FINDING WAYS TO ENTER CRICKET GROUNDS

By Brian Sanderson,

To-day I set of with one of the orginal P.C.W Mick Bourne to visit some grounds in the Pontefract League.One of the grounds I wanted to visit was Ferry Bridge Power Station ground just off the A1.
Mick had visited the ground which is situated next to the cooling towers some time ago.However when we tried to enter the ground all the roads were blocked with locked gates but we could  see the pavlion which is now used by a building firm as their office.We were told by a employee that a new ground was being built  which is just off the Castleford road.It looks small in area and balls will be aimed at the cooling towers.The new ground will be worth visiting next year so it will be on my list.

Moving on two miles to Knottingley ground were as it happens the Power Station were playing.The ground is on the Goole road passed the main shops and is next to the railway line.The ground is subject to vandalism and is fenced in with barb wire.It is a good size and overlooks the rugby fields.
We leant at the ground the Power Station are playing at Eggborough and Newton Hill whilst the new ground is been built.However it would be nice if on the web-site would tell cricket watchers want is happening. This was a new ground for Mick who has not visited many new grounds this season.

Moving on to the Ryhill ground which is in the next village Havecroft Sports area were everything was board up.Looking from the sports building the pitch there is football then cricket and finally rugby field.Walking round the ground I passed two cows in the next field which did not go with the surroundings.Pleased to leave the ground as I am not a lover of multi sports grounds.

Next ground was Thorpe Audin which is south of Pontefract and were playing Garforth in division3 of the league.The ground is on Bridge Lane however you can only see the name from the opposite direction we entered the village.After a U-turn we went down the dirt road with notice saying  stay on the left of the road as there is a large ditch on the right.At the end of the lane we entered a large field  and had to park the car two hundred yards from the boundary.On the left is a new pavilion but still a  nice old scoreboard which was only up-dated  when there was cries from the pitch.The pitch was still damp but was not causing much problems to the Garforth batters.There are trees round the ground but has no vista.

Next ground was a pleasure to visit and was Hundhill Hall who were playing Wakefield Thornes Third team.You enter the ground through a gate with wickets and ball iron railings.A pavilion has   flowers hanging out side  and well looked after.Plenty of different seats round the ground enabling people to see a nice view over the fields.A spectator told me that there had  not been many cancelled matches this wet summer due to the sandy soils.Mick  said the ground was used for junior matches because of being compact.Worth visiting if you  are in the area.

For a cup of tea we called into Ackworth who were playing West Bretton.There is a plaque for Neil LLoyd who was a Yorkshire colt who deid young which is a nice tribute for the player.By this time the sun was shining and was good afternoon and was nice to be warm.

On schedule we moved on to Old Sharlston ground who were bowling to Whitley Bridge in Division 5 of the league.They have a  excellent web-site which gives the history of the club and the ground is behind the church who give the club the field.A progressive club  who keeps a nice ground however there is a nasty smell from a piggery which wafts over the ground.

The last ground we visited was Featherstone who were playing Sprotsbrough in division 6 of the league.Mick had visited this ground before and entered the ground through the Rugby League club but all roads were locked as a new stand is being built so they can apply for the Super League.
After asking a number of locals we parked the car and walked over the railway lines to the ground.
It seems you can enter the ground by going to the end of Post Office Road and drive up a dirt lane.
The club was established in 1919 and in the club house there is copies of  letters about the establishment of the club.I wish all clubs could do the same to show the club first started.

End of six hours a travelling on a dry sunny Saturday and this has not often happen this season.It just shows how ground changes from  year to year. North Yorkshire to-morrow.