ANOTHER NEW LEAGUE

By Brian Sanderson,

Another Saturday and a trip up to Darlinton area with the two Ronnies.The first ground was Sedgefield which is situated near the Racecourse.The Seconds were playing Hartlepool Seconds in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League Divison 2.The first thing you notice is the number of different flowers in the ground.There is a new scoreboard and a new pavilion.There is a large field next to the ground which is used for parking for the horse racing.It is a large field but the wicket looked very dry.
However overall a very nice ground.

The second ground was a contrast Trimdon which is situated in a school playing field.
They were playing Catterick Village in the Darlington and District League.The view from the entrance is a view of electricity pillons stretching into the distance.
We heard that Trimdon Collery play on the same ground as their pavilion was burnt down.

Moving on to Mainforth who were playing Esh Winning in the Readers Durham County League which none of us had heard of until to-day.Yasim Martaza, spin bowler, for Esh bowled out the home side for 75.The ground was the enterence to the pit which now is closed.It has been grassed over with again numberous flowers. There is a new pavilion and the old pavilion is the bar which had numerous old photographs of the old teams.

Next ground in the same league was Tudhoe who were playing Willington.Simon Davies from the home side had scored 328 in a 45 over match this season.When we arrived they had scored 240.It was tea-time and Tudhoe were due to bowl with Shawn Findlay, from West Indies , opening the bowling.He looked quick but no wickets fell while we were there.A nice ground.

Contrast again Spennymore were playing Cliffe.We heard later that the last time a player played there a burnt out car was on the ground.The pavilion has grill all round the building and looked like a prison.Spennymore were being thrashed so we moved on.

The next ground was Gilling West were Richmondshire Fourth were playing Barton Seconds.The ground is very nice but has no running water eventhough they have a tap.The neighbour will not allow it eventhough they have offered to pay for the water.This ground is used by Richmond when the main ground is being used.Barton won the match which was a thiry-five over match eventhough the league plays foty-five. They make up their own rules in this League.

Moving a few miles down the road we saw Richmond Seconds beat Seaton Carew Seconds.
We watched the match from the club house looking across to the Church and Castle.
Very nice.

End of another Saturday seeing contrasting grounds in sunshine.Even Ron Deaton took his sweater off.