TRIP ROUND YORK

By Brian Sanderson,

Woke up to drizzle and decisions had to be made were myself and Ron Deaton would watch cricket.
After a number of telephone conversations we decded on York area.We did visit a number of clubs in the York and District League last year.

The first match was Askham Bryan and Selby which is in division two of the York Vale League.
The pich is in the middle of a Agricultureal College on the outskirt of York.The changing room were at the back of The Conference centre.There were grey clouds and a cold Easterly breeze blowing.There was four spectators watching the match ourslves and a couple from Selby who decided to watch the match outside.They could not find any spots away from the wind.I  would have to watch it from the car.

Second match was  Copmanthorpe against Bishopthorpe which was in the First Division.The ground is in the middle of a housing estate next to the main railway line from York to London.There must have been six trains going pass as we walked round the ground.There is a Communty Hall for the changing rooms and it had coloured lights round the windows.It looked like Christmas.

Next match was Dringhouses against Whitkirk in the York and District League.The League is celebrating their centenary and have a cabinet of cricket memorbila in the Long Room at Headingley.Again the ground was next to the main railway line.The pavilion was opened by Vic Wilson ex Yorkshire captain in the 1960,s..The pitch was dry and the groundsman said it was a batting track.

Fourth match was Ovington 11 against Goole Town in the fourth division.the pitch is on the Knavesmere in the York race course.Again the pitch was dry after the night rain and there was a nice pavilion but a distance from the pitch.

Moving on to Fulfordgate against Thorp Willoughby in the second division.The pitch is near to Andy,s house who would be watching Yorkshire.The pitch was used by York City football team in the 1920,s.It is a community pitch with the dressing rooms in the Hall. We obtained a nice cup of tea.

We went passed the University of York staff ground but nobody was playing as they  had dropped out of the League.Also Huntington are struggling to rise a team.

The last club we watched in the York  Vale League was Stockton and Hopgrove against North Cave.
On entering the ground we were met by Hall with small windows and a long distance from the pitch.
It is a large flat ground with no features and electric pylons crossing the ground.We moved on quickly.

The last match was Kirk Deighton against Old Modernians in the Wetherby League.A excellent ground to visit with plenty of seats and nice pavilion.Contrast to Stockton.

Excellent day when in the morning we wondered if we would see any cricket. A lot a Nidderdale League matches were off due to the rain.To-morrow I am going to watch Derbyshire at Headingley and specially David Wainwright.