A hidden gem

Posted by John Winn

En route to post code LS8 yesterday I called at The Grammar School at Leeds at Alwoodley Gates where I was surprised to see so many cars. They had been attracted by something described as 'Junior Fun Day', a title which to a former schoolteacher, has the ring of doom. My interest was in a fifty over game between TGSAL and Manchester Grammar School. MGS cricketing alumni include Mike Atherton, Mark Chilton and John Crawley and of an earlier vintage, David Green. The pedigree of these four batsmen has, in some measure at least, been passed on for by the time I left the MGS openers were close to a century stand off 20 overs.
My first call in North Leeds was at the Leeds Police ground where the police were hosts to Shadwell in a Wetherby League Division One Fixture. Shadwell batted first and looked uncertain against the police bowling. I enquired of a boundary fielder if the police were, in fact, all police. No was the reply, criminals are welcome.Not having brought my kit I left.
From here it is but a short journey to 'The Homestead', the ground of North Leeds CC, on the edge of Roundhay Park. Aire Wharfe League here and the second teams of North Leeds and Rawdon were in opposition with the visitors batting. A small but growing crowd were enjoying the sunshine and some were alarmed at the rate of Rawdon's progress although it was under four an over. While I was there a second wicket fell,what looked like a straight forward caught behind, but the young batsmen paused, turned up his hands in supplication and set off for the pavilion at something of the speed of Thomas Gray's ploughman.It is not I think my imagination that this lind of dissent, for what else can it be, is increasing in the game at all levels.I was pleased to read that the Essex captain, James Foster has been disciplined by his county as well as the ECB for questioning an umpire's decision last month.
I returned home via Boston Spa and visited another new ground, one visited by Tony last month, that of Thorpe Arch and Boston Spa CC and situated in Thorpe Arch Village behind The Pax pub (Sorry no cricket parking), access being gained through the pub car park where a small gate opens onto a delightful scene and on a day like yesterday it was good that the far side of the ground offered some shade. Founded in 1873 TABS, as they are known, must have been spoilt for choice when they entered league cricket. They are but a few miles from Wetherby, the River Wharfe flows within half a mile of the village, but in 1963 they joined The York Senior League which for their two teams involves travel as far as Goole, Hull, Hornsea and Scarborough where the first were playing yesterday.
Yesterday's visitors were Pocklington II who were making merry and eventually closed on 269 for 5. I was surprised by the unwillingness of the TABs skipper to post fielders on the boundary as the score mounted but I need have had no worries for the home team reached their target with five wickets in hand.Almost 550 runs, beautiful sunshine and a gem of a ground, what more could the decent size crowd have wanted?
As has become my routine this season I finished up at Ouseburn CC, the fourth different league of the afternoon, where the seconds were taking on Hampsthwaite.We are now into the fourth month of the season and all Ouseburn's home fixtures have been played to a conclusion, a tribute to the excellent weather. Long may it continue, but I don't say that too loudly in earshot of those whose livelihoods are dependent on arable farming, some of whom are always among the spectators at the Great Ouseburn ground.