Always look on the bright side

Posted by Tony Hutton

Having just read John Winn's tale of woe regarding events at Headingley yesterday, I am glad I did not return after lunch to see Yorkshire's second innings. As I write it is still raining in Southampton where Worcester were in sight of victory against
Hampshire.

Without wishing to enter into a debate on the current state of Yorkshire cricket, all I will say is that relegation will not be the end of the world and could give Yorkshire's squad time to re-group and develop the considerable talents that do exist.

On a personal note I shall be pleased to see some new teams and new faces being entertained in Yorkshire and possibly even a trip to Lord's to play Middlesex.

However, it has not been a good week for cricket in Yorkshire generally with the second XI going down to defeat at Worcester in their three day game, after declaring on the last day. The star performance in the game was that of Yorkshire's under 17 captain, Jack Leaning, with 150 not out. This after winning the one=day game with some good bowling from one of the forgotten men, Oliver Hannon-Dolby.

There were defeats also for the two Yorkshire seniors sides, the over 50s losing their quarter final away to Gloucester and the over 60s losing their semi-final away at Essex.

Now for the good news, the Under 15s lost very narrowly in their knock out final at Oakham School and the Under 17s are through to their final against Surrey at Leicester on 1st and 2nd of September.

So let's look forward to what is still to come. In the world of Minor Counties cricket Berkshire beat Hertfordshire in the one day final at Lord's. The championship play off final, over 4 days, will be played at March Town between Cambridgeshire and Devon.

The county second X1 Trophy semi finals will be Somerset v Lancashire at Taunton Vale on Monday 29th August and the following day will see Notts play Glamorgan at Trent Bridge. I am advised by John Winn that the second XI three day final starting on 6th September will be between Warwickshire and Glamorgan at the Coventry and North Warwickshire ground.

More locally The Olicanian cricket club's festival was due to start today, but their
planned junior tournament no doubt fell foul of the weather.There is cricket on their attractive ground every day until next weekend, with the highlight being the Aire Wharfe third teams cup final between Thackley and Guiseley on Monday 29th August.

Several other cup finals will be played this Sunday, 28th August, including the Bradford League's Priestley cup final at Bingley between East Bierley and Pudsey St Lawrence starting at 1 p.m. Also the under 17s Joe Lumb final is being played at Stamford Bridge, between York Senior League and North Yorks and South Durham League.

The Wetherby League are staging two eveing league cup finals at Old Modernians ground in Leeds on Sunday. The senior evening cup final sees Kirk Deighton take on Sicklinghall and the reserve evening cup finals sees Kirk Deighton's second team play Leeds Police.

Later next week the annual match between the Nidderdale league and M.C.C. takes place at Burton Leonard CC (between Harrogate and Ripon) on Wed 31st August - 11.30 start. On the same day Yorkshire 2nd XI take on M.C.C. Young Cricketers in a three day friendly at the Weetwood ground in Leeds.

If the last game finishes early I understand that the final of the Greyfox trophy, for over 50s club sides, is taking place at Headingley on Friday. As this tournament had been shrouded in mystery I am unable to advise the finalists.

All these games are of course an alternative to going to support Yorkshire at Edgbaston, but as John Winn has already said not really an enticing prospect.
However, whatever the outcome of the county championship relegation battle, always look on the bright side - there is plenty of cricket out there to enjoy as long as the sun shines.

P.S. I now find that play has started at Southampton, but Hampshire have not yet lost another wicket. There does not appear to be time for Worcester to snatch victory, but stranger things have happened.