There was a chance to go to Masham this afternoon because I think it is one of the more scenic grounds.The match was Yorkshire over 50 against Durham in a fifty over match starting at 1.30.Because I went via Ripon I picked up my sister and we had lunch outside in the Masham market place.
As you will see from the photograph the ground is overlooked by the church and is in a park area.The ground is on a lease from Swinton Park.Yorkshire opened the batting with Albert Aurelius who is a West Indian born cricketer who plays in this area.The first time I saw him was at Thorop Perrow in the Darlington Evening League.To-day he scored 83 in a opening stand of over 150.The weather was sunny and it was very pleasent to sit in the shade and be warm.The wicket-keeper for Durham was Andrew Fothergill who played County Cricketer for Durham in the 1980,s and is still a excellent keeper.
We moved at about 3.30 as I was going with Ron Deaton see some evening cricket in the York area.The first match we saw was in the Pilmoor League at Crayke who were playing Easingwold.The ground now is just used for Wednesday night cricket but previously had a successfully Saturday side.Walking round the ground we saw three covers which had not been moved for over nine years which is a shame when they are in good condition.The wicket-keeper for Crayke was eleven years old and about four foot nine.He is the smallest keeper I had seen in adult competative match.There are excellent views toward York Cathedral walking round the ground.
Moving on to Osbaldwick who were playing Bubworth in the Fosse Evening League.This match looked a good standard with the home side batting chasing a total of 150.It is a large ground in the middle of a housing estate but was in good condition.
The final match was at The Retreat seconds who were playing Fulfordgate. The club was established in 1889 and inside the hospital.The first person I meet was Steve Bindman who also plays for Cambridge Methodists and Cawood plus any other side who is short.The ground is very scenic but they are struggling to keep going because the roller was had not been working so losing their Saturday League side as the League thought the wicket was too dangerous.Fulfordgate play their matches at Heworth and we were told tonight they would come under the Howarth club next year.One of the Retreat player was 78 and had been playing cricket for 67 years.The young wicket-keeper at Crayke will do well to beat this record.
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