Saturday 21 April

Paddock, Augustinians, Outlane, Stainland, Elland, Blackley

First Day of the Local League Season

Six grounds on Day 1 - not bad!

First up, Paddock. The action seemed very close. Got a cup of tea from the portakabin tea toom and had a good sit-down high above the railway line. All very atmospheric. We caught the game just as it was starting.

Then up to Augustinians but no cricket in evidence at all. Has this club folded?

Outlane next. Not too much atmosphere but two people serving behind the bar. Very helpful to me about my requests and I had a 25p half of orange squash. Sat on the verendah - all very pleasant.

Then home for an hour - to enable me to have a little rest.

Then to Stainland where we got some tea - 3 salad rolls plus lots of lettuce and accompaniments. The last food left but very, very nice.

The game had finished because Stainland were a couple of men short and Bridgehome had run out easy winners.

Then a practice match was arranged and we seemed to catch the tail-end of this.

So off to Elland. Lots more going on there. I had a nibble at some nice sandwiches and a sit-down in the bar.

Finally, Blackley, our favourite. Looking good as ever, with secretary Julie Pearson and groundsman Joe Townsend very prominent in the pavilion.

A good opening day.