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.
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