This morning I received a telephone call from David Thorpe to ask if I wished to take a trip to the Saddleworth League.I have been wanting to go to Friarmere ground on the Saddleworth Moor so the answer was yes and there was a change of plan. Above is the picture from the pavilion at Fiarmere which is a beautiful sight in sunshine however it is another club struggling to keep going.
The match was Friarmere seconds against Uppermill seconds who had played the reverse fixture yesterday.Uppermill had won the reverse fixture yesterday in a close low scoring match . We talked to a Uppermill player who had played in the match and had taken six wickets. This was a player called Lewis who must have been in his 60.s and we saw a painting of him in the Uppermill pavilion when we called into the ground later in the afternoon.The ground is hugh area with one boundary about 100 yards away and the other about 40 yards.There was only one umpire who came up to talkto us thinking we might be the other umpire.No we did not take up the job.
One famous name associated with the club was Ramadhin the famous West Indian bowler.His son is the Chairman of the club and we passed him arriving as we were leaving.
The next ground was Shaw who,s seconds were playing Heyside.The ground is a beautiful kept ground with numerous notices up stopping people,walking dogs,football and golf.As we got to the pavilion we meet Peter Davies and his father who were going on to Todmorden.Peter looked well and had been to Hanging Heaton yesterday.
Next ground was Heyside were we meet the first christening party who had taken all the parikng spots.We tried one spot but were met by a householder standing on his step challanging us to park outside his hoiuse but decided to find another spot.The match was the first team fixture of the same two teams at Shaw.Shaw had a professional from Namibia which was the first time either one of use had seen a cricketer from that country.
We soon moved on to get away from the crowd and went to Moorside who,s seconds were playing Austerlands.The area is shared with a bowling club and a new pavilion had been recently built.At this point we sat down to drink a cup of tea to watch Moorside get ready to bowl after been bowled out for 72.So I do not think it will be a long match.
Moving on to Austerlands ground which is the highest cricket ground in England at the height over 1,000 feet.There is brilliant views towards Warrington.Just before we arrived the cricket ball had smashed into the windscreen of one of the guests at another christening .You can watch the match from a grass mound and see the hills in the distance however it was very busy.
Moving on to Uppermill which has more brilliant views of the hills.Friarmere were batting a were three wickets for not very many.While we were there the batsmen played and missed on numerous occasions.
As I had to be back home by seven for tea we went home.
It was good to see Peter and see some great views from the cricket grounds in the sunshine.Thank you David for the invitation for the idea and will visit the rest of the Saddleworth grounds soon.
Ihad a e-mail from Tony Hutton to say that Queensbury ground in Bradford is the higest ground in England.
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