COUNTRY ROADS

By Brian Sanderson,

Another organised trip to the Esk Valley League  with Ron Deaton,Ron Stansfield and driver Nigel Pullin.
The first ground we visited was Goathland which is the middle of Heartbeat country.The ground is situated behind a pub and is behind a farm.It is not the largest ground but it is good enough to enjoy country cricket.We visited the ground last year but it is the first time any of us had seen cricket played here.Whilst we were eating our sandwiches the guest umpire arrived who stated it was his first visit to the ground and was a ex -football referee.

Moving North we went to Staiths who were playing Mulgrave Seconds.As we arrived the home side had scored 150 for one in about twenty-two overs.The Mulgrave side consisted of a number of young children including a lad of nine years old which is the youngest player I had seen in a league match.It is a very nice ground near a stream which the ball landed in two times we were there and had to be rescued by a net.

Moving further North we went to Mulgrave  who were playing Oriel in the Derwent League.Mulgrave have been awarded G@M Club of the Month in this month Cricketer.Twelve years ago the club moved to this new ground,built a new square and ecofriendly pavilion and this year changed to the Derwent Valley League in an attempt to progress further.Close ties with the Yorkshire Cricket Board , Football Foundation and other charties helped raised the money.

The photograph above shows the new pavilion.

Driving through the country roads were arrived at Leaholm who,s ground is situated behind some houses and you enter through a small gap.It is a nice ground with excellent views.The photograph below shows how rural the area is.

They were playing  Grosmont who had scored 133 whilst the home side were 65 for 5 with eighteen  to go so the match was even. However you can not find the results on the internet or in the local paper.While we were walking round the ground we saw a old roller in the long grass and it the first photograph which reminded me of Mick Bourne.All the very best to him at the present time.

The last match was at Westerdale who were still playing at seven o.clock about five hours after they had first started. Again the ball had to be fished out of the stream.The home side are playing in a Cup Final to-morrow against Fryup.

This will be our last visit this season to this league but we will return hopefully next seaason.This is the first time I have put more than one photograph on the blog and I hope people like them. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.