COMPLETION OF THE DARLINGTON AND DISTRICT

By Brian Sanderson,

On a sunny Saturday afternoon another trip to the North-East with the great help sat-nav Deaton.

The first ground we visited was Richmond who  were playing Darlington in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League which started at 1.00PMThe pavilion is situated on a slope looking towards the town.Darlington star player is Gary Pratt who helped to win the Ashes with being the star sub-fielder so upsetting Ponting. Darlington were batting put struggled against two left-arm fast bowler. There were more overs bowled than runs as we left to go to Catterick.

Catterick ground is at the side of the old A1 with a community changing rooms with a football pitch next to the cricket.It is a functual ground put that just left us one more  ground to visit in the Darlington and District League to have visited them all.

So the final ground was at Etherley were  King James team has just moved to from the Bishop Auckland Rugby ground.Etherley finished last  season after being a strong side in Durham. In the tea-room there is a plaque showing numberous trophies they had won.A spoke to local man who said ther had been over fifty youngers playing on Friday night.So there is hope the ground will be used in the future.So over the last two season we have been to all grounds in the Darlington and District League and we were very pleased.

Moving on to another league Durham County League and Crook Town who were playing Tudhoe who we had seen last season.Crook has been established  137 years ago and one their famous players is Andrew Pratt ,brother of Gary who we had seen at Richmond.Andrew was fielding to-day on the boundary edge trying to stop over 250 in the fifty overs but failed.We had tea here were there was a buffet which one local lady went round at least five times. There is no web-site for this league so it is very hard to find the fixtures.Crook are playing in a cup-final on Sunday at their home ground.

The last league we visited was North East Durham League which again has no web-site.Willington Seconds were playing Brandon Seconds on a N.C. B owned ground.There is a nice old fashion pavilion opposite the enterance and a new one opposite.It is a typical recovered Mining cricket ground very flat but featureless. We spoke to the groundsman who used to play  on the ground and  was watching his grandson batting.

Moving on to Hunwick ground which is on reclaimed  land also but this time  the pitch is on old bricks which has caused the outfield to be unplayable.There is article by Mike Amos ,of The Northern Echo fame,on the papers web-site.The seconds have not played a home match this season and only two away.The first team had played only one home match and two away.There is no electricty in the pavilion and are waiting for a grant to have it fitted.The tea-lady wished it would hurry up.

The last match was at Coundon in the same league.It is another community building with another football pitch nearby.The only good feature of the ground is excellent views to the hills in the distance.

Another interesting Saturday and seeing new grounds.