STARTING AT THE BEST

By Brian Sanderson,

We had a extra passager today Philip Paine ,the Surrey supporter and writer.On a very warm day we arrived at Londesborough Park  to see them play Hornsea in the York and District Cricket League.Londesborough Park was founded by the Duke of Devonshire and the estate was inherited by Lord Londesborough in 1860.It was he who placed the ground it in its current beautiful setting next to Park Farm.Some of the fixtures played in 1880,s included Lancashire Pirates, Hull Coal Exporters @ Yorkshire Amateurs.Plenty of historic references is made at Londesborough which confidently hols claim to have the longest history of continuous use of a cricket ground in East Yorkshire.

It is ground that every cricket followers should visit  and enjoy the views.Moving on to the next ground a few miles away at Bishop Wilton were Yapham Seconds were playing Stockton and Hargrave as the first team were at home.This fixture was in the York Vale League.There is no longer any cricket played during the weekend however they used to play in The East Yorkshire Independent Cricket League.There is article in the Hall about a challenge in June 1927 threw out in the Yorkshire and Hull Times "to play any eleven from any village in England  not exceeding 1000 populatoin, the total ages of the team not to be under 850 years "

Moving on we went to Woodhouse Grange grounds were the seconds were playing Sheriff Hutton and on the second ground the fourth,s were playing Drax. This is the first time we had seen cricket on the second ground.When we arrived a first wicket partnership reached 192 whilst on the first ground Sheriff Hutton had scores 200 for 1 so both must be  flat wickets.

Aexcellent tea was had at the club house. Moving on we arrived at Wheldrake who were playing Malton @ Old Malton in the York Vale League.We had visited the ground a few tears ago but the cricket had been cancelled for a local fete.It is not a pretty ground  but the club is top of Division 3 at the moment.

The football goal posts are ready for the coming season.Moving quickly on we went to watch Civil Service against   Rowntrees/ Huntington. They play on the Heslington Sports Ground (The Outgang) near to York University and they formed in 1952. The ground is a large ground with children slides in one corner.

Another good trip and let us hope it keeps fine for tomorrow.