Boxing Day cricket

Posted by Tony Hutton

Against all the odds, following torrential rain for several days which continued on the morning of the game, the 66th Annual Boxing Day Cricket Match was played at North Leeds Cricket Club last Saturday. This game has been played every year since 1949 without a break and whatever the weather.

The team of stalwarts shown below, plus one missing from the photograph - the rather large figure of Mr Andrew Stothard, took on the might of North Leeds in a game restricted to ten overs due to the appalling conditions.

Northern Cricket Society team

 

The spectators who had arrived early for the scheduled 10.30 start were quite prepared for a morning without cricket and a cosy chat and suitable refreshments with friends in the welcoming pavilion. Rain was still falling quite heavily and it came as a total surprise when the players decided to start a ten overs a side match about 11.45. The boundaries had been brought in considerably in view of the very soggy outfield in many areas.

 

North Leeds batted first and made a respectable total of 95-4 in their ten overs with the

help of a few sixes over the shortened boundaries. One or two of the fielders came a cropper and ended up covered in mud but everyone joined in the spirit of the occasion.

 

The players leave the field

 

The Northern Cricket Society's reply started well with several well known local league cricketers such as Steve Lawrence, Howard Johnson, Vince Greaves-Newell

and Andy Stoddard plus a pair of Conboys from Garforth Parish Church and a pair of Pattersons from St Chads. However wickets began to fall towards the end of the innings when the rain had almost abated. So despite the best efforts of all concerned the Society fell thirteen runs short and finished on 82-6.

 

 Andrew Mawson presents the trophy to Rob Winter

 

So yet another victory for the home side and the Northern's Chairman Andrew

Mawson presented the George Featherstone Trophy to North Leeds captain Rob Winter. The North Leeds all rounder Barry Singleton won the bottle of whisky presented to the Man of the Match. Inevitably as soon as the game finished the rain stopped and the cloud cover cleared, but a good time had been had by all,with thoughts already turning to the 2016 season.

 

The perennial twelfth man Stevan Bindman actually got a game for once but sadly he did not get a bowl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frohliche Weihnachten

posted by John Winn

As the days begin to lengthen, I hope you are not wasting those extra seconds, the pcw can tick off various sign posts that point towards next season. We have had time to digest the county fixtures published on December 1st and no doubt many have begun to sketch out their plans for travel and accommodation and try to fit in awkward things like work into their schedules. Of course the blog does not confine itself to the county scene and last week the draw was published for the 2016 Royal London Club Championship.

First round matches will be played on Sunday April 24th with the teams divided into sixteen regional groups. Last year's winners, Blackheath are in group 16 and have received a bye and their first game will be against the winners of Bexley and Preston Nomads. Northern, emphatically defeated by Blackheath in last year's final start next season's campaign with a short trip to Wigan outfit Highfield CC. 

Groups one and two comprise clubs from the North East and Yorkshire. Amongst the more intriguing fixtures here are NYSD champions Richmondshire v Clifton Alliance, Brandon v York, Benwell Hill v Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Driffield v South Northumberland. Full details are available by putting Royal London Club Championship 2106 in a search engine.

Another set of fixtures published very recently are those for the newly formed Pennine League, the emergence of which has been covered on the blog. Action starts on Saturday April 23rd with an inaugural friendly fixture between Norden and Saddleworth and the league programme begins the next day. In the Premier Division two of the four former Saddleworth clubs face each other, Austerlands v Greenfield while Glodwick entertain Littleborough and Saddleworth have Rochdale as visitors. Full details at the impressive new website penninecricket.co.uk.

As this may be my last posting of 2015 may I wish all our readers the compliments of the season. The blog continues to attract plenty of hits, averaging 88 a day over the last month, thank you for your interest and please continue logging on in 2016. Just in case you are a little puzzled by the title of today's posting suffice to say that in recent days a majority of our readers have been from Germany, Danke.

Loftus find a new home

posted by John Winn

'Cleveland League numbers dwindling'

The above headline appeared in the Middlesbrough evening paper (The Gazette) in May 2013 since when I have referred in a number of postings to the decline in the number of clubs competing in the Cleveland League to the point where in 2015 there were but three clubs left putting out just five teams between them. During the last few weeks I have made several attempts via the internet to see if the league intended to continue in 2016 until I read that Loftus, one of the three clubs and provider of two of the teams had made an unsuccessful application to join the NYSD. That the east Cleveland club should make such an application strongly suggested that the remaining clubs had called it a day. Our Hartlepool correspondent has confirmed that this is the case and that Loftus  have looked down the coast for a new home and have joined the Eskdale League.

 

As its name suggests this league consists of clubs in or around the valley of the River Esk which from its source in Westerdale reaches the sea after a thirty mile journey at Whitby. Both Tony and Brian have visited grounds in this league, indeed in September 2011 Brian visited all ten in one day. Four years later all ten clubs were still participating so Loftus will make eleven.

The fate of the other two clubs in the Cleveland league, Smith's Dock and Paragonians is not known (at least to me) but Eskdale would not be geographically convenient for either of them and if they are to continue the Langbaurgh would seem a more suitable home. The demise of any league is of a sad event, especially one that can boast more than 125 years' history. In the 2013 article I referred to at the top of the posting the then league chairman, Geoff Kelley attributed its decline to competition from NYSD clubs with their better facilities, changes in village life and the decline in the industries on Teesside that produced several works teams. Who has heard of Dormans, Head Wrightsons or Cochranes?

On a happier note last week saw the publication of the fixtures for the two new Yorkshire Premier Leagues, north and south. In the north the season will begin on April 16th with some very tempting morsels. Champions of the 'old premier', York, will be at home to near neighbours Dunnington, a journey of about 8 miles, Harrogate will entertain village cup winners Woodhouse Grange and Sheriff Hutton Bridge's traditional opening friendly against the Academy will be for real. In the southern division play will be called a week later and here there are two matches that will bring together old and new, Aston Hall v Appleby Frodingham and Barnsley v Treeton. Something to look forward to as we approach the shortest day.

Plenty of cricket for Christmas and New Year

Posted by Tony Hutton

For those of you suffering from winter cricket deprivation, possibly made even worse by the army of so called commentators on Sky Sports, help is at hand.

Live cricket is coming to Yorkshire very shortly with two matches (at least) on Boxing Day and two more early in January. North Leeds cricket club will be staging the 66th traditional game between the home side and the Northern Cricket Society on Boxing Day with a 10.30 start. This is normally a 30 overs per side game played whatever the weather. Suitable refreshments will be available and raffle proceeds are in aid of St Gemmas Hospice.

                                                Boxing Day 2009

The North Leeds ground is situated at the Homestead, Old Park Road, Roundhay, Leeds and is adjacent to Soldiers Field. On the same day another game will be played at the historic Pudsey St Lawrence cricket ground at Tofts Road, Pudsey with an 11 a.m. start (although it does say 11 p.m. on their website!).

Into January next and on Saturday 9th January, as an alternative to the FA cup third round, another charity match will be played at St. Chads cricket club, Far Headingley, Leeds between a President's XI and a Chairman's XI at 12 noon. Again hot food and drinks will be available for spectators and all proceeds are in aid of Wheatfields Hospice.

The following day, Sunday 10th January, the annual tour match between near neighbours in the Yorkshire Dales will be played at Appletreewick, who take on Malhamdale. The start time is subject to negotiation which involves getting the players to leave the two local pubs before it gets dark. Early afternoon is the best guide.

If you can keep warm this is a game not to be missed, with endless local rules and rituals which usually provide a very close finish before the welcome return to the pub.

Things you may have missed

posted by John Winn

• at its AGM the Halifax Cricket League announced that the member clubs had voted unanimously to join the YCB pyramid. President David Normanton said that 'We are well aware that only a small number of our champions will even consider the move to a higher league.........but all.....clubs voted to give the others an opportunity to be promoted'.

• the Scarborough Beckett League has amalgamated with the Derwent Valley League and will have 57 teams in 2016. The Scarborough News describes the move as the winding up of the 95 year old Derwent League. The league has suffered from a loss of teams in recent years and secretary Bernard Goulding describes his mixed emotions over the merger. Bernard is saddened by the demise of the league but believes the amalgamation is the best way forward.

• in the York Senior Cricket League Humberside based club Fenner has disbanded citing shortage of players and uncertainty over the future of the Marfleet Ground. The club's closure appears to have been precipitated by the resignation of a number of 'leading players'.

• in the Wetherby League East Keswick have withdrawn their first team from the league with immediate effect and in 2016 will run only one side, East Keswick A, in Division 4. The league will begin next season with 56 teams, 4 divisions of 12 and a fifth division of eight. Full details on the league website, wetherbyleague.co.uk

• Sussex have raised serious doubts about the continuance of county cricket at Arundel and Horsham. Attendances have been disappointing and commercial support has declined and both the chairman and chief executive have questioned the viability of the two festivals. Our Sussex correspondent believes Horsham to be under the greater threat.

• Rockcliffe Park, champions of the Darlington and District League have made application to join the NYSD and after an inspection of the club's facilities by the NYSD President and Secretary it was agreed that the club's application would be supported by the committee. Should the club be accepted their first XI will play in Division 3 and the second XI in Sunday Division 2. Fixtures for the latter will begin on April 10th presenting pcws with an early opportunity to see league cricket in 2106  Rockcliffe's attractive ground is situated near Hurworth on Tees which is practically Darlington. . Another D and D club, Barton have withdrawn their application to join the NYSD.

• Finally if you have been anticipating the publication of next year's county fixtures later this week then you may have to exercise your patience a little longer. The word on the ether is that it will be December before they are revealed. Go to most county websites, click on fixtures and you will find those for 2015.

Pennine League line up

posted by John Winn

The newly formed Pennine Cricket League now has a website up and running at penninecricket.co.uk. Pcws may be interested in the line up for the premier and championship divisions: here they are

Premier: Austerlands, Crompton, Glodwick, Greenfield, Littleborough, Middleton, Monton and Weaste, Norden, , Rochdale, Royton, Saddleworth, Walsden

Championship: Ashton, Friarmere, Heyside, Hollinwood, Micklehurst, Milnrow, Moorside, Oldham, Shaw, Stayley, Uppermill, Werneth

Not sure where some of these teams are based?  Click on venues where you will find a map showing the location of each ground, postal address and postcode.

 

Friarmere who will play in PCL Championship in 2016

Changes in the north west

posted by John Winn


In a posting I made in September 'Practically Oldham' I described an outing made by six pcws to visit grounds in the Saddleworth League on the last day of its existence and while I have on a number of occasions made references to the changes which will affect league cricket in Yorkshire next season less has been said about what is going on next door. As far back as June the Saddleworth league website announced that it would be merging with the Central Lancashire League to form a new league to be known as The Pennine League. The new league will comprise 13 teams from the CLL and 11 from Saddleworth.

Four clubs from the Saddleworth League writes The Saddleworth Independent will join the new Greater Manchester Cricket League, details of which are now available on its website. What the GMCL calls 'fixture groups' for next season are listed. Clubs in the Premier League are Bury, Clifton, Denton St Lawrence, Denton West, Edgeworth, Egerton, Flixton, Glossop, Greenmount, Heywood, Prestwich and Unsworth. The four clubs from Saddleworth have been placed in Div 2: they are Droylesden, South West Manchester, Whalley Range and Wythenshawe. Full details available at gmcl-2016.co.uk

Finally the sad announcement of the death of Tom Graveney a couple of weeks ago means a change in the list of England's oldest surviving test captains. Donald Carr of course remains at number 1 but TWG's place at two has been taken by Raymond Illingworth. I recall seeing Graveney playing for England at Headingley in 1968 against Australia, the one occasion on which he captained his country but I was only present on the first day when stubborn batting from Redpath and Ian Chappell kept England in the field so denying me the chance to see Graveney bat in test cricket. The day is perhaps best remembered for Fletcher's 'noble attempts' at first slip while there were some in the crowd who felt that Phil Sharp might have done a better job.

Down in the pyramid something stirred

posted by John Winn

First of all thank you to Tony for the good wishes expressed in his last posting. I was discharged from hospital five days after my heart surgery and am making a good recovery.  Although I had no control over the date of the operation, 'get well soon' following close behind 'winter well' could hardly have been more convenient.

In previous postings I have made several references to the major reshuffle which is planned for league cricket in Yorkshire next season particularly the division of the Yorkshire Premier League into north and south divisions with the consequent promotion of several clubs to this level. This is not where it stops however for the effects of the changes will be felt further down the chain. The Harrogate  Advertiser drew my attention to one such change when in last week's edition it reported that Pannal, champions of the Nidderdale League will move up the pyramid into the York and District League, which has lost six sides to Premier North. Pannal will play in the second tier while their second and third elevens will remain in the Nidderdale League

This news is also reported on the excellent Nidderdale website with an article by secretary Graham Hyde, posted last week. In addition to the news of Pannal's elevation Graham also lists a number of other changes in the leagues division structure for 2016. These are

Killinghall will drop down to Division Four and will field only one team.

Galphay and Winksley, who really struggled to keep going last season, will move from Div 4 to Div 7

and finally Graham confirms the withdrawal of Sharow II, Hampsthwaite III and Newby Hall II, all of whom failed to complete the 2105 season.

This will leave 98 teams competing in 2016, the top seven divisions comprising 12 teams each. The 14 remaining will compete in two parallel divisions and there will be no division nine. There will be playoffs to determine promotion to Div 7.

More to come in future postings one imagines.

End of season review

Posted by Tony Hutton

Before this end of season review turns into my usual rant about all the things that annoy me about first class cricket in this country, I would like to send sincere best wishes on behalf of all our contributors and followers to John Winn, who will be undergoing heart surgery later this week. Get well soon John and we all look forward to reading your scholarly comments on all things cricket in the near future.

For me personally it has been an excellent season after the problems I had during the previous two years. My season started at the end of March with pre-season friendlies at Trent Bridge and Loughborough University and did not end until last Sunday 11th October at Arthington, where the sun still shone despite the cool autumnal breeze.

End of season shadows at Arthington

I saw Yorkshire at Worcester in their first match of an amazing season for them and more University cricket than ever at Weetwood, Leeds in April and May.
No chance of seeing Joe Root performing for Yorkshire due to his England commitments, but young brother Billy was in the runs in a big way for Leeds/Bradford MCCU and later for Sheffield Collegiate and Notts 2nd XI. With over 3,000 runs in the season, including a stunning century at Lord's in the University Final, he eventually made his first class debut for Notts in their final match of the season.

Billy Root's innings at Lord's

                                            

Another game at Lord's stands out in early May when Durham were heavily beaten by Middlesex with James Harris taking an amazing 9-34 in Durham's second innings.
Later in May I visited Oundle School in Northamptonshire with a wonderful new pavilion full of cricket memorabilia and some lovely village grounds in Bedfordshire.
I returned home via Worcester (again), Herefordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire re-visiting old haunts and finding a few new ones.

Southill Park, Bedfordshire

I saw cricket of some sort every single day during June, starting off with the best food available on the circuit at Feethams, Darlington. I didn't travel too far afield no further than Chester le Street and Nottingham anyway. Much to see near to home - the University still going strong in the early part of the month as well as Yorkshire Academy and schools matches. I must also mention Yorkshire 2nd XI, which was virtually the Academy all season, due to so many first teamers being absent with England. Their match with Derbyshire at Scarborough was specially memorable for me.

July brought an epic tour de Britain brought on by a brand new car and a chance to prove I can still travel the length and breadth of England to watch cricket despite my advancing years. It all worked out so well, even the weather, as I travelled from Northampton to Banbury to Blenheim Palace to Merchant Taylor's School, Preston Nomads in Sussex, the Isle of Wight, Cheltenham, Hereford and finally Colwyn Bay.

Preston Nomads Ground, Fulking, Sussex

                                  

August started with a good win by Cumberland at Carlise which put them in line for their Minor Counties Division title and then another first - cricket in France where my son's family now reside. Suddenly towards the end of August you feel that it is all going to come to an end, hurried visits to Trent Bridge, Derby, Chesterfield, Stamford Bridge, Honley, Chester le Street and Harrogate all come in a rush.

Cricket in Paris

                                                     

Soon we are into September. Yorkshire steamroller Somerset at Headingley on their way to a second successive title, York win the Yorkshire premier league at Harrogate, but loose the following day to the Academy in the cup final. Cumberland win the Minor Counties title beating Oxfordshire in a day and a half of the four day game.
Then off to Lord's again for a Schools game then the dramatic first over by Ryan Sidebottom which destroyed Middlesex's top order. Bonus points take Yorkshire to the title and we see the trophy presented to Andrew Gale.

Yorkshire - county champions

Cumberland - Minor Counties champions

Then it suddenly all quietens down and the end of season games at Arthington, in Lower Wharfedale, in late September and early October are so relaxing and enjoyable. We meet again the veterans still performing well into their seventies and wonder at their durability. We remember old friends no longer with us and depart to go our separate ways to face the winter months ahead.

Now for the rant. We seem to have achieved a small victory in that county championship matches will not be reduced in 2016, but we still wonder what will happen in 2017. The money men are still in control and anyone who has seen the wonderful film 'Death of a Gentleman' must wonder about the people in charge of the game. Those of us who love county cricket have had so much to put up with due to changes in what was the familiar pattern of the year.

What probably iritates me more than anything is the staging of the first match of the English season in Abu Dhabi. The traditional MCC v County Champions match was always at Lord's, giving county members the opportunity to see their team in action and to enjoy the facilities of the Lord's pavilion. Those of us who were there to see the championship won would I am sure have welcomed the chance to start the new season there as well.

Possibly even worse, I have recently read that the play off final for the new Yorkshire Premier Leagues (North and South) will also be played in Abu Dhabi. A truly Yorkshire occasion now to be staged far away rather than at Scarbrough or Headingley. What nonsense!

The ridiculous cramming in of championship games during the coldest months of April, May and September is a nightmare for the predominately elderly population which attends these games. Most of the time at Headingley for instance people are watching behind glass just to keep warm and miss not only the atmosphere of the game but the public address announcements as well.

Most of us traditionalists do not want one day coloured clothing games. They have their part to play and of course bring in valuable income to support the game, but please can someone bring some common sense to bear on the continually changing fixture pattern.

Those who plan the fixtures have never seemed to have any knowledge whatsoever of geography. Time and again there are fixture clashes which defy belief. Notts and Derby both at home together endlessly. Yorkshire and Durham likewise and no doubt this happens in the south of England too.

County second XI cricket is very much the poor relation. Trying to find overnight scores in three day matches almost impossible and often second elevens at home at the same time as first elevens - ridiculous. This may only be a northern problem as people do turn up to watch these games, unlike in the south. Just send someone to Todmorden or Stamford Bridge when second eleven games are taking place and see how many people are there.

Watching Second Eleven cricket at Oundle

I could go on, but as they say at Old Trafford 'what's the Point'. I have been banging the drum for years ever since three county championship games took place within a few miles of each other simultaneously at Worksop, Chesterfield and Abbeydale, Sheffield. Why have the ECB never tried to sell county championship cricket? Why is there not a proper match of the day highlights programme on Sky every night rather than just tiny snippets? All they are interested in is Test cricket and one day stuff.

Still as someone once said 'It's only a game' and surely the game will survive us all.

FINAL MATCH IN ENGLAND 2015

By Brian Sanderson,

Unfortunate John Fuller from Yorkshire Cricket was unable  to see the final match at Arthington against St. George cricket club who play in Harewood ground. So I went  to the match with just two people in my car

Again the sun was shining as St. Georges posed for  their photograph.  They bowled first and found it hard going against some big hitting by Vince Greaves-Newall.

One of the sixes was hit over the spectators car and worth a twelve runs.

At one point it took four people to find the ball in the nearby field.

By drinks break Arthington had scored 77 for 1 as the wind had blown off the wickets number. Vince Greaves -Newall scored 54.

By this time there was a cold breeze blowing which caused spectators to their cars and this brought a scene you have not seen before ie Brian Senior in the driving seat. During this time Chris Binks batted very well and after scoring 50 he declared his innings. Arthington went  on to score 174.

After the tea break James Lord opening the bowling a bowled his six overs  for 2-16. This brought in Andy Stoddart  after his fifty yesterday for Cambridge Meths. Today he scored 59 against some tight bowling.

Geoff Barker  bowling figures were 6-1-9-0. Good figures for any team.

By drinks break the score was 65 for 4. It was left to Andy Stoddart to help St. Georges win the match.

They were also helped by the O' Sullivan family who won the match with one over to spare. The time was 5.50 and that was the end of the 2015 cricket season in England.

LORD AND BARKER MATCH

By Brian Sanderson

Driving down to Arthington  were they were playing Cambridge Methodists, the sun was just breaking out to shine on this beautiful village ground.

Arthington batting first Geoff Barker and James Lord opening the batting and played proper cricket against a number of bowlers.

One of the bowlers was Mel Wood now 68 years old and brother of Barry ex Yorkshire, Lancashire and England fame. His figure was for his four overs was 0 for 15.

At drinks break after twenty overs Arthington the score was  77 for no wickets.

After the break Andy Stoddart decided to show his stomach but he stilled played a big part of the match.

During this period a better sight was seen when a gaggle of geese flew over the ground. The Arthington openers put on 114 before  Lord was out for 44.

Geoff Barker carried on in his usual batting style to reach 93 not out  out of a total of 197.

Tea time break is always entertaining and a excellent spread is put outside . By this time there was a cold wind blowing which forced the crowd into theirs cars to watch the match.

Andy Stoddart opened the innings for Cambridge Meths and by drinks the score was 52 for 4. James Lord bowling figures were 3 for 13 whilst Geoff Barker bowling figures were 8-1-23-0.

Andy Stoddart batting well before been caught on the boundary edge for 58.

The other major batsman for the Cambridge Methodist was Zhair Ahmed would at one stage hit three sixes off three balls in his score of 68. Soon after he was out Cambridge were bowled out for 137.

At the end of the match Matrin Binks give one of the umpire his fee for the match. A bottle of wine. At this stage I went home to watch Leeds beat Wigan in the Grand Final. Well done Sir Kevin and the lads. My friend Alan Swaby  will be please from watching  it from the big cricket ground in the sky.

" The Four Binkses "

   The 4 Binkses -from left to right -Chris and Martin Binks ( Arthington ) Chris and Mark Binks ( Doghouse )



Written by Steve Bindman

The annual Arthington Festival has been - to date - favoured with sunshine and good weather even as we reach October. This weekend Hawks beat Arthington on Saturday but Arthington did register their second win of the festival yesterday against  The Doghouse. Doghouse - though perhaps not as strong as usual - through openers Adam Fenby and Richard Hawthorn were going nicely as they reached 72 before loss and then it was 120 for two down but a huge collapse - partly self-inflicted and due to good bowling from Geoff Barker ( 4 for 19 ) and young Will Rich (2 for 11 ) and suddenly it was all out 146.

Arthington had a few big scares despite the intermittent fall of wickets as first Chris Binks with 40 and then James Lord with 37 took the home side close to victory.There was then a small scare as Hawthorn took two wickets in two balls but Geoff Barker and Trevor Lobley saw Arthington home by five wickets.

An interesting feature of the match was that each team had two players called Binks- in each case M.Binks father ( Martin for Arthington and Mark for Doghouse ) and son both Chris ( Christopher ) Binks ! There was also Paul and David Smith ( father and son ) in the Doghouse side. James Lord of Athington,s father, Dave  ( a recent player ) was present carrying drinks and operating the scoreboard and only Joe Nash was not there to accompany his father in the Arthington team.Not quite the family  affair- scorer ( yours truly )  quipped - when asked if  I'm a  father I always reply - ' nothing could be fa(r)ther from the truth '.

The match was hastily dedicated to the memory of Stephanie Hewitt , the sister-in-law of Arthington guest player Richard Wright , who had sadly lost her long battle against a cancerous brain tumour the day before.

A slightly disappointing season

posted by John Winn

I spent a few minutes earlier in the week totting up how much cricket I have seen this season and not surprisingly found the number of days is slightly down on last year. The reasons for this are readily apparent, indifferent weather, a surfeit of hospital appointments and clashes between championship cricket at Headingley and The Riverside, four matches as compared with one in 2014, have all contributed. My Saturday league cricket jaunts have also been a little on the dull side, certainly nothing to compare with those of Brian and Ron Deaton, and despite a late flourish with a trip to the Saddleworth League at the very end of the season the number of new grounds visited has not been much to write home about or indeed write on the blog about.

Mustn't get too gloomy however for there have been days that will sustain good memories throughout the winter including of course being at Lord's on September 9th when the news came through that Yorkshire had retained the championship. Other highlights have been a visit to Great and Little Tew, a first time trip to Southport, floodlight cricket at The Riverside where the lights replaced rather than just enhanced the natural light, an excellent finish to the season at the same ground when Durham got home by three wickets with four overs to spare and the most exciting finish of all when my local side Ouseburn CC lost by just one run to Falkland in the village cup. Enough there to keep the glass more than half full.

Regular readers may be aware of my quest to join the 153 club, the number of matches required to see each county play every other county once in first class cricket. This project which I embarked on in 1990 rather slid into the sidings in 2015 when the only match available to me was Derbyshire v Lancashire which was duly 'knocked off' at the earliest opportunity on a bitterly cold Sunday in April and just in case the belt snapped the reverse fixture supplied the braces when I went to Southport the following month. Alas for the first time in a life time of cricket watching none of the remaining fixtures will be available next year. The list is short enough to merit typing here

                                               Somerset v Gloucestershire
                                               Somerset v Leicestershire
                                               Warwickshire v Gloucestershire
                                               Warwickshire v Leicestershire

So successful completion is dependent on the performance of four counties and whilst I have no axe to grind against Somerset I did harbour malicious thoughts towards the end of the season when even up to the last round of matches their relegation was possible. It was not to be for it was Sussex who slipped through the trap door allowing Hants to escape, rather than the west country men. Don't expect me to buy you a pint if next year Leicestershire and Gloucestershire are promoted and Warwickshire and Somerset go down.

Finally I set a hare running a couple of weeks ago with a question asking for the  names of the 28 surviving  England test captains. They are readily available on wiki so no need to type them here but if you have not already looked them up the name of the oldest may surprise you for it is Derbyshire's Corinthian*, Donald Bryce Carr who played in just two tests, was skipper in one, the one which gave India their first ever test victory and who was born on 28th December 1926 which makes him just about six months older than Tom Graveney, the second most senior. Carr was born in West Germany, which nicely sets up another little puzzler, name the test captains not born in England. Answers in due course.

Donald Carr Derbyshire's Corinthian by John Shawcroft is one in the ACS series Lives in Cricket

 

Donald Carr

Reorganisation of Yorkshire League cricket

posted by John Winn

I had intended my first posting of the close season to be a summary of the changes being introduced into the higher echelons of league cricket in Yorkshire in 2016 but I have beaten to it by John Fuller at cricketyorkshire.com so why not go that excellent website where you will find a very clear account of the composition of the two new leagues, Yorkshire Premier North and its southern counterpart. John even has some fixtures for next season so if you haven't got your 2016 diary yet, now is the hour.

And so to Arthington again

Posted by Tony Hutton

Have just returned from Brian Close's memorial service at St Chad's Church, Far Headingley. The large congregation were moved to applaud all three speakers who paid tribute to the great man. Brian Stott, former opening batsman for Yorkshire, read a speech prepared by John Helm, sports commentator and neighbour, who was away in India and then paid tribute to his former schoolboy friend himself. This was followed by Sir Ian Botham who spoke warmly of his former skipper at Somerset and how he had revitalised the county as well as developing the talent of Viv Richards and himself.

Finally Colin Graves, now chairman of the ECB, paid tribute not only to Brian Close the cricketer, but to his work for the club in developing young talent, as well as his period as President of the club. He spoke for everyone present by saying that his presence at Headingley will be missed by all cricket lovers. All the speakers quite rightly said we shall never see his like again.

Brian Sanderson has already reported on the weekend's events at Arthington, where cricket will be played for the next two weekends and does not end until Sunday 11th October. We are privileged each season to have this extended period of cricket when cricket watchers elsewhere have already shut up shop.

Martin Binks, the club secretary, as well as conductor of the Leeds Symphony Orchestra for the last 45 years, was awarded the CBE earlier in the year for his services to music. It could have been for services to Arthington cricket club for whom he has now taken over 500 catches behind the wicket.

Martin was in action behind the stumps last weekend with one agile stop down the leg side being particularly efficient. However, he did find time to demonstrate that he is also a very good photographer with a series of pictures of the regular spectators which he has sent to Catherine, daughter of the late Mick Bourne. Twelve months ago a memorial match was held at Arthington and the impressive Mick Bourne seat unveiled.

The Arthington regulars

 

The Arthington irregulars - Tony and Brian Senior on Mick Bourne's seat.

Fellow blogger Brian Sanderson looks as though he got a part in a Western.

 

Jennifer and Tony with their two 'minders' John Rex and Reg Parker.

Combined ages of the minders - 178 not out!

 

One final thought - we are approaching 300 blogs for the year, well past our record in 2013 already. We hope you have enjoyed them.                                                                                                                                                                

All three pictures by Martin Binks 

 

Farewell to two cricketing legends

Posted by Tony Hutton

Just before my recent departure to France I learned of the death of Brian Close and soon after my return I was reading about the death of Frank Tyson. Two famous players whose careers have been written about at some length in the well documented obituaries.

However I have some brief memories of coming into contact with both of them and would like to share these with you. I saw Brian Close on three occasions during his wonderful double season of 1949 when he was only 18 years old. The Roses match at Headingley, against Hampshire at Hull and the most memorable against Gloucestershire at Fartown, Huddersfield.

This was well into August and he must have been within sight of the double. For some reason in Gloucester's second innings he opened the bowling and carried on for 41 overs, bowling a mixture of seam and spin, to take six wickets for over 100 runs in what was a fairly low scoring game.

Brian Close leading out Yorkshire at Scarboroough.

(The more observant of you might recognize the attractive young lady)

 

 

Having moved to the Midlands shortly after this I only saw him perform in away matches at Warwickshire and Worcester for many years and by the time I moved back to Yorkshire he had left to join Somerset. One lasting memory is of him coming out to bat for Somerset at Park Avenue in a John Player match with a packed crowd. They all rose as one as soon as he appeared and applauded him all the way to the wicket. Very few cricketers have ever received an ovation like that.

Many years later I remember him captaining the Yorkshire Academy side of youngsters in the first few Yorkshire League games at Headingley. They could not have had a better leader to set the example.

That may have been after I came across him at Harrogate cricket club during one of the Tilcon Trophy competitions. He was scheduled to award the man of the match trophy, but it was noticeable that he hardly watched any of the cricket and spent the day studying the racing papers and phoning his bookmaker, which was quite usual for him.
As the game neared its conclusion he came out onto the pavilion balcony where I was sitting and said to me 'Hey lad, you've been watching the match. Who should I give the man of the match award to?'

Fortunately I had been paying attention and was able to say that Mike Haysman, the Australian turned South African, who was playing for Leicester, had scored the only fifty of the match and should get it, which he duly did. He now of course commentates on cricket in South Africa.

I can only remember seeing Frank Tyson in action once, but again met him long after he had retired. It was my first visit to Lord's, still just a schoolboy in 1954. Northants batted almost all day and scored 400, with Tyson unusually making 60 not out.
Middlesex then had an uncomfortable half hour or so to bat before the close.

Tyson marked out his run, and seemed to be winding himself up, pawing at the ground with his feet, before he set off and hurled his first ball down at such pace that it crashed against the pavilion railings for four byes, before anyone could blink. I had never seen pace like it and soon afterwards he poleaxed Bill Edrich, the England batsman who could not resist the hook shot. Edrich was carried off and a young amateur from Oxford came in as a night watchman and somehow survived. Fortunately Edrich was not seriously injured and returned to bat the next day.

Frank Tyson

It was thought at the time that this incident got Tyson selected for the Australian tour on which he was so successful. Many years after his retirement he came to England with school touring sides and spent a couple of seasons coaching at Woodhouse Grove School. I was introduced to him by a mutual friend, Chris Turner, who had been at Durham University with Frank and acted as his agent in this country to arrange tour fixtures and speaking engagements.

Anyway Chris arranged for me to interview Frank for Leeds Hospitals Radio, which I remember doing at Whitkirk cricket club. We spoke for about half an hour with my tape recorder on and I reminded him of the game at Lord's and showed him the scorecard which I still have. Strangely he did not want to talk about his bowling but was overjoyed to see that he made 60 not out with the bat. He signed my scorecard which is reproduced below.

So two remarkable players who I came across only briefly, but for many cricket followers their achievements will live for ever. May they both rest in peace.

A day to forget

Posted by Tony Hutton

Monday 14th September - Hampshire v Yorkshire (Ageas Bowl, Southampton)

My last day of county cricket this season started well, despite a somewhat unpromising weather forecast. I caught the train from London Waterloo to Southampton Airport Parkway which arrived in good time (I thought) to get me there for the 10.30 start.
However, some years since my last visit, I discovered that the somewhat erratic bus service to the ground only ran once an hour for most of the day.

So I took a taxi which got me there within a few minutes. Then my problems really started. Having remembered the uphill walk to the portakabin type building which serves as a ticket office I still had ten minutes to spare before the start of play. On reaching the office I found that the only occupant, a lady, was busy talking on the phone. So I politely waited, while the queue behind me grew steadily. Eventually I tried to interrupt the telephone conversation to enquire whether tickets for the match were actually on sale or not.

I got a reply of sorts rather brusquely to the effect that ' can't you see I'm on the phone'.
This was communicated to the still growing queue behind me to be met by low muttering to the effect that it was always like this and sympathising that I had come all the way from Yorkshire to be treated thus. Eventually the conversation ended and more politely this time I was informed that membership for next season had opened today and she was having to deal with a lot of enquiries. Perhaps there should be more than one person there to actually sell some tickets was my response.

Once I got the precious ticket in my hand I had to walk back down the hill to the bank of threatening looking turnstiles to gain admission. By this time the wind had got up and it was starting to drizzle with rain. However the players did enter the arena perhaps somewhat reluctantly particularly as Yorkshire, after only one day's rest following the Lord's match and no doubt continuing celebrations, had to field.

It all seemed somewhat familiar when I recalled my previous visit to the splendid Arlott Atrium. I did eventually purchase a scorecard and a cup of coffee, but the whole atmosphere lacked any sort of welcome, making Headingley look positively friendly.

The Arlott Atrium at the Ageas Bowl

Never mind perhaps it was just that end of season feeling and Hampshire were batting and making runs, if only slowly. Even the usually aggressive Carberry was taking his time to settle in along with Adams and I thought it may be a long weary day in the field for Yorkshire. However when the score had reached the seventies Brooks suddenly came to life to dismiss Carberry caught behind and Bresnan removed the dangerous Vince soon afterwards. Things were looking up but not for long - light rain took the players off, but they soon returned.

Four slips for Jack Brooks

 

 

A third wicket fell when the persevering Patterson had Adams caught at slip by Lees for a hard earned 50 and Yorkshire seemed back in the game. It didn't last though and Will Smith and Dawson grafted away for some considerable time, while it got colder and by tea time I had had enough and decided to leave. Rain was still in the offing and in fact the day did end early after only 78 overs with Hampshire on 219-4.

Yorkshire ready for lunch

A very poor crowd but the weather did not help and the game was being shown live in its entirety by Sky Sports. A strange choice for their one token championship game of the season, the game at Lord's would have been much more appropriate. So all in all a day that will not live in the memory, but I can't complain (much) after such an enjoyable week at Lord's.

Sky Sports in action at the Ageas Bowl

So it was off to Paris the following day to visit my family, where I was able to watch the rest of the game on Sky, after almost no play on day 3, the last day providing a contrived finish with Hampshire having to gamble to avoid relegation. Yorkshire however bounced back from the defeat at Lord's to win the game comfortably with a fine century from Gale and 76 from the consistent Leaning, who has had an excellent season. Why no county cap for him yet I wonder.

A week at Lord's

Posted by Tony Hutton

Seems a long time ago, but on Tuesday 8th September set off for London (after a day in Carlisle!) for a full week of cricket at Lord's followed by a day at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. So from one end of the country to the other and this was followed by a ten day trip to Paris to be in attendance for my two grandsons' birthdays.

However, I was delighted to read Brian and John's blogs keeping everyone up to date during my absence. So day one -
which was to see MCC schools playing ESCA (English Schools Cricket Association) at Lord's in a 50 over a side game. The first surprise came early on at Kings Cross Station in fact. We saw a familiar figure in the distance crossing the overhead pedestrian bridge. It looked like Peter Mann from Burley, aka Motor Bike Man, who now has great difficulty in walking.

On arrival at the ground we soon realised it was Peter, accompanied by the Brook family from Burley, as local lad Harry Brook was out there opening the batting for ESCA. Now at Sedbergh School, young Harry is an outstanding talent and has already been playing regularly for Yorkshire Academy and the Second XI in recent matches. 

Harry Brook at Lord's

 

He batted steadily, taking no risks, and with ESCA captain Haines from Sussex, put on 78 for the first wicket before being bowled for 34.

The smallish crowd on the grandstand side were entertained by some good batting by the top four, Haines top scoring with 63, but then the fell away somewhat towards the end and didn't really accelerate. The final score was 219-7 which seemed a little below par on a good batting wicket.

MCC member watches from the pavilion

MCC schools lost one of their openers for a duck but then Lynch from Somerset took over with a fine 68 which was the highest score of the match. The rest of the batsmen all made a few but only Keeping from Stowe school with 34 made a significant contribution. The return of opening bowler Jafri led to wickets beginning to fall and a close finish was on the cards when the eighth wicket fell on 206.

Close finish coming up

However McCoy from Millfield and Meyer from Whitgift saw MCC home with a partnership of 16 to win the game by 2 wickets with just one ball remaining. So an entertaining day's cricket ended with a presentation ceremony on the pitch, with the spectators allowed on the hallowed turf to see medals awarded to both sides.

David English presents the trophy to the winning captain

The winners - MCC Schools

Next day it was back to the serious business of the county championship with the four day game between Middlesex and Yorkshire. A good contingent of Yorkshire members were there in the pavilion for the 10.30 start, although some latecomers missed the sensational opening of the match. Ryan Sidebottom opened from the Nursery End and amazingly took three wickets in the first over. So Stirling, Compton and Malan (who had one of his stumps removed) were all back in the pavilion with the total 0-3.

End of Sidebottom's first over

By mid-afternoon it became clear the Yorkshire were county champions by picking up full bowling bonus points and that Notts had failed to get maximum batting points. However from then it took almost an hour, until the tea interval in fact, for the public address announcer to broadcast the news. Not to worry the travelling fans were all well satisfied. From then on the game became something of an anti-climax but still plenty of excitement in store.

Despite Yorkshire's first innings lead of almost 200, with captain Gale unluckily dismissed for 98, Middlesex fought back with a vengence in their second innings.
Compton played a splendid innings of 148 and such was the support he received from the later batsmen that some people were suggesting a declaration late on day three when the lead reached 350. However they batted on to the close to enable number 10, Toby Roland-Jones (a product of Leeds/Bradford University of course) to reach his first ever century.

Middlesex reach 500

The declaration came next morning, start of day four, and expectations were high that Yorkshire would go for the runs - target 381. The players must have been exhausted after their long day in the field and possibly due to some level of celebration of that second championship title in two years. Whatever the reason Yorkshire appeared to give up the ghost rather easily, despite 62 from Alex Lees and were all out for just 134, leaving Middlesex the winners by 246 runs.

Middlesex pack the slip cordon

What a turnaround, reminiscent of last years' game when Middlesex chased a huge total to win on the last afternoon. Full marks to Middlesex for not giving up and also to Roland- Jones who followed his century with five wickets for twenty seven. It must be said that the procession of Yorkshire batsmen seemed to hang their bats out to dry and most were caught in the slips or behind the wicket. Yet another remarkable game of cricket at Lord's which will linger long in the memories of all who saw it. The trophy was presented in front of the pavilion and the players soon made their way to the grandstand side where most of the fans and the players families were assembled. A proud moment for Andrew Gale, after his experience last season.

Andrew Gale gets his hands on the trophy

 

Celebrations!

 

The following day (Sunday) was another Yorkshire occasion. This time the Village Cup Final with Woodhouse Grange, who play in the York Senior League up against Foxton from Cambridgeshire, who were making their first appearance in the final.
A great day for both teams and their supporters. Woodhouse Grange are of course old hands in this competition and were probably red hot favourites.

Woodhouse Grange

Grange's openers Andrew Bilton and captain Nick Hadfield were never really in trouble and put on an opening stand of 120. Both scored 60, as did Chris Bilton 65 not out at the end with Tom Young a quick fire 40 not out. So a daunting score of 256-2 in just 40 overs for Foxton to chase.

Foxton - gallant losers

Foxton were not going to lie down and their star batsman, yet another Sanderson, who had made three centuries in earlier rounds looked dangerous from the start. When he was out for a well made 74 things began to change and although some late hitting brought Foxton within sight of the target they were never going to win. Full credit to them for making it a close contest and they finished with a respectable 237-8. Woodhouse Grange taking the trophy for a record fourth time. It will be their last as next season they will be playing in the new Yorkshire Premier League North, which disqualifies them from this competition.

Foxton go down fighting

 

Woodhouse Grange take the trophy