WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?

By Brian Sanderson,

I was one of the people who were missing on the Saturday cricket circuit as I was at Wembley following Leeds Loiners not Rhinos.A early start with Ron Deaton to Slingsby in North Yorkshire.The match was the semi-final of the Faversham League were there are only five teams.

The Slingsby ground is off the Main Street opposite the All Saints Church which has recently been repaired. Overloo the ground is Slingsby Castle which is actually a Jacobean mansion or manor house which was built between 1630-40 for Sir Charles Cavendish who never lived in the propery because he fled abroad in 1644 during the Civil War.

The two teams were Gillamoor and Duncombe Park in a twenty over match which started about 11.15. Gilling who were fielding  and started out with seven people and three more arrived after two overs. Two of the players had  been in bed when their lift arrived. Another arrived after five overs been bowled,he had a good Saturday in York. One of Gillamoor side bowling was Nick Thornicroft who played for Yorkshire,Essex and England under 19,s and had to leave cricket due to a bad back.
He was wearing his England cap just like Horace Fisher use to  wear  his Yorkshire cap even though they had left the side.He picked up a few wickets and Duncambe Park reach 80 in the 20th over with a 72 year old player not out.

Gillamoor batted next a number of balls landed in the ajoining tennis court.One bowler was twelve years old and bowled very well.However Gilling won in the thirteenth over but everybody seem to enjoy the match and barbecue.Village cricket at its best.

The next match was York against Bamford Fieldhousein the E.C.B.National Club Championship 2012 Semi-Final.Bamford are in  the Saddlewoth @ District League Champions and include the following players Chris Schofield and Warren Hegg who have both represented England at Test Match  level together with Grant Hodnett who played for Gloucestershire.York batted first and scored 196 for 8 in the forty-five over match.Top scorers were Mc Kendry  who scored 33  and Hairs who scored 56.The nineth wicket partnership between Pring;le and Woods but on 26.Schofield took five wickets for twenty-two with three L.B.W.

At tea-time we wandered over to the Clifton Alliance ground were their third side was playing Burn who play near Selby.They were soon taking tea and we were invited in for a cup of tea and sandwiches.Orginally the team were called Alliance and played on the York Knaremare were Ovington play now.We visited that ground earlier in the season.The present ground used to be used by the Mental  hospital staff who played friendly fixtures.I sat next to a man who played in one of this matches  in the 1960.s.

Walking over to the main match York had taken three wickets for 29 when heavy rain started to fall There had been eight overs bowled and it did not look as the match would be  not be completed.When I arrived home  looking on total cricket scorer web-site the match had restarted.Look out for the result.

Good day again ruined by rain typical of this summer.