posted by John Winn
At Arthington yesterday conversation turned to Arthington Hall and the Sheepshanks family in whose possesion the hall has been since 1830. It was mentioned that a member of the family, Ernest Richard (Dick)Sheepshanks had played one match for Yorkshire, his only first class match and had been killed in the Spanish Civil War when acting as a war correspondent.
Dick was born in 1910 and was killed while reporting on the battle of Teruel for Reuter's on the last day of 1937 when a republican shell exploded in front of the car he was sharing with three other correspondents. What makes this tragic story remarkable is that there was one survivor, namely the communist spy Kim Philby. There was even a bizarre conspiracy theory put forward that Philby planted the bomb to kill Sheepshanks to prevent him blowing his cover.
Dick Sheepshanks' one first class match was in 1929 for Yorkshire against Cambridge University when batting after Mitchell, Oldroyd, Barber and Leyland he made 29.A nice coincidence is that Sheepshanks was in his first year at the university at the time but despite playing in the Freshers' match in '29 and the Seniors' match in '31 he never played for the university. This is surprising in that he certainly had the right pedigree having captained Eton successfully in 1928 when despite being over one hundred runs behind on first innings they fought back to win by 28 runs. The key partnership in Eton's second innings was between Sheepshanks and Ian Akers-Douglas who made 158. There is another somewhat ironic twist to this story in that Akers-Douglas too met a tragic end, killed by a shotgun accident at his home in Frant, near Tunbridge Wells in 1952. Like Sheepshanks, Akers- Douglas might have considered himself unlucky not to get his Oxford blue for he scored centuries in both the Seniors' and Freshers' matches.He was twelth man at Lords in 1930 and went on to play for Kent between 1932 and 1937.
Dick Sheepshanks' brother Charles also represented Eton at Lords, opening the batting in 1930. Dick had played as a fifteen year old at Lords in 1925 when he represented CF Tufnell's eleven against a Lord's XI. Carleton Fowell Tufnell (probably not related to Phil)had a typical upper class background for his time, including service in India and played seven first clas matches for Kent.Matches between Tufnell's teams and a Lord's eleven were an annual event at Lord's betweeen the wars. One of his sons, Neville played as wicketkeeper for England in a test at The Wanderers' ground in 1909 when Hobbs and Sutcliffe put on 212 for the first wicket. This was to be his only cap, one of nine England wicketkeepers who have achieved this distinction.
There is an excellent tribute to Dick Sheepshanks on Reuter's website, 'The Baron'. He is buried in the family vault at Arthington Churchyard, within shouting distance of a loud 'howzat'from the cricket ground.
Sunday 25 September 2011
Saturday 24 September 2011
Some ups and downs
posted by John Winn
I have in my possession some fixture cards which belonged to my father and they are a partial record of his time spent playing local cricket in County Durham and North Yorkshire. The oldest is for the 1932 season, a season which began on May 7th and ended on the last Saturday in August, just sixteen weeks. How times change! This blog reported on the season's opening league cricket in Yorkshire in the middle of April and as Tony reported earlier in the week Blackpool Ken has passed on information about a full programme in the Shropshire Senior League today. No need for the pcw to travel that far however, for cricket will continue at Arthington until the second week in October.
Today's game in the festival was between Arthington and The Jesters and pcws were there in force, including fellow bloggers Tony and Brian. The home team batted first and after a cautious start raised a respectable 160 off their forty overs. As Tony left at the tea interval to test his skill at pin the tail on the donkey Peter Davies and Mick Bourne arrived with Peter leading the way to the tea table. Good to have the chance to talk to him and share notes on strategies for surviving retirement. 'Watch cricket and then count the weeks until the next season'*. Simple.
After seeing The Jesters get off to a flying start I made the short journey to Harewood where St George's were entertaining Cookridge Hospital. After one over the players adjourned for tea, taken halfway through the second innings. After a chat with Ian Cockerill who intended to stay put and see the last overs of cricket at Harewood for this season, I made my way home.
If you were wondering what was the link between the title of this posting and its content then your patience has been rewarded. Yesterday's Darlington and Stockton Times rounded up the end of season cricket in three of the many leagues which have been covered on the blog this season: The NYSD, The Darlington and District and The Langbaurgh. Champions of The NYSD are Marton, runners up Hartlepool with Northallerton and Bishop Auckland relegated, to be replaced by Sedgefield and Thornaby.Bishop Auckland might feel somewhat unfortunate for they are the first team to be relegated without finishing bottom, a second relegation place having been inaugurated this year.Rockcliffe Park head The Darlington and District with Richmondshire and Barningham relegated and Middleton Tyas and Brompton on Swale promoted from Division B.Finally in The Langbaurgh League Hartlepool Power Station retained their title with East Harsley second.Crathorne and Norton are demoted to Division Two and they will be replaced by Stafford Place and Ingleby Greenhow.
* 26 by my reckoning
I have in my possession some fixture cards which belonged to my father and they are a partial record of his time spent playing local cricket in County Durham and North Yorkshire. The oldest is for the 1932 season, a season which began on May 7th and ended on the last Saturday in August, just sixteen weeks. How times change! This blog reported on the season's opening league cricket in Yorkshire in the middle of April and as Tony reported earlier in the week Blackpool Ken has passed on information about a full programme in the Shropshire Senior League today. No need for the pcw to travel that far however, for cricket will continue at Arthington until the second week in October.
Today's game in the festival was between Arthington and The Jesters and pcws were there in force, including fellow bloggers Tony and Brian. The home team batted first and after a cautious start raised a respectable 160 off their forty overs. As Tony left at the tea interval to test his skill at pin the tail on the donkey Peter Davies and Mick Bourne arrived with Peter leading the way to the tea table. Good to have the chance to talk to him and share notes on strategies for surviving retirement. 'Watch cricket and then count the weeks until the next season'*. Simple.
After seeing The Jesters get off to a flying start I made the short journey to Harewood where St George's were entertaining Cookridge Hospital. After one over the players adjourned for tea, taken halfway through the second innings. After a chat with Ian Cockerill who intended to stay put and see the last overs of cricket at Harewood for this season, I made my way home.
If you were wondering what was the link between the title of this posting and its content then your patience has been rewarded. Yesterday's Darlington and Stockton Times rounded up the end of season cricket in three of the many leagues which have been covered on the blog this season: The NYSD, The Darlington and District and The Langbaurgh. Champions of The NYSD are Marton, runners up Hartlepool with Northallerton and Bishop Auckland relegated, to be replaced by Sedgefield and Thornaby.Bishop Auckland might feel somewhat unfortunate for they are the first team to be relegated without finishing bottom, a second relegation place having been inaugurated this year.Rockcliffe Park head The Darlington and District with Richmondshire and Barningham relegated and Middleton Tyas and Brompton on Swale promoted from Division B.Finally in The Langbaurgh League Hartlepool Power Station retained their title with East Harsley second.Crathorne and Norton are demoted to Division Two and they will be replaced by Stafford Place and Ingleby Greenhow.
* 26 by my reckoning
Sunday 18 September 2011
Arthington fixtures update
Posted by Tony Hutton
Managed to see a few overs at Arthington this afternoon in their game with Romany, in the company of my son and grandson, until interrupted by thunder, lightning and torrential downpour! Grandson very impressed with cricket and sound effects.
Remaining fixtures are as follows :-
Sat 24th September v The Jesters - 1.30
Sun 25th September v King James I (Bishop Auckland) - 1.30
Sat 1st October v The Hawks - 1.00
Sun 2nd October v Doghouse - 1.00
Sat 8th October v Cambridge Rd Methodists - 1.00
Sun 9th October v Hawksworth - 1.00
One of my Lancashire correspondents advises that the Little Lever CC (Bolton) T20 semi finals and final takes place next Sunday (25/9) with an early morning start, possibly 10.30.
I am also advised that the Aire/Wharfe 3rd XI play off final between Ilkley and Olicanian was called off today and an attempt will be made to play next Sunday (25/9)
probably at Olicanian's ground. Although as the two grounds are within sight of each other it won't really matter.
Blackpool Ken, who seems to be casting his net even wider, reports that there is a full programme of Shropshire Premier League fixtures on Saturday 24th September.
Hopefully the weather will return to its normal September and October excellence by then.
Friday 16 September 2011
Winter Well
posted by john Winn
It was with mixed feelings yesterday morning that I made the journey for the second time this week to The Riverside. Even though we had known the day before that the title was beyond them I still wanted Durham to beat Worcestershire and thus gain their eighth victory of the championship campaign. Worcester, now safe from relegation at the start of play needed 359 to win with eight wickets in hand. To justify the 130 mile round trip, however, one doesn't want victory to come too soon , especially on such a lovely September day.
For the first hour Cameron and Ali made steady progress against the bowling of Onions and Thorpe but a change of attack precipitated another Worcestershire collapse, not quite as spectacular as Tuesday's but in relatively short time 128 for 2 became 213 all out. The initial strikes came from Claydon who removed Ali and Kervezee and the introduction of the spinners Blackwell and Borthwick meant that there were 8 down by lunch. Roach went first ball after the interval and although Richard Jones prolonged the inevitable with some bucolic blows off Blackwell by one 1:30 the Riverside season was over, Durham were top of the 'live table', albeit briefly, and 'winter well' was a phrase on many lips. Even the public address in thanking us for our support wished the decent crowd 'a comfortable winter': the kind of thing you might say to a hedgehog.
My friend Peter Sixsmith kindly gave me a lift to Durham station and a York train drew in as I reached the platform. This meant that I was home in time to see the last couple of hours of the battle for the championship on Sky TV. Sky tends to be a bit like Marmite, not many sit on the fence about it but would the BBC ever have had the means or the will to cover the last four days at Taunton and Southampton? I was a bit surprised that Sky put nearly all its eggs in The Rosebowl so that there were only two cameras at Taunton and Paul Allot had to describe Lancshire's triumph from the commentary box at The Rosebowl where he was one of a Sky team of least five, but perhaps I am being rather mean in making that criticism.
In my posting earlier in the week I expressed my concern at Warwickshire's 'cautious tactics' especially in not scoring more quickly on the second day.How they must regret this now. Like Tony I would like to add my congratulations to Lancashire, not least because the birthplaces of seven of the team have such a familiar Lancashire ring. Even followers from east of Todmorden might will take some pleasure from the fact that the eleven that completed the job yesterday included only two born outside the UK and not one designated as an 'overseas' player.
What of Durham? A poor August cost them the championship but 2011 marks their fourth top three finish in five years, by some way the most consistent team in the country. Four of the automatic choices of the current eleven are over 35, however, and Headingley does not have the monopoly on autumn rumours. Will Durham crowds see Steve Harmison in action again? He played only six championship matches this year but his strike rate was better than that of Onions, Claydon and Thorpe. Mark Davies is expected to announce his retirement, a very promising career blighted by numerous injuries,and there are rumours that Collingwood may be the next captain. Enough fodder to chew on there as the evenings draw in.
One last thought.In 1934 when Lancashire last won the title outright, 'Wisden' cost five shillings(25 pence), this year the cover price was £45. If Lancashire wait until 2088 for their next championship and the price of Wisden continues to rise at the same rate then the cricketers' almanac will then cost £8100.Watch this space.
It was with mixed feelings yesterday morning that I made the journey for the second time this week to The Riverside. Even though we had known the day before that the title was beyond them I still wanted Durham to beat Worcestershire and thus gain their eighth victory of the championship campaign. Worcester, now safe from relegation at the start of play needed 359 to win with eight wickets in hand. To justify the 130 mile round trip, however, one doesn't want victory to come too soon , especially on such a lovely September day.
For the first hour Cameron and Ali made steady progress against the bowling of Onions and Thorpe but a change of attack precipitated another Worcestershire collapse, not quite as spectacular as Tuesday's but in relatively short time 128 for 2 became 213 all out. The initial strikes came from Claydon who removed Ali and Kervezee and the introduction of the spinners Blackwell and Borthwick meant that there were 8 down by lunch. Roach went first ball after the interval and although Richard Jones prolonged the inevitable with some bucolic blows off Blackwell by one 1:30 the Riverside season was over, Durham were top of the 'live table', albeit briefly, and 'winter well' was a phrase on many lips. Even the public address in thanking us for our support wished the decent crowd 'a comfortable winter': the kind of thing you might say to a hedgehog.
My friend Peter Sixsmith kindly gave me a lift to Durham station and a York train drew in as I reached the platform. This meant that I was home in time to see the last couple of hours of the battle for the championship on Sky TV. Sky tends to be a bit like Marmite, not many sit on the fence about it but would the BBC ever have had the means or the will to cover the last four days at Taunton and Southampton? I was a bit surprised that Sky put nearly all its eggs in The Rosebowl so that there were only two cameras at Taunton and Paul Allot had to describe Lancshire's triumph from the commentary box at The Rosebowl where he was one of a Sky team of least five, but perhaps I am being rather mean in making that criticism.
In my posting earlier in the week I expressed my concern at Warwickshire's 'cautious tactics' especially in not scoring more quickly on the second day.How they must regret this now. Like Tony I would like to add my congratulations to Lancashire, not least because the birthplaces of seven of the team have such a familiar Lancashire ring. Even followers from east of Todmorden might will take some pleasure from the fact that the eleven that completed the job yesterday included only two born outside the UK and not one designated as an 'overseas' player.
What of Durham? A poor August cost them the championship but 2011 marks their fourth top three finish in five years, by some way the most consistent team in the country. Four of the automatic choices of the current eleven are over 35, however, and Headingley does not have the monopoly on autumn rumours. Will Durham crowds see Steve Harmison in action again? He played only six championship matches this year but his strike rate was better than that of Onions, Claydon and Thorpe. Mark Davies is expected to announce his retirement, a very promising career blighted by numerous injuries,and there are rumours that Collingwood may be the next captain. Enough fodder to chew on there as the evenings draw in.
One last thought.In 1934 when Lancashire last won the title outright, 'Wisden' cost five shillings(25 pence), this year the cover price was £45. If Lancashire wait until 2088 for their next championship and the price of Wisden continues to rise at the same rate then the cricketers' almanac will then cost £8100.Watch this space.
Well done Lancashire
Posted by Tony Hutton
It does not come naturally for any Yorkshireman to heap praise on Lancashire, but I think that yesterday's dramatic events at Taunton call for some reaction.
Watching events unfold over the last four days, thanks to Sky Sports, has been fascinating, as the games at the Riverside, The Rose Bowl and Taunton ebbed and flowed.
Lancashire have without doubt been the team of the season and have played positive cricket throughout, no doubt helped by playing all their home matches on out grounds with result pitches. Perhaps there is a message there for Yorkshire who could return to Harrogate, Abbeydale and Middlesborough.
However in the vital last matches, Warwickshire with whom I had a passing interest as a schoolboy, lacked that vital element or spark to take chances. Their substantial first innings score was compiled far too slowly and robbed them of the necessary time to bowl Hampshire out twice. The fact that their latest overseas import, Chanderpaul, played three big innings in recent weeks, was a big part in getting them near the title is in stark contrast to Lancashire.
For once they had a side with the majority of players being local lads and had little reliance on their overseas players. Of course we on this side of the Pennines will continue to remind them that two of their star men, Chapple and Keedy, are Yorkshiremen
That said Lancashire's positive approach to their last match, as it has all season, showed up Warwickshire's rather pedestrian style and they are worthy winners after all those years in the doldrums. So well done Lancashire and congratulations to all my many Lancashire friends who at long last can hold their heads up high and will no doubt continue to crow about their victory, and Yorkshire's relegation, throughout the long winter months ahead.
It does not come naturally for any Yorkshireman to heap praise on Lancashire, but I think that yesterday's dramatic events at Taunton call for some reaction.
Watching events unfold over the last four days, thanks to Sky Sports, has been fascinating, as the games at the Riverside, The Rose Bowl and Taunton ebbed and flowed.
Lancashire have without doubt been the team of the season and have played positive cricket throughout, no doubt helped by playing all their home matches on out grounds with result pitches. Perhaps there is a message there for Yorkshire who could return to Harrogate, Abbeydale and Middlesborough.
However in the vital last matches, Warwickshire with whom I had a passing interest as a schoolboy, lacked that vital element or spark to take chances. Their substantial first innings score was compiled far too slowly and robbed them of the necessary time to bowl Hampshire out twice. The fact that their latest overseas import, Chanderpaul, played three big innings in recent weeks, was a big part in getting them near the title is in stark contrast to Lancashire.
For once they had a side with the majority of players being local lads and had little reliance on their overseas players. Of course we on this side of the Pennines will continue to remind them that two of their star men, Chapple and Keedy, are Yorkshiremen
That said Lancashire's positive approach to their last match, as it has all season, showed up Warwickshire's rather pedestrian style and they are worthy winners after all those years in the doldrums. So well done Lancashire and congratulations to all my many Lancashire friends who at long last can hold their heads up high and will no doubt continue to crow about their victory, and Yorkshire's relegation, throughout the long winter months ahead.
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Championship goes to the wire again
posted by John Winn
Durham's virtually said goodbye to their hopes of a third title in four years when on Monday they were bowled out for 264 by Worcestershire at The Riverside thus surrendering three precious batting points.If they can beat Worcestershire then they retain a mathematical chance of the championship but not without events at Taunton and Southampton going in their favour.
Warwickshire's cautious tactics at The Rosebowl have made it almost impossible for them to lose their game with Hampshire but the same approach yielded just three batting points and may allow Lancashire to pip them at the post. For this to happen Lancashire must beat Somerset, an event which if still improbable, seems more likely now than it did twenty four hours ago.
Despite Monday's disappointing news from Chester le Street I travelled north yesterday in the hope that Durham's bowlers might make early inroads into Worcestershire's batting. Alas this was not to be, for the body language of the Durham players suggested that they knew they had blown their slim chances on Monday and that the fates were making doubly sure by denying Onions and Thorpe any fortune in the way of edges going to hand.Thus it was that Solanki and Cameron raised their second wicket stand to 138 before the latter was bowled by Blackwell but with tea taken at 255 for three it seemed almost certain that The Pears would get the 45 runs they need to effect a great escape that Steve McQueen would have been proud of. The game changed dramatically when Benkenstein belied his 37 years to remove Kervezee with a brilliant diving catch and the last six Worcestershire batsmen could only scrape 12 runs between them as Onions and Thorpe used the new ball to take the last five wickets for five runs. Last man out was West Indian Kemar Roach who joined Worcestershire in late August and has since taken 13 wickets. It was Roach who sealed Yorkshire's relegation when at 2:20 pm on Monday afternoon he sent Will Smith's middle stump cartwheeling.He will hope that his dismissal just short of the one point needed to send Hampshire down does not condemn his new county to join Yorkshire in Division Two next year.
If there is any prospect of a reasonably interesting day at The Riverside tomorrow then I shall return but for today I will content myself with watching events on Sky TV.If you were to pin me down then I would predict all three games ending in a draw and Warwickshire beating Lancashire to the title and Worcestershire getting the elusive point that slipped through their fingers yesterday.Don't go ringing your turf accountant however.
Durham's virtually said goodbye to their hopes of a third title in four years when on Monday they were bowled out for 264 by Worcestershire at The Riverside thus surrendering three precious batting points.If they can beat Worcestershire then they retain a mathematical chance of the championship but not without events at Taunton and Southampton going in their favour.
Warwickshire's cautious tactics at The Rosebowl have made it almost impossible for them to lose their game with Hampshire but the same approach yielded just three batting points and may allow Lancashire to pip them at the post. For this to happen Lancashire must beat Somerset, an event which if still improbable, seems more likely now than it did twenty four hours ago.
Despite Monday's disappointing news from Chester le Street I travelled north yesterday in the hope that Durham's bowlers might make early inroads into Worcestershire's batting. Alas this was not to be, for the body language of the Durham players suggested that they knew they had blown their slim chances on Monday and that the fates were making doubly sure by denying Onions and Thorpe any fortune in the way of edges going to hand.Thus it was that Solanki and Cameron raised their second wicket stand to 138 before the latter was bowled by Blackwell but with tea taken at 255 for three it seemed almost certain that The Pears would get the 45 runs they need to effect a great escape that Steve McQueen would have been proud of. The game changed dramatically when Benkenstein belied his 37 years to remove Kervezee with a brilliant diving catch and the last six Worcestershire batsmen could only scrape 12 runs between them as Onions and Thorpe used the new ball to take the last five wickets for five runs. Last man out was West Indian Kemar Roach who joined Worcestershire in late August and has since taken 13 wickets. It was Roach who sealed Yorkshire's relegation when at 2:20 pm on Monday afternoon he sent Will Smith's middle stump cartwheeling.He will hope that his dismissal just short of the one point needed to send Hampshire down does not condemn his new county to join Yorkshire in Division Two next year.
If there is any prospect of a reasonably interesting day at The Riverside tomorrow then I shall return but for today I will content myself with watching events on Sky TV.If you were to pin me down then I would predict all three games ending in a draw and Warwickshire beating Lancashire to the title and Worcestershire getting the elusive point that slipped through their fingers yesterday.Don't go ringing your turf accountant however.
Sunday 11 September 2011
Yorkshire save their best for last
Ballance and Bairstow leave the field after victory over Somerset at Headingley
Posted by Tony Hutton
Saturday 10th September - Yorkshire v Somerset at Headingley (Day 4)
John Winn set the scene perfectly for Yorkshire's last day of the season. Although technically not yet relegated even a win would mean Worcester needing only one point from their game with Durham next week.
John's suggestion that what was needed this morning was an early burst by Ryan Sidebottom came true with a vengeance. With only four runs added to the overnight score of 124-6 Sidebottom bowling up the hill from the rugby stand end had Thomas caught at slip by Lyth. Next ball, the first of Shahzad's over, the second of the South African duo, Meschede, was clean bowled and Somerset were 130-8.
The next over by Sidebottom completed the rout. Kartik caught behind by Bairstow off the first ball and Kirby plumb lbw to the fifth and Somerset were all out for 132.
The relatively small Saturday crowd could hardly believe their eyes and the public address announcer got in a mess with how many wickets Sidebottom had taken. However he soon got his breath back to announce career best figures of 7-37 and a total of eleven wickets in the match.
So far so good, but could Yorkshire chase the fairly modest target of 203 or could that awful collapse against Kent exactly twelve months ago be repeated. Root and Sayers predictably started slowly against the hostile opening attack of Kirby and Thomas. Root then began to play his shots and hit eight fours in well constructed 46 before Thomas had him lbw for the second time. 85-1 and acting captain Sayers looking as though he was determined to see Yorkshire home.
However he soon lost Lyth to an impatient shot after making only three in thirty three balls. Suppiah taking a stunning diving catch at mid-on worthy of a top goalkeeper. Sayers soon followed, another good catch this time by Trego at slip off spinner Kartik. This brought together Anthony McGrath and Johnathon Bairstow at 103-3and the pessimistic among us thought could this be the start of a collapse.
After a hesitant start McGrath, after a poor run of form, started to play the shots we know he is capable of and Bairstow, fresh from the award of the Player of the Season at lunchtime was his usual confident self. After a few scares along the way, particularly when Kirby and Thomas returned for a final fling, this pair took Yorkshire to the verge of a famous victory. Three fours in an over by McGrath, not all going quite where intended, off the perspiring and angry Kirby, seemed to turn the tide.
Bairstow went to his fifty and a thousand Championship runs, before McGrath was out for 44 trying to hit the winning runs and Ballance came in to complete the job. Some may say too little too late but at least this victory will give Yorkshire heart for the battles to come in the second division against some new opponents next season.
The rumour mongers have been active all week, mainly with suggestions of which players may leave, but the evidence is there for all to see, there is talent in this squad of players, with more waiting in the wings after a successful season for the Academy. Alex Lees, 12th man in this match, must be one who will come into the reckoning. Clearly something is missing, whether it be concentration, commitment or discipline and perhaps better leadership might be the key.
What else can be said other than this was Sidebottom's match. Eleven wickets and 27 valuable runs in the first innings. will have many people who expressed doubts regarding his re-signing (myself included) eating their words.
A rainbow at the end
posted by John Winn
For reasons that will become apparent I decided to stay close to home yesterday and began by making the short trip to St George's Road, Harrogate for a first eleven match against Castleford. This was my first visit to Harrogate this season and therefore my first opportunity to see the new club house and changing rooms which serve both the main and secondary grounds. Although the new building does not fall within my definition of a 'pavilion' it is nevertheless a fine addition to the facilities.Despite this I still feel rather sad when visiting St George's Road for I remember being part of the large crowd that attended the penultimate county championship match played there in 1995 when Yorkshire overwhelmed Durham. It is, I think, safe to assume that such days will never return to this part of Yorkshire.
Harrogate were hoping to end the season by completing a fourth successive victory but it was not to be for they were bowled out for 139 with John Proud top scoring with 37. Curiously the ten dismissals included four lbws and two run outs. Castleford reached this modest target with 3 wickets to spare, a result that leaves both teams in the middle of the final table.
The secondary ground had more exhilarating fare on offer with Harrogate Strays entertaining Knareborough Forest in a local derby which for the visitors was of the greater moment. Victory would give them the possibility of promotion to Division One of The Nidderdale League and scoring at just under seven an over they rattled up 311 for 8 in their 45 overs which proved much too much for the Strays who managed only 76 in reply. Alas for Forest other results did not go in their favour and they will not accompany Spofforth into Division One next season.
From Harrogate I made the short trip to Knaresborough CC where the visitors were Bolton Villas, former stalwarts of the Bradford Central League until their election to the Aire-Wharfe in 2000. I caught the tail end of the home teams innings which closed on 169 for 9 to which 'Villas' replied with 147 for 6.
On my way back I popped in at Whixley , little more than a mile from my house and the fourth different league of the afternoon (Wetherby). Here the players were just leaving the field for tea with Whixley 158 all out against Sicklinghall. The visitors got home comfortably by six wickets, enough to secure promotion to Division One by the narrowest of margins.
Finally I turned up at Ouseburn CC where end of season celebratory barbecue was in full swing in recognition of the first eleven's first ever championship of the Nidderdale league. A second team match was in progress against Markington for whom opener Tom Lloyd had scored 120 in a total of 280 for 6. OCC had a good go at chasing this daunting total but fell 34 for short with 5 wickets down. The last over was played in pouring rain but with the sun shining through and a rainbow arched over the village. It reminded several of us of a one day international against Australia at The Oval in 1977 when the England fielders stayed on in heavy rain. It all made for a memorable end to my league cricket watching for the season. And the barbecue was splendid too!
For reasons that will become apparent I decided to stay close to home yesterday and began by making the short trip to St George's Road, Harrogate for a first eleven match against Castleford. This was my first visit to Harrogate this season and therefore my first opportunity to see the new club house and changing rooms which serve both the main and secondary grounds. Although the new building does not fall within my definition of a 'pavilion' it is nevertheless a fine addition to the facilities.Despite this I still feel rather sad when visiting St George's Road for I remember being part of the large crowd that attended the penultimate county championship match played there in 1995 when Yorkshire overwhelmed Durham. It is, I think, safe to assume that such days will never return to this part of Yorkshire.
Harrogate were hoping to end the season by completing a fourth successive victory but it was not to be for they were bowled out for 139 with John Proud top scoring with 37. Curiously the ten dismissals included four lbws and two run outs. Castleford reached this modest target with 3 wickets to spare, a result that leaves both teams in the middle of the final table.
The secondary ground had more exhilarating fare on offer with Harrogate Strays entertaining Knareborough Forest in a local derby which for the visitors was of the greater moment. Victory would give them the possibility of promotion to Division One of The Nidderdale League and scoring at just under seven an over they rattled up 311 for 8 in their 45 overs which proved much too much for the Strays who managed only 76 in reply. Alas for Forest other results did not go in their favour and they will not accompany Spofforth into Division One next season.
From Harrogate I made the short trip to Knaresborough CC where the visitors were Bolton Villas, former stalwarts of the Bradford Central League until their election to the Aire-Wharfe in 2000. I caught the tail end of the home teams innings which closed on 169 for 9 to which 'Villas' replied with 147 for 6.
On my way back I popped in at Whixley , little more than a mile from my house and the fourth different league of the afternoon (Wetherby). Here the players were just leaving the field for tea with Whixley 158 all out against Sicklinghall. The visitors got home comfortably by six wickets, enough to secure promotion to Division One by the narrowest of margins.
Finally I turned up at Ouseburn CC where end of season celebratory barbecue was in full swing in recognition of the first eleven's first ever championship of the Nidderdale league. A second team match was in progress against Markington for whom opener Tom Lloyd had scored 120 in a total of 280 for 6. OCC had a good go at chasing this daunting total but fell 34 for short with 5 wickets down. The last over was played in pouring rain but with the sun shining through and a rainbow arched over the village. It reminded several of us of a one day international against Australia at The Oval in 1977 when the England fielders stayed on in heavy rain. It all made for a memorable end to my league cricket watching for the season. And the barbecue was splendid too!
Saturday 10 September 2011
If ifs and buts.......
Posted by John Winn
Travelling to Headingley on Wednesday morning the man opposite me on the train was holding a conversation on his mobile phone along the lines of ...'it will happen sooner or later, probably sooner and if the weather is OK then it will probably be on Friday so if you don't want to be there when it happens then you had better come tomorrow.'It would not have taken Simon Hughes to know what 'it' was but if there was any doubt then this was dispelled when the train stopped at Burley Park and the speaker alighted and turned to walk up the hill towards the cricket ground.
Writing this on Saturday morning 'it' hasn't happened yet and there is the slenderest chance that 'it' might not happen today but I advise any readers to brace themselves before reading the next sentence. Yorkshire's relegation may well be confirmed today, there I've said it. The supreme optimists among our readers will be considering the impact of a Yorkshire win today coupled with a Worcestershire loss and the possibility that 'The Pears' will get no points at The Riverside next week for those three things need to happen for Division One Cricket to be played at Headingley and Scarborough in 2012.'Nuff said'.
After the frustrations of Wednesday's and Thursday's showers and the frequent interruptions to play they caused, yesterday gave us a full day's play with, at times, some warm sunshine.Considering the situation Yorkshire supporters assembled in good numbers only to be let down by their batsmen who for the fourth time this season failed to get any bonus points.Spirits were lifted either side of tea when Sidebottom swept aside Somerset's inexperienced top order but two South Africans, Thomas and Meschede, will resume their partnership this morning with a lead of 194, just one less than Yorkshire's first innings total.An early burst from Sidebottom in what it seems likely will be seam friendly conditions and Yorkshire might still find themselves chasing a gettable fourth innings total. Let's hope so and let's hope they make a decent fist of it and reward those who turn up more in hope than expectation.
Just to tidy up Warwickshire are the 2011 Second Eleven Champions and look likely to add the County Championship to that next week.Warwickshire II beat Glamorgan II by six wickets yesterday.
Travelling to Headingley on Wednesday morning the man opposite me on the train was holding a conversation on his mobile phone along the lines of ...'it will happen sooner or later, probably sooner and if the weather is OK then it will probably be on Friday so if you don't want to be there when it happens then you had better come tomorrow.'It would not have taken Simon Hughes to know what 'it' was but if there was any doubt then this was dispelled when the train stopped at Burley Park and the speaker alighted and turned to walk up the hill towards the cricket ground.
Writing this on Saturday morning 'it' hasn't happened yet and there is the slenderest chance that 'it' might not happen today but I advise any readers to brace themselves before reading the next sentence. Yorkshire's relegation may well be confirmed today, there I've said it. The supreme optimists among our readers will be considering the impact of a Yorkshire win today coupled with a Worcestershire loss and the possibility that 'The Pears' will get no points at The Riverside next week for those three things need to happen for Division One Cricket to be played at Headingley and Scarborough in 2012.'Nuff said'.
After the frustrations of Wednesday's and Thursday's showers and the frequent interruptions to play they caused, yesterday gave us a full day's play with, at times, some warm sunshine.Considering the situation Yorkshire supporters assembled in good numbers only to be let down by their batsmen who for the fourth time this season failed to get any bonus points.Spirits were lifted either side of tea when Sidebottom swept aside Somerset's inexperienced top order but two South Africans, Thomas and Meschede, will resume their partnership this morning with a lead of 194, just one less than Yorkshire's first innings total.An early burst from Sidebottom in what it seems likely will be seam friendly conditions and Yorkshire might still find themselves chasing a gettable fourth innings total. Let's hope so and let's hope they make a decent fist of it and reward those who turn up more in hope than expectation.
Just to tidy up Warwickshire are the 2011 Second Eleven Champions and look likely to add the County Championship to that next week.Warwickshire II beat Glamorgan II by six wickets yesterday.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Glorious Devon
posted by John Winn
Devon became Minor Counties Champions yesterday when they beat Cambridgeshire by 170 runs at March Town CC. Set 242 to win the host county were skittled for just 72.
Devon became Minor Counties Champions yesterday when they beat Cambridgeshire by 170 runs at March Town CC. Set 242 to win the host county were skittled for just 72.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Young ones provide great entertainment
Grammar School at Leeds celebrate victory at New Rover
Posted by Tony Hutton
Monday 5th September
David English/Bunbury under 12 Yorkshire cup final at New Rover CC, Leeds.
The first of two schools finals to be played at New Rover this week was between the Grammar School at Leeds and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. Most of the pre-match speculation had been about the uncertain nature of the start time.
However 12 noon, as advised by New Rover secretary, Mel Reuben, proved to be correct.
Unfortunately a very heavy shower just before twelve meant that the actual start became 1 p.m. However once under way the game was played out for the full 30 overs per side.
Both sides had come through five earlier rounds to reach the final. QUEGS batting first and put on 46 for the first wicket, with captain Harry Clibbens monopolising the scoring.
Clibbens was eventually out for 52 after a good partnership with number three George Charnock who made 39. At 93-3 QUEGS looked set for a big score but Leeds fought back well and the middle order collapse saw the score slump to 99-7, thanks to some good bowling from Winter and Winterbottom who both took two wickets.
It was left to number eight Thomas Macrow to rescue QUEGS. He made a fine 27 not out in a 47 partnership with Bennett for the eighth wicket. Final score 144-7.
After a fine spread at the tea interval, surprisingly the young lads did not finish all the food and it was left to the elderly cricket watchers to finish it off !
Leeds played cautiously at first against the accurate opening attack, but after the early loss of opener Dracup a good partnership between Oliver Robinson and Rahul Shah gradually increased the rate. When Robinson was out for a fine 54 at 89-2, the required rate was around six per over and despite the loss of two more wickets Shah took over and hit the winning four off the penultimate ball of the last over, to finish on 64 not out.
So a thrilling finish and full credit to both side for a really entertaining afternoon's cricket. The bowling was very varied with a good mixture of pace and spin, the fielding and throwing was excellent and we saw three good fifties from the batsmen. Thanks to Harold Galley, the hard working Yorkshire school's secretary, who produced a very informative programme yet again.
The individual trophies and the cup were presented by Yorkshire Academy's star batsman Alex Lees, who recently made his first team debut. Lots of proud parents, and grandparents, gathered round to take pictures and everyone agreed that we had been right royally entertained.
Updates
posted by John Winn
Woodhouses is a small village club between Manchester and Oldham and it is where Mike Atherton began his career. It now has another claim to fame for on Sunday it beat Sussex club Rottingdean in a rain affected Village Cup Final at Lords. The game was reduced to a ten over match with Woodhouses posting 112 for 1 to which Rottingdean replied with 54 for 8.
The Minor Counties Championship Final reaches the third of its allocated four days today. The match between Cambridgeshire and Devon is being played at March Town and at close of play yesterday Cambridge were 179 for 8 in reply to Devon's 228 (which included a six run penalty for the home team's slow over rate). Top scorer for Cambridgeshire was Nick Ferraby continuing the good form he showed for MCC in their match against the Nidderdale League at Burton Leonard last week.
Today sees the first day of the Second Eleven Championship final at Coventry and North Warwickshire. The start was delayed by thirty minutes and Notts II won the toss and asked Glamorgan to bat. The Glamorgan website looks as though it could be a good place to keep up with this one.
Finally if you are depressed by Yorkshire's prospects of avoiding relegation you may find some comfort in the comments of Sussex supporters on 'The Argus' website (the local paper in Brighton). They are very critical of the club, the players and Cricket Manager, former Yorkshire player,Mark Robinson.If a county's prospects can be judged by the mood of its supporters Sussex are very much part of the battle to stay in division one.
Woodhouses is a small village club between Manchester and Oldham and it is where Mike Atherton began his career. It now has another claim to fame for on Sunday it beat Sussex club Rottingdean in a rain affected Village Cup Final at Lords. The game was reduced to a ten over match with Woodhouses posting 112 for 1 to which Rottingdean replied with 54 for 8.
The Minor Counties Championship Final reaches the third of its allocated four days today. The match between Cambridgeshire and Devon is being played at March Town and at close of play yesterday Cambridge were 179 for 8 in reply to Devon's 228 (which included a six run penalty for the home team's slow over rate). Top scorer for Cambridgeshire was Nick Ferraby continuing the good form he showed for MCC in their match against the Nidderdale League at Burton Leonard last week.
Today sees the first day of the Second Eleven Championship final at Coventry and North Warwickshire. The start was delayed by thirty minutes and Notts II won the toss and asked Glamorgan to bat. The Glamorgan website looks as though it could be a good place to keep up with this one.
Finally if you are depressed by Yorkshire's prospects of avoiding relegation you may find some comfort in the comments of Sussex supporters on 'The Argus' website (the local paper in Brighton). They are very critical of the club, the players and Cricket Manager, former Yorkshire player,Mark Robinson.If a county's prospects can be judged by the mood of its supporters Sussex are very much part of the battle to stay in division one.
Sunday 4 September 2011
Yorkshire Academy finishing the season in style
Posted by Tony Hutton
Yorkshire Academy v Scarborough (Yorkshire Premier League Cup Final) at Weetwood
A large crowd gathered at Weetwood, including many who had made the journey from the seaside through torrential rain in the York area. The Academy are really finishing the season on a roll, having beaten league champions elect York twice in recent weeks, they won away at Sheffield United on Monday and again at Castleford yesterday.
Not to be forgotten also many of the team were involved in Yorkshire's splendid national Under 17 county championship win at Leicester against Surrey on Friday.
Chasing Surrey's 325 they won in style by six wickets, with George Ross making a century. I only discovered the result on arrival at Weetwood, due to the sad lack of news in the press or any website.
However back to today, Scarborough batted first and Wainman was fit again to open the bowling with skipper John Blain, although Alex Lilley was still unfit. Blain got rid of dangerman Harland early on and the other opener Simpson was caught behind off Ben Coad for 23. Wicket keeper Tennant with 31, Lincolnshire Minor Counties player Bansil also 31 and skipper Rinke 21, all fell when they looked likely to stay longer.
So from 105-3 wickets began to fall with great regularity against some accurate bowling from all the Academy bowlers. Coad had the best figures of 3-17, but five different bowlers all took a wicket each and Scarborough's lack of scoring power is shown by the fact that there were no less than twelve maiden overs when the innings closed at 157-9 after fifty overs.
The weather improved from cloudy to bright sunshine as the Academy, as they have done so often recently, knocked off the runs with great ease. The power of Alex Lees, with over 800 league runs behind him, and the deft touches of James Tattersall, much younger and smaller, put on a match winning partnership of 142.
Scarborough's total was passed in only 28.3 overs with Lees 90 not out after another 90 at Castleford yesterday. Tattersall who starred with his spin bowling with five wickets yesterday, was out for 44 - yet another mature innings from the youngster.
Lees hit nine fours and three sixes into the woods at the far end.
So still in bright sunshine, John Blain was presented with the huge Solly Sports Cup by league secretary Colin Adamson and the large crowd gathered round the presentation area to take pictures of the winning side. As somebody said 'not bad two trophies in three days'. So Yorkshire's excellent batch of young players have brought some silverware to the club in a season which in other respects has been so dissappointing.
Adel try to escape the drop
Posted by Tony Hutton
Saturday 3rd September
Adel v Collingham (Airedale and Wharfedale League)
Still unable to travel far from home, so very envious of Brian Sanderson's visit to the Esk Valley League. The game at Adel was very important for the home side lying next to the bottom of the league at the start of the day.
When I arrived the visitors were already 20-3 and Adel's Australian pace bowler Brad Robertson had taken all three. Opening bat Swain made 25 and number five Fairbank 21, but they were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
They reached their high point on 65-4, but the remaining six wickets fell for only eight more runs. Robertson finished with his best figures of the season with 6-22.
There were also two nonsensical run outs and Collingham looked to be just going through the motions with nothing at stake for them. All out 73.
Fortunately the tea had already been laid and it needed only a quick brew up for the earlist tea of the season at about half past two. The spectators, which suprisingly consisted of more from Collingham than from Adel, began making plans for an early finish.
This duly arrive by five minutes to four when Adel completed a very easy victory by six wickets, despite one or two unusual umpiring decisions. Stuart Howie top scored with 34 not out and the only bowler to achieve success was spinner Toby Jacklin, former Cambridge blue, who took all four wicket to fall for 27 runs.
Later in the day we learned that Adel's closest relegation rivals, Green Lane, had lost so Adel leap frogged over them out of the relegation places by just one point.
So, as with last season, Adel's fate depends on the last match of the season next Saturday at Beckwithshaw, the same venue as last season when the also just avoided relegation.
The other coincidence is that Green Lane have to travel to Collingham, so Adel will hope they put up a better show than they did today. However there was some good news in the fact that Adel's 2nd team clinched their league trophy - quite an achievement and possibly some of these players may be promoted next season. In addition the third eleven have won their section of the Sunday league and will be involved in the play-offs next weekend.
SUNSHINE IN RAWTENSTALL
By Brian Sanderson,
Looking at the BBC. weather forecast I decided to go to the Lancashire rather than to Wickersley.Bob Procter had not watched a match at Rawtenstall and who,s ground is situated on Bacup Road.They were playing Enfield and both sides were middle of the table.Since I had visited the ground a new clubhouse has been built and also a new refreshment shed.One disappointment in the clubhouse was there were no old pictures of the players or teams.
There were pools of water on old bowlers foot marks but with the help of the sun and sawdust they started at 1.00p.m.Enfield won the toss and bowled on a green wicket.
There was a slow start but soon wickets started to fall including Rawtenstall professional.He is a Sri Lankan named Nilantha Cooray who has not been resigned for next year yet.He was run out when the other batsman refused to run for a impossible single.He walked slowly off looking at the other batsman.Enfield professional Werner Coetsee bowled spin for the full innings taking three wickets for nineteen runs.
Rawtenstall were bowled out for 97 but the sun was shining.
We decided to watch the start of Enfield innings.They also struggled but The professional took control.We watched Cooray bowl one over of spin and decided to go to Todmorden. It this stage Enfield wanted forty runs to win with only one wicket down.I found at home they won by eight wickets.
Moving on to Todmorden who were playing Lowerhouse who needed seven points to win the league.When we arrived Lowerhouse had scored 127 with Todmorden professional taking six wickets for fifty-five in twenty five overs.Good bowling.Todmorden had lost three wickets for nineteen including the professional. There was a large crowd and had been drinking all afternoon which pleased Todmorden Committee.We stopped about one hour and saw four more wickets fall.Todmorden were bowled out for eighty-two with Lowerhouse winning the League.More beer would be drunk.
A good day in sunshine with good company.A day to remember in a dark day in February watching football on the television.
Looking at the BBC. weather forecast I decided to go to the Lancashire rather than to Wickersley.Bob Procter had not watched a match at Rawtenstall and who,s ground is situated on Bacup Road.They were playing Enfield and both sides were middle of the table.Since I had visited the ground a new clubhouse has been built and also a new refreshment shed.One disappointment in the clubhouse was there were no old pictures of the players or teams.
There were pools of water on old bowlers foot marks but with the help of the sun and sawdust they started at 1.00p.m.Enfield won the toss and bowled on a green wicket.
There was a slow start but soon wickets started to fall including Rawtenstall professional.He is a Sri Lankan named Nilantha Cooray who has not been resigned for next year yet.He was run out when the other batsman refused to run for a impossible single.He walked slowly off looking at the other batsman.Enfield professional Werner Coetsee bowled spin for the full innings taking three wickets for nineteen runs.
Rawtenstall were bowled out for 97 but the sun was shining.
We decided to watch the start of Enfield innings.They also struggled but The professional took control.We watched Cooray bowl one over of spin and decided to go to Todmorden. It this stage Enfield wanted forty runs to win with only one wicket down.I found at home they won by eight wickets.
Moving on to Todmorden who were playing Lowerhouse who needed seven points to win the league.When we arrived Lowerhouse had scored 127 with Todmorden professional taking six wickets for fifty-five in twenty five overs.Good bowling.Todmorden had lost three wickets for nineteen including the professional. There was a large crowd and had been drinking all afternoon which pleased Todmorden Committee.We stopped about one hour and saw four more wickets fall.Todmorden were bowled out for eighty-two with Lowerhouse winning the League.More beer would be drunk.
A good day in sunshine with good company.A day to remember in a dark day in February watching football on the television.
Disappointed in Derbyshire
Posted by John Winn
A family celebration took my wife and me to her home village of Tideswell near Buxton today. Reading the 'Village Voice' I noted that Tideswell CC were due to play a team from the Manchester area in a friendly match this afternoon. So after lunch we strolled down to the cricket ground only to find the square roped off and a distinct end of season feeling in the air. The article from which I had drawn the information about today's intended game lamented that there had been a number of fixtures cancelled lately because opponents could not raise an eleven. A look at Tideswell's website reveals that they only play friendly cricket restricted to Sunday fixtures. It looks as though today's fixture had joined the list of cancellations and it is puzzling to me ,that Tideswell, a village of more than 1500 population should not play league cricket. Enquiries will be made.
There is an thriving league in the area. 'The Yorkshire and Derbyshire League' this season welcomed 6 new teams and 5 new clubs to 'boost numbers' to record levels. The 5 divisions cover 56 teams spread over Sheffield, North East Derbyshire and The Peak District.
In today's Observer a back page article by Vic Marks describes a 'gripping climax to the county season' with the championship, promotion and relegation issues still in the balance with two rounds of matches to go. Marks is a staunch champion of the county championship and in his article says that the 'two men and a dog' image of county cricket is unfair and that decent crowds do attend the matches whether at 'Worcester or Taunton, Liverpool or Headingley.'The photograph accompanying the article is of just such 'a decent crowd' at Scarborough for the match against Worcestershire in July. There is a degree of irony in the choice of photograph because it is of the popular side, probably the least tenanted part of the ground. Indeed one can imagine some editors using the same photograph to make just the opposite point. Marks also writes in The Guardian, The Observer's sister paper, whose coverage of county cricket in general and the championship in particular, is very poor. Perhaps Victor might have a word with his sports editor and point out to him or her just how fascinating a prospect the next two weeks hold.
A family celebration took my wife and me to her home village of Tideswell near Buxton today. Reading the 'Village Voice' I noted that Tideswell CC were due to play a team from the Manchester area in a friendly match this afternoon. So after lunch we strolled down to the cricket ground only to find the square roped off and a distinct end of season feeling in the air. The article from which I had drawn the information about today's intended game lamented that there had been a number of fixtures cancelled lately because opponents could not raise an eleven. A look at Tideswell's website reveals that they only play friendly cricket restricted to Sunday fixtures. It looks as though today's fixture had joined the list of cancellations and it is puzzling to me ,that Tideswell, a village of more than 1500 population should not play league cricket. Enquiries will be made.
There is an thriving league in the area. 'The Yorkshire and Derbyshire League' this season welcomed 6 new teams and 5 new clubs to 'boost numbers' to record levels. The 5 divisions cover 56 teams spread over Sheffield, North East Derbyshire and The Peak District.
In today's Observer a back page article by Vic Marks describes a 'gripping climax to the county season' with the championship, promotion and relegation issues still in the balance with two rounds of matches to go. Marks is a staunch champion of the county championship and in his article says that the 'two men and a dog' image of county cricket is unfair and that decent crowds do attend the matches whether at 'Worcester or Taunton, Liverpool or Headingley.'The photograph accompanying the article is of just such 'a decent crowd' at Scarborough for the match against Worcestershire in July. There is a degree of irony in the choice of photograph because it is of the popular side, probably the least tenanted part of the ground. Indeed one can imagine some editors using the same photograph to make just the opposite point. Marks also writes in The Guardian, The Observer's sister paper, whose coverage of county cricket in general and the championship in particular, is very poor. Perhaps Victor might have a word with his sports editor and point out to him or her just how fascinating a prospect the next two weeks hold.
Saturday 3 September 2011
VISITING ALL ESKDALE CRICKET LEAGUE
By Brian Sanderson,
After reading Tony Hutton visit to the above League some years ago,it has been my wish to visit the grounds.To-day I set-off at 8.30A.M and picked you the two Ronnies to visit all the grounds.Ron Deaton had done extensive research to find where the grounds were and the fixtures.In the Whitby Gazette for Friday , it gave the League table.The winner was Fryup and Mulgrave second.
The first ground we visited was Goatland which is situated behind a pub near a garage which is featured in T.V. show Heartbeat.They were playing Sleights this afternoon.
Second ground was Glaisdale were they were having yearly fare on the cricket ground.It is situated behind some houses and the ground can be entered by a gate next to a house garden.I parked the car next to the local shop and near the train station.
Third ground was Lealholm which entered through a lane opposite a small car park and next to bed and breakfast house.There were some train seats out side the pavilion and Ron Stansfield said they were very comfortable.
Fourth ground was Fryup.There is no village of this name put is found in the Great Fryup valley.The ground has excellent views but a poor pavilion.We found a stone roller with Fryup C.C. dated 1930.However they won the league.Where do the players come from?.
Fifth ground was Mulgrave which is situated in the village of Lyth.It is a new pavilion and we decided to have our sandwichs there.When we were eating the groundsman arrived and shown us in side the pavilion.It was built for £7000,000 and was money well spent.Most of the money came from the Football fund.
Sixth ground was Sleights who were playing Goatland who were bottom of the league.The ground is situated next to the river and has another new pavilion.We spoke to the Goatland opening bowler.His comment was that cricket was rubbish and football was his game.Good start talking to the players.
Seventh ground was Grosmont which is situated next to the railway station.They were playing Mulgrave and we meet their groundsman again.They lost seven wickets while we were there with two excellent catches.
Eight ground was Danby who were playing Lealholm who were batting.The ground is situated at the end of a country lane and one of the tea ladies said they did not get many visitors.No wonder if you did not know were the ground was you would not find it.
Ninth ground was Castleton who were down to play Fryup however the fixture was cancelled.Fryup had already won the League.
Tenth and last ground of the League was Westerdale who were playing Glaisdale.The home side had scored over 200 in the forty overs and tea was just finishing.The rain started to fall but they still carried on playing while we had tea including chocolate cake.After tea we decided to move on to a drier ground.
After passing through heavy rain and low clound we arrived at Pickering who were playing Hornsea.It was dark but no rain yet.The ground is next to the football pitch just off the main Malton road.After about fifteen minutes it started to rain.So ended our trip.
Mick Bourne and Brian Senior went last week when all the fixtures were rained off.
He telephoned me last Monday night and advised me not to go because of the difficulty finding the grounds.However Ron Deaton did a find job and sat-nev us to all the grounds.
Arrived home at 8.00P.M after a excellent day and a wish come true to visit all the Eskdale grounds.
After reading Tony Hutton visit to the above League some years ago,it has been my wish to visit the grounds.To-day I set-off at 8.30A.M and picked you the two Ronnies to visit all the grounds.Ron Deaton had done extensive research to find where the grounds were and the fixtures.In the Whitby Gazette for Friday , it gave the League table.The winner was Fryup and Mulgrave second.
The first ground we visited was Goatland which is situated behind a pub near a garage which is featured in T.V. show Heartbeat.They were playing Sleights this afternoon.
Second ground was Glaisdale were they were having yearly fare on the cricket ground.It is situated behind some houses and the ground can be entered by a gate next to a house garden.I parked the car next to the local shop and near the train station.
Third ground was Lealholm which entered through a lane opposite a small car park and next to bed and breakfast house.There were some train seats out side the pavilion and Ron Stansfield said they were very comfortable.
Fourth ground was Fryup.There is no village of this name put is found in the Great Fryup valley.The ground has excellent views but a poor pavilion.We found a stone roller with Fryup C.C. dated 1930.However they won the league.Where do the players come from?.
Fifth ground was Mulgrave which is situated in the village of Lyth.It is a new pavilion and we decided to have our sandwichs there.When we were eating the groundsman arrived and shown us in side the pavilion.It was built for £7000,000 and was money well spent.Most of the money came from the Football fund.
Sixth ground was Sleights who were playing Goatland who were bottom of the league.The ground is situated next to the river and has another new pavilion.We spoke to the Goatland opening bowler.His comment was that cricket was rubbish and football was his game.Good start talking to the players.
Seventh ground was Grosmont which is situated next to the railway station.They were playing Mulgrave and we meet their groundsman again.They lost seven wickets while we were there with two excellent catches.
Eight ground was Danby who were playing Lealholm who were batting.The ground is situated at the end of a country lane and one of the tea ladies said they did not get many visitors.No wonder if you did not know were the ground was you would not find it.
Ninth ground was Castleton who were down to play Fryup however the fixture was cancelled.Fryup had already won the League.
Tenth and last ground of the League was Westerdale who were playing Glaisdale.The home side had scored over 200 in the forty overs and tea was just finishing.The rain started to fall but they still carried on playing while we had tea including chocolate cake.After tea we decided to move on to a drier ground.
After passing through heavy rain and low clound we arrived at Pickering who were playing Hornsea.It was dark but no rain yet.The ground is next to the football pitch just off the main Malton road.After about fifteen minutes it started to rain.So ended our trip.
Mick Bourne and Brian Senior went last week when all the fixtures were rained off.
He telephoned me last Monday night and advised me not to go because of the difficulty finding the grounds.However Ron Deaton did a find job and sat-nev us to all the grounds.
Arrived home at 8.00P.M after a excellent day and a wish come true to visit all the Eskdale grounds.
Friday 2 September 2011
Yorkshire seconds cruise to victory
One of the highlights of the game was regular cricket watcher John Taplin passing on words of wisdom to the England Under 18 hockey squad training nearby
Posted by Tony Hutton
Yorkshire 2nd XI v MCC Young Cricketers (Weetwood) - day three.
Yorkshire's last wicket pair added a few more runs this morning and set MCC the not too challenging target of 237 to win. A good crowd had gathered in fine weather, which improved as the day went on. Most of us anticipated a good day's cricket with possibly a close finish around tea time.
However our hopes were very soon dashed when the visitors slumped to 0 for 2 and then 7-3 to the opening spell from Wardlaw (two wickets) and Hannon-Dolby (one).
There was a brief recovery by Hose (23) and Ballard before Hose gave Brophy his third catch behind the stumps, again off Wardlaw. Clarke and Marsh (we think the son of former Kent wicket keeper Steve Marsh) both followed quickly and at lunch the score was 90-6 with Ballard still there.
At this point many of the spectators left for pastures new - mainly to Headingley where the final of the Greyfox Trophy for club sides of over fifties was taking place at 1 p.m. However the game at Weetwood did last for another hour or so, and when Ballard was out for a grafting top score of 44, this time caught Wardlaw bowled Jackson, number nine Dobb took up the challenge.
He hit a quick 35 not out of only 17 balls with five fours and a six, but it was all in vain as Wardlaw and Randhawa finished off the tail and Yorkshire had won by 74 runs mid way through the afternoon, when of course the weather was at it's best.
Wardlaw took the brunt of Dobb's assault and in the end his five wickets cost him 82 runs off only eleven overs. Randhawa had figures of 2-16 and all the other bowlers had one wicket each. So a useful work out for some of Yorkshire's youngsters, but it has to be said not much of performance from many of the visitors' side.
The chief exception being the South African Chad Barrett with 63 in the first innings and splendid figures of 5-35 in Yorkshire's second innings.
Finally thanks to John Winn for his exclusive revelation of the day one score at Leicester, no mention in the press or on either of the county websites although Surrey did at least have a preview of the game. All that remains now is what might be a long wait to discover the result of the game today.
Also a further word of caution for those planning to visit the two school finals at New Rover CC next Monday and Thursday. Despite YCB website saying Monday's game starts at 1.30 I have received an e-mail from the New Rover secretary which says that both games are due to start at 12 noon.
MCC and Grace (Road)
posted by John Winn
In 1994 as part of their centenary celebrations The Nidderdale Amateur Cricket League played an MCC XI at Dacre Banks. Sine then the match has been an annual fixture and this year was hosted by Burton Leonard CC near Ripon. As far back as 1850 the cricketing activities of BLCC were recorded in the 'Leeds Intelligencer' and a photograph in the pavilion shows 'Burton Leonard and Copgrove' as winners of The Ripon League in 1897. This league was short lived and the Burton Leonard club itself was dissolved in 1929 but reformed in 1947 and joined the NACL in 1949.They moved to their present ground in 1966 and currently run two teams in the league with the first eleven mid table in Divison One.
I was part of a decent crowd that assembled for the 11:30 start on Wednesday with MCC invited to bat in a 'time match', something of a rarity in club cricket these days.The league eleven was captained by Olly Uffindall, captain of champions elect, Ouseburn CC.
Star performer for MCC was former Leicestershire player Nick Ferraby, who plays his league cricket for Oxford CC in the Home Counties Premier League and is also part of the Cambridgeshire team that will contest the Minor Counties Championship final at March CC next week, when their opponents will be Devon.Ferraby's hundred helped MCC post 275 for three when they declared after 55 overs.The local men made a good start in their pursuit of this total reaching 55 for 1 at tea. I left at this point and do not know the outcome. The result will, I think, appear on the MCC website in due course.
Much of my afternoon was spent in the company of the doyen of pcws, Ian Cockerill who I last saw at Darlington in June. I was delighted, and amazed,to be able to inform Ian of two leagues in North Yorkshire of whose existence he was unaware, namely the Langbaurgh League and the Cleveland League, expect to see Ian pop up on some of those grounds in 2012!
After much humming and hawing since Tony posted the fixture I decided earlier in the week that I would yesterday take the train to Leicester for the first day of the Under 17 Final between Yorkshire and Surrey at Grace Road.Tony reported fully on Yorkshire's semi final victory over Warwickshire at Weetwood last month and he noted that some of Yorkshire's followers feared the final would be at either Canterbury or The Oval. One can see why they might have thought this for last year's final between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire WAS played at Canterbury and of course the Oval is Surrey's home ground, but the Under 17s never play there.
Signalling difficulties at Doncaster delayed my arrival at Grace Road until after twelve at which point Surrey's openers were still at the crease to the dismay of the Yorkshire contingent who were basking in lovely sunshine. The format for this competition is unusual but I think a good one with each side having 100 overs for their innings spread over two days. Not surprisingly the crowd was a small one with the number of Yorkshire supporters just shading those from Surrey.
Early in the afternoon it looked as though Surrey might post 400 but gradually the Yorkshire bowlers reined them in and Surrey would have been very disappointed, when after tea, they could not get he run rate above 3.4 per over. For sixteen year olds fielding for almost a full day in hot conditions must be very taxing but Yorkshire did not let their standards slip and kept boundaries to a minimum. I left at the fall of the eighth wicket and ten minutes later was joined at the bus stop by Jennifer Ellison who told me that Surrey had been all out for 327. Jennifer, like most of the Yorkshire contingent, was staying over in Leicester for the second day and they will feel optimistic about Yorkshire's chances. Signalling difficulties at Doncaster having been overcome my return journey was a smooth one and I was back in York by 8:30, pleased that I had overcome my prevarication and made the trip.
In 1994 as part of their centenary celebrations The Nidderdale Amateur Cricket League played an MCC XI at Dacre Banks. Sine then the match has been an annual fixture and this year was hosted by Burton Leonard CC near Ripon. As far back as 1850 the cricketing activities of BLCC were recorded in the 'Leeds Intelligencer' and a photograph in the pavilion shows 'Burton Leonard and Copgrove' as winners of The Ripon League in 1897. This league was short lived and the Burton Leonard club itself was dissolved in 1929 but reformed in 1947 and joined the NACL in 1949.They moved to their present ground in 1966 and currently run two teams in the league with the first eleven mid table in Divison One.
I was part of a decent crowd that assembled for the 11:30 start on Wednesday with MCC invited to bat in a 'time match', something of a rarity in club cricket these days.The league eleven was captained by Olly Uffindall, captain of champions elect, Ouseburn CC.
Star performer for MCC was former Leicestershire player Nick Ferraby, who plays his league cricket for Oxford CC in the Home Counties Premier League and is also part of the Cambridgeshire team that will contest the Minor Counties Championship final at March CC next week, when their opponents will be Devon.Ferraby's hundred helped MCC post 275 for three when they declared after 55 overs.The local men made a good start in their pursuit of this total reaching 55 for 1 at tea. I left at this point and do not know the outcome. The result will, I think, appear on the MCC website in due course.
Much of my afternoon was spent in the company of the doyen of pcws, Ian Cockerill who I last saw at Darlington in June. I was delighted, and amazed,to be able to inform Ian of two leagues in North Yorkshire of whose existence he was unaware, namely the Langbaurgh League and the Cleveland League, expect to see Ian pop up on some of those grounds in 2012!
After much humming and hawing since Tony posted the fixture I decided earlier in the week that I would yesterday take the train to Leicester for the first day of the Under 17 Final between Yorkshire and Surrey at Grace Road.Tony reported fully on Yorkshire's semi final victory over Warwickshire at Weetwood last month and he noted that some of Yorkshire's followers feared the final would be at either Canterbury or The Oval. One can see why they might have thought this for last year's final between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire WAS played at Canterbury and of course the Oval is Surrey's home ground, but the Under 17s never play there.
Signalling difficulties at Doncaster delayed my arrival at Grace Road until after twelve at which point Surrey's openers were still at the crease to the dismay of the Yorkshire contingent who were basking in lovely sunshine. The format for this competition is unusual but I think a good one with each side having 100 overs for their innings spread over two days. Not surprisingly the crowd was a small one with the number of Yorkshire supporters just shading those from Surrey.
Early in the afternoon it looked as though Surrey might post 400 but gradually the Yorkshire bowlers reined them in and Surrey would have been very disappointed, when after tea, they could not get he run rate above 3.4 per over. For sixteen year olds fielding for almost a full day in hot conditions must be very taxing but Yorkshire did not let their standards slip and kept boundaries to a minimum. I left at the fall of the eighth wicket and ten minutes later was joined at the bus stop by Jennifer Ellison who told me that Surrey had been all out for 327. Jennifer, like most of the Yorkshire contingent, was staying over in Leicester for the second day and they will feel optimistic about Yorkshire's chances. Signalling difficulties at Doncaster having been overcome my return journey was a smooth one and I was back in York by 8:30, pleased that I had overcome my prevarication and made the trip.
Thursday 1 September 2011
Patched up Yorkshire seconds aim for victory
Posted by Tony Hutton
Yorkshire 2nd XI v MCC Young Cricketers at Weetwood, Leeds.
This friendly three day match started yesterday and got off to a bad start for Yorkshire when two of the team named on the scorecard turned up within minutes of each other with arms in plaster. Alex Lilley and James Wainmaa had both managed to suffer fractured bones in their hands.
However Yorkshire batted first and gave skipper John Blain time to regroup.
Opening for Yorkshire was Gerhardus Rudolph, younger brother of Jacques, who has been playing for Rotherham this season. He looked in good form and made a patient 40.
His opening partner, Alex Lees, went for 15 and Gerald Brophy for 25, before Hodgson who keeps wicket for Leeds/Bradford University came in to play the innings of the day. Unfortunately he got very little support from a very young middle order, apart from Oliver Hannon Dolby. Usually a number eleven he was promoted to the dizzy heights of number seven and stuck around with Hodgson for nearly an hour, scoring 13, which included a perfect cover driven four.
Hodgson went on to make 86, with ten fours and when he was out a last wicket partnership of 41 between skipper Blain and left arm spinner Oliver Jackson enabled the home side to declare on 268-8.
The MCC youngsters who had not really distinguished themselves in the field, struggled to 50-2 by the close with wickets for both opening bowlers, Wardlaw and
Hannon-Dalby.
On day two Hannon-Dolby continued his good work and took three more wickets, just missing out on a hat-trick. He had Ed Ballard, who had fielded sub for England in the Lord's Test, caught behind off his first ball. MCC slumped to 90-6 but were rescued by yet another South African, Chad Barrett, with a fine innings of 63. He was eventually the last man out with the total on 215 after a last wicket partnership of 50.
Left arm spinner Randhawa finished with 4-56 and Hannon-Dolby with 4-46. Also worthy of mention was another young left arm spinner, also from Rotherham, Oliver Jackson. He gave the ball plenty of air and finished with excellent figures of 10.1-3-18-1.
Yorkshire's second innings started in mid-afternoon and again Rudolph did well with 43, but this time Hodgson perished for a duck and the very inexperienced middle order again collapsed until the lower order came to the rescue and Yorkshire finished the day on 169-9, a lead of 223. So all is evenly balanced for the last day tomorrow.
Yorkshire 2nd XI v MCC Young Cricketers at Weetwood, Leeds.
This friendly three day match started yesterday and got off to a bad start for Yorkshire when two of the team named on the scorecard turned up within minutes of each other with arms in plaster. Alex Lilley and James Wainmaa had both managed to suffer fractured bones in their hands.
However Yorkshire batted first and gave skipper John Blain time to regroup.
Opening for Yorkshire was Gerhardus Rudolph, younger brother of Jacques, who has been playing for Rotherham this season. He looked in good form and made a patient 40.
His opening partner, Alex Lees, went for 15 and Gerald Brophy for 25, before Hodgson who keeps wicket for Leeds/Bradford University came in to play the innings of the day. Unfortunately he got very little support from a very young middle order, apart from Oliver Hannon Dolby. Usually a number eleven he was promoted to the dizzy heights of number seven and stuck around with Hodgson for nearly an hour, scoring 13, which included a perfect cover driven four.
Hodgson went on to make 86, with ten fours and when he was out a last wicket partnership of 41 between skipper Blain and left arm spinner Oliver Jackson enabled the home side to declare on 268-8.
The MCC youngsters who had not really distinguished themselves in the field, struggled to 50-2 by the close with wickets for both opening bowlers, Wardlaw and
Hannon-Dalby.
On day two Hannon-Dolby continued his good work and took three more wickets, just missing out on a hat-trick. He had Ed Ballard, who had fielded sub for England in the Lord's Test, caught behind off his first ball. MCC slumped to 90-6 but were rescued by yet another South African, Chad Barrett, with a fine innings of 63. He was eventually the last man out with the total on 215 after a last wicket partnership of 50.
Left arm spinner Randhawa finished with 4-56 and Hannon-Dolby with 4-46. Also worthy of mention was another young left arm spinner, also from Rotherham, Oliver Jackson. He gave the ball plenty of air and finished with excellent figures of 10.1-3-18-1.
Yorkshire's second innings started in mid-afternoon and again Rudolph did well with 43, but this time Hodgson perished for a duck and the very inexperienced middle order again collapsed until the lower order came to the rescue and Yorkshire finished the day on 169-9, a lead of 223. So all is evenly balanced for the last day tomorrow.
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