VISIT TO THE EX-FUNERAL CARE LEAGUE

By Brian Sanderson,

The weather forecast was dry and cloudy so we sent off to North-East coaast of Yorkshire.

The first ground we went to was Saltburn whose team play in the North Yorshire - South Durham Cricket League.It is situated near a Sports Centre and you can see the North Sea in the distance.There is pavilion which had been painted white and the ground is large with the tennis club on the right  hand side.They have a eletric scoreboard which is situated on the far side of the ground.The second team were playing Sedgefield and started the match with a substitute fielder dressed in shorts and coloured shirt.Another first for me however this lasted only two overs.The re was a lady umpire officating in the match and gave a dubious L.B.W with the batsman looking aghast.

Moving on about four miles to New Maske who were playing Chop Gate in the Langbaurgh Cricket League.This league is sponsered by Inshore Fisheries.The ground is next to a football pitch were there was a match on.The ball went passed  three times Ron Stansfield as he was sat down watching the cricket.Behind the changing sheds was the headquaters of the Pidgeon Club.The ground is in a dip and was still very damp.This league has suffered very badly due the rain this summer.There was a decent crowd mainly watching the cricket in the cars.

Moving on to another club in this league Skelton Castle however you could not see the castle.They were playing a friendly match from a team from Watford which is an annually event.They had to cancel the league match with East Harsley as the league would not allow them to rearrange tha match.With this friendly match they rised  enough money to cover most of their expenses for the year.The ground was also in a basin and only recently been cut and they had only played three home matches this season because again of the rain.Clubs are struggling to keep going due the lack of revenue when the matches are cancelled.

Just about three miles away was the Boosbeck club who are in the Cleveland League which used to be sponsered by Co-operative Funeralcare but this  has lapsed.This ground again is situated next to a football pitch and you can again see the sea in the distance.This ground has only been able to play three home matches this season again due to rain.They had to run a horse racing night to help them keep running.They have had money to build new changing rooms and provide electicity to the club which enabled them to have showers for the first time.Contrast to County Clubs facilities. They were playing Smiths Docks who were batting but struggling.

Next ground was Loftus who were playing Oxbridge in the same league.There again there was a football pitch at the far side which just had new drains put in costing £50.000 and  at the end of the cricket season new drains will be put in  across the pitch.At the far side was a bowls section where one of the spectators played.Thet away side were batting reaching 199 with eleven captains on the home side deciding on eleven different tactics.Very interesting to watch and tea was taken by the travellers while noticing Leeds United had won easily.

The next ground was Staithes who were playing Seamer in the Becketts League.The ground is next to club were a darts compertition was going on and the match was over.Next to the pitch was numberous tents which I assume were been used by the dart players.Disappointing ground.

Moving on towards Whitby we called in at Hinderwell ground which is only used for evening league matches.There is a small pavilion but a large pitch which had been used this season Few miles down the coast we arrived at Whitby ground which is again situated next the football ground where a friendly had been played.Whitby are in the North Yorshire and South Durham League and were playing Blackhall.The cricket club had sold off some of their land to a builder who had biult them a new pavilion after they had demolished the old one.However the new one the scores were looking into the setting sun trying to see the match. Something wrong here.

A interesting trip over over two hundred miles seeing new grounds and leagues. Local football has started which will make local sides  struggle to get players for the rest of the season