AUGUST FIXTURES

By Brian Sanderson,

AUGUST 1   LANCASHIRE U 17  V  YORKSHIRE      LITTLEBOROUGH

AUGUST 2  YORKSHIRE  V  WARWICK     HEADINGLEY  4 DAYS
                  LANCASHIRE LEAGUE U 21  V   M.C.C  RIHTON
                   LORD TAVENEERS U14 FINAL  CLECKHEATON    11.00

HEADINGLEY EVENING LEAGUE FINALS AT KIRKSTALL EDUCATION

10.30 KIRKSTALL  V    HEADINGLEY

13.00  HORSFORTH   V   WOODHOUSE

16.00   FINAL

AUGUST 3  ACADEMY  V   YORK     WEETWOOD      12.00

AUGUST 4  YORKSHIRE U14  V   NOTTINGHAM    NEW ROVER
                     HEAVY WOOLEN FINAL  HANGING HEATON  V  NEW FARNLEY  12.00
                           HANGING HEATON
                    JOE LUMB SEMI-FINAL
                YORKSHIRE GENTLEMEN  V   FREE FORESTERS  
               CHESHIRE  V   DEVON    BOWDEN

AUGUST 5  GILLAMOOR   V  DUNCOMBE PARK      6.30
       TAVENERS U 15 COMPERTITION
      AIREWHARFE   V   YORK  ADDINGHAM
      LEEDS  V   NORTH YORKSHIRE   COLTON
    LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT   V  M.C.C    ORMSKIRK

AUGUST6  OVER 60   AT CLIFTON  ALLIANCE         1.00
                  YORKSHIRE  U 13    V    DURHAM      WEETWOOD
                   YORKSHIIRE  U 15   V   LANCASHIRE   PUDSEY CONGS.
                BARNSLEY  V   PONTEFRACT       CAWTHORNE
               YORSHIRE GENTLEMEN  V   LEICESTER  GENTS

AUGUST 7   YORKSHIRE GENTLEMEN  V    M.C.C
                    WETHERBY    V     AIREWHARFEDALE      WHITKIRK
                    UPPER AIREDALE   V  HEAVY WOOLLEN    DENHOLME.

AUGUST 8   YORRKSHIRE GENTLEMEN  V  YORKSHIRE C.C.C

AUGUST 9   YOTKSHIRE  GENTLEMEN  V  HARROW

AUGUST 11   PRIESTLEY SHIELD FINAL   HANGING HEATON  V  NEW FARNLEY  HATSHEAD MOOR  12.00
        JOE HAMPSHIRE FINAL   WRENTHORPE   V   METHLEY

AUGUST 12  DURHAM SECONDS  V  YORSHIRE   SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND

AUGUST  13   DURHAM SECONDS  V  YORKSHIRE  SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND  THREE DAY MATCH.
     STAINSBY HALL  V  M.C.C   SMALLEY
          LANCASHIRE SECONDS  V  GLAMORGAN  MIDDLETON

AUGUST14  DURHAM U 14  V  YORKSHIRE   HETTON LYONS
                   LANCASHIRE SECONDS  V  GLAMORGAN  BLACKPOOL  3 DAYS

AUGUST 18  CUMBERLAND  V  SUFFOLK   SEDBERG  3 DAY MATCH  MUST SEE MATCH
                                                                                                                             ------  -----      -----
             YORK  V  DRIFFIELD    ECB FINAL  
            GREY FOX SEMI-FINALS  HEADINGLEY   11.00
           YORSHIRE GENTLEMEN  V   ROMANY
    WHEATLEY CUP    CARLTON  V  ?

AUGUST  19   YORKSHIRE  V  NOTTS   BARNSLEY

AUGUST 20   YORKSHIRE  SECONDS  V  TODMORDEN
                     CROWTHER CUP   BIRSTALL V  OSSETT   12.00

AUGUST  21   NOTTINGHAM  V   YORKSHIRE  TRENT BRIDGE   FOUR DAYS
                       M.C.C EAST MIDLANDS  V   M.C.C  NORTH-EAST     CHESTERFIELD
                  RIBBLESDALE CRICKET LEAGUE  V   M.C.C   RIBBLESDALE WANDERERS.

AUGUST 25  PRIESTLEY CUP FINAL  HANGING HEATON  V   LIGHTCLIFFE       FARSLEY 12.00
                JOE LUMB FINAL

AUGUST  27   YORKSHIRE U19  V  LANCS  HONLEY  TWO DAY MATCH
                         YORKSHIRE SECONDS  V  NOTTS   YORK  THREE DAY MATCH
                         YORKSHIRE  V  DURHAMM SCARBOROUGH  4 DAY MATCH.

ALL MATCHS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND WEATHER.

The photographs were taken by Tony Woodhousebof New Rover before the new ground was built.

Enjoy your cricket were every it may be.            

     

Wrong call

posted by John Winn

On Sunday I arrived at St George's Road, Harrogate to find Yorkshire Under 15 A struggling against Notts. The visitors had been bowled out for 149 with Mustafa Rafique taking four for nine but in their reply Yorkshire had lost two wickets for just four runs. A good size crowd was in attendance and I took the last parking place on the raised bank which offers such good viewing at the ground. It was a pleasure to sit in the sunshine and watch captain Yassar Imtiaz and James Brown put on a splendid display to bring Yorkshire home with an undefeated stand of 146.

The early recovery was led by Imtiaz who hit twelve fours in his 83 but Brown later picked up the pace to finish on 54 not out with nine fours. The driving of both boys was particularly impressive and Notts' body language showed an acceptance of defeat long before the winning runs were hit.

Monday offered me my only other chance to watch cricket this week and having contrived to be away for the four days of Yorkshire's championship match with Warwickshire I was reluctant to pass up any opportunity so despite a poor forecast I drove to Masham. This time it was the turn of Yorkshire Under 15 B and their opponents were Lancashire. I had passed through one heavy shower en route and there was rain in the air when I arrived at the ground. Yorkshire were batting and there was a steady procession of unhappy looking batsmen making their way  back to the pavilion. When the rain finally became too heavy for play to continue the score stood at thirty for six off 19 overs. The half hour break did the home side little good for a run out interrupted a modest recovery and  49 for 7 quickly became 63 all out in the 30th over .Individual batsmen returned to the dressing rooms looking suitably dismayed but the feeling amongst those watching was that there was insufficient application to the task and that the response to a calamitous situation was to try and force the pace which almost inevitably brought about the loss of another wicket.

As the players left the field the rain returned and intensified to the point that I felt it unlikely there would be any resumption of play in the near future and decided to return home. Of course by the time I reached Ripon the roads were dry and when I arrived home my wife was sitting in the garden enjoying watching the  butterflies  which have been plentiful in recent days. Reading Brian's report of his visit yesterday I see that Monday's game did restart and resulted in an easy win for Lancs. I also see that Yorkshire had made changes for the second meeting between the teams. These may have reflected the coach's disappointment with Monday's poor batting.

Brian comments on the difficulties of identifying p[layers in these matches which I echo. It is also disappointing that whilst on the YCB play cricket website there are full details of Sunday's match which retrospectively at least overcomes this problem neither Monday's or Tuesday's games have made it on to the site.

 

 

This league table recalls Masham's days in the Vale of Mowbray League probably in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

 



WHITE ROSE WINS THIS TIME

By Brian Sanderson,

The weather forecast was showers but I decided to goto Masham with by sister to see Yorkshire under15B against Lancashire.It is beautiful ground as you can see from the photograph and the locals are very friendly.There was a match yesterday which Lancashire won easily and to-day was another fifty over match. Yorkshire had strengthen their team today.

Lancashire batted first and soon struggled against tight bowling.You have problems in these matches as there are no team sheets and I did not know any of the players.During the innings two Hercules transport planes flew past at a low altitude.Yorkshire had a leg-spinner who plays for York third team and took five wickets.
Lancashire were 80 for  8 mainly due to his bowling.However the last two wickets put on 61 for them to finish on 141.

At lunch-time we walked up to the village  for some lunch.When we had finished I talked to John from Boroughbridge.Yorkshire started of well until the opening batsman was caught by a brillant catch in the outfield.They struggled to lose four wickets before a fifth wicket stand came together to win the match.

Pleased there were no showers and were able to watch the match in sunshine.

BIG MATCH FOR THE ACADEMY

By Brian Sanderson,

I think the best fixture in the Yorkshire E.C.B League is between Yorkshire Academy and York and to-day was the semi-final of the cup at Weetwood.It was a typical Weetwood afternoon a cool wind blowing across the ground but there was a large crowd including Tony Hutton, Malcom.Jenny and Brian Senior.

York batted first with the Academy starting well with York  3 for 45 however Oliver Hairs was still batting.He is one of York top scorers over the last few seasons and the Academy had to get him out early.Fisher came on to bowl his first ball and Hairs gets a thin touch which Barny Gibson puts down.At this point York would have 4 wickets down for 80 and the Academy would have a chance of restricting York to a reasonable total.However Hairs when on to be involved in a patnership of 111 and scored 69.

There were a couple of rain breaks but York scored a total of 225 for 7 in 44 overs.The thoughts among the P.C.W. that the spin attack of York should win the match.In York first over Richmond bowled 14 ball over and 17 runs were scored off it.However Snell  and McHendry bowled their 18 overs for 58 and took 3 wickets.

At this point I left for dinner as it was 6.45.After watching the Rugby League semi-final I found on total cricket scorer York won by 3 runs due to run-rate as there must have been a thunderstoom to end the match.

Some extra fixtures

Pcws  may appreciate these extra fixtures

Monday 29th July Lord's Taverners U13 tournament Nidderdale v Halifax at Scotton 1:00

Tuesday 30th July Nidderdale v North Yorkshire at Goldsborough 1:00

Wednesday 31st July East Yorkshire v Nidderdale at Londesborough Park 1:00

John

visiting fellow constituents

posted by John Winn

After a long drive back from Herefordshire on Friday I kept fairly close to home yesterday and within the parliamentary constituency of Selby and Ainsty, a rather oddly shaped affair stretching from the Lower Ure Valley round the south of York to Selby.

My first visit was to Selby CC and a York Senior league match with Stamford Bridge the visitors. Selby have played at Sandhill Lane since 1936 and share the facility with tle local rugby union club. I fell into conversation with a visiting supporter who had considerable knowledge of cricket grounds in the East Riding. Sewerby was her particular recommendation. She would have been pleased that her son's team ran out winners by eight wickets

As I left, Selby III were beginning a York Vale League game against Heworth III on the adjacent pitch. A neat bit of design provides electronic scoreboards for both matches.

 

The York Vale League is well represented in the Selby area and my next visit took me just a couple of miles down the A19 to the village of Burn. Having held up the quite busy traffic whilst I negotiated the very tight entrance to the small but nicely maintained ground I took a bench seat alongside a Dunnington supporter whose son was playing for their thirds who were taking on Burn II. Although he had lived in York for many years his county of birth was Herefordshire and we spent time discussing places I had visited on my short holiday. This was very much a 'lads and dads' match typified by the contrasting ages and sizes of the Dunnington openers. By some distance the younger and shorter of the two was twelve year old Harrison Mussles who exhibited some delightful strokes as the partnership flourished. A name for the future and possibly a headline writer's dream..  

 

It was pleasing to watch cricket  which, from the boundary at least, appeared to being played in a good spirit. Alas such is not always the case in the league for the website describes a number of cases where the administration has had to take action against miscreants.

 

Another short drive took me to Thorpe Willoughby and as I made the ten minute or so journey local radio informed me that this was the last 'Summer Saturday', not fortunately the weather forecast but a reminder that as from next week their Saturday afternoon schedule will be devoted to coverage of York City.  The ground at Thorpe Willoughby is on the outskirts of the village and shares a large playing field with the local football club, and, as if to emphasise Radio York's message there was a football match underway on a pitch quite separate from the large cricket playing area.

 

The cricket match in progress was a second division game with Thorpe hosting North Duffield. The home team were batting and were struggling a bit at 39 for 4. They currently occupy last position in the division and may find themselves in the third tier next year when the league will reduce from five divisions to four, a reflection of some losses in membership this year and last. My last stop of the afternoon was at The Riverside ground of Kelfield CC and a Division One game with Burn the visitors. Two mid table sides in action here with very few points between them before yesterday's match. As its name suggests the ground is close to the River Ouse and a nice touch are the stone flower troughs at each corner of the ground. Disappointingly however the enclosure is a little short on seating and I had to stand while watching Burn batting.

 

During the afternoon I had received a text informing me that my name was up in chalk at Ouseburn CC as match ball sponsor so I felt I should show my face at my local club. Arriving at tea I was dismayed to see that visitors Bishop Thornton had racked up 290 but was informed by groundsman Edward Pearson that the proximity of the wicket to the pavilion very much favoured batsmen and that such a total was gettable. As  is so frequently the case the Parker brothers got Ouseburn's reply off to a flier which had the added bonus of silencing the opposition's chirping and the website this morning shows a five wicket win thus retaining the home team's position at the top of the league. The York Vale website as yet (10:00 Sunday) does not have the results of yesterday's games.

 

A fairly quiet week ahead until Yorkshire take on the returning to form Warwickshire at Headingley with of course both teams minus their test players. The Bears have won their last two championship matches and are quite bullish about their prospects of retaining their championship. The recent hot weather seems likely to be replaced by more unsettled conditions but let's hope that it doesn't spoil the entertainment for what is sure to be a large crowd.

WHERE IS BURYTHORPE ?

By Brian Sanderson,

The forecast was that it would stay dry on the East coast so Ron Deaton and myself travelled in hope.I picked Ron up in York and it started to rain as we left the city.However our first stop at Westow it was sunny and they were playing Wheldrake.The field has just been cut and looked very neat.There was a new pavilion been built but the cricket club had to pay for the costruction as the Local Parish Council would not help them.

The next ground is only played on for evening league cricket but to-day Stamford Bridge Thirds were playing Yapham in the York Vale League.The thirds usually play on a Sunday at Stamford Bridge but Yapham objected and wanted to play to-day so this was the  nearest ground available.It is a beautiful small ground at the edge of the village and slopes down to a field of horses.

Next ground was Settington who were playing Filey in the Beckett League.The ground is typical of East Yorkshire grounds flat and no features with a Village Hall as a changing room.

Fourth ground was Hesleton were Sewerby Thirds were playing Sherburn Seconds.There was going to be a fair at Sewerby to-morrow so they could not play on their ground to-day.Hesleton ground and another multisport changing room but was a  large size.It was unusual to see two matches on neutral grounds for league matches.

For a cup of tea we stopped off at Sherburn ground who were playing Flockton.There was a new pavilion been built which was also be used by the football. It is a large building which will be excellent pavilion. At the moment they are changing in temporary buildings.Another large flat ground.The photograph above is of  the Sherburn wicket-keeper wearing my hat in the sunny weather.

Futher up the A64 we stopped off at Ganton who were being beat by Ravenscar.They had only scored 87 but there were so old photographs in the Village going back to 1898.There is a large horsechest tree on the ground.

Again along the A64 we stopped at Staxton who were play Duncumbe Park.The club was established in 1849 which makes it one of the earliest Yorkshire club.Another large ground with a football pitch nearby.The Park had scored 164 but were losing the match.

The last ground was Floxton and Flixton which is a well kept ground with a proper cricket pavilion with plenty of sets round the ground.It was a pity it was getting cool. They were play Kirbymoorside and were winning the match.

I was asked by Geraldo the Bradford and Bingley scorer on Friday were Bury thorpe was as he had never heard of it. It is about two miles west of Westow and four miles south of Malton so go and visit the excellent small ground.

POOR DAY FOR THE WHITE ROSE

By Brian Sanderson,

To-day was a short journey by car to Undercliffe and was met by Gerry of Middlesex fame.As the match was a two day match between Yorkshire under19,s against Middlesex under19,s.The first day was finished by a thunderstom which flooded the ground when Middlesex were all out for 258.This was helped by 10 and 11 batemen scoring 66.

I sat in the shade with Tony Hutton and Malcom to watch Yorkshire bat.At lunch-time they seem to be set to equal Middlesex score as they were four wickets down for 140 with Eddie Wilson batting well.During the innings David Thorpe and Brian Senior arrived at the ground.There was talk of another person from Huddersfield coming but this did not happen.

After lunch Yorkshire innings collapsed to be all out for about 180 with Eddie scoring 60.There was a programme to-day so we were able to find out the name of the players and the scoreboard but the players numbers up including the bowlers. Well done.

Middlesex batted again to set Yorkshire a target of 194 in twenty-five overs.However as I was leaving Yorkshire had lost six wickets for about 80 with 10 over to bowl.A poor show by Yorkshire and Middlesex were the better side which pleased Jerry.

SUN SET OVER SILTON FOR ANOTHER SEASON

By Brian Sanderson,

I usually publish  the blog when I arrive home but it was 10.30 P.M.when I walked through the door so I am doing this Friday morning.

Yesterday morning I popped into Weetwood were Yorkshire over 17 were playing Cheshire over 17 in a fifty over match. The last two days they had played each other which ended in a draw.When I arrived Karl Carver was starting to bowl his left arm spin which was to prove to much for Cheshires batsmen together with Leyshon.Carver took 5 for 20 and Leyshon 3 for 22 in twenty overs so causing Cheshire to be all out for 117.

After lunch it was Ryan Gibson turn to entertain us with 48 in 31 balls and a opening stand of 80 in 10 overs.He was out with a daft one-day shot but with Fraine scoring 54 not out Yorhshire won easily and early.During the afternoon Rafiq was practising his bowling and passing on tips to Leyshon which was good to see.

The main trip yesterday was a trip to Northallerton Evening League with Ron Deaton.There was one club neither had seen play on their ground and that was Northallerton Rugby Club who were playing Thornton-le-Moor .As you will see from the above photograph the Rugby Union side were starting to practise for the comiing season.One of the players was the son of the lady who had produced the excellent lunch at Darlington.A small world.The ground is in poor condition as  it was just the outfield of a rugby pitch and it is next to a main railway  line so is good for train spotting.

I was giving a fixture book for the league which shows numerous club gone out of exsistance ie Welbury,Romanby,Danby Wiske, Kirby Fleetham,Carlton,Great Smeaton and the evening side for Darlington cricket club.

Moving on to see the leaders of the leagueEast Harsley who were playing Leake.A contrast from the last ground as it was rural and well kept.There was even a five bar gate acroos the nets.The home side scored over 180 in twenty overs and Leake were soon two wickets down.

Moving on to our last match at Silton which has beautiful views of York Vale.The home side had scored 142 but East Cowton won in thirteen overs.This was the last match at Silton this season as they only play evening league. The league finishs next week. It had rain heavy at 6.30  for about ten minutes but as we left Silton there was a beautiful pink sky which should show a another warm day to-day.

Let us hope all eight clugs turn out next season.

FOLLOWING JOHN FOOTSTEPS

By Brian Sanderson,

Looking at the B.B.C weather forecast for Darlington it said there would be rain about 3.00P.M but decided to risk going.I picked my sister up in Ripon and within forty-five minutes we were having a cup of coffee with a fig biscuit.

This was the second day of Durham Seconds against Leicestershire who had batted first.When we arrived they had scored 280 for 2 with Wells not out on 134.The Second Team Annual states he is the son of John Wells, Leicester Tigers RUFC 1982 to date. and made is debut aged 16 years and 163 days.He went on to score 148 and Leicester declared at lunch at 388 for 7.

We decided to tuck in to the recommended food at lunch-time.For the price of £2 it was fill your boots time  which some people did.Best value for money on the cricket tour.The photograph above shows the old football ground at the back of the cricket ground.Soon this field will be full of houses so this may be the last photograph showing the state of the football ground.

After lunch Durham opened with Jennings and Clark. Jennings was born in Johannesburg and son of R.V.who played at Transvaal and Warwicks.However to-day he was soon out  but Jack Clark from Ashington scored 48 before he was out.Durham struggled all afternoon against the Leicester bowling which included Harry Bush who played for Leeds and Bradford University.

At the end of the day Durham were 230 for 9 and may have to bat to-morrow again.There was no rain all day.B.B.C wrong again.

Foxes pipped

 

posted by John Winn

 

 

The prospect of yet more settled weather attracted a good attendance of pcws to Darlington yesterday and I recognised faces representative of the region from the River Tyne in the north to the Don Valley in the south. The visitors for the first of four days second eleven cricket were Leicestershire  and yesterday's fare was a forty over pink ball SET game.

The team sheet showed a number of written in  changes  and there were three names unfamiliar to the South Terrace think tank. Wicketkeeper was Stuart Poynter who last year represented MCC Young Cricketers in the competition and who despite being born in London, earlier this month played for Ireland against the Netherlands. The other two 'unknowns' were  Parker and Foster.

Leicestershire won the toss and Durham were given first knock and Clark and Jennings set off at a good pace but it was not long before there was some loosening of the wheel nuts with a couple of run outs contributing to the loss of five wickets and the possibility that lunch might be taken early. This last point did not appear too distressing for some. The innings was rescued by good partnerships between firstly  Poynter and Ireland and then Poynter and Parker and closed on 188 for 8.

The inestimable Sue had provided the usual excellent spread, declared by Brian Senior to be ' the best in England' and on being questioned the doyen of cricket teas extended this to include the Isle of Man. High praise indeed so imagine my delight when, with my friends Michael Taylerson and Peter Sixsmith Sue called me to the head of the queue brushing aside some whippersnappers who seemingly had not recognised the precedence of seniority in these matters.

Replete, and some more replete than others, we resumed our seats for the start of the Foxes' reply. Like Durham, the visitors lost early wickets and were 33 for 3 at one point. Having to leave to catch my train at five o'clock I am grateful to Richie Hilton for posting the result on twitter which shows a three run win for Durham with Andy Ireland taking 4 for 42.

The two teams will start a three day SEC game today but for the first time in three weeks rain may well stop play at some point. I shall be Herefordshire bound still hoping that the Herefordshire Cricket Board will disclose the venue for their Under 17s game with Norway Under 19s.

 

VISIT TO THREE DURHAM GROUNDS

By Brian Sanderson,

I have wanted to go to The Racecourse ground for some years and to-day there was a Bunbury match played.My passenger to-day was Tony Hutton who has visited numerous grounds in this area so he could be the navigator to-day.

It was the 27th Bunbury U15 Festival played over five days at Maiden Castle,The Racecours and Riverside grounds.The Racecourse ground is situated  below a steep slope and next to the River Wear.It is a large ground with changing rooms in a pavilion.The match was between North v London @ East. over 50 overs. There was a half an hour delay as Paul Collingwood arrived late to present their regional caps.London batted first on a cloudy day which soon became very hot.They batted slowly against average bowling but managed to reach 204.During the match I walked down the side of the river to Durham City ground.The photograph above is from the ground towards Durham Cathedral.

At half-time we went back along the main road to the Maiden Castle ground which is a University complex ground so not as beautiful as the previous grounds.This match was between Midlands and South @ West.Midlands had scored 162 in 43 overs and according to one of their coachs batted poorly.South were soon losing wickets on a poor wicket.However we did see two good spinners bowling . These were Daniel Lloyd and Connor Marshall.The match was a close finish with Midland winning by 11 runs.

We went back to the North match to see the finish.They required 50 over 10 overs which they achieved with an over to spare.This wicket was more batsman friendly but no players stood out.

To-morrow they hope  that Midland  will play South and North play London but the weather forecast is poor.

Lemon cake has narrow escape at Follifoot

posted by John Winn

On Sunday I drove to Follifoot near Harrogate for a semi final in the Waddilove Cup the premier knockout cup for teams in the Aire Wharfe League. The ground is a favourite of mine surrounded as it is by trees and with red kites in the vicinity. Yesterday's  match was between Follifoot, who are rooted to the bottom of the top division and Burley in Wharfedale, currently second and  who the local press understandably saw as likely winners.

My appreciation of the ground was marred somewhat last year when my deckchair collapsed  leaving me helplessly waving arms and legs in the air while bystanders looked on as though I might be auditioning for Harrogate's got talent and should not be disturbed. No such incident yesterday as I joined a very good crowd as the first over got underway. The home team batted and made very slow progress losing an early wicket on an afternoon much cooler than of late. After nine overs and with the score at 18 for 1 opener Jimmy Pickles struck successive fours which changed the complexion of the innings. A tall left hander, Pickles dominated Follifoot's innings and he finished undefeated on 109. He hit two sixes, one through the open tea room door and narrowly missing a lemon cake which was part of a splendid spread.

Support from the middle order enabled Pickles to get the total up to 194 for 6 off their 45 overs, about thirty short of what was needed according to some supporters sitting near me. They were in touch with the golf, the test match, the other semi final and events at Headingley but still found time to make observations on events in front of them.

I  left at this point and went home to watch England clinch victory in the test match but in my absence Burley reached  their target with time to spare and three wickets in hand. Their hero was DR Brook who hit 105 off 101 balls with four sixes. Whether any  went into the tea room Total Cricket Scorer does not record. In the other semi final Beckwithshaw, who head the league by a considerable margin, overcame Otley by three wickets with just an over to spare, a tighter finish than might have been predicted. Thus arguably the two best teams in the league will compete in the final, lemon cakes take cover .The same advice might apply at Darlington CC this week knowing the likely audience for the games against Leicestershire II.

TWO CUP SEMI-FINALS

By Brian Sanderson,

To-day was the semi-finals of the Jack Hampshire Cup was is played for by Central Yorkshire clubs.Quoting from the Golden Jubilee brochure dated 1986 it states in 1985 Jack Hampshire died, at which point the CYCL decided that in view of Jack,s involvement in the introduction of this competition it should now be rescherduled to bear the name of Jack Hampshire.

The first match was between Altofts and Methley over 40 overs .Again quoting from the brochure , a difficult ground to find, close to Normanton, it is in the heart of mining country and clearly visible from the M62.They have played on their Lock Lane ground for over 100 years, their present pavilion having been built by mine owners , Pope @ Pearson in 1926.As the photograph shows the M62 and there is continous traffic noise which was a contrast to Esk Valley yesterday.

Altofts batted first and scored over 140 before been bowled out.Methley fielding was poor but were able to hold on to a few catches.The traffic noise was too much so I moved on to the second match Wrenthorpe and Hunslet Nelson.

Wrenthorpe have been winning all compertitions in this league for a few years as they have bought success however this year has changed.The main backer is pulling out which means that a number of paid players has moved on ie Gary Fellows and Paynter.I arrived at half time and the home side had scored 220 in their forty overs.The first person I met was Brian Senior dressed for summer but to-day had a cold wind.Moving round the ground I sat with the twins from Doncaster who I had last met at Cleethorpes.Hunslet Nelson were soon behind the run rate and started to lose wickets. As I left they were six wickets down with 9 over left wanting 100 runs.

At the moment Ican not find the results of the matches as they are not on total scorer or the league web-site..Also in either matches there was no programmes so I did not now the name of the players. Both problems could be solved easily.

favourite haunts

posted by John Winn

With a few days in Herefordshire planned this week I decided to keep driving to a minimum yesterday and took the train to Darlington. Whence, refreshed by a drink with old friends in The Red Lion, I took the bus out to Haughton le Skerne and the short walk  to the small village of Great Burdon where Haughton CC have played since at least the time of the photograph above which was taken in 1906. The man seated on the grass holding the ball is my grandfather John Winn and the smartly dressed scorer my father's oldest brother, Roland Winn,

I have written about visits to the ground in previous postings but I think I can be excused returning to it from time to time for it was where I first saw organised cricket and although the Winn family is no longer connected with the club the current first eleven skipper is a relation of mine but on my mother's side of the family. The attraction of yesterday's game was that it pitted second (Haughton) against first (Rockcliffe Park) in the A Division of the Darlington and District League. Games between these two sides go back at least 80 years and possibly even to the time of the photograph.

Haughton had won the toss and on a freshly prepared wicket had chosen to field. The wicket was lively and the opening bowlers used it well and it is credit to their sparing use of the short pitched ball that the first two wickets were bowled by good length deliveries. When I left after an hour the team from Hurworth, not far from the Croft motor racing circuit, had reached forty for four. Clearly they rallied well for 'play cricket' this morning shows they made 178 for 7 off their 40 overs. In an exciting finish the hosts won by two wickets with a ball to spare.

I caught the bus back to Darlington and walked down to Feethams where Darlington CC, a big hitter in the NYSD were taking on the itinerant Normanby Hall (see Nomadic Normanby 20/5/13) The principal object of my visit was to check out the progress of the development of the football ground ahead of four days of cricket at this most attractive of grounds starting tomorrow when Durham II entertain the Foxes' cubs in an SET game. This is to be followed by a three day game beginning on Tuesday. The spectre of a procession of builders' lorries down the river side of the ground while play was in progress had cropped up in conversation at Pudsey on Friday but rest easy gentlemen, for the national buddleia collection is thriving and just this last week club chairman Brian Johnson expressed his disappointment that work had not yet begun. Further good news is that the refreshments looked as mouth watering as ever

When I arrived the Normanby tail was mounting something of a recovery from 78 for 7 but were eventually out for 116, never likely to be a winning total. Despite the loss of two early wickets Darlington got home by 7 wickets with time to spare and after sixteen games are second in the table a point behind Marton.

RETURN TO ESK VALLEY

By Brian Sanderson,

Ron Deaton had plaaned to-days trip for a few weeks into the Esk Valley.Nigel Pullin had tried  to visit the grounds previously but with little success.The weather forecast was it would be coolier on the East Coast and as we arrived at Castleton it started to drizzle.This forced us to have our sandwiches in the porch of the pavilion.Last year  the club had to play their matches away as the mower was broken and the grass could not be cut however they were back playing at their ground.It looked as the grass had recently been cut  and they rolled the wicket before the match.The above photograph shows five people pushing it.

The next ground was Danby which is the next village.They were playing Glaisdale who earlier in the season had asked for more players which and some success as they were still playing eventhough one of the players was about eleven years old.

The next match was the match of the day at Fryup who were playing Sleights.Since our last visit a new changing rooms have been built and they have purchased their ground.Also there is plans to build a woodern pavilion subject to planning permission.Sleights were short of some regular players and only scored 108 in 28 overs.As we arrived Fryup were well on the way to winnning the match.We were able to obtain some tea while talking to the friendly spectators.As we left the ground Fryup had won the match.

Next ground was Goatland which is next to the River Esk and the Whitby -Middlesborough railway line.Sitting watching the match was a eighty-seven years old man who hah been invovled with the club all his live and we heard some stories about some of the clubs which no longer play in this league.

On the way back to Pickering we popped into Lockton were Nigal had not watched any cricket before.
They were playing Flamborough who had been forced to reduced their teams to one as they were struggling for players.Myself and Ron had viisited the ground two weeks ago.

Arrived home at 10 o,clock another long but enjoyable day.

QUICK MATCH AT PUDSEY

By Brian Sanderson,

To-day was a short drive to Pudsey Congs were Yorkshire Seconds were playing Glamorgan in a 40 overs match.The weather was again hot so  I sat in the shade with Tony Hutton and Malcom.We were joined later by John Winn.The time of the match had been put back to 11 o,clock from 12 which confused a number of supporters who arrived late.

I spent the first few overs selling the scorecards round the ground.The number of spectators at the match was about over eighty which was better than any day at Headingley this week.Glamorgan batted first and soon lost quick wickets to the bowling of Asraf and Whitelaw.The only batsman to score any runs was Thomas Lancefield who was released by Surrey in 2012. He scored 80 out of a total of 185 in 37.5 overs.
Another Yorshire wicket taker was Rafiq who took 3 for 35.

After lunch Hodgson started quickly against some poor bowling. He was soon out and it was left up to Rafiq to become the top scorer with 80. He scored quickly with some agricultural shots to the leg side. A photograph above is of Rafiq  batting to-day.The top partnership of 81 was with Rafiq and Rhodes..

The match finished at about 3.45 which was about one and half hours earilier than it should have which was a pity on a beautiful day.However there is still Rugby League to-night.

NINE HOURS OF CRICKET

By Brian Sanderson,

After doing the weekly shop I arrived at Headingley with Yorkshire eight wickets down in their second innings.Another hot day which made me to watch the match from the shade of the Rugby stand.By just after twelve  o, clockYorkshire were all out for 161 with Pyrah scoring 71.

Glamorgan had to score 206 in about 78 overs so they had plenty of time to win. However the Australian Walters was out to Wardlaw.By lunch-time Glamorgan had lost three wickets so Yorkshire had the unusual chance to win a match.However due to some bad shots and good bowling they were bowled out for 128 with the wickets sprend out.In one over 14 runs were scored of Pyrah but still finished with 3 for 29.There must have been about 30 spectators watching the match but I am sure there will be more to-morrow for the one-day match at Pudsey Congs.

After joining Ron Deaton we went to watch three matches in the Northallerton Evening League.The first match was at Ingleby Cross against the Rugby Club which is a beautiful ground.There are hills in the background and the pitch  had recently cut which made it look in good condition.The Rugby Club had only nine men and a black Labrador which stayed on the ground while it,s owner played cricket. It never chased the ball so shown good behaviour.

Next match was Thornton-le-Moor against East  Harsley which was at half-time when we arrived.It is a large ground near the main London - Edingburgh railway line.The home side had  been fielding leaving them to score 111 to win.When we left in looked like they would not win.

The final match was at South Kilvington  against Silton who were winning easily after scoring 149.The ground is very near the A19 so there is a lot of traffic noise.We left just after nine o,clock on  warm night.
Long and enjoyable day. More to-morrow.

A day at Maiden Castle.

posted by John Winn

This week's matches between Durham II and Warwickshire II were originally scheduled for The Riverside but preparations for this Saturday's  Jesse J concert (got your ticket?) meant that both the SET and the SEC games were switched to the university sports centre at Maiden Castle, a few minutes bus ride out of the city centre on Stockton Road.

I had last visited the site in the same month that England won the Jules Rimet Trophy to compete in an athletics' meeting. The track is still there but everything else seemed new including the cricket field not to mention the rowing tank and the splendid refreshment facilities.With captain Singh having lost the toss 'yet again' the Bears' cubs chose to bat. Slow to start the tempo never really increased. Mid afternoon my wife texted me to ask how the cricket was going. My reply was 'not very exciting' but that this did not really matter so good was the conversation.There was indeed a good turnout of pcws (North Eastern branch) and seated in the shade, replenished by a good lunch and of course weather that begins to draw comparisons with 1976 for prolonged high temperatures, slow cricket was not really a problem.

Maiden Castle does have its disadvantages for there is no permanent seating and nothing that could really be called a pavilion: the players and scorers were protected from the sun by two gazebos. The pitch was understandably dry and Brathwaite in particular worked up a sharp pace with considerable lift at times. It is understood the Bajan's contract will not be renewed at the end of this season and given the advance of Rushworth, Wood and other youngsters it is not surprising news.

Chief run getter for Warwickshire was Sam Hain, who has an interesting pedigree .Eighteen  earlier this week Hain was born in  Hong Kong but holds  a British passport but was part of the Australian U19 squad last year. He has now committed his future to England and presumably the Bears.

Keeping wicket for Durham was a young man whose name, Tyler Easton, was unknown to most of us but who has shown good form for Redcar in the NYSD this season,  top scoring against Marske with 56. Just a thought but last time I looked, which was only about two weeks ago, Redcar was in Yorkshire.

I left at tea to catch one of the frequent buses that pass the ground and was back in York at 5:30 pleased to have visited a new ground which was shown to its best advantage but  I should mention that it might not be the most favoured of spots on an April day.

The photograph below has no connection with Maiden Castle or yesterday's cricket or even Durham or Warwickshire. The splendid bunch of chaps are Thisk Junction CC winners of the Thirsk and District league in 1933. I include it merely to show I have finally mastered the technology required to upload photographs to the blog. To avoid forgetting the procedures I will need to keep repeating them. You have been warned.

ANOTHER RECORD AT CHESTERFIELD

By Brian Sanderson,

On a hot wednesday morning I went with Brian Workman to Chesterfield to watch the first day of Yorkshire against Derbyshire.We arrived early to find a shady spot under a tree for protection against the strong sun.Next to us was Phil Jaques wife and little son watching the cricket. Chesterfield is a beautiful spot in the sun to watch cricket and a lot better than watching cricket in a stadium.

Phil Jaques was soon in as  Adam Lyth was soon out on the score of 22.We were joined by Peter Dibb so I was surrounded by knowledgeable supporters.Lees struggled at first and could have been out on a few occassions but his luck was in to day.At lunch Yorkshire had scored 151 for 1.

During the afternoon we were visited by Peter Davies who I last saw in the Saddleworth league a few months ago.Phil Jaques son  was playing happly  while his father scored another hundred.Also Alex Lees scored his third first class century this season.By tea-time Yorkshire had scored 285 for 1..

Propects of scoring 400 before the end of the day was in sight. However Jaques was out at 333 and he had scored 139.However by the endof the days play Yorkshire had only scored 367 for 2. Alex finished on 171 not out.He will be tired but happy with  his score. Lees and Jaques scored the highest second wicket partnership against  Derbyshire beating Denton and Rotthery 305 also at Chesterfield.

SUNNY AFTERNOON IN HEADINGLEY

By Brian Sanderson,


I had to go elsewhere this morning so was unable to go to see the opening morning of Yorkshire Seconds against Glamorgan.As I arrived on a hot sunny afternoon Yorkshire were batting with Jack Leaning and William Rhodes.

Jack Leaning has been scoring a lot of runs for York ,his league club  and batted well last week at Stamford Bridge.Again he looked in good form until he was L.B.W to Murphy for 77 and looked a bad decision from the Rugby Stand end.A number of people watched the match from here because it was in the shade.Among the spectators were Tony Hutton, Malcolm and Andy from York.

Rhodes was joined by Ric Pyrah as he now likes to be know as but was soon out caught behind .As he left the field he threw his gloves,bat and helmet on the floor before going to the dressing room.This gives a poor example to the younger Yorkshire players.

I had to leave early to go to a Rugby League Heritage meeting but Rhodes went on to score 89. Yorkshire declared at 304 for 6.

The photograph is of Sir F.S.Jackson going through the gates at Headingley in 1938 so I was following in the steps of one of Yorkshire great players.

Sleepless in Killinghall

Posted by John Winn

At our village annual summer BBQ on Saturday evening I chatted with Susan Parker, the rightly proud mother of Ouseburn CC's opening bats, Tom and Sam Parker. That afternoon I had watched the two lads lead Ouseburn's reply to Masham's 154 for 8. Tom made 47 and Sam 77 not out in a nine wicket win that keeps them 1 point behind Blubberhouses at the top of the Nidderdale Premier. Our conversation turned to Sunday and Ouseburn's Atkinson Swires Cup semi final  away to Killinghall and Sue explained that Sam was on his way to Reading in connection with his work but would be back in time for cup match.

After watching the finish to the test match, and if the rest of the series matches it for tension even Joe Root will be looking for grey hairs, I travelled over to Killinghall with my fellow villager John Gawthrope. The ground there is an attractive one tucked away behind the village hall on Otley Road and when we arrived who should be leading an Ouseburn recovery but the much travelled but little rested Sam. Brother Tom had been an early victim along with number three Sam Dale but gradually stepping up the pace Sam went on to make 149 out of 257, the tenth wicket going down in the last of the forty overs.

I lost count of the number of sixes that Tom  hit; into the gardens square of the wicket, into the car park by the entrance and into the field at the far end. I understand houses are to be built in this field which will detract from the ground's charms. If Sam is batting when they are occupied it would be advisable to check the small print of insurance policies.

Such a total was always likely to be too many for Killinghall and although they scored quite quickly they lost wickets and were six down when John and I left at 6:15, home in time to enjoy my usual Sunday evening sharpener and a warm glow coming up from the Nottingham area The final score was not available on the league website this morning but Sue confirmed by email that Killinghall had fallen short and the website later showed  that this was by exactly 100 runs and so Ouseburn will go forward to the final at Newby Hall on August 4th against either Blubberhouses or Spofforth.

If Sam Parker can bat like that on one hour's sleep then skipper Chris Morrison might advise all his troops to have a late night before the big game.

ANOTHER VISIT TO ST LAWRECE GROUND

By Brian Sanderson,

I have visited Toft Road home of Pudsey St Lawrence ground for about 40 years and this match was a Priestley Cup Semi-Final against Lightcliffe.Arriving early so that I could watch the finish of the first Test from Trent Bridge.Also watching the match was James Goldthorpe who son was playing for St. Lawrence  which is also one of his previous clubs.The semi-final started at 1.00 but the Ashes Test match was still been played as England  took a extra half hour.

Lightcliffe were batting with Charlie Roebuck ex Yorkshire Academy and Leeds and Bradford Universty and he scored 10 runs of the first ball as there was a no-ball.However two balls later he was out.At the other end was Chris Taylor ex Yorkshire and Derbyshire.Taylor gloved a catch to the wicket-keeper but the umpire turned it down.This caused  a few rude words to Taylor but like Broad he did not walk.A few overs later there was a disputed run out attempt  with Taylor involved again which was again turned down by the same umpire.

Beenwhile back  at Trent Bridge Austalia wanted 20 runs to win and only one wicket to fall.Soon Anderson obtained a thin edge of Brad Haddin bat after five minutes the third umpire give him out. This produced the loudest cheer of the day.Leaving the clubhouse Lightcliffe was going along slowly. After 26 overs they were 112 for 2 and then Taylor reached his fifty.I watched this part of the match with Brian Cobb who was sitting in the shade.

In the last 8 overs Lightccliife scored 98 runs mainly due to Khan who became the highest scorer at 68. Lightcliffe score after 50 overs was 288 for 6 which looked a match winning score.

After the break I started to talk to a ex-player in the Saddleworth League who was a wicket-keeper like myself. So there was plenty to talk about and  he wanted some information about the Bradford League.After 26 overs Pudsey were 97 for 3 with Khan taking all the wickets.They did well to finish losing by 22 runs when they scored 264.

In the other semi-final Hanging Heaton beat Bradford and Bingley with Gary Fellows scoring 136. The final is at Farsley.

DRIVING BETWEEN LEAGUES

By Brian Sanderson,

John mention last month about visiting Redcar and it was our turn this week.Ron Deaton had worked out one of his trips to the Cleveland area  on a sunny Saturday.Redcar are in the Yorkshire and South Durham League which was due to start at 1.30 however they started eleven minutes early against Maske Seconds.This allowed us to watch more cricket before moving on to grounds.I like grounds next to the sea and this club was a place were I could watch my cricket. The above photograph is of the ground which is overlooked by The Lobster Inn.

Moving into the Cleveland League which consists of seven clubs and ten sides.The ground is just outside of Redcar called Dormanstown who were playing Smith Docks first X1.The ground used to be run by the Steel Company but a few years ago they shacked the groundsman and asked the cricket club to look after the ground.It is a large playing area next to a Nature Sanctuary and looked in good condition.The clubhouse used to belong to the Bowls Club which is no longer playing.The League tried to go into the Langbaugh  League but were turned down.

Driving another few miles we visited Smith Docks ground in a local park and they were playing Loftus.
The first thing you see is the clubhouse which has iron railings round it and looks like a stockade.The outfield was covered in clover but the wicket seemed to play well.There is some good views to the hills in the distance but the clubhouse is the main memory  of the club.

Next ground was Marton in the North Yorkshire and South Durham league which we visited last week when the match had finished.To-day they were playing Thornaby who are bottom of the Premier League.Two Marton batsmen scored centuries against some poor bowling. There seem to have no morale and one player hoped they would be relegated which they should be as they are 40 points behind the next team.

Moving on we went back into the Cleveland League at Nunsthorpe who were playing Cowpen Bewley This ground is in a sports complex but look well kept and is a big area.Also there is a excellent clubhouse were we  were able to obtain a good tea.Quite a contrast to Smith Docks.

Moving back to North Yorkshire and South Durham at Great Ayton who were playing Saltburn.The ground is hard to find as there is no signs on the road giving a clue were the ground is.I do wish teams would help visitors to find their ground.I found a excellent program with the names of the teams and news about the club.
Another well kept ground which has a new clubhouse.

The last match was in the Langbaugh League at Swainby who were playing Scruton.By this team it was about 6.15  but there was still 15 overs to bowl.The home side were chasing 221 which they finished eleven runs short.The match started at 2.00 and was a forty over match  so were running late.The players said they took a long tea break as the food was so good.Good to finish the day watching village cricket.

Bunbury Festival

posted by John Winn

I mentioned in a post made earlier in the week that I had accidentally shortened the forthcoming Bunbury Festival, so here are some more details.

Monday 22nd July

10:45 at The Racecourse, Durham.         North v London and East
          at Maiden Castle, Durham             Midlands v South and West

Tuesday 23rd July

10:45 at The Racecourse                         North v South and West
           at Maiden Castle                           Midlands v London and East

Wednesday 24th July at The Riverside 20/20 matches

12 noon                                                    Midlands v London and East followed by

                                                                 North v South and West


Thursday 25th July                                  

10;45 at The Racecourse                        North v Midlands
           at Maiden Castle                          London and  East v South and West

Friday    26th July                                 

  10 :30   at The Racecourse                  20/ 20 Final
                at Green Lane (Durham City ground) Third  Place match

These two grounds are adjacent

VISITORS FROM AUSTRALIA

By Brian Sanderson,

David Thorpe e-mailed me on Monday to say that Golcar X1 were playing Newcastle Cavaliers to-day at 1.30.Among the Golcar side was Eddie Wilson who had been Yorkshire Second  wicket-keeper in the last four days.

The Australians were batting as I arrived and soon Peter Dibb joined me in the shade.Peter still plays cricket eventhough he is in his 70,s and will be playing tto-morrow for Penquins at Silcoates School.After awhile Peter France joined us  so I was in the middle of knowledge of Huddersfield cricket.The highlight of the first session was a brillant stumping down the legside.It is good as any stumping this season.The Australians scored over 240 runs in the fifty overs.The bowling was gentle  and the young Australian side made the most of it.

At tea-time I helped to roll the pitch and David very kindly  bought me a excellent tea.The Golcar opening batsman was soon out to a excellent catch.The Australian bowling was also gentle a number of balls found the nearby gardens.Eddie Wilson came in at number four and was still batting as I left.They had scored 140 for 2 in 27 overs so Golcar should win the match.

A excellent  brochure shows that they will be travelling to London were they will be playing Ealing on Monday.All the very best for all the party while they are in England.

Shame about the cricket

posted by John Winn

Meeting Mike Taylerson at York Station we decided against queueing to see the A4 locomotives at the NRM and instead enjoyed a pleasant walk, partly by the river, to St  Peter's School for the fifth and last match of this year's Yorkshire Schools' festival, an event which has been going for 90 years, Can it ever have had better weather?

Today's opponents were Durham Academy but as last year they seemed only to have brought a scratch side. We were soon joined by Tony Hutton and a little later, Malcolm who kept us in touch with events at Trent Bridge. Durham batted first and lost a wicket in the first over and apart from a little rally for the third wicket struggled constantly against some excellent Yorkshire bowling. To compound their difficulties they contrived a run out and twenty minutes before lunch they were all out for 60. Not what pcws had in mind on such a lovely day.

Yorkshire began their reply confidently and continued thus after lunch and a ten wicket win looked likely until just before the target was reached a wicket fell but it meant nothing and victory was assured by half past two completing a festival clean sweep for the Yorkshire lads. During the lunch interval we had been joined by Brian Senior, far from impressed that he was to see so little cricket. Disappointing though the cricket was the conversation was good and notes were compared on the next couple of weeks' cricket. When two or three are gathered together what Mr Senior calls the 'hidden agenda' of cricket comes to the surface, exposing matches at various levels and various grounds.

 For many Queen's Park, Chesterfield will be the puller next week but for those who prefer quieter fare there is second eleven cricket at Maiden Castle, the sports ground for Durham University which will be a first for me and I look forward to seeing how the facilities have changed since I competed in athletics' events there in the 1960s.Interspersed with these county matches there are plenty of schools' matches.

Durham move closer to safety.

posted by John Winn

Because of a late start yesterday I eschewed the choo choo and drove to Chester le Street arriving thirty minutes after the start of play to find Durham building on their lead over Derbyshire to the point where even if Joe Root had been whisked away from Trent Bridge and transferred to Derbyshire a home defeat seemed out of the question. Keaton (I would love to call him Buster but he is far too lean for that) Jennings duly passed his 93 of the first innings and a slightly hurried single brought him to his maiden championship century. As one who called for his promotion twelve months ago I have been delighted by his progress this season and his dismissal shortly after lunch was the signal for Stoneman to declare.

Derbyshire were left with 473 needed for their first victory of the season and although I suppose it is obligatory for the captain and or coach to deliver some encouraging words before starting  such an impossible task I think even the great motivators would have struggled with this challenge. In my mind Karl Krikken, the Derbyshire coach, is best remembered for his cry of 'bowling' when he was the county's wicket keeper, not much use in these circumstances. Whatever was said didn't seem to cut the mustard because before tea Derbyshire were reduced to 49 for 5, a low point sufficient to silence even the small group of their supporters seated in front of me. Finally, and all this came after 113 all out on Wednesday some resistance was offered when Chanderpaul was joined by Poynton and they added 98 for the sixth wicket until Rushworth snared 'Shiv' and when Breeze had Wainwright lbw the possibility of it all being wrapped up before stumps seemed on. It was not to be and the bails were removed at 6:15.

During the lunch interval I visited the excellent second hand book shop in the media centre and for less than the price of a pint purchased a biography of Tich Freeman, the legendary leg spinner  of the inter war years. How nice it was on my way back to my seat to fall into conversation with a ninety year old man, a regular at The Riverside and  who remembers seeing Freeman play at Sunderland in 1931. When you are 90 who will you remember watching?

With Durham needing to take only three wickets for victory few would have made the journey this morning but our Hartlepool correspondent suffered a cancelled train and arrived fifteen minutes late, precisely the moment when Footitt's stumps were wrecked by Stokes to complete Durham's fifth win of the season .Unfortunately Mr Taylerson had not got within viewing distance of the cricket. The victory moves Durham into second place behind Sussex who they have to yet play this season. Interesting.

In Tuesday's blog I rather short changed the Bunbury Festival at Durham in two weeks time. The finals are not on Wednesday for there is cricket on both Thursday and Friday at the Racecourse, Maiden Castle and the ground of Durham City.  I will give full details in a future posting.

BAD DEFEAT FOR YORKSHIRE

By Brian Sanderson,

On a sunny morning I set off with Brian Senior to Stamford Bridge to see the last day of the Yorkshire Seconds match.When we arrived the sky was was cloudy which made it better to watch cricket.

The situation of the match was the two teams were nearly all square and M.C.C were batting again with one wicket down.Yorkshire had to take wicket early so they could have enough time to win the match.The wicket of Gough soon fell to a good catch by Eddie Wilson.However Christopher  Damien Piesley, ex Kent,
started to bat well which brough him 120 runs  and was never in trouble until he took a swing at Leaning when they were chasing runs.None of the Yorkshire bowled well but there was a new spinner.This was Oliver Robinson ex Kent, who had bowled medium pace in the first innings.He bowled 16 overs taking two wicets for 66 runs.M.C.C declared a tea -time at 277 for 9 . This left Yorkshire to score 252 in 37 overs.

Lees was out first ball caught at slip of a spinner so not a good start as he was one of only  three recognised batsmenWickets fell steadingly apart from Jack Leaning who went on to be last out for 66.The photograph above is of him batting with fielders round the bat.

Yorkshire were bowled out in just over 20 overs which was very poor.They should have been good enough to get a draw.There next match is on Tuesday against Glamorgan at Headingley.Things will have to improve inorder for them to win.

WHITE ROSE VICTORY

By Brian Sanderson,

On my birthday I took my sister for the first time to St Peters School at York.There is a five days of cricket at the school involving Yorkshire Senior Schools.To-day match was against Lancashire Academy who had just finished a two day match at Todmordon.However this team consisted of some trailists.

The first I saw was David from Brighouse who had just come back from two days at Cleethorpes seeing the last two days of the Minor county match .I saw the first day play on Sunday, see Day at the Seaside.The match finished a draw at 6.00 when Lincolnshire wanted over 100 in 17 overs with eight  wickets left. Good match.

Yorkshire batted to-day against a good Lancashire attack.Lunch was taken at 1,15 when 35 overs had been bowled and Yorkshire were about 120 for 4.We went for some lunch at a local cafe.While I was there a young girl asked for some rhubarb  tea and this was a first for me.

When we came back Yorkshire scored 220 in their forty overs.In the interval I took some photographs  and the one above is of Yorkshire waiting for Lancashire to come out to bat.Yorkshire  soon got some wickets but a fifth wicket stand  gave Lancashire a chance.

They took tea break wanting about 170 in about 35 overs.But soon after Yorkshire bowler Henderson took two wickets in two balls which caused a Lancashire collapse. So by 5.00 Lancashire were all out for 101 with 20 overs to spare. This was Yorkshire third win in the same number of days and they play M.C.C to-morrow.

RELATIVES MATCH

By Brian Sanderson,

On a warm Tuesday morning I had a trip to the first day of Yorkshire Seconds and M.C.C. Young Crickerters.The most vital object of the day was to find soms shade under the trees.The first person I met was Ismail Dawood who was one of the umpires in the match. I have know n hiim for a number of years as a umpire and a player.Next arrive was Brian Workman who was watching his first second team match.

The M.C.C side had a number of interesting players :

William Root who is the brother of Joe.
Liam Gough who is the son of Darren ex Yorkshire and England
Andrew Clark brother of Jordan  Lancashire.
Jamie Hoddle son Glen England Manager.
Stuart Poynter brother of A.D  Middlesesx.

MC.C batted first with William Root scoring 45 in a opening stand of 66.At lunch-time I was sitting next to a spectator who was scoring the match.He found that two runs was missed off the total and the Yorkshire scorer Howard Clayton agreed with him so the score was altered.

Yorkshire used ten bowlers on the very warm day and they were captained by Steve Pattinson who was recovering from a broken toe.By six o,.clock Yorkshire bowled out M.C.C for 298 in 89.3 overs.The highlight after tea was a studding catch by Robinson at second slip to remove  Hampton  off the bowling of Rhodes. It was hard work for Yorkshire and they came off the pitch tired out.

At this time I decided to go home and try and beat the York traffic.

Jennings makes runs against Derbyshire

posted by John Winn

While my absence from Weetwood was being noted I was making the drive, bus, train, bus, walk, trip to The Riverside for a Monday start in the county championship with Durham entertaining Derbyshire in the competition for the first time since 2005. Catching an earlier bus than usual from Durham I arrived in plenty of time to take a seat with my friend Michael Taylerson on the old scorebox side of the ground. It could perhaps now be called the 'new seat side' for something like 6000 new seats are now ready for next month's teat match. Rumours abound about these seats, one being that this time last year they were being installed at Horseguards' Parade for beach volleyball.

In the continued absence of Paul Collingwood, Durham were led by Mark Stoneman, who has now captained the side in all three competitions and he began by losing the toss and Derbyshire skipper Madsen invited Mark and his opening partner KK Jennings to bat first. Although the morning was warm there was  cloud cover but when 'The Peakites' took the field those who had sun glasses reached for protection from the dazzling glare of the whiteness of Derbyshire's kit. Alongside them the Durham openers looked as though they were cast as the 'grey' in the old Persil adverts.

Stoneman who a month ago was touted in a national publication as a possible international cricketer has not been in great form lately and he was soon gone for four and when Borthwick followed at 52 for 2 Madsen probably thought he had made the right decision. Jennings and Smith got through to lunch and when the latter was dismissed Richardson walked to the crease, seemingly promoted above  Stokes. Whether his elevation had rather been sprung upon him is not known but he was uncharacteristically skittish and went cheaply and when it was Mustard in next the rumour mill switched its aim from the new seats to the continued absence of Stokes .Called to Trent Bridge was one preposterous notion. Upset stomach it turned out.

Mustard and Jennings added 90 but when Jennings fell seven short of a maiden championship century the new ball in the hands of Footitt, whose selection had been met by groans from a good size Derbyshire contingent, prompted the fall of the five for 29. Stokes lasted only five balls, perhaps that was all the time he could spare. 253 all out, whilst disappointing in the light of 222 for 4, is the mean score for the team batting first at The Riverside this season and that has been the home team in all five games. The dismissal of Hughes to the second ball of the Derbyshire innings and stumps at 15 for 1 probably left both teams reasonably happy.

I mentioned in a previous posting that this week in Yorkshire offers riches to the pcw and an email from David Thorpe yesterday promises another delight at Golcar on Friday when Newcastle (Australia) Junior Cavaliers take on a young Golcar XI with a 1:30 start.

Finally thanks to Tony Hutton for details of this year's Bunbury Festival which is to be held in Durham, week beginning Monday 22nd July with the finals on the Wednesday at The Riverside. I note that the players will meet Paul Collingwood at Collingwood College for the presentation of caps. Supply your own joke.

And really finally one for the stattos: Gareth Breeze and Shiv Chandepaul are on opposite sides in this match but  both played for West Indies in Madras in October 2002 in what proved to be Breeze's only test (probably).

TIED MATCH

By Brian Sanderson,

On a cloudy but warm day Iwent up to Weetwood to see Yorkshire Seconds against M.C.C. Young Cricketers in a forty over match.The was a good crowd for the match and included Peter France from Huddersfield.I was met by comments about the weather as in seems Huddersfield was bathed in sunshine.However the sun came out and it became very hot. This caused me to go to the shade of the pavilion to eat my dinner.

Meanwhile Yorkshire batted first and had four first team players playing.The openers were Lyth and Lees.
There were two run outs in the first two wickets which seem a waste of two good batsmen.Lyth was left to score at will and was dropped on numerous occasions which enabled him to score a century.Tony Hutton arrived after watching the beginning of Yorkshire Academy against a Australian side at New Rover ground which is very close to Weetwood.Yorkshire scored over 270 and looked a good total.By this time Bob Procter arrived after his trip to Worcester to see the Australians.

M.C.C started off very quickly and looked in no problems and it was not until Rafiq started bowling the wickets started to fall.In the end he took four wickets included a brillant caught and bowled.Brian Senior arrived togother with Mick Bourne  so nearly all the P.C.W were at the match apart from John Winn.
In the final over M.C.C required three to win with one wicket left. It was left to Wardlaw of Cleckheaton and Scotland fame to bowl the final over. There was a two scored and then a catch by Sawyers tied the match. The photograph is after the catch with the batsman upset and the Yorkshire players going over to Wardlaw.Yorkshire bowling was poor apart from Rafiq but the M.C.C poor fielding made a exciting finish.Some people had gone over New Rover and missed the excitement.