Weetwood played host to an extravaganza of sport yesterday. The England Women's Rugby Union squad are in residence for a training camp, a number of youngsters were enjoying a hockey summer school and Yorkshire Under 17s were taking on their Durham counterparts on the first of two days of an ECB County Championship Div IA match. Alas extravaganza with its implications of variety and spectacular entertainment offers a misleading description of the last of these three events for at least up to five o'clock the cricket rarely rose above ordinary and the run rate a little over two. If you were seeking amusement then it was best provided by the sight of small hockey goalkeepers walking in enormous pads. Brian suggested that should 'It's a knockout' be revived then this might provide excellent entertainment.
Despite some competing matches in the Leeds area the under 17s had drawn a quality field of pcws and good conversation, enlivened by an appearance from John Rex, made the pedestrian cricket more than bearable. The rules of this competition place an emphasis on high scoring in the first innings and Durham's intention of batting Yorkshire out of the game was clear to see. The lunch score off 33 overs was 76 for 1. Yorkshire, weakened by England under 19 calls tried seven bowlers in the session with Thompson the most economical.
After lunch Burnham and Hickey produced more attacking shots aided by good fortune when Yorkshire put down a couple of difficult chances. Burnham went for 62 and Hickey for 39 and when Tony Hutton and I left at five o'clock the total was 187 for 5, the run rate still below three. This is a final and must win match for Yorkshire if they are to progress to the semi finals of the competition while Durham play their last game at Hartlepool next week. The semi finals are on the 20th and 21st of August and the final at Arundel on August 29th and 30th August.
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