a glimpse of cricket

posted by John Winn

Three rare events happened in Darlington yesterday. Firstly, and at the 21st attempt,  the town's football team won a match. Secondly and almost as remarkably, the sun shone and thirdly, and now we enter the realms of fantasy, not only was cricket played but I was there.
When the football finished shortly before three I made the ten minute drive to the small village of Great Burdon (there is a Little Burdon, so little it can't even claim the title of hamlet) where Haughton CC have played on the same field since the late nineteenth century and where despite the week's deluges the second eleven were involved in a Darlington and District Division B match against opponents Rockcliffe Park II who were batting and had slipped from 36 for 1 to 47 for 7 which while I was there became 49 for 9 and subsequently 64 all out.* The sun was shining but a chill wind blew down the Sedgefield Road and after a circuit of the ground I moved on. Although the wicket was soft and slow and  the outfield similar the ground was perfectly fit for play and a credit to the enthusiasm of the home club. Somebody must have worked very hard to get the game on , one of only three games in the top two divisions to survive.
From Great Burdon I drove into Darlington to the Feethams Ground where Darlington II were playing Marske II. The scoreboard read 26 for 3 off 18 overs which led me to two assumptions; one that there had been a late start and two, batting was not easy. Further investigation revealed that the game had started on time and that this was actually the second innings with Marske having been bowled out for 35, with extras top scoring with 8.Shaughn (sic) Russell having taken 5 for 9. Before I had finished my cup of tea the Darlington batsmen had completed the job without hitting a boundary and won by six wickets. I drove home passing a vacant cricket field at Great Ouseburn and seeing bunting flying in the village was reminded that today is the day of the village spring fair. I assume that  most of you reading this posting  will be aware that they could have hardly picked a worse day, and there have been some strong contenders in the last month. The forecast for the week ahead is a shade better, but if the glass is half full then it is rain water not champagne.
* the home team won by six wickets.