Whither Wetherby

posted by John Winn

Special men deserve special days and as Brian has described so well the weather and the cricket combined yesterday to the extent that Mick's Memorial will live long in the memories of those who were there. I would have liked to post a photograph of the splendid bench Catherine has purchased in Mick's memory but never found a time when one or more pcws were not trying it for size.

It was a rather uninspiring morning in the Lower Ure Valley but my brother telephoned from North Derbyshire to say the sun was shining and as I crossed the River Wharfe on my way to Arthington the skies were brighter and as I stepped from the car the air felt warmer. Minutes later the sun came out and stayed with us for most of the afternoon and equally important the stars came out too in the form of two men who just two days earlier had been playing for Northants in the county championship. After what has been a difficult season for them how gratifying that they were prepared to give up a free Sunday to play in the match.

This photograph shows a group of pcws in the sunniest corner of the ground and good to have Tony Hutton back in our midst (third from the right)

On Tony's left is Brian Levinson compiler of 'All In A Day's Cricket, An anthology of outstanding cricket writing' and which contains on  pages 51 and 52 an extract from 'Off the beaten track', the diary of the 2006 season written by Mick Bourne, Tony and Brian Senior.

 

Away from Arthington, however all is not well in local league cricket for on Friday a friend passed to me a copy of this week's Knaresborough Post with an article describing a meeting of clubs in the Wetherby League held last week where league chairman Zai Ali dismissed concerns that an outflow of clubs constituted a crisis. Over the four seasons I have been posting on the blog I have made references to the net loss of clubs from the league including the transfer of Spofforth in 2010 to the Nidderdale League. The Post's article relates how Great Preston and Whixley will join new leagues in 2015 (Central Yorkshire and Nidderdale respectively) and adds that Old Mods and Wetherby are also expected to leave. Mr Ali describes the possible loss of four clubs as a 'blip', and the meeting discussed a number of changes to its organisation and rules which it is hoped will allay clubs fears that the departures constitute a crisis.

 

To lose two out of the top division's top four seems to an outsider more than a 'blip'.  Should four clubs leave, the league will have 31 members, 26 of which have an LS postcode. Time for a new name?

 

 



LAUREL AND HARDY HELP TO WIN THE MATCH

By Brian Sanderson,

Today was a special Sunday as it was the Mick Bourne memorial match between Arthington X1 and The Michael Bourne Stragglers.Just as we arrived to the ground  as ordered the sun came out. There was a big crowd with all the Professional Cricket Watchers of West Yorkshire turned out as a tribute to a great man.

The Stragglers X1 included James and Ralph Middlebrook and Mohammed Azharullah  who won the toss and batted. James Middlebrook ,ex Northants and Yorkshire, opened the batting with Terry Mc Grath who was Michael,s son -in-law. The two of them put on opening stand of 89 before James retired after scoring 50.

Two of the main Arthington Bowlers were Andy Stoddart and Geoff Barker who took four wickets between them. Comment from the media centre at Arthington was it was just like Laurel and Hardy bowling.

 The Stragglers were kept to 158 in the forty overs with James Middlebrook scoring 52.At tea time he two teams came out to allow a photograph call including the umpire and scorer.

When Arthington batted Geoff Barker was soon out but Brennan and Sprey soon took control of the match.Brennan, who usually plays for Horforth in the Airedale and Wharfedale League shown no repect for the bowling to score 83 and Sprey scored 31.. It was left to Andy Stoddart to score the winning runs off Ralph Middlebrook.

It was a pleasure to  sitting with good company  in a beautiful setting for a cricket ground. The  result did not matter but the match was a excellent tribute to Michael Bourne  who would have enjoyed the afternoon as we all did.

HEROES AND VILLAINS

 
By Brian Sanderson,

It has been a busy three days at Headingley which finished with a thrilling finish to the 2014 season.

Andrew from London has been up ,yesterday was Wombwell Cricket Society A.G.M. so tonight was the first chance to put some comments about the match. All through the four days in the Long Room at lunchtime different cricket Yorkshire personalities have been photographed with the First Division Champioship cup.

On the second day we were treated to 156 by Nick Compton after Yorkshire was bowled out for 253.He was finally bowled by Yorkshire best bowler Steven Patterson after a 232 ball stay which included 23 fours and a six.Youngster Thomas Benjamin Abell, who was born in Taunton,made hi third Championship half century of the season.Yorkshire used a total of seven bowlers including Lyth and Root.Somerset had a lead of 66 and looked favorites.

On the third day Yorkshire enjoyed a better day with Yorkshire finishing 36 runs behind.Somerset  who were dismissed for 437 with Rashid cleaning up the tail.Lyth celebrated his 27 th  birthday leading  Division One leading run scorer and took his tally to 1489 , at average of 67.38. Somerset bowlers failed to make a early break through. Alfonso Thomas went off injured and Jamie Overton dropped a sitter.

Fourth day started with drizzle and then Ballance and Root put on 57  for the third wicket,before Root and Bairstow teamed up to score 110 in 17.4 overs. Then Yorkshire lost their last six wickets for 52 to leave Somerset a realistic run chase of 182 in 44 overs. Peter Trego finished with career best bowling figures 7 for 84 .

Somerset were now favorites. Trescothick looked set to lead the visitors to victory with 44 before been caught and bowled by Rashid.Then the middle order had a dramatic collapse as three wickets fell in four balls , with Jack  Brooks taking 3 for 46.It was left to Thomas and Overton to see out the last six overs.

If all cricket matches finished like this match I am sure the crowds would come through the gates eventhough a lot of the spectators could not work out when tea should be taken. I can now destroy my Cricketers  fixturec list for 2014. The season seem to fly by and the car can take a rest over winter.

Away in Wales

Posted by John Winn

Back from two days in Cardiff and my seventh 'must see' match of the season, Glamorgan v Hants, and with Hampshire sealing promotion this afternoon pleased that I had made the effort for who knows when these two sides might meet again. For them to do so seems dependent on the south coast county slipping back into the second division, at least that is the view of the Glamorgan supporters I spoke with whilst at the SWALEC stadium. Such is their pessimism that Gloomorgan seems more appropriate than Glamorgan. Another undistinguished season has closed today with a heavy defeat and the feeling  that next year will be no better; a feeling probably shared with the members of Leicestershire and Gloucestershire and possibly other second division county members.. How do you break out of  a cycle of  losing promising players to wealthier counties and dwindling membership? Answers to Grace Road.

Despite Lancashire's efforts today it is still likely that the two teams promoted last season will be the two to go back down, The most surprising promotion in recent years, Derbyshire in 2012, lasted just one season and Worcestershire set some kind of record in 2013 by moving neither up nor down. Northants were widely tipped to struggle in Div 1 this season but even the most pessimistic Wantage Road regular could not have envisaged the series of heavy defeats they have suffered culminating in their abject performance at The Riverside last week. Their response has been to sweep the dressing room with a very large brush: one wonders if frying pans and fires have crossed Josh Cobb's mind this last week.

The Swalec  clock, which seemed to stop when Anderson and Panesar were batting out time against Australia in 2009.

Despite the mismatch between the teams the two days I saw produced some interesting cricket with a stand of over 200 between Vince and Ervine rescuing Hants from 53 for 5 on the first day but with Wallace batting as high as three Glamorgan's batting struggled and one suspects that the only thing that saved the home side from an innings defeat was Hampshire's decision not to enforce the follow on. With umpires called Lloyds and Lloyd the ecb had done its best to give the match a Welsh flavour but the crowd was very small and had no doubt how far up the glass the water reached. The loyal few will probably not regret that the season has ended a day early. 

HISTORIC DAY AT HEADINGLEY

 By Brian Sanderson,

  Today was the first day of the Championship match between Yorkshire and Somerset. After Yorkshire had won the league against Nottingham, this gave the Yorkshire faithful chance to see the trophy and to have your photograph taken with the Yorkshire captain and the cup.

Yorkshire won the toss and batted which surprised me at 10.30 on a green wicket. Lyth and Ballance were soon out  to Thomas ,one of the better South African players.Lees had a couple of chances but it was Root to go next to a loose shot against Overton. He seems to have shorten his run up but still produced some bounch and movement..Bairtow was soon out to Trego playing another loose shot.

During the afternoon it was left Jack Leaning to play a steady innings which he did. At tea Yorkshire were 206 for 8 and then I had a chance to talk to Gerald Smithson family about his cricketing career. They brought some private photographs and his tour with the M.C.C to West Indies in 1947-48. It was great to go back to the 1940,s.Gerald played 39 matches for Yorkshire from 1946-50. The above photograph is of Gerald on the left.

While we were talking , Yorkshire lost ten overs due to bad light and finished on 241 for 9 with Leaning not out 50. During the morning Alex Lees was given his county cap but it would have been nice to be able to take a photograph of the presentation.

Bad light has last say

posted by John Winn

Non-cricketing business took me to Darlington on Saturday, a dismal drizzly day when the prospects for cricket did not look good. Arriving at the Feethams ground after 2:00 I was pleased to see the captains of Darlington and Richmondshire tossing the coin followed by the announcement that a 35 over match would begin in twenty minutes.

A couple of weeks ago it looked as though as this match would decide the league title but a win for Darlington last week while their opponents could only draw meant that Saturday would be a celebration of their first NYSD championship since 1990. The trophy was ready for presentation by League President Chris West.

 Before the match began I had a word with club President, John Edwardson, a childhood friend of mine and who has 40 years continuous committee service at Feethams. We pronounced ourselves satisfied with the score at half way from Lord's and expressed cautious optimism about Durham's prospects of getting the runs.

On a wicket that offered encouragement to seam bowling but with the ball picking up moisture from the outfield Darlington lost early wickets to go 34 for 3 but a stand between Dobson and Mulholland turned things round and Dobson went on to make 60 before being bowled by Richmond pro Dissanayake, who next year will wear Hartlepool's colours. Tea was reached at 169 for 7.

 

 Led by skipper Gary Pratt, Richmond set off at a hectic pace but bad light forced the umpires to call a halt when they were 144 for 4 with 8 overs remaining and the cloud that had hung over the north east for much of the  week had the final say. The afternoon had turned cold, a reminder that we are half way between midsummer and the shortest day and that September cricket does not always enjoy the kind of temperatures we had at Trent Bridge ten days ago. As I left to catch my train I was advised to 'winter well', my first such wish of the season. Six months or so before anybody is likely to ask if I have been successful.

Some of cricket's headlines last week were concerned with Leicestershire for both good and bad. The exit of two more of their squad coupled with Northants' dismal show at The Riverside brough the structuralists out of the closet with suggestions that the number of counties be reduced, to as few as ten by one sage. While that tired old hare was limping round the course Leicestershire's second XI were completing a clean sweep of the three relevant competitions with victory on first innings over Essex II, in a game where the last day was washed out by rain.

And finally just a word about Durham. Those who know me may be surprised that I wasn't at Lord's on Saturday but I did get home from Darlington in time to see that most splendid of men, Gareth Breeze, hit the winning runs. An excellent excuse to bring out the Bombay Sapphire, if one were needed. Membership of Yorkshire and Durham? Money well spent. 

 

START OF THE ARTHINGTON FESTIVAL

By Brian Sanderson,

   Yesterday were the last league matches in the Leeds area but there is still some more cricket to be seen into October.The Arthington  ground is situated between Pool in Wharfedale and Harewood and they play in the Nidderdale League.

Today's opponent were Halifax Nomads who just play friendlies on a Sunday afternoon. I remember playing  this club in the late 1960s when I played for Yorkshire Bank at the Moortown ground.The match should have started at 1.00P.M but it was ten minutes late when Halifax came out to bat and unfortunatly Arthington were two men short.The crowd consisted of  ten people which was very disappointing.Denis Nash again opened the bowling even though he is in his seventies and just recovering from injuries.

His run up may be a bit shorter than last year but he was still economical with his spell of bowling. His figures being 8-2-14-2. The two Halifax batsmen R.Harland and J.Tetley put on a stand of 105 with Harland especially playing some nice shots. At the end of the forty overs they had scored 187.

Tea was taken in the shade of the trees however there was a cool breeze blowing which caused it to be cold.
The total seem to be too much for Arthington with only nine men. Andy Stoddart anf Geoff Barker tried hard to keep the home side in the match.By the twenty over they had scored 83 for 1.

Geoff Barker,above, has played in this festival for a number of years and I last saw him playing for Yorkshire Gentlemen at Escrick Park in April.Looking at the club's averages he played 17 matches and finishing with average of 56.11. Today he scored 57 before he was run out from a direct throw.

Arthington brought the total to 151 for 7 at the end of the overs  and Denis Nash was batting. Another two matches next weekend and let us hope the weather keeps fine to help support this fine club.

Mick Bourne Memorial Match

A reminder that the Michael Bourne Memorial Match will be played next Sunday, September 28th at Arthington wickets pitched 1:00pm

Please come along and enjoy what should be a most enjoyable afternoon and nostalgic occasion. For those who have not yet contributed to the fund for the commemorative bench there will be an opportunity to do so. Look forward to seeing you there. The season does not end at Headingley on Friday

Still a bit to play for

posted by John Winn

Two outstanding innings and some more undistinguished batting from Notts served to keep the championship pot simmering if not boiling as it enters the last week of the season on Tuesday.

The highest of the two innings came from Middlesex captain Chris Rogers whose 203 not out helped his side secure a draw against Somerset at Taunton and the five extra points thus gained mean Middlesex will start the key final game at Old Trafford with a 19 point advantage over Lancs. This is a very large deficit to overturn in one match and the probability is that it will be the red rose that is  relegated.

 No less worthy than Rogers' innings was that by Hampshire's Will Smith who batted through the two sessions possible at Southampton with little support from anybody else to secure a draw against Kent when during the afternoon defeat had looked likely. Hampshire took ten points when it might so easily have been five and thus plumped up their cushion over Essex for the final round of matches next week. Essex have been on a charge lately with five wins out of the last six and had polished off the hapless Leicestershire in two days. Essex entertain leaders Worcestershire while Hampshire travel to Cardiff (as does this blogger). Current standings are, with all having one match left,
Worcestershire 235 Hants 217 and Essex 207. How Essex must have yearned for the last Hampshire wicket to fall yesterday.

 

In his posting yesterday Brian posed the question who will finish third and Notts the current holder of the position must simply stand and watch next week whilst possibly Sussex and Durham overhaul them and push them down to fifth. Three losses in as many weeks have seen the Trent Bridge side's season turn sour and yesterday they showed  little more resistance against Sussex than they had a week ago  against Yorkshire. For their last match Sussex visit the other East Midlands centre of haplessness, Wantage Road and are no doubt licking their lips at the prospect of a haul of points that will keep them third or even push them up to second. How much prize money the Martlets receive will also depend on the outcome of Warwickshire v Durham at Edgbaston. The Bears have a 15 point advantage over Sussex with Durham a further two points adrift. All things are possible and I leave it to the reader to speculate further.

WHO WILL FINISH THIRD ?

By Brian Sanderson,

After picking up Bob Procter and Brian Workman,we went down to Trent Bridge were it was the third day between Nottingham and Sussex. The ground was covered in cloud and the lights were on . It is the first time I had watched Championship cricket under lights. I am sure the match would not started if the lights had not been  available.From last week Nottingham had included two new debuts ie Jake Libby and Luke Wood.

When I arrived Riki Wessels had been lbw to Jordan leaving Notts 313 for 4 still 78 runs behind Sussex.
Notts were looking to get a extra batting point  however trying to reach 400 put after Patal was out stumped this was not achieved and it gave Sussex one more bowling point. This left Sussex 22 points behind Notts with a fixture against Northants next week and Notts finishing their season after this match.

After Notts were bowled out for 413 it left them just 22 runs in front. Sussex started quickly against Fletcher and Gurney with Yardy giving catching practise to the slips. This brought in Ed Joyce who started to show his class with numerous boundaries.At the end of the day he had scored 115 not out with 12  fours and 3 sixes.The dark clouds came in about five o,clock which forced the teams off the field due to bad light.

This was Ed Joyce,s seventh Championship century and he is the second player to reach 10,000 runs behind Murray Goodwin 11413.While Sussex Lewis Hatchett was bowling there was three dropped catches of three successive balls. Comment by the bowler was " it was just a freaky thing "

At the end of the day Sussex were 222 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand so could set up a target tomorrow.

Durham bowled Northants for 90 and so Durham won by 141 runs.This makes Durham 19 points in front of Sussex with a match against Warwick next week. Interesting.

Jennings gets all his ducks in a row.

posted by John Winn

When Durham review the season in which they surrendered the championship to Yorkshire they will look back with regret on two wickets, two wickets they didn't take. The first of these was in the opening match of the season at Wantage Road when Northants' last pair defied them for 9 overs to deprive them of 11 points, the difference between a draw and a win. More recently, just over three weeks ago, Lancashire's last pair squeezed out the runs needed for victory this time costing Durham 16 points. Add those 27 to the 173 they have already and they would be in third place with a game in hand and challenging for second place.

Our Hartlepool correspondent has calculated that Durham could still finish second but this would mean taking maximum points from the current match with Northants and against Warwickshire at Edgbaston next week. Whatever might happen in the Bears' den  it is the outcome of this week's game that is likely to blow MT's slim hopes out of the pavilion window for the pall of cloud that has hung over the north east this week, and has cost a whole day plus ten overs play, seems almost certain to make this game a draw unless Northants are prepared to gamble in the hope that they can squeeze out their first win of the season.

After a poor start yesterday, Jennings went to the second ball of the innings, his third duck in as many knocks and two of those have been of the golden variety, Durham got through to lunch only three down on a morning when fog had turned to mist and there was plenty of movement for the seamers

 

.When the sun shone on an extended afternoon a small crowd revelled in a stand between Borthwick and Collingwood which at one point had us checking Playfair to see if they were approaching a fifth wicket record*. Of course this was the kiss of death for almost immediately Borthwick played on, but not before he had passed a 1000 runs for the season. 

Durham have a chance this morning for a fifth batting point but the last two wickets need to add a further 38 to reach that target. The forecast suggests indifferent light again and having had a wasted trip north on Monday I have decided not to risk a similar disappointment today. Assuming twenty two wickets don't fall today I will make the journey tomorrow when it will be 'winter well' day, at least for those of us not going to Lord's on Saturday.

* their stand of 187 was a record for the Chester le Street ground but fell short of the 247 added by Muchall and Blackwell at New Road in 2011.

HAT-TRICK HELPS TO WIN CUP

 By Brian Sanderson,

After missing a three car crash in Leeds and a traffic jam of parents taking their children home after the football, I arrived at Shaw Lane Barnsley. The match was the Cup Final of the Yorkshire ECB cup between   Yorshire Academy and Barnsley over 45 overs.As I arrived the Academy were 24 for 4 in the 10 over.Eliot Callis and Barny Gibson were batting after a good opening bowling by the Yorkshire Second teamer Wainman and the overseas player Zohaib Ahmad.

Gradually the the two batsman put on a partnership of  115 before Gibson was caught brilliantly by Azeem Rafiq, ex Yorkshire player, at gully for 45 of Wainman.

The weather was cloudy and there was a very cold north-easterly wind blowing which made watching the cricket hard going.Eliot Callis went on to score a excellent 84 which enabled the Academy to reach 191 which was a good recovery from the early loss of wickets.

After the break the openers of Zahaib Ahmed and Jason Booth but on a opening stand of 88 before the overseas player was caught by Shaw for a excellent 51. During his innings he suffered from cramp and had difficulty running and was refused a runner by Yorkshire captain, Will Rhodes . This caused a unpleasent situation which the game did not require and if Rhodes had acted in the spirit of cricket and allowed the runner ,this would not have happen.

 Zohaib Ahmed had to be persuaded to play today as he was flying back home this evening. He had a excellent match which made the game more interesting.After the opening stand wicket started falling quickly with the Yorkshire bowlers bowling a fuller lenght.This enabled Josh Shaw to get a hat-trick of L.B.W  which was the second hat trick by Academy bowler as Matthew Fisher got one yesterday.

The photograph shows Wainman out , being the third victim of the bowling of Shaw.He finished with 8-1-28-3.However it was the left arm spinner Karl Carver who had the best analysis

of 9-1-19-1 which caused the scoreboard pressure on the Barnsley players. In the thirty-ninth over  Barnsley were bowled out for 158 which did not look likely when the  Barnsley opening batters looked in control.This victory gave the Academy their second cup in  two days and the match was covered by Sky TV. After the final wicket the players rushed to  join their coaches.

The week ahead

posted by John Winn

After all the excitement of Friday Yorkshire's cricketers can put their feet up for a week before making what will no doubt be a triumphant return to Headingley where they have not played Championship cricket since Durham were the visitors two months ago. There are however six championship matches being played this week. I shall be at The Riverside, probably for all four days for a game with Northants which a couple of weeks ago looked as though it would offer Durham their best chance to avoid relegation but with wins against Notts and Middlesex since then they have made certain that first division cricket will be seen in the north east in 2015. Durham can hardly be blamed for looking ahead to their date at Lord's next Saturday and may rest one or two players, although they are in second team action in Sussex tomorrow. Much interest will no doubt focus on Indian paceman Varun Aaron who  has signed as overseas player for the last two games. Quick, just ask Stuart Broad, but a little erratic seems to be his style, We shall see.

The game carrying most significance in the first division is at Taunton where visitors Middlesex can  make their 'showdown' at Old Trafford the following week a dead rubber, but a win on the Somerset ground will not come easy and there may just be something to play for in Manchester on Tuesday week.

In the second division a win for Hants and anything less for Essex means they (Hants) will join Worcestershire in the first division next April. So confident am I that Hampshire will be promoted and therefore may not play Glamorgan for some time to come that I have booked my train tickets for Cardiff next week: my eighth and last must see game this season. It is possible therefore that all championship, prize money and relegation issues will be settled when the final round of matches begin on Tuesday week but that will not I am sure make those last few days at Headingley anything but a joyous occasion.

Finally the result of the Royal London Club Championship National Final was awin by 2 wickets for Sandiacre Town of the Derbyshire Premier League. Congratulations to them and the cup stays in the East Midlands, last year's winners being Nottingham based West Indian Cavaliers. And oh yes Ouseburn CC are Nidderdale champions and Darlington NYSD champions, not a bad weekend for this blogger.

 

 

A previous Yorkshire championship side, that of 1894 with Lord Hawke as captain . The county won nine titles between 1893 and 1912, something for the present bunch of lads to aspire to.

SCENIC LANGBAUGH LEAGUE GROUNDS

By Brian Sanderson,

Before going on a trip to the Inshore Fisheries Langbaugh League , I called into Weetwood to see the Yorkshire Academy be presented by the Yorkshire President the cup for winning the Yorkshire ECB Cricket League for the first time since they entered the league.Will Rhodes, the captain, is shaking hands with Dickie Bird.

The first match we went to was Broughton @ Kirby against Scrutton in the first division. It was due to start at 1.30 however due  some of the Scrutton arriving late the match was delayed by about twenty minutes .
The ground  has some beautiful views of the Cleveland Hills.The ground is  a few miles south of Stokesley in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire.

It is in a great setting and I would recommend cricket watchers to visit the ground. Moving on to another scenic ground Chopgate in Bilsdale North Yorkshire were they were playing Hutton Rudby in the second division. The home side had a chance to go up into the second division if they could win this match. They were batting and had scored just over 100 in thirty overs with one batsman scoring fifty.There are great views of the hills and it reminded me of some Lake District grounds.

I had visited this ground last year but there was no cricket been played on it so today was a big bonus when we saw cricketers.They sky was cloudy but it still had some great views. Moving on a few miles we went to Ingleby Greenhow who were playing Swainby in the second division. The home side also had to win to get a chance of going up to the first division. They to were batting first and scored over 200 in the forty overs.
Another scenic ground with a good pavilion which had some historic photographs on the wall. Great to see club showing their history.

One of the home players had read the  blog so it was good to see one of our readers.The winner of the second division is New Maske who I visited last year.Moving on to the champions of the first division Moorsholm.The village is five miles from Saltburn between the North Yorkshire Moors and the North Sea.
When we arrived they had just lost to Kirby Sigston who were second in the league. This defeat was there first defeat at home this season.The football goals were out as this was the final fixture this season in this league. JohnWinn had visited this ground last year and  Moorsholm remembered the blog. Our fame is sprending.

Tomorrow to Barnsley to see if the Academy can do a league and cup double. The match starts at 11.30.

A SELECT BAND OF SUPPORTERS WATCH A INTERESTING DAY

By Brian Sanderson,

Arriving at the ground just after the start Yorkshire had lost a wicket of Hodd who was in four balls for 11 runs chasing the Lancashire total of  363.Whilst Callis and Hodgson were batting I was able to watch Yorkshire victory at Trent Bridge and winning the first division championship since 2001 on a television in the players lounge.

After the first team victory about forty people in the crowd could settle down to watch Yorkshire try to win the match and bat better than they did in the first innings.The two batters manged to stay together till just after lunchbwhen Callis decided to take a big swing at the leg break bowling of Mc Kiernan and be stumped for 72.At this stage the score was 163 after forty overs which was on course to win the match.

However Tattersall, Rhodes, Gibson And Shaw were out taking twenty seven overs for 117 runs and losing four wickets. This left the score 280 for 6 , needing 83 to win the match twenty eight overs.It depended on Dan Hodgson to stay till the end but he was out after he had scored a excellent 124.

He was out caught by the wicket keeper of the leg spin of Robert Jones who had come on to bowl at 2.45 on the third day for the first time. In the first two overs he went for twenty runs but finished up with 3-for 43 in twelve overs.

Wainman and Warner put on a stand of fifty two  before Wainman was caught of Reece who had only bowled four overs till then.Yorkshire finished up by losing by 11 runs which was a good effort and was helped again by  43 extras which was a total of 83 in the two Yorkshire innings.

One of the umpires was Peter Willey who is retiring at the end of the season and I would wish him all the best for his future.
Also I would like to congratulate Yorkshire first on winning the championship. I feel they have been the best team this year  but I may be biased as I am Yorkshire supporter.

Going to pop into Weetwood tomorrow morning to see the Yorkshire Academy recieve the Yorkshire ECB League trophy before heading off to North Yorkshire.

A triple treat at Trent Bridge

posted by John Winn

I have been fortunate these last three days to be part of a carload leaving the Lower Ure Valley making the two hour journey to Trent Bridge to be in good time for the call of play, even with the 10:30 September start. 'In good time' rather understates the case for we have pitched camp in the Radcliffe Road stand with its marvellous views of a marvellous* ground before 9:30 each morning, possibly upsetting some Notts' supporters who on arrival found 'their seats' occupied by Yorkshire supporters exhibiting varying degrees of optimism about the outcome of the game.

Today Yorkshire will surely clinch their first title since that historic moment when David Byas, and was there ever a surer pair of hands, stood under the catch that came out of the Scarborough sky, followed immediately by rain, at 12:13 on August 24th 2001. On that occasion the faithful had waited 33 years, this time, and I accept that this might tempt providence to visit Trent Bridge today, it will have only be 13. Work, family commitments, even a blood test prevent me or any of my travelling companions from making the trip today but we can look back on three days of beautiful September weather enjoying the company of a large gathering of Yorkshire supporters and particularly for the last couple of days, a group of well informed Notts' members who have remained even tempered and philosophical as their team's season has nosedived in to the Trent in the last few weeks.

No need to dwell too long on the play, for even The Guardian, whose coverage of the championship is shameful, have devoted most of the back page to yesterday's events, so most readers of the blog, even if they were not present will be aware that this morning Yorkshire need to take five wickets before Notts score a further 180 runs to take the title. It is disappointing, however, that The Guardian chooses to focus on the dismissal of Samit Patel, suggesting through the words of Chris Read that the stumping was rather sharp practice. Sufficient to say that amongst our friends from Nottingham it was seen as just another example of Patel's ability to get himself out with only minimal help from the bowler.

 

There are of course matches being played elsewhere. What happens at Lord's and Hove today could just about settle the relegation issue but if Lancashire and Durham both win then Middlesex and Sussex will face a couple of anxious weeks before the season finishes two weeks today. In Division 2 Worcestershire have rather staggered towards the line but a maiden first class century by number nine Jack Shantry has given them an outside chance  of victory of Surrey which would seal their return to First Division cricket after a two year absence. A nice touch at New Road is that when play resumes at 10:30 VS Solanki will be at the crease.

Earlier in the week, just as more of their players were signing  for other counties Leicestershire II won the Second XI trophy with victory over Lancs and next week will face Essex in the SEC final at Chelmsford. The Minor Counties Championship was won by Staffordshire after a close fought game with Wiltshire, their first win in the competition for 16 years.

*but two's a queue at the ticket office

LANCASHIRE DAY AT HEADINGLEY

By Brian Sanderson,

On another sunny morning I walked into the stadium to watch the second day of the Yorkshire Seconds against Lancashire. Yorkshire,s opening pair of Hudd and Callis were still batting until Callis was out L.B.W to Reece on the score of 87.Over the next forty overs Yorkshire lost eight more wickets for 82 runs. This was mainly due to the bowling of Reece and Lilley (on the Yorkshire scorecard it said Willey ).

The Yorkshire batting was poor weather  it was due end of season feelings, I do not know. It was lieft up to Karl Carver and Moin Ashraf to put a small smile on the few Yorkshire followers who had turn out to watch this match. Many would be at Trent Bridge or watching the match on Sky.The two of them put a stand of 61 before Ashraf give a easy catch to Livingstone ,finishing the total to 230. Carver  posting a personal best of 36 not out.Extras we the second highest scorer with 40 helped by some wide balls by Hurt.

All through  the day mobile phones  were used to find out the first team score at Trent Bridge also  the score was shown on the big screen. After tea it was the opening stand of Adathangelou and Hameed to put the Yorkshire attack to the sword.Adathangelou ,photographed at the start of the blog, scored 107 not out in 120 balls including 13 fours and three big sixes.All the Yorkshire bowlers were hit to all parts of the ground apart from Wainman who bowled his six overs for twelve runs.

By the end of the day Lancashire were 362 runs in front with  ten wickets in hand. One interesting fact about both Lancashire innings Yorkshire have not let a bye through in 592 runs. They have used two wicket keepers Barny Gibson ,who came in for the injured Plunkett and Andrew Hodd.

It will be interesting tomorrow when Lancashire declare and if Yorkshire can bat any better than today.

SEEING LIVINGSTONE AGAIN

By Brian Sanderson,

     On a beautiful sunny morning I sat in the Trueman Stand at Headingley to watch the first day of the Yorkshire  Seconds and Lancashire  friendly three day match.Lancashire  won the toss and batted.

Soon they were two wickets down with Hameed, England under 19 star, and Adathangelou, Greek South African, out with the score 52 in the tenth over.In walked Liam Stephen Livingstone born in Barrow.I had seen him score 121 not out at Todmonden against Yorkshire in 2013.Together with Luis Michael Reece put on a third wicket stand of 190.

I had seen Reece playing for Leeds and Bradford University mainly as a bowler but recently has been opening for the first team.He was out after scoring 93 bowled by Tattersall.During the morning we saw Liam Plunett bowling after his foot injury. In his first over he went for 15 and after three and half overs he limped off the field not to be seen again today.

Been while Livingstone went to be last out for 204  having a wild swing before Lancashire declared.Yorkshire tried  nine bowlers with little success not helped by some poor fielding.Hodd and Callis batted the twelve overs out to bring the score to 43. All through the day the first team score was put on the screen  which made the day it  a lot better for Yorkshire supporters whilst he seconds were been thrashed.

   looking round the stadium I noticed a new sponser on the Long Room  which  must have been there since the one day international against India or was it  advertising oranges.

INTERESTING DAY AT TRENT BRIDGE

By Brian Sanderson,

I had a chance to go down to Trent Bridge to see the first day of the vital match between  Nottingham and Yorkshire.On the way down the A1 I passed a salt sprending lorry and a sign for flooding but arriving at the ticket office the sun was shining.

Yorkshire won the toss and decided to bat and hopefully for two days in order to win the First Division Championship which Yorkshire last won in 2001.Yorkshire opened with Lees and Lyth eventhough Joe Root was back from England.

The two of them put on a excellent partnership of 176 which gives them average of 76 in the championship this season.Lees was always struggling against the excellent spin bowling of Gary Keedy,ex Yorkshire , Lancashire and Surrey.He is aged 39 and this brought up the question who is the oldest player to play for Nottinghamshire in the last few years..The answer was given by cricket guru PeterWynne- Thomas , Jack Bond who was a player manager in 1974 when he was 42 years old.

Lees was caught by a excellent catch at short leg by Wessells ex South Africa.He had scored 86 and looked  as if he would score another hundred.

Next to go was Adam Lyth caught and bowled Keedy. What would have happen if Keedy had stayed at Yorkshire and Stemp had not come from Worcester.?

When the new ball was taken two more wickets fell ie Root and Bairstow. So it will be left mainly to Gary Ballance tomorrow to secure another batting point for Yorkshire and bat as long as possible. His score at the moment is 82 and Leaning is batting at the other end on 8 .

A Breeze for Durham

posted by John Winn

Despite Five Live's best efforts*,most readers will be aware by now that the final of the Royal London Cup will be between Durham and Warwickshire on September 20th at Lord's. They will also know that Ben Stokes, for whom very little has gone right since he took his frustrations out on a locker earlier this year,  made a magnificent century to set up Durham's victory and that a score of 353, even with shortened boundaries, was always likely to be too many for Notts who had already lost one game at The Riverside this week. How they must hate the trip to Chester le Street for that is their third defeat at the ground this season.

Library picture

Driving through North Yorkshire before 8:00 there was heavy rain but by the time I called to pick up my friend Alan Pinkney on the outskirts of Darlington it had almost stopped and when we reached The Riverside things looked promising for a prompt start at 10:30, which indeed we got. Taylor won the toss and did what Durham skipper Stoneman would have done, fielded and from then on it was Durham's day. Mustard, who had passed a fitness test on a knee injury, and Stoneman got the homesters off to a good start and apart from a slight flutter when Jennings' dismissal followed closely on that of MacLeod, one's nerves remained largely untroubled. Sit back and watch Stokes hit sixes and fours, cue music, to all parts.

That 'the competition's best death bowler'** Luke Fletcher went for 82 off his ten overs says it all. During the luncheon interval I chatted with the sage of Allens West, Frank Siddle who was critical of Taylor's captaincy and felt that the result was a formality. Pride comes before a fall and all that, Frank but the loss of early Notts' wickets, 17 for 1, 21 for 2, made me think that he was not going to be far out in his prediction. I was impressed with Stoneman's handling of his bowlers and he was backed by excellent fielding. I haven't been too thrilled with MacLeod's batting yet, but boy he can field. Durham were much more athletic than Notts had been, think Fletcher and Patel. The latter made fifty but was fortunate to be spared when Collingwood contravened Finn's law and knocked off a bail while the ball did the same to Patel's stumps at the other end, then MacLeod owned up when his foot touched the boundary while taking a catch in the deep before next ball Patel's third innings ended when he was caught behind. He had the cheek to look disgruntled.

After that there was only Taylor but the run rate refused to come down. There were two run outs: one by 'Battler' Hastings to get rid of Read and then by Jennings to send Shazad on his way. Stoneman had held back his three fastest bowlers and fittingly it was Stokes who removed Taylor to finish proceedings.

A nice touch at the end was that Durham were led off by Gareth Breeze, who was playing his last home match after ten years with the county, his final appearance will be at at Lord's, and he received a standing ovation from the delighted members. Good that he should have the best bowling figures of the day. Thank you, Gareth, you have been a great servant and seen a fair bit of thin, especially in your early days. The nickname committee has never got past Breezy, how about Brighton?

Yesterday could also have been overseas player Hastings last Riverside appearance, for he is booked on a flight to India at the conclusion of the championship match at Lord's this week, but Durham have not ruled out flying him back for the final. In an open field he is my choice for player of the season. Plenty of wickets, useful runs at times and a clear commitment to the cause, not for nothing has he earned his nickname 'Battler', copyright Peter Sixsmith.

A day off tomorrow then Trent Bridge on Tuesday. Notts will need to pick themselves up after a very bad week. Both teams will have their England players available, bring it on.

* a  semi final in the season's major cup competition was not worthy of a mention on either their seven o'clock sport bulletin yesterday evening, although I did learn that Fleetwood Town had lost their unbeaten record, or on their 7:30 bulletin this morning.

** a Sky commentator a couple of week's ago, can't remember which one but might have been Nick Knight.

Final Time

posted by John Winn

As I type this the sun is shining on a beautiful day in the Lower Ure Valley and toasting a large crowd at England many of whom will have thrilled to Joe Root's knock in the ODI against India. Despite the recent settled weather and how often have we seen days like these as soon as the kids go back to school, the fixture list reminds us  that we should make the most of it for on  the next two Sundays we have the major finals for club cricketers.

This Sunday Lord's hosts the Village cup final with York League champions elect Woodhouse Grange taking on Great and Little Tew from Oxfordshire who play in the Home Counties Premier Div 2 where they lie seventh of ten clubs. Next week it is the turn of the senior clubs when Sandiacre Town meet Sunbury CC at the County Ground, Bristol. Whilst just in Nottinghamshire, Sandiacre, previous winners in 2003, are members of the Derbyshire Premier but lost last week to Ockbrook and Borrowash who seem likely to take the title.

Sunbury lie fourth in the Surrey County Premier but are way behind leaders Reigate. They are a relatively young club having been founded in 1938 and were founder members of Surrey Championship which achieved ECB Premier League status in 1999. When it comes to age Sandiacre can pull rank on their southern rivals for the Notts outfit for the club website claims they have been in existence for at least 132 years and have played on their present ground since 1890.

There is a third national club cup competition, the ECB National T20, the finals of which are to be played at Wantage Road, Northampton on Tuesday and were due to be televised on Sky. I understand that this will be no longer the case for Sky have chosen to show the county championship match from Trent Bridge instead. The competing teams are Great Ayton (NYSD), Peterborough Town ( Northamptonshire Premier), Ashstead ( Surrey League) and Chester Boughton Hall (Cheshire County)

Finally a reminder that the SET Final is on Monday at Grace Road where Leicestershire II take on Lancs II and on Sunday Wiltshire face Staffordshire in the Minor Counties playoff final with four days set aside. Buggins in this case being the western division the final is at South Wilts CC in Salisbury.

 

Ovington CC III batting at Millthorpe School last Saturday

Worth the trip

posted by John Winn

When I left The Riverside at 5:30 on Tuesday my parting words to our Hartlepool correspondent were 'see you on Saturday' in the expectation that Notts would lose enough wickets before the close to make a third trip in three days to the North East unjustifiable. In the event Wessels and Franklin went beyond survival to take Notts to a position where the local press (The Journal and The Echo) were divided in their opinions of the outcome of the match. Too close to call was my cop out and by the time I went to bed on Tuesday night it was pretty certain that I would be on the train from Northallerton to Durham the following morning.

And so nobody was surprised when I took my seat ready to see if Notts could get the 178 they needed to win with Durham needing six wickets before that target was reached. 'Two wickets in the first half hour' was deemed the minimum requirement by two Wearsiders sitting behind me 'otherwise we can all go home'. Despite  no wickets falling in the first forty minutes they were still there when Wessels, second highest scorer in the championship this season, pulled a long hop from debutant Chase into as safe a pair of hands as you could wish to see shaping up to receive the cherry, those of Gordon Muchall and the luck of the Irish had done the trick.

Enter the ever combative Reed and while he and Franklin were there the game was still even Steven. With Hastings and an unwell Rushworth having been withdrawn from the attack it was Coughlin who accepted an invitation to the party when he persuaded Jeff Evans to send the New Zealander on his way. I'm not sure if Franklin has previously played at The Riverside but he needed some help from the crowd as to the whereabouts of the dressing rooms.

Six down and soon to be eight when Dublin born Chase had Shahzad and Fletcher in successive balls but Ball had scored runs in the first innings without looking remotely like a batsman and to show it was no fluke he repeated the trick yesterday and with skipper Reed, and nobody doubted he would be hard to shift, added 44 before the Muchall Chase combination did the trick again and spin bowling coach, physiotherapist, Notts debutant and number eleven, Keedy came to join his skipper. The eminently sensible rule delaying lunch by up to half an hour when the last pair are at the crease was applied for the second successive day, and it was not until there were just four balls left before Brown Windsor time
that Hastings bowled Reed to give Durham a win by 54 runs and 21 very welcome points.

 

 

Twenty year old Peter 'Chevy' Chase faces the world's press after his five for sixty four yesterday.

It has been hard over the three days to see this game in isolation from events at Old Trafford and in the end of course, by beating Lancs, Yorkshire have eased Durham's position while Durham's victory has put Yorkshire in the box seat before their trip to Trent Bridge next week. At times on the first two days it almost seemed as though Durham were playing Lancashire and when the relegation rivals had completed their first innings it crossed my mind to point in the direction of Manchester while singing five three, five three. Those looking for an excuse never to speak to me again will be sad to hear I didn't.

 

 

The hand roller at The Riverside manufactured by Seymours of Derby: enthusiasts will recognise this as the Ogle model. 

EXCITING ENDING AT HARROGATE

By Brian Sanderson,

When I arrived at Harrogate in the morning of the third day of the Yorkshire and  Nottingham match ,there was myself and Ian from Lancaster to watch the first ball at 10.30.

Yorkshire were wanting to set up a total in the afternoon for Nottingham to chase.Will Rhodes was soon out trying to cut a stright ball.However Ryan Gibson shown again what a good prospect he is. As the photograph shows he scored 127 in 142 balls with 20 fours and  1 six.This helped Yorkshire to a total of 249. Dan Hodgson did not bat has he had two figures strapped which must mean he will be doubtful for the last two matches.

At this stage I left to go to the hospital. When I return Nottingham had been set 285 to win . There were 16 overs left and were about 100 to score. The opening bat Jacob Daniel Libby ,who played for Somerset last year, went on to score 112 . Another batsman who smashed three sixes was Matthew  Henry Cross who has played for Scotland A.

It came down that Nottingham wanted three runs to win and Shaw bowling to Franks with two balls to bowl. Josh Shaw shattered the stumps and Yorkshire won the exciting match by 1 ball and three runs.Over the border the first team were also winning.They play Nottingham next week so I hope the first also get a victory against Nottingham.

SECOND DAY AT HARROGATE

By Brian Sanderson,

On a cloudless morning I drove over to Harrogate to see the second day of the Yorkshire Seconds against Nottingham.The first job I did was to fill in the Nottingham names on the scorecard as  Nottingham did not know who was playing when the scorecard was printed..Also the scorecard shown the starting time as 11o,clock but it should have been 10.30. Also all the timimgs were out by 30 minutes.

Settleing down to watch the match. Sam Wood  who has played England under 19  played a excellent innings.
He was in no problem whilst I watched him and went on to score 114. The other batsman was Billy Root who is the brother of Joe of Yorkshire and England fame.He was out caught on the boundary edge of Wainman .He fell for the three card trick.

The above photograph is of Sam Wood coming off at lunchtime.

When I got back from visiting my sister Nottingham were progressing well against the spin bowling of two England under 19 players ie Carver and Tattersall.Just after tea Nottingham declared on 336 for 5 in one hundred overs.

After the tea interval I managed to photograph some photographs of the last County fixture on this ground in 1996. The photograph at the start of the blog is of the old pavilion. One of the coaches for Yorkshire was Anthony Mc Grath  who scored a hundred in that match.

When I arrived total cricket scorer confirmed Yorkshire were 63 for 3 at the close of play. The pitch is very batsman friendly so we will see want happens tomorrow.

POPPING INTO HARROGATE

By Brian Sanderson,

As I entered Harrogate ground Yorkshire Seconds opening stand of Hodd and Callis  against Nottingham was going well.The weather was warm but there was a cool wind blowing across the field. Finding seats on the ground is difficult but Jenny and Malcolm were sat near the sightscreen on the open terrace end. Looking at the ground now it seems ages ago when Yorkshire were winning the Championship on this ground with thousands of people watching. Today there must have been about twenty.

Callis was first out caught at slip for 48 and two balls later Hodgson was out the same way. The bowler was Brett Hutton who has caused problems before against Yorkshire.Tattersall and Rhodes soon followed and Yorkshire were 125 for 4.However at lunchtime Gibson and Hodd ,photographed above, had brought the score to 185 for 4 off 32 overs.

After my return from visiting my sister Andrew Hodd was out caught by Franks for 166 scoring 16 fours and 3 sixes. Some of his covering driving was excellent.It will be interesting to see weather he stops at Yorkshire with his limited chances in the first team.At tea they were 344 for 8.

After tea Yorkshire were soon out for 371 which gave me a chance to talk to Ian from Lancaster and his tales of his cricket watching around North of England.At the end of the day Nottingham  were 63 for 1 with Joe Roots brother batting.Hope the forecast is right tomorrow which should see a interesting day.