games between Yorkshire and Derbyshire League v Derbyshire County League (Hundall CC, near Chesterfield), Bassetlaw League v Notts Premier League (venue not known) and Durham Coast League v North Yorks & South Durham League (venue not known)

Sun 3rd July (continued) - 13.00 - Heavy Woollen Cup semi finals - Shepley v Slaithwaite and Gomersal v Hanging Heaton. Also Waddilove Cup third round - North Leeds or Calverley v Steeton, Beckwithshaw v Green Lane, Knaresborough v Burley and Addingham v Rawdon or Folifoot.

Still on Sun 3rd July - 13.00 - Yorkshire Premier League cup 2nd Round - Scarborough v Harrogate and Appleby Frodingham v Cleethorpes.

Mon 4th July - 12.00 - Derbyshire 2nd XI v Unicorns A (Derby) - 2nd XI trophy
18.30 - Addison Cup final - Bardsey v Studley Royal (Harrogate)

Tues 5th July - 11.00 - Yorkshire 2nd XI v MCC Universities (Clifton Park, York) - day 1 of 3
18.30 - Wetherby Senior Evening Cup quarter finals - Old Mods v Leeds Police, Sicklinghall v Barwick, Kirk Deighton v Walton and Kippax or Church Fenton v Hillam & Monk Fryston

Wed 6th July - 11.00 - Yorks 2nd XI v MCC Universities (Clifton Park, York) - day 2
11.00 - Yorkshire under 15s v Durham under 15s (Harrogate)

Thurs 7th July - 11.00 - Yorks 2nd XI v MCC Universities (Clifton Park, York) - day 3
11.00 - Yorks under 17s v Durham under 17s (Weetwood, Leeds_- 1 day
14.00 - Yorks Senior Schools v XL club (Castleford)

Frid 8th July - 11.30 - St Peters School York v Old Peterites - day 2 of two day game
14.30 - Bolton Percy v Romany

Sun 10th July - 11.00 - Minor Counties Championship - Cumberland v Bedfordshire (Sedbergh School) - day 1 of 3
13.00 - Priestley Cup semi-finals
12.00 - Yorkshire Academy v Hull (Weetwood Leeds) - cup 1/4 final
14.00 - Nidderdale League XI v Overseas XI (Ripley) - Ingleby Shield
14.00 - Swinton Park (Masham) v Romany - friendly match

Mon 11th July - 11.00 - Cumberland v Bedfordshire (Sedbergh School) - day 2
11.00 - Yorkshire Senior Schools v Lincolnshire (St Peter's, York)

Tues 12th July - 11.00 - Cumberland v Bedfordshire (Sedbergh School) - day 3
11.00 - Yorkshire Senior Schools v Northumberland (St Peter's York)
11.00 - MCC Universities v Notts 2nd XI (Weetwood, Leeds)-day 1 of 3 11.00 - Lancs 2nd XI v Northants 2nd XI (Alderley Edge) - day 1 of 3

Wed 13th July - 11.00 - Yorkshire 2nd XI v Ireland A (Harrogate) - day 1 of 3
11.00 - Yorkshire Senior Schools v Lancashire (St Peters, York)
11.00 - matches at Weetwood and Alderley Edge continue

Thurs 14th July - 11.00 - games as above continue
11.00 - Yorkshire Senior Schools v Derbyshire (St Peters, York)
18.30 - Headingley and District evening league semi-finals

Friday 15th July - 11.00 - Yorks 2nd XI v Ireland A (Harrogate) 3rd & final day
11.00 - Yorkshire Senior Schools v Durham (St Peter's York)

Sunday 17th July - Yorkshire League cup semi-finals and Fred Fleetwood Cup semi-finals

Mon 18th July - 11.00 - Cheshire under 15 v Yorks under 15 (Neston)
11.00 - Cheshire under 13 v Yorks under 13 (Alderley Edge)
11.00 - Derby Academy v Army (Belper Meadows)

Tues 19th July - 11.00 - Yorks under 17s v Durham under 17s (Weetwood, Leeds) - day 1 11.00 - Derby under 17s v Lancs under 17s (Glossop) - day 1
11.00 - Lancs under 19s v Cheshire Development XI (Bramhall) - day 1
12.00 - Lancs 2nd XI v Notts 2nd XI (Todmorden - 2nd XI trophy
13.30 - Lincs over 60s v Yorks over 60s (Alkborough)

Wed 20th July - 11.00 - Lancs 2nd Xi v Notts 2nd XI (Todmorden) - day 1 of 3
11.00Durham 2nd XI v MCC Universities (Hartlepool) - day 1 of 3
11.00 - final day of under 17 and under 19 games listed above

Thurs 21st July - 11.00 - 2nd XI games listed above continue (day2)
18.30 - Headingley & Distict evening cup semif-finals (reserve day)

Frid 22nd July - 11.00 - 2nd XI games listed above continue (final day)

Sun 24th July - 11.00 - Lincolnshire v Hertfordshire (Cleethorpes) - day 1 of 3

Mon 25th July - 11.00 - Lincs v Herts continues - day 2
12.00 - Yorks 2nd XI v Lancs 2nd XI (Bingley) - 2nd XI trophy

Tues 26th July - 11.00 - Lincs v Herts continues - day 3
11.00 - Yorks 2nd XI v Lancs 2nd XI (Stamford Bridge )- day 1 of 3
18.30 - Wetherby Senior Eve cup semi-finals

Wed 27th July and Thurs 27th July - 2nd XI match at Stamford Bridge continues.

Thurs 28th July - 18.30 - Headingley & District Evening League Final
11.00 - Ampleforth College county under 15s festival begins - 5 days

Sunday 31st July - Heavy Woolen Cup Final (Spen Victoria)

In view of recent events involving last minute cancellations, changes of venue and sides not able to fulfill fixtures, every care should be taken before treating this information as gospel. Always check when travelling long distances.

Other cricket matches are of course available.

Bears have Somerset in their grip.

For only the third time I went to Edgabston yesterday, arriving at the ground just after 11:30 to be greeted by a shower of rain. To their credit the players did not leave the field and the rain soon stooped to be replaced by warm sunshine. In all innocence I took a seat in the R.S.Wyatt stand which in turn gave me access to the members' lounge when required. Like Yorkshire it would appear that Warwickshire have cut down on the number of stewards on duty on match days. The ground is readily available from New Street Station with a very frequent bus service passing close by: journey time about 15 minutes.
Warwickshire's first innings closed just before lunch with a lead over Somerset of 186 runs. Suppiah, who I have yet to see make a decent score, was out in the short period before the interval which was extended by ten minutes after another brief shower.The afternoon was an attritional affair with Warwickshire content to give Trescothick singles to keep him off strike and Compton struggling to find his touch. A discontented Villa supporter behind me, who spouted misinformation most of the day, complained that Compton's batting was as slow as his father's. This may have been correct, but probably not what he meant.
Such has been Compton's poor form of late that when he reached fifty just after tea,he had been at the crease for over two and a half hours and it was his best effort since a double hundred against Durham in early May.In the meantime Trescothick had been the victim of a fluke dismissal when a firmly struck legside shot stuck between Westwood's arm and midriff.Trescothick's 55 had come out of a total of 86, scored at under three an over.
At tea Somerset were 121 for 2, at close of play they were 191 for 9, a lead of just 5, with Compton still there on 81 after an innings of almost five hours duration. Steve Kirby had prolonged the game into the extra half hour by resisting for almost an hour, and at the very end of the day Willoughby, Warwickshire's tail end Charl, faced just one ball which means they will all have to come back for the last rites this morning. Not quite all actually, for Keiswetter, who suffered his first pair yesterday, and Woakes who dismissed him, have left to join up with England's 20/20 squad.As the game is not until Saturday the pair will have plenty of time to discuss the merit's of the lbw that brought the fall of Keiswetter's wicket.
Edgbaston's £32 million refurbishment appears close to its completion and will be officially handed to WCCC on July 1st. By the standards set by other test grounds in recent years the new Edgabaston is unprovocative. It will certainly not divide opinion in the manner of The Point or The Carnegie Pavilion!Perhaps it is because of this that there is enough money in the pot to fund the recruitment of Chanderpaul who it was announced yesterday will join The Bears in July for the last six championship matches of the season.
Just before catching my train back to York I took the opportunity to have a pint in a city centre pub where I entered into conversation with a Californian and his son,the latter a student at Birmingham City University.They were intrigued that a game which began on Monday could last until Thursday. I resisted telling them that in theory somebody turning up today might see only two deliveries, separated of course by ten minutes break between innings.

RECORD BREAKING DAY

By Brian Sanderson,

To-day myself,Ron Stansfield and Bob Procter set out down the M1.The ground was Lutterworth which is just about a mile from junction 20.

Leicester seconds were playing Glamorgan in a three day match.Glamorgan batted first and found themselfs 138 for 9 after lunch.The two batsmen in were Adam John Shantry who has played second eleven for 10 seasons. and John Charles Glover who had played second team cricket for two years. His highest score was 36 against Surrey.

There was a delay for rain for about 30 minutes.Then the records started to fall.
Glover passed his highest score.They passed the previous highest ten wicket partnership of Glamorgan of 113. This had been held my A.P.Davies and A.J.Davies made in 2000.

Then they broke the Second Eleven highest tenth wicket partnership of 166. This was held by O.J.Newby and G.Yates in 2004.

Then Glover reached his century.He shown some excellent cover drives.

Glamorgan declared at 326 for 9 leaving the record partnership at 188.I hoped they could reach 200 but not to be.

Excellent days cricket with friendly spectators and a picturesque ground.

Lyth, Gale and Ballance

Not for the first time this season Yorkshire showed some resolute batting on the fourth day and, as at Hove three weeks ago, it was sufficient to gain a deserved draw. Whilst they can obviously take some comfort from this they should not be too jubilant about a game that netted them only five points, especially on a day when Worcestershire gained a second successive win and are now five points above Yorkshire with a game in hand. Yorkshire are not in Championship action until July 11th when they take on Worcestershire at Scarborough. Crucial or what?
I sensed from the beginning of the day's play that Durham were not quite up for the challenge of taking ten wickets and Onions' frustration boiled over in the first few overs as Root took runs off him to third man. It was three quarters of an hour before the openers were separated when Root was palpably lbw to a ball from Onions that kept low. McGrath followed soon after for a duck, brilliantly caught legside by Mustard.
Gale then joined Lyth and it was half an hour after lunch before first Lyth and twenty minutes later, Bairstow were dismissed. Enter Ballance, who with his captain saw out the day, with Gale reaching his century after tea and the captains agreeing on a draw when Yorkshire led by 57, a situation for which they must thank the well known firm of solicitors, Lyth, Gale and Ballance.
Watching the 20/20 game from Cardiff this evening I was once again struck by the rows of empty seats and somewhat surprised to find that one of the expert summarisers was Hampshire captain Dominic Cork, whose team were beaten by Worcestershire earlier today and who on midsummer's day are still without a win and 31 points adrift at the foot of the Division One table. When teased about today's result by Charles Colville, Cork was dismissive of the situation to a degree that were I am Hampshire member to whom the County Championship is of paramount importance, I might have wondered which subscription to cancel first, HCCC or SKY.

Back home

Posted by John Winn

Circumstances prevented me leaving home early enough this morning to make it worthwhile going to The Riverside so I opted for a visit to Feethams for the SET match between the two second elevens. By the time I arrived Yorkshire were in a bit of a pickle but thanks to an unbeaten ninth wicket partnership of 52 between Wainwright and Blain they reached a respectable but not formidable total of 154. Durham lost early wickets but Ben Harmison, whose career has stagnated over the last couple of years, made an undefeated 82 at more than a run a ball and assisted by Michael Richardson knocked off the runs with more than six overs to spare.
As Brian has mentioned I introduced him to Ray Parker who has been spending a few days with his son who lives near Northallerton. Ray worked on The Northern Echo in the 1970s and lived in South Terrace, the street that overlooks the Feethams ground.
He had a copy of the Newcastle daily paper 'The Journal' which I was surprised to find had excellent coverage of Teesside and Darlington local cricket including Saturday's results and tables in the Langbaurgh League and believe it or not, The Co-operative Funeral Care Cleveland League. Last one to complete all the grounds in that league is a sissy.I had met Ian Cockerill briefly for the first time last week when he turned up to the deserted field at Pudsey Congs but it was good to have a longer chat with him today. Not one to miss an opportunity he intended to see a game at Barnard Castle on his way back to Lancaster this evening.
At the moment my favoured destination for tomorrow is The Riverside where Durham's enterprising batting today has set up an interesting fourth day but Feethams is a special place for me. I first saw cricket there about sixty years ago, and the splendid lunch is a major attraction. As I type this it is raining so a final decision will be left until the morning.

MEETING AN OTHER BLOGGER

By Brian Sanderson,

To-day I want to one of my favorite grounds Darlington.It is about just over an hour from Headingley,you can park the car in the ground,shade,good food and friendly people.

Yorkshire seconds lost the toss and batted.The weather was sunny and no cold breeze.
Durham attack soon got on top of the Yorkshire batting and struggled until Wainwright and Blain put on 52 . Wainwright was 43 not out which helped the total to 154 for 8 in the forty overs.

During the match I was able to talk to Ian from Lancaster who was looking to see another match at Barnard Castle.During the second innings I sat with John Winn and his friend from South Wales.The conversation was interesting while Durham was winning the match.

Yorkshire took four wickets but Durham reached the total in the thirty-fourth over. Ben Harmison scoring 83 not out.Yokshire total was not enough to win the match.Another defeat for a Yorkshire team.

better luck this time

Posted by John Winn

Followers will be pleased (I hope) to hear that this weekend I have been to three cricket grounds and that on each occasion, on my arrival cricket was in progress and moreover continued throughout the time I was there.
On Saturday despite overnight rain and some light stuff during the morning I made my way via the Aldwark toll bridge over the River Ure to Alne where the neat ground is tucked away up a lane through a farmyard. For the second week running Ouseburn were playing the team second in the league and were batting against some shrewd Alne bowling. Uffindall was out just before I left after twenty overs but Ouseburn went to win convincingly with once again Jamie Bryant top scoring. Thus Ouseburn increased their advantage at the top of Division One.
From Alne I came back 'over the water' to Ouseburn where the second eleven were hosting West Tanfield. Ouseburn made 230 for 4, three run outs and a stumping accounting for the dismissals.The afternoon weather improved until it was a pleasure to sit on the splendid viewing platform and watch a partnership between Steve Day and Henry Lord which for a while threatened to add to the number of run outs but went on to ensure a competitive total for Ouseburn. When I left at six o'clock West Tanfield were 40 for 2 and when stumps were drawn were still 38 behind, giving a five point win to the home team.
On Sunday I had hoped to go to St George's Rd Harrogate to see an ECB National Club KO match between Harrogate and Chester-le -Street but wet run ups and footholds delayed the start and when I telephoned at 1:30 there was still not total confidence that the game go ahead and after my misfortunes at Marske and Pudsey last week, discretion overtook valour and instead I went to York to see a Yorkshire League KO game against Barnsley.Access to the Total Cricket Scorer website told me that this game was in progress. The South Yorkshire visitors had gone off at almost six an over.Having been hauled in by York's spinners they recovered mainly through a partnership of 91 between Wilkinson and Wilson to reach 217 for 5, at which point a total of 240 did not seem out of the question. The run out of Wilson however was the catalyst for a collapse in which Barnsley lost their last five wickets for twelve runs to be all out in the forty ninth over.York's openers began slowly but anchored by Duncan Snell, who was unbeaten on 100, York finished winners by seven wickets.
Lots to look forward to this week and some awkward decisions to take, especially if the weather remains changeable, which seems likely.Two more days to go at The Riverside, four days second team cricket at Darlington and Wednesday will see me, come what may,off to Edgabston for one of my 'listed matches', this time Warwickshire against Somerset.The forecast is a little uncertain but the train tickets are advance purchases so there's no turning back. At least I will be able to report on the progress of the building works.

DERBY MATCH

By Brian Sanderson,

With Ron Stansfield I was met at the cricket enterence by Ralph Middlebrook who was collecting admission money. So the match was Pudsey Congs against Pudsey St.Lawrence.In the excellent programme it stated . Twenty years ago that distinquished cricket journalist Matthew Engel chose to report on the Congs versus St.Lawrence clash and was heard to say it would be difficult to find a local cricket match where the game creates so much interest and passion amongst local cricket fans.

It had rain heavly over night and the pitch was damp.St .Lawrence won the toss and bowled.One of the Congs players was Andy Siddall who is the coach of Leeds Met .They played their semi-final at Loughbrough on Friday and lost in a low scoring match.

Congs were soon 5 for 75 when Andy Siddal came into bat. Apartnership of 86 with Adam Patel enabled the team to reach 203 for 7.This was a good total after the poor start. The best bowler was Garth Clough with figures of 4 for 60.

The forcast was there would be showers however none arrived but again there was a cold wind blowing.

St. Lawrence started well to be 175 for 5 with Waite scoring a excellent 82 which held the side together.St.Lawrence won the match with an over to spare but nine wickets down.It did not help that Congs conceeded 22 extras compared to 8 in the first innings.

It was the spin bowling of Roberts and Walmersley who made life difficult for the batsmen picking up four wickets. However the major wicket taker was the overseas bowler Naved taking four wickets.

A excellent match for the spectators and good value for money. Entrance fee is £1.50 for pensioners for six and half hours entertainment.

FOUR SANDERSON,S AT A MATCH

By Brian Sanderson,

Yesterday I went with my wife to Stafford Bridge to see the third day of the Yorkshire Seconds match.Yorkshire had a player called Ben Sanderson and Derby had a player called Mark Sanderson.So it is a long while since four Sanderson.s watched a cricket match.

On Wednesday Antonio Palladino scored 136 in 85 balls to bring the Derby total to 429 giving them a 94 run s lend.Sayers and Rafiq had scored 74 in the evening.Rafiq did not bat in the morning as he was in the first team squad on Friday.

Sayers scored his 60 in 92 balls so was in better form than the first innings.Leaning was brought in to replace Rafiq and scored 44 good runs.The major batsman was Hodgson who scored 86 to save Yorkshire losing the match.Their total reached was 314. Derbyshire had only to face 5 overs but lost one wicket.

In the evening I went up to see Adel against Kirkstall in the Headingley T20 League.
Tony Hutton was already there and we were joined by Mick Bourne.Reg Parker was missing.Hope he is well.

Adel scored 126 in the twenty overs and there was another cold wind blowing.Kirkstall started well by scoring 63 in the first 10 overs. Then Adel took two wickets in two balls.This was the first wicket taken by Adel in 33 overs of this compertition. With the help of a South African overseas player Kirkstall won the match with two over to spare.

Tony was hoping the rain keeps off on Friday to enable him to carry on his record of 23 continuous days of cricket.

Universities cricket update

Posted by Tony Hutton

I find it very hard to believe the chain of events described by John Winn in his efforts to find cricket this week, but perhaps I can fill in a little bit of detail and hope very much that he has better luck at Riverside on Saturday.

Yesterday started with a very upset Dave Hodgson phoning me from Kirkstall. A very bad case of deliberate vandalism had occured overnight. Much of the square, including the wicket for today's scheduled semi-final between Leeds Met and Loughborough had been badly damaged by lots of broken glass and oil.

Dave asked me to pass the word on to any likely spectators that the game had been re-arranged at very short notice to the Pudsey Congs ground not far away. I tried to do this, managing to track down one or two, including John Winn, and sending e-mails and put a warning on the blog.

Then I went off to Weetwood for day two of the game between Leeds/Bradford and Cambridge. Many of the regulars on hearing the news decided they would spend the morning at Weetwood and then go to Pudsey where the game was scheduled to start at 12.30. I went off home for my lunch and was surprised to see Brian Sanderson arrive with the news that the game at Pudsey was now off, Loughborough not being prepared to play on a newly cut wicket, with short boundaries and a reduced number of overs.

So fortunately we returned to Weetwood and stopped all but one, as well as John Winn, from making a fruitless journey. The rules of the competition apparently say that if the game is not played on the due date it should be replayed on the scheduled reserve date (Friday) with a change of venue to the original away team's ground. We will no doubt finish the story in due course and report which team gets through to next Wednesday's final at the Parks, Oxford.

Meanwhile back at Weetwood, in a different competition, a place in a Lord's final could be at stake. If Cambridge could win they might make it to the final on June 27th to face Durham. That all depended on how Cardiff got on against Oxford today in their match. If Cardiff won they would go through with lots of other permutations if games were draw.

The position was that Leeds/Bradford made a creditable 302 yesterday in this their final match of the season. It was a good recovery from 205-7 against some excellent spin bowling from Ansari (who played for Surrey in a T20 game on TV the night before), and Lotay. Unfortunately whatever happened today, Leeds/Bradford would finish bottom of the six team league.

Cambridge started well with an opening stand of 96 between Ackland (93) and Hughes (32). Then as John suggested one or two dubious umpiring decisions seemed to upset the Cambridge batsmen. None more so than Ansari, given out lbw for a duck. Park soon followed victim of a silly run out but the Lancastrian Woolley rallied the cause with a fine 48. Wickets fell regularly at the other end and when the rains finally caused the game to be abandoned, Cambridge were left stranded on 229-7 still 74 short of their target.

Their only remaining hope of the Lord's final now rested on Cardiff being rained off for two days against Oxford. Five points for a draw would leave Cardiff one point behind Cambridge, but if sufficient play was possible for them to get only two bonus points that would see Cardiff through. Complicated isn't it?

To add to the confusion this morning, no result from Cardiff appeared on the MCCU website. The only clue was the fact that the one day match between the two teams on Monday had been abandoned without a ball being bowled. All will no doubt be revealed in due course. Stand by for the next thrilling instalment and spare a thought not only for John Winn but for Kirkstall Educational cricket club.

Not again!

Posted by John Winn

Tony Hutton kindly phoned me this morning to let me know that the game between Leeds Met and Loughborough had been moved to Pudsey Congs following serious vandalism at Kirkstall. Thinking that this might be a better option than the game at Weetwood between Leeds/Bradford and Cambridge Universities I drove over to Pudsey arriving just after one o'clock to find the sunlit ground deserted.For this to happen once to somebody in a week might be deemed unlucky, for it to happen twice might be deemed unprintable. A man working on the scoreboard roof informed me that Loughboro' had refused to play on the hastily prepared wicket.
This indeed was the case as I was informed by Tony and Brian Sanderson and anumber of other pcws when I arrived at Weetwood and by some strange quirk in the regulations the match will now be played at Loughborough on Friday.
At Weetwood Cambridge were batting and after a good start gradually lost wickets with each dismissal seemingly increasing their dissatisfaction with one of the umpires. Frequent showers interrupted play and when the rain returned at 4:30 heavier than before a number of us gave up on the day with Leeds/Bradford poised for victory. By the time I reached home the rain was very heavy and if conditions were similar at Leeds then the game would have been washed out.

My next scheduled cricket is at The Riverside on Saturday. The forecast is not good. Watch this space.

Ices on the cake

Posted by John Winn

At 12:59 yesterday I phoned Windy Hill Lane, the ground of Marske CC who play in the NYSD league and was delighted to hear that the game was in progress. For the first time in twelve years Marske were hosting a Yorkshire II fixture: this time against Derbyshire in the SET. Just after three o'clock I arrived at Marske Station, the penultimate stop on the line from Middlesbrough to Saltburn. On my walk to the ground I checked with a passer by that I was heading in the right direction. He assured me that I was but that if I wanted to watch cricket I might as well go back to the station for the game had been abandoned after eight overs, the picture having been declared too dangerous for play to continue.
Having gone that far I decided to visit the ground where the club and the local community had worked very hard to put the game on. Ironically the sun was shining and a warm drying breeze blew across the attractive ground. The field was deserted but the bar was busy and I was told that there had been a good crowd for the little play that was possible.
It was a frustrated blogger who made his way back home but my spirits lifted when I heard that the forecast for today was excellent and that I could head to Stamford Bridge without any fear of another disappointment. When my friend Dave Masterman and I arrived at 10:45 an excellent crowd was already in attendance and looking forward to seeing Yorkshire bat, this time in a three day game against Derbyshire.
I took the opportunity before play started to have a word with the Derbyshire coach who confirmed that the umpires had made the right decision at Marske, the pitch had indeed been volatile where water had seeped under the covers during Sunday's heavy rain.
Nothing like that today when the two Joes, Root and Sayers, opened for Yorkshire. For Sayers, who looked out of touch, the stay at the wicket was a short one but young Root who has impressed so many this season with his determined approach to batting in four day cricket and who seems to love the Low Catton Road ground had by mid afternoon reached his century, ably supported by Alex Lees who fell just short of his. Root will no doubt be part of Yorkshire's top order at Chester-le-Street on Saturday, who will be with him is, I suggest,in doubt.
Yorkshire matches at Stamford Bridge are I suspect for many supporters something they look forward to from the moment the fixtures become available. We were there in droves today and as ever the local club provided myriad delights for our enjoyment, tombola, raffle, food, a good batting strip, an outfield that showed no signs of Sunday's deluge, and as Leonard Sachs might nearly have said,'Our very selves'. I sat with Dave and three friends from Headingley and in the lunch interval had a word with fellow blogger, Brian Sanderson. All of which has wiped out yesterday's frustration. I even managed to get one of 'Paul's Ices' without queueing, now that was an achievement.Dave and I left at tea but many stayed on and who can blame them?

TWO COLD DAYS AT WEETWOOD

By Brian Sanderson,

Due to the prospect of rain on Sunday I did not go to Barrow to watch Cumberland but went to watch the Academy at Weetwood.

Mollie and Jenny were sitting there talking about the victory at York yesterday.The Sunday match was a cup game against Hull.Hull batted first and lost three wickets before it rained.This reminded me of Jane Morgan song Day the rain came down.The match was abandoned.

To-day I ventured to Weetwood again to see a one day match between Leeds and Bradford University and Cambridge University.The coach for Cambridge is Chris Scott who played for Nottingham,Durham and Yorkshire Bank.

There was a cold westerly wind blowing across the field and cloudy sky,s.Cambridge batted first losing 3 for 35 .Then Craig Park,South African, and Jivan Lotay put in a stand of 104.In the next ten overs they scored 48 runs and lost 6 wickets including two run outs.A poor finish to the innings.They finished on 187.

Gary Park who plays for Derbyshire was at the match watching his brother.One of the umpires was Glynn Pearson and we dicussed the Netherfield match and the rain.

Leeds sent of badly against the bowling of Joshua Poysden who has played for Sussex and Hampshire Seconds.When I left cold, the score was 66 for 6 with over 25 over still to bowl.

Hoping to-morrow is warmer and can not worry about the rain.

The day that the rains came

Gone to Kirby Sigston

Posted by Tony Hutton

Saturday 11th June and time to go hunting for new grounds, something that has escaped me so far this season. With a family lunch arranged at the admirable Carpenters Arms at Felixkirk near Thirsk, I was able to wander off up the A19 while the ladies set off to sample the delights of Northallerton.

My first stop, just north of Thirsk, was the ground of South Kilvington but the home side were away and the ground ws being used by Sessay's third eleven who were playing Dacre Banks second eleven in Division seven of the Nidderdale league.

Opening the batting for Sessay was a junior member of the Flintoff family, Paul, who proceeded to make 55. I assume it was his grandfather, John, who played for Sessay at Lord's last year in the famous Village knock out victory. However after I had moved north Sessay were well beaten by six wickets.

Next port of call provided the gem of the day. Turn left off the A19 just before the Haynes Arms, a prominent landmark, and follow the winding lane to the hamlet of Kirby Sigston, which is just a collection of farms, a church and a Manor House.
A well attended wedding seemed to be taking place, in this normally quiet backwater.

However I am sure we must have at least one discerning reader who will be aware of Kirby Sigston's claim to fame. Followers of the US Indie rock band, The Mountain Goats, will be familiar with their track 'Gone to Kirby Sigston' written following receipt of a fan's postcard from here.

However I digress, fortunately the cricket ground is well signposted, as you need to go about a mile down an unmade farm track, open and close two gates, before arriving at the ground near Stank Hall farm, with tremendous views over towards the North York Moors. With black storm clouds circling, the home side were batting and giving visitors Swainby a real run around.

This is the little known Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh cricket league played in the North Eastern extremity of Yorkshire, or perhaps Cleveland or even Teeside.
The cricket is obviously fiercely competitive and the four of five regular supporters huddled under a hedge were enjoying the home side's positive batting.

I was told that one of the openers, Dave Thompson, was the star batsman of the league and but for injuries in his younger days could have been a Yorkshire prospect.
Today he made his top score of the season 119 before retiring out to save his legs and the opposition from further punishment. He had already scored three seventies and two nineties this season.

His opening partner, Cowton, was not far behind finishing on 102 not out with number three, Raynor, making 52 not out in a total of 278-1 declared off 37 overs. Long after I had departed the rain eventually had the final word with Swainby struggling on 58-5.

My next port of call was Thimbleby, on the other side of the A19, just south of the attractive village of Osmotherley, past another well known pub the Golden Lion, down
the steep Boghole Bank and through a fortunately shallow ford. The ground, the James Mill Memorial ground is very rural and surrounded by trees, with an attractive pavilion.

Thimbleby were batting against opponents Moorsholm who come from the high ground north of the Whitby-Guisborough road. They were in trouble having lost four early wickets and in fact only one man, Brudnell reached double figures with 44. They bravely played on through heavy rain for a while before coming off. I took the opportunity to move on and later learned they were all out 83 and lost by 8 wicksts after the rain briefly relented.

The next part of my cunning plan was a circuit of Hutton Rudby and Crathorne but it soon became apparent that the rain was becoming much heavier in the north, so I decided to head back south towards my tea time rendevous in Northallerton.
Here, at Farndale Avenue, I found Northallerton entertaining Billinghm Synthonia in the North Yorkshire and South Durham league, a much more superior standard of cricket.

As I did my circuit of the ground, with the rain clouds fast approaching from the north, I exchanged pleasantries with one of the boundary fielders telling him it was raining heavily not far away. It was only at the end of the over I realised that I recognized him as Mark Davies, the Durham opening bowler, whose county career has been plagued by injuries.

Northallerton were nearing the end of their innings and the opening bat, Anwar Hafeez, was trying to boost the rather modest score with some late hitting. One huge six sailing into the neighbouring gardens. When the rain finally arrived the innings closed on 191-9 and poor Billingham never got a bat. Another match abandoned, but another area worthy of further exploration in the future.

Big win for Leeds/Bradford University

Posted by Tony Hutton

Friday 10th June - BUCS Premier Division - Leeds/Bradford MCC University v Exeter University at Weetwood, Leeds.

Confusion reigned yet again. The start time had been altered from the usual 12.30 in this competition to 11.00 to help Exeter with their complicated travel arrangements.
However, it appears that no one had told the umpires of this and with all the players ready and an eager crowd of almost double figures in position the men in white coats failed to appear.

By the time they did appear, hastily summoned by mobile phone,it had of course started to rain. The rain was not heavy, but persistent and gradually the small band of hardy spectators faded away for an early lunch or to seek entertainment elsewhere.

I returned about 13.30 just as the rain stopped and it was announced that play would start at 14.00 with overs only slightly reduced from 50 to 42 per side, with only a ten minute interval. Just as the players emerged Brian Sanderson turned up - he must have psychic powers, shortly followed by the venerable John Rex and Brian Senior, the four of us along with a couple of parents, forming the much reduced crowd.

It turned out to be well worth the wait as Leeds/Bradford started off like an express train against the bottom team in the one day league. Exeter's opening bowlers were really taken to the cleaners by Simon Barrett, who comes from Surrey, and Ben Slater from Derbyshire. They put on a hundred partnership in only ten overs.

Even when Slater was first out for 42 the carnage continued and Barrett, who made a big hundred for the University against Derbyshire earlier in the season, went merrily on his way to another century. His captain Moore enjoyed another big partnership and in fact batted through to the end of the innings with 80 not out. The scoring rate did drop somewhat against the spinners and the 300 target was just out of reach with the final score of 292-3 off 42 overs.

Exeter were never in the hunt against such a large target, and although Webb made a fighting fifty, the innings closed eventually at five minutes past seven by when it had got rather cold, for a modest 156-7. Rather an end of term feeling towards the end as some of the Leeds batsmen had a bowl with nothing at stake.

Exeter then had to drive up to Durham where they are playing tomorrow, in their rather cramped mini-bus, before setting off back tomorrow night for the very long trip from Durham to Exeter, which I understand involves an overnight stop about half way. It all seems a long way from the pampered life of first class cricketers.

NEW LEAGUE

By Brian Sanderson,

Yesterday i sent off with the two Ron,s up the A1.The league we went to was The Darlington @ District Cricket League.It consists of three leagues.The first two leagues have twelve teams and the third eleven.

The first ground was Aldbrough St. John who were playing Haughton.It is situated on the village green with a small stream on the West side.We spoke to one of the home players who said the groundsman played for the second team and so the first team got the worst pitches.We had arrived early and gradually the players arrived.As one umpire arrived the match started at 2.15.Haughton bowled first and one of the bowlers was a Zambian who had been in this country for fourteen years. His previous club was Masham.

Moving over the AI we went to Barton who were playing Cockerton.Barton had spent over 100,ooo pounds on improvement to the ground.There was a new pavilion, the pitch had been turned round and the ground had been leveled.The home team were batting and there were two rain breaks.

Next ground was in a stately home at Middleton-Tyas who were playing Cattrick Village.They were taking tea and eventually it stopped raining and the home side resumed batting.One of the players scored a hundred.There are five trees inside the ground at on end so no six,s can be hit at that end.

The next ground was Rockcliffe who were playing Middleton.St. George.The ground is next to the Middlesbrough Football training pitch.They also had finished tea and waited for the rain to stop.We had a cup of tea and some sandwichs.The home side were batting chasing a score over 170.They seem to be going well.

Moving down the Northallerton road we went to Eryholme who were playing Cliffe.
The ground is at the far end of the village and has a wheat field at two sides.Eryholme were struggling to get eleven players and consisted of a lot of teenagers.They had scored 131 but Cliffe had scored over a hundred with no wickets fallen.

The last match was Brampton on Swale against Ingleton.Both these sides are in the second divison.The match was restricted to 35 over match. The home side had scored 172.The ground is situated in a mixed sport complex.Ingleton looked like they would win the match but started to lose wicket mainly due to some good catches.In the last two overs Ingleton required 18 tto win in two overs with wickets inhand.However due to good bowling on the wet pitch the home side won.

Arriving home at 9.30. It was a long day but seeing a new area made up for this.

Pannal beaters.

Posted by John Winn

Yesterday morning I made the short journey to Clifton Park where York were taking on Yorkshire Academy. Play was interrupted after half an hour by a heavy shower but the sun soon came out and only about twenty minutes were lost.A second wicket stand of 87 between Alex Lees and George Ross proved critical in the context of the match. I enjoyed a chat with Jenny and Molly before I left to return to Ouseburn where the home team were entertaining Pannal, top against second. The Academy were all out for 233 and to my great surprise when I saw the result this morning, York had been skittled by James Wainman and John Blain for 85, a resounding win for a very young academy side.
When I arrived at Ouseburn the home side were batting and one immediately sensed the importance of the game to both teams. Ouseburn had lost their unbeaten record last wek and Pannel came into the game on the back of two successive defeats and there was a distinct competitive edge to the game, but without any excessive needle. Fielders were on their toes, the pitch was hard and true with bounce and good carry to the keeper. Pannal's open bowlers operated at a good pace and even their less agile fielders were not afraid to get behind the ball on the very fast outfield. Jamie Bryant was Ouseburn's batting star for although runs came at five an over wickets fell at regular intervals as batsmen got in and then got themselves out, three of them victims to good catches in the deep. Jamie was sixth out for 72 and Ouseburn's innings closed on 234 for 8.
Over tea, opinions were divided as to whether this would be enough but the early dismissal of prolific runscorer Ellis by man of the match Bryant put Ouseburn on top and despite an unbeaten 82 not out by John Storer, Pannal closed on 175 for 8, 59 short. This result extended Ouseburn's lead at the top of the table and allowed Alne to slip into second place. There is still more than half the season to go, but Ouseburn's trip 'over the water' to Alne next Saturday is an enticing prospect.
Finally today it is pleasing to record that sanity may be returning to the game. A few weeks ago I read that Surrey intended to 'add a touch of glamour to an already crowd-pleasing format of the[20/20]game', by having 'walk-on girls' accompany the batsmen to the wicket in tomorrow's match against Essex. This was well after April the first and I have refrained from mentioning it in the company of other pcws for fear of inducing apoplexy. Gratifying to read therefore in today's paper that following protests from Surrey supporters the idea has been dropped.It beggars belief that there are people allowed anywhere near the game who seriously believe that such a gimmick could induce one single extra person to attend a match. The several hundred who will make their way to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday will do so in the hope that Yorkshire's second eleven batsmen will be able to get to the wicket unaided.

A night of 16/16

Posted by John Winn

Rather belatedly yesterday evening I consulted my Ouseburn CC fixture card and found they had a Whixley and District Evening League match in Harrogate against Ashville College, a ground which I had not previously visited. When I arrived Ashville were making slow progress but thanks mainly to a hard hitting fifty from C Lowson,they were able to finish on 144 for 3 off their sixteen eight ball overs.
The facilities at Ashville are most impressive, with two pitches and a players balcony on the pavilion overlooking the larger of the two. With the sun shining it made a most attractive picture even though it had failed to pull in many spectators. Is 16/16 losing its charms too?
Ouseburn got off to a flier and helped by four overthrows made rapid progress towards their target. Openers Pete Townsend and Jamie Bryant were not separated until they had put on 119 which just left time ffor Olly Uffindall to come in at three and demonstrate his reverse sweep and then finish the match with a six and with four overs to spare.
One of the Ashville players was a Frenchman who would have batted at eleven. He demonstrated great enthusiam in the field which was much appreciated by his team mates. The highlight of the evening, at least for those who enjoy seeing others suffer pain, came when he stopped a crashing drive and certain four with his foot. When he looked at the bruise on his foot this morning he may well have thought 'C'est magnifique mais ce n'est pas le cricket!

PROPER 20/20 CRICKET

By Brian Sanderson,

Yorkshire were playing Worcestershire five minutes from the house but I decided to watch local cricket league for free.
The first match was at New Rover who were playing Adel.Adel were batting and struggling there had been a stumping in the first over.Tony Hutton had already arrived .Reg Parker,Mr Adel,was talking away and watching the match.Gradually Adel increased the rate to score a total of 140 which I thought was a reasonable total.

Mick Bourne arrived with news that at St Chads ,Old Mods had scored over 60 runs in 5 overs.Brian Senior wanted to get closier to home so we sent off to St.Chads.

When we arrived St.Chads were batting and chasing 220 runs in the twenty overs.One
of the batsman reached 125 and had been dropped when he was 6.One of the St.Chads batsman had a runner which confused things even more.

St.Chads started at a rate of about eight an over but were losing wickets.One Batsman reached fifty which was his second in two matches.He had to wait 5 years for his first.

In the last ten overs the batsmen started hitting the ball out of the small ground.
They reached their total with about seven balls to spare.

Excellent entertainment and how 20/20 should be played.Eventhough the bells from the church was out of tune.

The confusing world of university cricket

Posted by Tony Hutton

Those of you who have tried to access the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) website have my sympathies. Totally confusing, sometimes misleading, you really do need a degree in hard sums and joined up writing to understand it.

Along with one or two other diehards I turned up on Wednesday to see Leeds Met University play Northumbria University in the quarter final of the men's trophy national knock out at Kirkstall's ground in Leeds.

On arrival I found groundsman Dave Hodgson cutting the grass, without any sign of cricketers. When he saw me, he come over to apologise. The game was off, Northumbria could not raise a team and had conceded the game. Without any other day time cricket in the area, it meant a long wait for evening league cricket if the weather stayed fine.

The one plus point is that Leeds Met will now be at home at the same venue on Wednesday 15th June in the semi-final against Loughborough, who did play and beat Leeds University to prevent the chance of a local derby. The other semi-final is between Oxford and University of Wales in Cardiff. This final will be played at the Parks in Oxford on Wednesday 22nd June.

The strange thing is that the aforementioned BUCS website today gives scores for the game that never took place. Leeds Met 251 beat Northumbria 205. Did they in fact play at some secret location ? Or more likely cannot the website cope with a conceded match and has to make up a fictitious score. Who knows ?

The other good news to emerge today was that Leeds Met's women's side had a convincing win down at Exeter by 199 to 88 if the website is to be believed.
This means they will also play Loughborough, but in the final of their competition which takes place at the Lord's nursery ground on Monday 27th June.

On the same day the top teams of the MCC Universities championship table (the big boys) will meet on the main ground at Lord's in a one day final of what is a two day competition throughout the season. All the six teams in contention have one more match to play next week, when Leeds/Bradford, who seem likely to finish bottom of the league, entertain Cambridge. Looking at the current table it seems as though Cardiff will play either Durham or Cambridge.

The final piece in this very tortuous jig saw is the MCC Universites BUCS one day competition, which has a final at the Getty ground at Wormsley, Buckinghamshire also on the 22nd June. Again the final round of matches take place next week and no this one day competition does not have a two day final !

Top dogs in this table are also Cardiff, with Loughborough, Oxford and Cambridge likely to be the other semi-finalists. After all that I think I need to lie down in a darkened room until it is time for my daily dose of evening league cricket.

MY TURN TO VISIT A MAGICAL PLACE

By Brian Sanderson,

After reading John Winn blog on the Pilmoor Evening League, myself and Ron Deaton decided to visit four grounds.

The first beening New burgh Priory which had been discribed by Tony Hutton as magical.
On the second attempt we found the gate to the ground by the side of the proiry.It was established in 1145 and is now owned by Sir George and Lady Wombwell.Theview is quite different from by visits to Wombwell in winter.There is a very interesting web-site about the history of the priory.
When we arrived at the match between Newburgh and Thirsk .We entered the ground through a small leafy gateway to see the pitch.The Thirsk team came out of the horse stable which acts as the changing room.The home team were batting when a rain shower came but they played on. We sheltered under a tree loking over the lake with the swans swimming. Ron thought it was one of the hidden gems of Yorkshire.Thisk looked the stronger side.

The next ground we went to was Crayke who were due to playing Clifton Alliance however there was no match.The ground has a brillent view over the Vale of York.

So moving on to Easingwold who were playing Sessay who were the lenders of the league so the York Press informed me.The ground is a large ground behind numerous new houses.The home team were bowled out for under fifty runs.A spectator told be that on Saturday a player hit six six,s in one over contrast to this evening.

Because of the low score we moved on to Helpby.This is my third visit to the nice ground surround by trees and the view of the White Horse.Sheriff Hutton had scored 106 and the home team was struggling.With two overs to go the wicket-keeper took off his pads and bowled an over.They sill won by over 40 runs.

A nice introduction to a new league and hope to see more of the other sides.

Is 20/20 losing its charm?

Posted by John Winn

Other commitments rather inhibit my midweek cricket watching at the moment but I decided I could spare a day off yesterday and took the train to Durham and walked down to the Racecourse Ground where the university were taking on MCC in a three day game. Close pf play on Monday had left DUCC on 254 for 6 off 87 overs on a wicket described as 'hard'. This rate of under three an over suggested that Tuesday's cricket had been less than gripping and to the dismay of the MCC scorer the home side batted on for 45 minutes yesterday losing three wickets and adding 54. to the total in 12 overs. That the run rate finally got above three was due entirely to some lusty hitting by the ninth wicket pair and when that partnership ended captain Westley declared the innings closed on 308.
The two scorers kindly provided me with details of the teams and Tuesday's scorecard. The university has a number of players with county second eleven experience, England Under 19 and ECB Premier league experience. Some indeed have played first class cricket for county sides.MCC were mainly southern based club cricketers and in the majority of cases cricket archive drew a blank when their names were searched. One name I recognised was that of Twigg who I believe plays for Harrogate.
By lunch MCC had lost three for 40 at the same scoring rate as the university in their innings, namely just under three an over. A heavy shower fell during lunch and play did not resume until three o'clock. During the rain break I enjoyed a most interesting chat with the two umpires, Messrs Davidson and Goodman, without whose help on arrival I would have had virtually no idea who was playing.On resumption play brightened up, as had the weather, and the MCC batsman began to push the score along. I decided to cut my losses however and strolled back towards the station via the riverside path. Being Wednesday and the university in session there were a number of rowing crews in action which added interest to the walk.
Now it's confession time. Late yesterday evening I switched on the TV in time to see Leicestershire's innings against Lancashire in the T20 competition. The Foxes made a decent start but were pegged back by Lancashire's spinners to a point where their prospects appeared hopeless. Enter Abdul Razzaq, who only arrived in England on Tuesday, and yet was able to hit 62 off 30 balls including five sixes to win the game for his new (very new) county, by four wickets.Further confession, I enjoyed it, who could not? But the point of owning up to this evening of what some might consider heresy, is to ask one question. Where were the crowd? Most of the TV shots showed rows and rows of empty seats.Official crowd figures were not given, indeed I don't recall the commentators making any reference to the paucity of spectators, but if this form of cricket is the life blood of the game, then it looked pretty anaemic last night.In fairness, circumstances were against a big crowd. It was raining, it was televised, Leicestershire are not noted for travelling support and there is another game at Old Trafford on Friday when there may well be a sellout.And perhaps that last point is the most salient, why two home games in three nights? Whatever the reason I am prepared to wager a small sum, very small, that given a half decent day there will be a much bigger crowd at the Riverside on Saturday June 18th when Durham play Yorkshire in the LV County Championship.

A perfect summer evening - at last

Posted by Tony Hutton

Monday was a sunny day, with little wind, but no cricket to speak of during the day unless prepared to travel long distances for county second XI T20 games - something I was not prepared to do.

However my website researches came up with three evening games in the Wetherby vicinity and with the weather remaining fine, with clear blue skies, I set off for my first cricket of the day about six p.m.

Little Ribston, just north of Wetherby, was my first port of call. A ground I had not visited for over twenty years I suspect. Nothing seemed to have changed at all.
The pavilion a modest wooden hut,the circular fenced ground and the sheep looking very woolly indeed grazing around the outside.

Ribston were playing near neighbours Spofforth in the C.B. Atkinson trophy, one of several cup competions run by the Harrogate evening league. The home side batted first and lost wickets at regular intervals before finishing their twenty overs with the modest total of 84-7. All good humoured and friendly stuff although I suspect the vicitors will have knocked off the runs after I left at the interval.

Result still awaited, but the Harrogate evening league website is very efficient indeed and usually provides full scorecards of even the most obscure matches.
The sun was still shining and the light was perfect for taking photographs with long shadows across the grass.

Off I went to Grange Park, Wetherby which is the home ground of evening league side Carr Manor, originally from Leeds, but who have led a nomadic existence for many years. They had already bowled out Scotton for 86 and were just coming out to start their innings when I arrived.

Grange Park is a big sporting complex, with several rugby union grounds and a bowls match in progress. Inside the pavilion some sort of martial arts class was going on,
so this was carefully avoided. The one snag here is the proximity to the A1(M) road, which provides a continuous noisy background. However there are good views across the river Wharfe and woodland to the other side of the ground.

Carr Manor were well on their way to winning the game, which they did by nine wickets, when I left for my last call at the ground of nearby Thorp Arch and Boston Spa. Over the river bridge at Boston Spa, the ground is just on your left and is entered via a narrow gate off the pub car park.

Again some years since I had been here, but the rather frosty welcome remains. A sign outside the pub says 'patrons only, no cricket parking'. Serve them right there was only one car parked in the large car park and presumably not much custom.

The ground itself was a picture in the strong evening sunlight and a fairly large crowd, presumably mainly friends and relations, were watching the under seventeens do battle with Shadwell. The home side were batting second and the figures at the bottom of the scoreboard made it look as if the visitors had been dismissed for only 50. So I hurried round the ground, taking my pictures from every angle with the sun reflecting off the nearby buildings. TABS (as they are known) were 48-1 and a boundary was hit which I thought ended the game.

However when play continued, I managed to see a figure 1 in front of the 50 total.
So play would go on until quite late, but it was time to return home after a most enjoyable and perfect summer evening. Let's hope we get many more!

Friday 10th June - Weetwood start time & more fixtures

Posted by Tony Hutton

Just noticed that the MCCU website shows the Leeds/Bradford v Exeter game on Friday 10th June to be starting at 11.00 instead of the usual 12.30 start for such one day games. Howard Clayton has now confirmed that this is correct.

More fixture news from the Yorkshire Premier League. The quarter finals of the league cup competition will be played this coming Sunday 12th June and include Yorkshire Academy v Hull at Weetwood and York v Barnsley, both 12 noon starts.

In addition the finals day of the Yorkshire League T20 will be played at Scarborough on Sunday 26th June. The first semi-final at 10.00 will be between Harrogate and York.
The second semi-final will be at 13.00 between Doncaster and Hull and the two winners will meet in the final at 16.00.

Minor Counties action at last

Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln

Posted by Tony Hutton

Sunday 5th June - Minor Counties Knock out - Lincolnshire v Norfolk at Bracebridge Heath.

As I have often said before the problem with being a supporter of Minor Counties cricket means travelling long distances. Here we are over a month into the season and I have not yet seen one game due to bad weather and other problems.

Today was a real dilemma, should we go west to Kendal to see Cumberland or east to Lincoln to see Lincolnshire. The two places are exactly the same distance from Leeds, so a difficult decision. Having missed out on a trip to Penrith where Cumberland's last home game was abandoned without a ball being bowled, I was inclined to go west.

However the weather forecasters suggested temperatures might be higher and even some sunshine in Lincolnshire, so after much deliberation we headed east. I had not visited the Bracebridge Heath ground before. It is situated only about two miles south of the City of Lincoln on top of a hill at Cross O'Cliff Court.

It is in the grounds of the Lincolnshire Ambulance Service Headquarters, which was formerly a hospital and very scenic, surrounded by trees, it is too. The facilities were first class and despite a north easterly breeze the weather proved excellent, with plenty of sunshine, until it cooled down later in the day.

There was nothing at stake in the game as neither side could qualify for the quarter finals of the one day knockout. However it turned out to be a fascinating high scoring contest which went to the last over.

Norfolk batted first and were soon 16-2, then 43-3 and some people began to think of an early finish. Help was at hand in the form of Trevor Ward, once of Kent and Leicestershire, and a young man of 18 I had never heared of before Sam Arthurton.

They put on a partnership of 127, with Ward getting most of the runs with powerful boundaries and Arthurton playing very much a supporting role. Ward was the first to go, when the nervous nineties struck again, caught behind for 93, which included nine fours and five sixes. Wickets then fell with great regularity and Norfolk slumped from 170-3 to 218-9. Arthurton was still there having reached fifty but the real fireworks were still to come.

The last five overs of the Norfolk innings brought no less than 72 runs, of which the number eleven, Warnes, scored only two. Arthurton hitting at everything now, reached his century in the penultimate over (no nervous nineties this time). In the final over he really cut loose and hit 4,6,6,4(no ball),6,dot and 4.

The general feeling seemed to be that Lincolnshire without two of their regular batsmen, Atri and Dobson, would struggle to get near the final total of 290-9. This was reinforced when experienced Matthew Dowman was out early on, well caught by that man Arthurton again. Dan Birch, formerly of Derbyshire, was joined by James Morgan (possibly the former Yorkshire Academy player). They put on a partnership of 73, before Morgan was out for 17.

Birch played his usual pugnacious role, hitting the short balls well and taking the attack to Norfolk, but when he was out for 53 (eight fours and one six), Lincolnshire seemed up against it at 89-3. Young Karanjit Bansal, who has played for Notts seconds came in at number four and was joined by captain Cook (Paul Cook that is).

This pair then put on probably the decisive partnership of the match - 136 before Bansal was caught for a grafting 55. Cook had played the major attacking role and while he was there Lincoln seemed to be in with a chance. But believe it or not he bacame the third person this week I had seen dismissed for 97, well caught by the veteran Ward off part time bowler Caswell.

Wicketkeeper Burford and spinner Osman soon followed and at 276-6, young Conrad Louth took control and his 30 not out took the home side to victory with a four and a single off the first two balls of the final over. A tremendous game of cricket which kept the substantial crowed riveted to the end despite the increasingly cold temperatures of the later stages. A great advert for Minor Counties cricket and excellent entertainment.

LATEST FIXTURE NEWS

On Wednesday 8th June Leeds Met University will be at home to Northumbria University at Kirkstall Educational CC in the quarter final of the University Trophy knock out, starting at 12.30. The winners will have a home semi-final the following Wednesday, then a week later the final will be played at the Parks, Oxford.

Leeds Met ladies side have a long journey to play Exeter University on Wednesday for a place in the Lord's nursery ground final on 27th June.

Despite the rain at Kendal yesterday, Cumberland's Duckworth/Lewis victory has given them the runners up spot in their group and they qualify for the quarter finals, in which they will play Herefordshire at Brockhampton on Sunday 19th June.

RAINY DAY IN THE LAKES

By Brian Sanderson,

On Sunday morning myself and the family and Brian Senior set out to Netherfield in Kendal where Cumberland were playing Shropshire.The scorecard called them Swhropshire.On the way to the ground it had been rainy however the forecast was it should clear.However when we arrived it started to rain and did not start until 12.15.

The first person I saw was Glynn Pearon who was assessing the umpires.There were two other officials assessing the assessers.It was like something out of Gilbert and Sullivan opera.

When they statred Shropshire were asked to bat first. The captain Ed Foster was one of the openers.He has played for Worcester,Leicster,British University, Loughborough and M.C.C. So he had plenty of experience and scored a good 71.

We went into Kendal for lunch to return to find Shropshire 148 for 4.Then Tony Cox and Anthony Parker started to hit the ball on to the main road. They scored 4 six,s and 14 fours.
They brought the Shropshire total up to 286 for 6 in the fifty overs.

During the break we watched Netherfield seconds against Cleator in the John Scott Cup.They were playing on the second pitch on top of the bank. It is the first official match we both had seen on this pitch.Cleator reached 169 for 9 with 49 wides.

Before Cumberland could start the innings it started to rain so the umpires decided not to start. On the other pitch Netherfield started there innings.The umpires in the second match decided to play in the rain.

We decided to leave at 4.15 as there seem to be no prospect of play in the next few hours.

Netherfield seconds won their match by 7 wickets and moved on to the next round.Cumberland were asked to score 119 in 15 overs.They scored 122 for 4 and so they moved on to the next round. Shropshire were already through.

On the way back we thought of calling at Burley who were playing York however it was raining heavy so did not call in. York had scored over 400 in fifty overs and Burley were bowled out cheaply.One of the York players was Bob Procter grandson playing his fist fisrt team match.

Numerous nervous nineties

Posted by Tony Hutton

Unlike John Winn, the continuing winds put me off travelling far from home on Saturday. During a brief stop at windy Weetwood, where Yorkshire Academy were playing Doncaster Town, the omens did not look good as the Academy were bowled out for only 134.

I moved on down the road to Kirkstall where the home side were batting against Green Lane and doing pretty well too. Joe Gibson the left handed opening bat, who made fifty at Adel last week, looked certain to make a century but was unfortunately dismissed for 93. Kirkstall were eventually all out for a respectable 255 and Green Lane apparently held on for a losing draw at 250-8.

Gibson's dismissal made me realise that I had already seen the former county player, Ian Fisher, dismissed for 97 here last Wednesday, playing for Leeds Met University.
Then at Todmorden on Friday James Ord of the Unicorns was out for an identical score.

I moved on for my first visit to the tiny Myrtle Inn ground at Meanwood who were playing Hepworth Idle in the Dales Council League. True to form as I arrived, many of the players were engaged in searching for the ball in the neighbouring fields.
The visitors were already 200-2 on this high scoring ground, with about 12 overs left.

One of the batsman turned out to be former Leeds Rugby League favourite, Paul Medley, who was hitting the ball far and wide, before he too fell victim to the nervous nineties and was clean bowled for 90. The curse continued! Hepworth Idle's score of 270-6 in 45 overs looked impregnable, but after I had returned home to get warm again, Meanwood knocked them off with four wickets and nine balls to spare.
I wonder how many balls they lost during the day !

blowing in the wind.

Posted by John Winn

It does not seem like seven weeks since league cricket started and I watched a number of games in the Aire Wharfe league. On that opening Saturday the sun shone, the wickets were fast and batsmen enjoyed themselves. Yesterday I returned to the Aire Wharfe but the weather conditions were rather different. I remember in geography lessons we learned about famous winds, names like the chinook and the mistral stick in my mind. one of the more obscure is 'the brickfielder', typically blowing in South Australia, which can cause a rapid fall in temperature within a few minutes.The text books can now be rewritten for something very similar to the brickfielder was blowing at Rawdon yesterday. When I called for lunch at The Hunter's Inn near Pool, it was warm enough for people to be sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. When I arrived at Rawdon the players were wrapped in heavy sweaters and the majority of the small crowd were in the splendid clubhouse. Rawdon have lost the first seven games and their batsmen were struggling against Follifoot's aggressive attack.
The clubhouse has a splendid collection of photographs, including a collage of 'the three lefthanders', Brian Close, Brian Stott and Hedley Verity who all learned their early cricket at Rawdon. What wouldn't the club give for that kind of talent now?
En route for Calverley I saw some distant flannelled figures on a very large playing area. This was my first, and accidental, encounter with The Dales Council League for on something akin to Salisbury Plain,Apperley Bridge were playing Adel III. The wind appeared a little less strong here and there were a few spectators in the lee of the pavilion.Being without binoculars I soon moved on to Calverley where the visitors were Upper Wharfdale. The ground here is Calverley Victoria Park, where, to give them their Sunday name, Calverley St Wilfrids have played since 1868. Batting first the home club had reached 80 for 1 when I left.
Next stop Hall Park, Horsforth to see Hall Park v Illingworth and an opportunity to disclose today's trivia, namely that Illingworth are the only A-W club with a Halifax postcode but their journey to north west Leeds is only fifteen miles. Here the temperature whilst not rivalling Friday's semi tropical range was sufficient to have attracted many families to the park. I enjoyed couple of circuits of the ground, watching the cricket against a backdrop of a splendid stand of trees. Illingworth were batting and through some risky running between the wickets doing their best to recover the loss of five wickets for little more than a hundred runs.
Sudden changes in temperature were not over for the day for a short distance away at St. George's field, where Horsforth II were playing Tong Park Esholt II, the wind, while not quite the strength it had been at The Heights of Rawdon was sufficient to make my stay a short one.
Five new grounds and if there has to be a ground of the day, and there doesn't, it would be Hall Park, not least because it was the warmest.

LORENZO FAILS

By Brian Sanderson,

I started early this morning to go to Weetwood to see the start of Yorkshire Academy against Doncaster.Mollie and Jenny were already there.Mollie had been to Todmorden yesterday to collect her billberry pie and Jenny had been to sunny Scarborough.
A strong Weetwood wind was blowing again with the Academy batting.Lees looked in good form striking a hugh six.Found out to night the Academy lost my four wickets and had not scored enough runs.

Moving on to Farsley with Brian Senior and Ron Stansfield.Farsley were playing Pudsey Congs.Farsley batted first a Simpson looked in good form and went on to score 84.The batsman I wanted to see was Lorenzo Ingram who won the batting prize for the Bradford League last year.This year his average was over 200 with 4 not out innings.He started very confidently against the Pudsey attack.Roberts ,the left arm spinner, was the only bowler to slow Ingram down and finally getting him caught on the boundary for 68.
Farsley looked like they would score over 250 but finished on 237 all out in the final over.

Ray Illingwoth was at the match after his illness and looked very well.Just before tea it became very cold and had to watch the match in the car.Contrast to Hove yesterday.

Pudsey started well with Atk9nson scoring 52 .However the bowling of Inhram and Philiskirk caused Pudsey to lose wickets and get behind the scoreing rate.They took 5 wickets for 90 in thirty overs.Pudsey were all out for 195. Barney Gibson, the Yorkshire wicket=keeper, batted eleven and get wicket well for Pudsey.

Unicorns humiliate Yorkshire seconds

Posted by Tony Hutton

Friday 3rd June - Yorkshire 2nd XI v Unicorns A at Centre Vale, Todmorden

Another beautiful, hot day made the train journey up the Calder Valley to Todmorden
a delight. Unfortunately the same could not be said of much of the cricket, particularly from the very young Yorkshire side.

Their opponents, for the first time, were part of a squad of 40 Minor County and club players, many of whom have had spells with first class counties but have fallen by the wayside. The first team squad play against first class counties in the CB40 and this side Unicorns A, play against county 2nd XIs in the Second XI Trophy.

Many of them are obviously anxious to get back into the first class game so are using this team as a shop window for the future. None more so than opening bat James Ord, released by Warwickshire at the end of last season. He set about the Yorkshire bowling from the word go, driving the young left armer Wainman back over his head into the neighbouring park on four occasions. He hit two other sixes - one into the road, and another into the car park before finally being dismissed for 97.

In this 40 over contest the Unicorns were at one stage scoring at eight an over and looked set for a total in excess of 300, but the introduction of spinner Randhawa reduced the rate as he bowled eight tidy overs for only 36. Veteran captain Blain had to bowl himself for three overs and helped slow things down. Only a late flurry of wickets saw the final score of 290-8, after being 253-3 at one stage.

Yorkshire got off to a dreadful start subsiding to 17-4, including recent main man Alex Lees. The Cheshire left arm opening bowler, Syddall took two for nine in his opening spell and despite a valiant effort from Lilley who top scored with 45 and a late 22 from tailender Ben Sanderson, Yorkshire were all out for 121, losing their last three wickets on that total.

Five of the six bowlers used by the Unicorns each took two wickets, the exception being Adil Rashid's older brother Amar Rashid who had figures of 0-47 of his eight overs.

So the game finished early after only 29 overs of the second innings about a quarter to five, with the sun still shining brightly. So the large crowd felt cheated of a full day's play. However the best aspect of the whole day for me was meeting so many people I know, not only from Yorkshire and Lancashire, but even from Cumbria.

So an enjoyable day in many ways but unfortunately another depressing performance from Yorkshire, who seem to be losing their way on all fronts recently, including a T20 defeat at Headingley later in the evening.

STRUGGLE AT THE SEASIDE

By Brian Sanderson,

Arrived at Hove on Tuesday morning which was the third day of the County match.
Sussex had scored 548 for 4 with Luke Wells scoring 174 and Murray Goodwin 274.Luke Wells is the son of Alan ,the ex Sussex captain and has played England under 19.He is still only 19 so looks to have good future ahead of him.Other interesting Sussex players include Kirk Werners,a South African player,and is 19 years old.This was his debut for Sussex.The first change bowler was James Anyon who has played for Cumbrland and Warwickshire.

I last visited Hove about four years ago and a two new stands have been built.One new one next to the pavilion and improved stand behind the bowlers arm next to the flats.You could purchase a seat for life in that stand for a £1000.There had only been nine purchased.

I sat in a deck chair to watch the two days and is a big contrast to the seating at Headingley.In the last two innings Yorkshire bowlers had taken two wickets and conceded over seven hundred runs.Not good.

As soon as I had sat down Sayers was out caught by Joyce who had been playing for Ireland yesterday.It was down to Root to stay there and play senseable cricket.Four batsmen scored over twenty runs and then got out playing flashy shots.Before Pattinson came in Yorkshire were 198 for 8 and in a bad state.However Pattinson shown grit to stop there even though the bowlers hit him on numerous occasions.He score 53 before Wernars bowled him.Well played. Yorksire scored 273 still 275 runs behind.

Before the end of the first day Sayers again failed and Root was L.B.W to the fifth ball of the last over.It looked like the match could be over by lunch time to-morrow.

Again the sun was shining but there was a strong wind blowing across the pitch.Mc Grath start in good form before falling to Panesar who was to collect five wickets.Gale never looked happy and was soon out.Bairstow started to score quickly with some good shots.Panesar started to bowl down the leg-side and Bairstow took the bait to be caught on the leg-side boundary.

All this time Ballance was playing carefully.Rashid was caught out on the first ball after tea and another two wickets fell.The new ball was taken and it was up to Ballance and Pattinson to see Yorkshire through to a draw.They succeed to do this and showed some back bone not to collapse.Yorkshire finished on 314 for 8.

A excellent two days which finished in a exciting finish. A proper four day match.