FIVE HOURS OF BECKETT LEAGUE CRICKET

By Bian Sanderson,

I wish to thank John Winn for the sunshine to-day which must have come from Scotland.Four of us set of to watch cricket in the Beckett League which is situated round Scarborough.It is a league of 34  clubs forming 4 divisions.I have passed many of the grounds on the way to Scarborough but never seen cricket on the eight grounds we visited.

The first ground is Cloughton who were playing Kirkby Moorside and we arrived just before two o,clock.You approach the ground through a field of grass about two foot high  in which I parked the car .It is  very pretty ground with a brillent white coloured pavilion with flower baskets hanging outside.The field was well cut with trees on the left of the ground with a hill on the right hand side.A little stream runs at the side of the ground and everything was just right.We sat down to have some lunch when a dog tried to eat Ron Deaton pork pie however it failed.The away side was batting.The week before Cloughton opening batsmen Duddings and Pickup had put a record stand of  369 undefeated.

Second ground was Scalby Road ground were Scalby third team play and  are in the Derwent Valley League which acts as feeder league to the Becketts League.The ground is just situated at the side of the road however we could not park the car in the field because it was to wet.It seems the pitch  had been under water recently.There is only four matches left for the thirds to play.I talked to a player who used to played for Churwell Working Mens Club in the Dales Council League.He did not start playing cricket until he was thirty -five.

Third ground was Scalby first team ground which was situated up a muddy winding land  and they were playing Catton who were batting.The ground is overlooked by the Wren Head Hotel which has a excellent view of the ground.There is a football pitch at the end of the pitch.It is a large ground which was resonable dry with a pavilion looked like it could do with some paint.

Fouth ground was situated in Ayton and is were Forge Valley were playing Grindale.The pitch is like a village green with a pond on the right.You were advise not to park your car near the pitch as it  could easily be hit by the ball.We were able to have some tea  and sandwiches.In the pavilion which had memoirs of the team winning at Lords in the Village Final.It is very friendly club.

Fifth ground was the Forge Valley second ground which is about a mile from the first ground .It is a large field with no features so we soon moved on.

Sixth ground was the Wykeham ground which is situated off the main Pickering road on the left hand side.It has beautiful view towards Cayton Bay and must be the best  have the best views in the Beckett League.They were playing Snaiton and they were losing.They were trying to build a new pavilion but it would not be ready for another two years.We gave this ground the winning ground for the best ground we visited to-day.

Seventh ground was Brompton who were playing Bridlington Seconds.The ground is next to the old railway station which now acts as holiday homes and has beautiful gardens.We spoke to the gardener who was very proud of them and so he should be. We meet a couple who were at the Cloughton match were we first started.

The last ground was Ebberton which has a beautiful pavilion built by Lottery Money.The were playing  Filey in the Premier League.Fileywho lost the match when they were 96 for 1  and all out for about 150.The match finished just after seven o,clock so it was excellent end to sunny Saturday.

See what to-morrow brings.