Wandering in Ribblesdale

The A59 took me westwards yesterday to the Clitheroe area and matches in The Ribblesdale league. I began at Whalley*, close to the birthplace of Cyril Washbrook, where in the A section Ribblesdale Wanderers were the visitors. New home skipper Richard Lamb had made all the right kind of noises in The Clitheroe Advertiser: 'big challenge',' this could be our year', 'take it one game at a time', you know the kind of stuff. The new season began a couple of minutes early at 1:28 on a sunny day when, if shelter was sought from an April breeze watching was a comfortable experience. The Station Road ground is an attractive tree lined enclosure and the pavilion (below) looks in good shape for its 91 years. Inside are some good photographs dating from the Edwardian era including one of the club's championship side of 1906.

Whalley had lost the toss and been put in and progress was slow against accurate bowling, 13 without loss off the first 9 overs. Time to move on and I asked for directions to my next ground from a local who used the pre sat nav command  'use your nose' several times,  which I duly did retracing my steps to Clitheroe and Church Meadow where Ribblesdale Wanderers II were taking on Read II. Church Meadow may conjure up a romantic Cardusian picture but the ground does not quite meet one's expectations. There is a church at one end, and I suppose if the groundsman failed in his duties there might eventually be a meadow but it is functional rather than charming. Progress here was much quicker than had been the case at Whalley and the home were 77 for 3 when I arrived and continued to bat in a positive style.

Next stop, the Chatburn Road home of last year's champions Clitheroe CC and here too the skipper was sounding positive in the local paper for although 'we are there to be shot at', 'we are excited for the coming season' and certainly this seemed to have rubbed off on the locals who had turned out in large numbers for the visit of Great Harwood. Things were not quite going according to plan with Clitheroe at 73 for 7 and there was a collection for an  opposition bowler who had taken five wickets Whilst I was there I enjoyed a fight back which more than doubled the score for the loss of only one further wicket.

From Chatburn Road it is but a short drive to Chatburn, one of those grounds which you can see from the road but where it is difficult to find an entrance for cars. This is because there is no such thing but it is well worth a visit for its juxtaposition with the church and the lovely views across the Ribble Valley. Although the journey is short Ribblesdale League gives way to Craven and District and newly promoted Chatburn were taking on  Keighley outfit Long Lee who entered Room 101 as the church clock struck four leaving skipper Robinson marooned on 39. The players adjourned to the pavilion which is some distance from the playing area and which they share with the local pre school group. I followed and was served a cup of tea for 20p. Luxury.

Fifth and last ground of the day involved a detour from the A59 to Earby and here I really did have difficulties and resorted to asking a local for directions. Such was her reaction that I thought she might be going to say the club had folded and the ground built on but 'turn left at the bus stop outside 'The Cantonese' and look for William Street' did the trick. Surrounded as it is by housing and industrial premises 'The Applegarth' looks rather unprepossessing from the exterior but step  inside and below is the view from the pavilion. Back to the Ribblesdale League here and a second team game with visitors Burnley Belvedere. Earby were making a good fist of chasing 118 and went on to complete a nine wicket win.  This completed the full set of victories for the five home clubs and a very good start to my season's league cricket.

* as in Morley not Bolly