BATS AND BEDROOMS 2

By Peter Davies

                   BREAD ,BREAKFAST AND BRAZILIANS -OLD TRAFFORD CRICKET LODGE TRAVELOGUE.

PAIR OF PC.s

 Went to Euro news newsagent and Double Tree hotel last night. And from ther to BEM Brazilian resturant -my favorite eatery in city centre Manchester, just off Deansgate,An amzing place. Personal service with cuts of various meats brought to your table and the most gorgeous selection of salads . The PR says : " Located in the heart of Mnchesterv,our Deansgate resturant on King Street West is proud to bring the true taste of Brazalian food and culture to this vibrant city." Brazalian staff too.

RUMP AND RIBS

  Meats included;

-" Cap of Rump ( Picanha )-Brazil,s favorite cut of beef. It is very rich in flavour and an absolute treat for the taste buds "

-Chilli Beef (Picanha com pimenta ) - Tender pieces of Picanha marinated in a very special hot chilli saice.

-Beef Skirt  ( Fraidinha )- Prized for its flavour ,the beef skirt has a rich , buttery taste that offers a satisfying texture.

Chilli Beef ( Picanha com pimenta ) -Tender pieces of Picanha marinated in a very special hot chilli sauce.

GOING UP

    Ashley Giles , the new Lancashire cricket supremo, was very good last night, answering questions from the floor of the pavilion about the variety of on-field Lancashire CCC matters, including :

-The Simon Kerrigan issue.
-Promotion chances.
-2 nd X1 affairs.
- The differences and similarities between his ex-county Warwickshire and Lancashire as a county club.

POOR WICKET
 Giles was impressive and also very likeable. He said success at the club had to be "permanent "and Lancashire were a "natural Division 1 top -four club ". ( He also said he was late for the Q  @  A session he had to take a call from Mark Chilton ,2 nd X1 coach, at Hove . Lancashire ,s match had just been abandoned because the wicket had been deemed to be " dangerous " by the umpires after 17 or 18 wickets had fallen for about 200 runs .

ONLINE MATTERS

  The "suits " (three corporate guys ) then answered questions about  :

The website.
Spectator facalities.
The problems involved in signing overseas players for 2015 .
The sightscreens issue.

HOT STUFF.

  My hotel room is nice : good size ,ensuite ,big TV,tea-making facilities and lots of sachets of Yorkshire Tea and hot chocolate ( I am trying to get into hot chocolate after 49 years of not drinking it ) . And the hotel breakfast was good this morning:

Muesli
Fruit
Yoghurts
Bread and Cheese/ ham
Minicakes.

BIG BUY

   This morning walked acroos to Stretford town centre in search of a library, but it was only open at 10 am . So got a ( very slow ) bus into Manchester city centre with lots of folk ready to start work at  9am. Found the Euro news internet cafe again and went to Carphone Warehouse to buy  iphone.

NEW FRIEND

  Old Trafford Lodge has been good value . As a Lancashir member I get free to games anyway, but if I did not , the hotel gives you free tickets.This week,s must be my seventh or eighth visit to the hotel - and it is always good.Left the hotel at 11.20  am when the receptionist rang to say the cleaner wanted to clean the room.Went into the pavilion bar and alternated betwen tea and pints of backcurrent and lemonade. Got chatting with the bar manager and he actually brought one of my drinks over to me by the window.Very good of him. Preferential treatment ? No-one else gets that kind of  that kind of service.

BIRTHDAY TREAT.

 Last year I brought my Uncle Michael to the hotel for his 70 th birthday :  a special treat . We had a good time and he enjoyed it . Michael is a big football fan - Man City and Man Utd ,interestingly - but he also likes his cricket.The concept and reality of the hotel agrred with him quite nicely.

LIBRARY SALE

  Bought a copy of the Telegraph today and enjoyed reading about Bournemouth,s promotion to the Premiership.What a story. Also read the local paper , the Stretford @ Urmston Messenger, and La Gazetta dello Sport, the daily Italian sports  newspaper. I can not read Italian but as ex -journalist I like the layout and the photos and the concept of a daily sports newspaper ( Britain does not have one ). Also went down stairs to see the new library facilities in the pavilion. Very nice - and they had a little bookstall selling cricket books also .So , a few more purchases . When I left this afternoon, Kent were 70-1 following on . Still looks good for Lancashire.

BATS AND BEDROOMS 1

By Peter Davies,

BACKSTORY

                    I have been watching Lancashire at Old Trafford for 40 years -an incredible stat-and it is likehome to me.Nowhere, I feel happier or more content. I know a few faces -the eccentric "David from Blackpool ";the guy with the "red rose " hat;the woman from Denby Dale who runs the second-hand bookshop. But I do not have any friends there or sit with anymore. I like my privacy,being on my own,and going through all the rituals I go through. Strange.

ON THE RAILS

                 The coming of the trams have been a god-send. Catching the 252 or 255 buses prevoiusly was always a bit hit and miss. But now the trams are great :clean,regular,safe and not too expensive. Perfect.And OldTrafford station is right next door to the cricket ground.

AFTERNOON ARRIVAL

                  Got the train from Huddersfield at lunchtime and then the tram to Old Trafford. Two days of OT and a night at the Old Trafford Lodge hotel.Met my Dad in the pavilion at 4 pm and had a cup of tea with him.Also showed him my room,which he liked(he has stayed at the hotel before ).

TV TIMES

        Stayed at the hotel several times ,usually the first night of the County Championship match.Nice rooms,big breakfast and a good sitting area with TV. Sometimes I pop into the hotel when I am not staying there-just for a cup of tea and a sit down. I once asked one of the hotel receptionists when the hotel was busiest. She said when Manchester United were at home .( the football  Old Trafford is only half a mile away ). this was so disappointing to hear.

PAPERS AND TICKETS

       The main feature of the hotel are:

- Continental breakfast.
- Free newspapers.
- Sky Sports and Freeview.
-Iron ,ironing board and hair dryer facilities in bedrooms.
-Free car parking.
-Balcony seating .
-Free matchdays tickets.
-Complimentary WiFi

Cost Standard rooms £64/ £69.

GREAT VIEWS

           The hotel has 68 rooms and is situated above one of the stands on the pavilion side of the ground. There are 36 executive bedrooms with a view of the playing area. When I first stayed  at he hotel Iremeber waking up ,drawing back the curtains ,and seeing this enormous Test match ground in front of me. totally surreal experience.

LEEDS RIVAL

      Also stayed at the Headingley Lodge hotel in Leeds. Same concept ,overlooking the Headingley groundand,even it hurts me to say so,it is maybe better than the Old Trafford hotel ( except that at Headingley you have to walk to a seperate refectory to have your breakfast Poor do ).

HOME SOIL
 
I am a big Lancashire fan so Old Trafford is special - and the hotel just adds to it.Lots of good memoirs :great matches ,top players,collecting autographs as a kid. Today was day two of the County Championship match against Kent. Lancashire scored 400 + and Kent were struggling at the close of play :200 -odd for 7. Also bought some books and magazines from the bookstall.

POST- MATCH EVENT.

     The club put on a special Q @ A session at stumps, with new coach Ashley Giles ,other three other LCCC officials answering questions from the floor about any and all aspects of the club : from playing side to sightscreens to heritage policy. All good- a nice exercise in corporate PR.

FUTURE POLICY

    Lancashire have eight home County Championship games this summer, so my policy might be to stay at the hotel one night per match ...

               

DIARY OF A CRICKET SEASON PART 2

By Peter Davies.


     WEST WING FRIDAY 17 APRIL
                   
                                                      Ealing CC,West London. Two groundsmen hard at work . Very nice venue with the club playing in the Middlesex League. Impressive pavilion, well-to-do club.

EARLY START SATURDAY 18 th APRIL.

                                                       Hampton Hill CC,London. Set in a park but nothing going on . Plaques said there had been a fire at the club in 2010-and  the club had been founded in 1855.

AUSSIE RULES SUNDAY 19 th April

                                                       Alexandra Park,"Ally Pally ", London . Two games going on but not a pretty venue.Got a cup of tea and some sandwiches. Friendly tea lady, who told me that Bradman once played at the venue.

BOOKWORM  Tueday 21 th April.

                                                   Derby for Derbyshire  v Lancashire in the Championship. Good day for the visitors and very suuny. Had a lie-down on the grass banking opposite the pavilion and bought some books from the second hand bookshop.

COUNTY VENUE  Friday 24 th April.

                                                 In Newcastle so went to Gateshead Fell CC,who staged Durham first class games in the early 1990,s. Also had a look at Snderland CC,part of Ashbrooke Sports Club. In the last century played host to touring teams with South Africans and Australians playing in front of big crowds-tens of thousands.

RAIN DELAY Saturday 25 th April.

                                             Berwell Hill CC, Newcastle. Top club and smart ground but curiously not a nice suburb. The game started at 11 but I thought it was 1-and it was raining by the time I got there. A nice mince lunch and a good clubhouse.

RECOND BREAKER  Sunday 26 th April.

                                              Chester-le-street for Durham v Sussex.Nice day and the ground looked good.Witnessed an amazing last-wicket partnership of 164 with No 10 hitting a hundred,surely a county record ?

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

          By Brian Sanderson,

                                       I am reporting after spending another three days at Headingley at the Warwickshire match. During the last three days I have been with my friend from London and arriving home late at night so now I can give my report on the last three days.On Monday we saw the end of Ian Westwood innigs on 196 which beats the highest score by Warwickshire players. The previous holder was Chanderpaul who had scored 193 in 2011. Warwick finishd on 435 in 144 overs so  not a first scoring rate.

The  next major talking point of the day was the catch by Mc Kay ,wicketkeeper,off Rankin to dismiss Pujara.,The two umpires had a discussion about weather he had dropped it  but in the end the batsman had to go.I was sat in the Long Room in the warmth so I could not see.Yorkshire were 128 for 3.

Third day  Rankin obtained two wickets with the help of the Yorkshire batting and were 222 for 5.Another big talking point of the match was the dismissel of Andrew Gale who was on 96. Rankin bowled a full toss and Gale decided to take a swing at the ball and finished up caught.There was a discussion again with the umpires over the height of the ball and they said they were not certain it was over mid height.I think the general feeling was Gale was unlucky to be given out.Yorkshire finished on 435.

After tea the new floodlights were switched on just  before 5 pm. See the photograph at the top of the blog.A hour later both teams left the field  either due to bad light or cold. As again the wind chill factor caused the temperature to be freezing. I watched from the warmth of the Long Room.

Today started sunny but during the morning hailstones desended on Headingley causing a early lunch.After twenty minutes after lunch Warwick declared on 219 for 7 so a lead of 352. Yorkshire had 68 overs to win the match and started well .

At tea Yorkshire wanted about 230 of 40 overs with eight wickets in hand. However Pujara and Gale were out and the match fizzed out to a draw. Yorkshire being 221 for 4 off 64 overs.At the end of the day the sun was shining into the long Room making me move into the shade.

Agood draw for Yorkshire with players missing in the West Indies but Warwick I thought could have pushed stronger for a win.

Ian Westwood ,star of the match.

Blinded by Light is a excellent song by Manfred Mann issued in 1976.

Borthwick eases Durham home

posted by John Winn

After Headingley on Sunday, The Riverside on Monday and back to Headingley yesterday it was a bit of a no brainer to return to Chester le Street today as the game was interestingly balanced on a wicket which had provided three great days entertainment and given fair weather, proceedings
 were not likely to last more than two sessions.

Last night's forecast from BBC Newcastle that predicted overnight rain would clear the North East by breakfast to give some sunny spells proved absolutely spot on and when I left the Lower Ure Valley at 9:00 the promised blue sky had appeared. I admired the optimism of the Sussex supporter in front of me at the car park ticket machine who put in enough coins to see him through to Thursday morning. Perhaps he planned to sleep in the car before returning to the south coast. Whatever his frame of mine that of my friends seated in front of jthe leisure centre where it was pleasantly warm was positive as long as Borthwick and Richardson made a good start in the pursuit of the 147 needed.

That they did not, for Richardson was bowled in the fourth over by what looked a beauty from Shahzad who has had an excellent start to his Sussex career. Enter MacLeod who always makes me nervous which he did in spades by taking 25 balls to get off the mark but at the other end Borthwick continued his excellent start to the season and the pair had added 83 bringing victory in sight when MacLeod was caught at third man shortly before lunch. Enter Collingwood, always a reassuring sight and sandwiches were taken with 51 needed. The prize for most filling in a roll went to Our Hartlepool Correspondent and when play resumed the Durham pair went so smoothly that Borthwick when hit successive fours to clinch the deal we had had less than 35 minutes play since lunch.

Borthwick had been offered the opportunity to get his hundred by his skipper but selflessly declined the offer and finished on 97 not out. In his post match interview he described the wicket as one where 'you were never in' but it set up an excellent game of cricket even if it was so far east  that it could have counted as an away match for both teams. For Durham it made it two wins out of two and for Sussex a first defeat after two wins. As I type Leaning and Hodd look like giving Yorkshire a draw and the Five Live Sports Extra commentary has switched to an exciting finish at Taunton where Somerset are in danger of a second home defeat of the campaign. Earlier on the south coast rain washed out Hants v Notts to leave both teams winless after 3 games.

Durham next in action on Saturday (sic) at Lord's from where I believe we might have a report from Tony Hutton.

FIRST DAY BACK HOME

By Brian Sanderson,

On a sunny but cool day I walked to the stadium for the first day  at home for the match a which gainst Warwick.

Since my last visit  last week a fourth pylon has been put into place.

Also  arrived is new white screen at the Rugby end pending the arrive of the television cameras.It was good to see William Roberts bookstall back in place and  seeing people I  had not seen for a number of months. I watched the first session in the Long Room catching up with gossip from the winter.Warwick batted first scoring 91  for 1  with Brenan dropping a catch off Fisher. Middlebrook was returning to play for Yorkshire after fouteen years to help the spin option.

After lunch I moved to the Trueman stand to try and get out of the cold wind put did not succeed. I did see Westbrook and Hain  put on a stand of 92.

After tea moved to the opposite side of the pavilion to sit next to Ralph Middlebrook and family watching James play.The best bowler was Tim Bresnan who took 3 for 39 off 19 overs.Westwood batted on with no problem to bring his score up to 151 by the close and Warwick score to 270 for 4.

There was a decent crowd but a Sunday start did not bring any extra spectators.Big talking point was again the weather and when the rain will come. The forecast at this moment is tomorrow afternoon but we we will see.

  Westward walking off at the end of the day still not out.

Four new grounds fitted in before rain

posted by John Winn

The Pontefract League, until yesterday largely a closed book to me, covers the traditional mining areas of West and South Yorkshire and the first ground I visited yesterday, the pleasant tree lined oval at Allerton Bywater, like many in the league, bears the name of a former colliery. Yesterday's visitors in a Division Two game were South Leeds outfit, Rothwell CC. The two official umpires made sure proceedings started on time at 1:30 although the visitors took the field with ten men, the missing player having been held up by a puncture. After a quick last gasp the openers took the field but found progress slow against accurate bowling from an experienced looking Rothwell side.

Allerton Bywater

The heat of earlier in the week had gone and blue sky and clouds jostled for space but it was not unpleasant watching for the very small crowd, me and a few family supporters being about the height of it. After half an hour and a couple of circuits I left with Allerton still struggling to get the rate up to two an over. The result is not available on the league website and one wonders whether like many games yesterday, it fell victim to the weather.

From Allerton's position on the edge of Castleford it is but a short trip to Fairburn, famous more perhaps for its ings, but the ground is a pleasant one at the end of the village with what looked like a recently constructed pavilion and scoreboard. Another Pontefract League game, Div 5 this time. Visitors Pollington (from near Goole) were batting and giving it what for, 40 without loss soon became a lot more and with sixes flying out of the ground the visitors from the east, who are relative newcomers to this league but are making rapid progress up the divisions, reached 225 for 2. Fairburn were all out for 178.

Fairburn CC

With Pollington nearing 100 for 1, I made another very short trip, this time to the York Vale League and the match in Div 3 between Burton Salmon and Burn II. I had visited the BSCC ground towards the end of the season only to find it bolted and barred because that day's opponents Selby II had conceded. No such problem this time, Burton were batting but find it quite hard going at 66 for 5. They struggled on to reach 77 for 7 when to my surprise the teams left the field. On enquiry I was told that  because of threatening rain the captains had agreed on a thirty over game. Tea was taken alfresco after which, and despite a BSCC sage saying that 77 was more than enough, Burn went on to win by 5 wickets.

Burton Salmon

Yesterday was the opening week in The York Vale League and for my last match of the day I went to a Div 4 game at  Manor Field Tadcaster, to call on Tadcaster Magnet III versus Thorpe Arch and Boston Spa II, a title almost as long as the tea interval which was in session when I arrived and which I began to think would never end. The ground is tucked away behind the Tadcaster Leisure Centre and cricket shares with football, indeed  the goal posts were handily placed for a return to duty in the near future. The weather had turned cold and rain was in the air. I sought shelter in the club house and enjoyed a cup of tea and the Jimmy Anderson show. At last the players overcame their reluctance to leave the warmth and after a tea interval that lasted at least 45 minutes TABS II took the field, a couple of players were recruited to umpire and Tad began their pursuit of 149 to win. The website shows they fell short at 116 all out. I watched a few overs and then left for home and judging by the rain that  fell as I drove the twelve or so miles the players must have stayed on in wet conditions.

the brewery looks over Manor Field

Looking at the results for all four divisions in this league only four matches were abandoned because of rain but more worryingly two were conceded due to a shortage of players and my old friends Selby II were among the culprits. On a brighter note Thixendale, who were suspended from the league last season have returned in Div 4 and had a thumping win yesterday. Good to think such a lovely ground is back in action.

RAIN DID NOT STOP PLAY

By Brian Sanderson,

As my friend from London wanted to see a Bradford League, we went to Undercliffe where Farsley were the opponents.


The first car we saw was Raymond Illingworths who still supports Farsley.Also there was James Wainman grandfather as his grandson was playing for Farsley.The sun was shining as Undercliffe decided to bat.The first wicket fell to a run out when the score was 23. By this time the sun had gone and a cold wind started to blow.At 67 for 1 we thought Undercliffe might make a big score however wickets felled consistently.the two main wicket takers was the medium right hand bowler Henry and the leg spin bowler Craddock.

The last time I saw Craddick was at Headingley playing for Yorkshire Seconds but he did not bowl,Today he took 4 for 40  off 11.4 overs.Undercliffe struggled to 155  off 38.4 overs.Wainman bowled well but took no wickets.

After twenty five overs Farsley decided to take a drink of cold orange juice even though tea would have been a better drink in the cold temperature.At half time a Undercliffe supporter thought that Farsley would struggle to get the total.After about 11 overs bowled the rain had been falling heavily for some time so the Umpires took both sides off to the disgust of the Farsley opening bats with the total 53 for 0 wickets.

We waited about fifteen miutes with the rain still falling thinking the match was over.To my surprise when I arrived home Farsley were 100 for 9 after 21 overs so drawing the match. So we missed the ending of the exciting match,

Tomorrow to the stadium called Headingley for the county match subject to the weather.

Billy Root does it again

Posted by Tony Hutton

On Friday the sun shone again, until tea time at least, before the weather began to change.
Leeds/Bradford University were taking on the M.C.C. at Weetwood in a friendly one day match of 50 overs a side. The atmosphere was much more quiet and peaceful than the rather frenetic scenes in the previous two games in line with the two banners on the pavilion showing the MCC spirit of cricket.

The home side batted first against an interesting MCC side, which included two former Leeds/Bradford players Rennison and Vanderspar and a former opponent in Soilleux from Loughborough University. They were captained by Toby Drummond well known in Yorkshire league cricket circles and also included batsmen Lambert from York and Shuffe from East Bierley. Perhaps the least known of their number was Elech Ahmed from Afghanistan, but who is currently playing club cricket for Ealing in the Middlesex Premier League. He is another with a long list of clubs including several county second XIs, but is now 39 years old.

After a comfortable opening stand of 73 between Bullen and Wakefield, the man of the moment Billy Root carried on where he left off against Oxford, when he scored 103 and 40 (in only 12 balls). He kept the scoreboard ticking in partnership with skipper Davis yet again. Davis went for 69 after a partnership of 134, but Root batted through to score another century 106 not out in 105 balls. I calculate that he has now scored 287 runs this week in four innings. Quite a few more than brother Joe in the West Indies!

Billy and Joe Root

The final total of 294-5 looked a winning score at first as MCC started slowly but Lambert and Elech increased the pace both making scores in the sixties. With some of the regular bowlers being rested and one or two squad players getting an opportunity the visitors were always in the hunt but needed a rate of about eight an over in the final stages. A really close finish went down to the last over, but eventually although last man Horsley hit a four off the last ball the home side won by just four runs. A good close contest played in the right spirit and more headlines for the prolific Root family.

DERBY DAYS: STROLLING BY THE DERWENT

By Peter Davies,

THE FIRST COUNTY CRICKET OF 2015

A DERBYSHIRE - LANCASHIRE COUNTY CRICKET TRAVELOGUE

HEADING OFF

Got the Huddersfield - Sheffield train at 9.15 .Very slow but gets you there. Then the Sheffield train to Derby, with a taxi stop at Derby Lloyds Bank. Arrived at about 12,with Lancashire recovering slowly from their bad start with the bat the previous night.

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Derby,s Racecourse Ground doesn,t have the best reputation:it is open and exposed and can get very cold and windswept. Did not visit Derby for cricket until relatively late but over the last ten years I must have been four or five times,and once also for a cricket event in the pavilion (nice facilities ).

FRIENDS UNITED

Got a few Derbyshire -supporting friends:Brendan, in Huddersfield ;Malcolm, in Bolton;and a guy from Wirksworth in Derbyshire ,whose name I can not remember. It is a small county in cricketing terms , but with a strong support base.

GRUDGE MATCH

First county cricket of the season. Somebody once told me that the Roses rivalry in cricket was nothing on Lancashire-Derbyshire tension. Nice day and a few changes at the ground since my last visit, with the second-hand bookshop now located by the "transport cafe " on the way round from the pavilion.

SAUSAGE AND TEA

The cafe is good: cheap meals and also sandwiches and cakes. I just had a sausage sandwich  with onions and ketchup, plus a couple of filling-less teacakes. Not many healthy options . And a cup of tea or two. It is located at right angles to the wicket, so a good view also, with lots of seats around. The women serving was a bit grumpy, though, and the cook a bit miserable.

SPENDING BIG

In mid-afternoon I went over to the banking on the far side of the ground and had a little sleep.Very nice indeed in the April sun. A good view too.Bought some books at tea-time from the second-hand bookshop.
Some at £1, the odd one at £3. But they did me a deal, which was nice of them.a
WATER,WATER

Walked back into town via the River Derwent . Very nice indeed.What is it about me and water?The Derwent, the Danube,canals. Something very psychological, obviously. Got he train back via Sheffield and the Sheffield train station Marks and Spencer.

Typing done by Brian Sanderson so sorry if there is any errors.

Leeds/Bradford MCCU go over the top

Posted by Tony Hutton

Weetwood was bathed in sunshine again for day two of the game between Leeds/Bradford MCCU and Oxford MCCU. After yesterday's fireworks today was slightly lower key until the final few overs. A somewhat smaller crowd were surprised, to say the least, when the home side batted on this morning after amassing such a large total. The stayed out for only three overs, which was enough for them to reach 500 and to declare on 506-8. Alex Lilley remained 65 not out.

Oxford faced a daunting, if not impossible, task from the start. Wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the morning and despite 40 from Sabin, four more fell soon after lunch. Oxford at 122-7 were facing the prospect of following on, but a good stand of 80 between Broughton and Weller took them past 200. Pratt was the best bowler with 5-32, well supported by Rouse and Watkinson. Oxford finally all out well after tea for 232. First innings points to Leeds/Bradford.

There were now only eight overs remaining. It took some time for the few spectators still on the ground to become aware of the bonus point situation in the second innings.
Finally we knew that 75 runs would produce one point and 125 runs two points. Bullen and Thompson made their intentions plain from the start, 15 runs coming off the first of the eight overs. When Bullen was run out, enter Billy Root. The left hander set about the bowling and hit an amazing 40 off just twelve balls, including five huge sixes and two fours. The 75 run target was soon achieved and after Root was finally out at 88-3, Weston and Scott saw the 100 mark easily passed in the final over.

Weetwood

So the contest ended with Leeds/Bradford taking 19 points and Oxford 6. Sweet revenge for Monday's one day victory by Oxford. However, it must be said that the Leeds/Bradford team's antics both on and off the field did not endear them to the spectators. Their over exuberant celebrations at the fall of each wicket and raucous shouting from the pavilion was well over the top, as it was in the game with Exeter last week. The coaches should take action over this. It is good to see enthusiasm and team spirit but the behaviour was well out of order.

Perfect day in the sun at Weetwood

Posted by Tony Hutton

The weather conditions at Weetwood, the home of Leeds/Bradford MCCU, could not have been better. The recent winds had gone and a good collection of professional cricket watchers enjoyed non-stop sunshine and a record breaking performance by the home team. Oxford their opponents had won a thrilling 50 over game at the same venue yesterday by just four runs and revenge was in the air right from the start.

Weetwood, Leeds

The home side batted first and lost both openers fairly early, but after that the runs flowed freely all day long. For a full report go to the University's excellent website at leedsbradfordmccu.wordpress.com - suffice to say all sorts of records were broken. In
the partnership between Billy Root, younger brother of Joe, and skipper Christian Davis, both scored centuries and put on 175 for the third wicket.

Happy cricket watchers at Weetwood

Logan Weston, who plays for Woodlands in the Bradford League and Cumberland Minor Counties, then put on another century partnership  with Harry Rouse. Weston was out for 71, after 89 yesterday in the one day match. The best was yet to come with the Oxford attack understandably tiring after tea George Scott and Alex Lilley put on yet another century partnership in only 12.4 overs. Great entertainment for the happy cricket watchers in possibly the best weather ever seen at Weetwood, certainly in the month of April. A final total of 486-7 in 104 overs was a record score for Leeds/Bradford. Oxford will face a very hard task tomorrow.

East Midlands tour

Posted by Tony Hutton

Brian has covered the eventful first two days of the Notts v Yorkshire game at Trent Bridge. I spent most of the first day sheltering from the wind under the Radcliffe Road Stand in the company of Brian Rosindale, long standing Yorkshire cricket follower from Hull, with a particular affection for Hull Kingston Rovers rugby league team.

Hales, who I had seen score a double century for Notts second XI across the road at the old Boots cricket ground, in I think his first appearance, repeated the feat in splendid style. He is such a good player when in full flow and took a particular liking to the part time spin bowling of Jack Leaning. However, I had other plans for later in the day and left just before tea to make the fairly short journey to Grantham.

The purpose of this was to see the final stages of the first Minor Counties cricket of the season, the one day knock out, between Lincolnshire and Cheshire. The visitors were captained by Dan Woods, the very successful left arm spinner for both Leeds/Bradford University and York cricket club and must have been favourites before the start.

Lincolnshire had other ideas and made a tidy 247 all out before I arrived, top scorer Cook making 88. They were captained by David Lucas, who played county cricket for Notts, Northants and Yorkshire (briefly). He had already taken the first three Cheshire wickets very cheaply when I got there, including probably the two main men in Goodwin and Moore (another former Leeds/Bradford graduate).

Gorse Lane, Grantham

The Grantham ground is on a hill top well out of town and always a breezy spot as it was today, fortunately it is possibly to sit in the car to watch the action and most of the spectators were doing just that. Wickets continued to fall at fairly regular intervals and Lincolnshire ran out worthy winners with leg spinner Alex Osmond from Cleethorpes taking four wickets, including two smart stumpings. This was after some middle order resistance led by Cheshire's own spinner Jones, who top scored with 48.

The windy weather reminded me of my famous first visit here along with Brian Senior and Brian Cobb on a really freezing day, when we drove into town at lunchtime to find a pub with a roaring fire to get warm. Brian Cobb has been ill recently and all his cricketing friends are hoping he will soon be back in action again around the cricket grounds of Yorkshire.

My original plan for the following day (Monday) was to spend the whole day at Derby for day two of the game with Lancashire. Another long standing friend, Keith Fenton, another member of the horse racing fraternity and committed follower of Bolton Wanderers, has recently retired. He is now joining the community of professional cricket watchers, although he didn't do too badly when he was still working. However, I decided to slightly change plans and instead went back to Trent Bridge for the morning just in case Alex Hales should reach 300.

Of course he didn't, but I spent an interesting morning with Brian Sanderson and Bob Procter in front of the pavilion and after Notts were dismissed saw Alex Lees well on his way towards his hundred. On the stroke of lunch, I left Nottingham and managed to get to Derby just as the afternoon session was getting under way. Came across my friend Keith almost immediately and joined him and his several other Lancashire companions behind the bowlers arm.

As ever the conversation with any group of Lancastrians is always interesting and humorous and the rest of the day was spent in the continuing sunshine and very pleasant surroundings. A good stand between Godleman and Durston restored Derby's fortunes after Australian Peter Siddle had dismissed both star batsman Guptill and Madsen for ducks early this morning. A good spell by spinner Kerrigan ended the innings just 19 runs short of Lancashire's 293.

Perfect conditions at Derby

The day ended with some spirited bowling by left armer Footitt and youngster Taylor who dismissed both Lancashire openers and nightwatchman Siddle very cheaply and raised hopes of a Derbyshire victory overnight. The Lancastrians left somewhat chastened by this turn of events, but things turned their way again on Tuesday. Two days of long journeys down the motorway, but now two days not far from home at Weetwood to look forward to.

BACK TO TRENT BRIDGE FOR THE SECOND CHAPTER

By Brian Sanderson,

Another day at Trent Bridge via the A1 this time. After some traffic hold ups we arrived at 10.15 for bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee. Tony arrived a little later and the bacon was sold out. Talk in the morning weather Hales could beat Walter Keeton highest Nottingham score of 312 not out against Surrey in 1939.

Jack Brooks bowled a excellent ball to have Philander caught a slip by Leaning. Next to go was Hales bowled off stump by Pattinson for 236. See above.

. 

He then trooped off the pitch angery with himself for this  may be his last chance to score  over 300 runs in one innings. We were sat in front of the pavilion with a great view of the wicket.Nottingham were soon out for 428 and Yorkshire claimed three bowling points.At lunch Lees and Rhodes had reached 62 with Rhodes scoring some lucky fours. At this stage Tony left to go to Derby to see his Lancashire friends.

The sun eventually came round the pavilion which warm us up after a cold morning.It was no surprise to see Rhodes out caught  at slip and Lees going on to another fifty.

The rest of the afternoon was slow going apart from one huge shout for caught behind of Pujara bat which was turned down by Mallinder.There was another good following of Yorkshire supporters who were a lot happier then yesterday afternoon with Yorkshire 140 for 1. At this stage tea called at Headingley so back up the A1 with no traffic jams. The traffic jams were round Headingley again.

Tomorrow to Weetwood for the first day of the Leeds and Bradford  two day match against Oxford who won the one day match today.

Lees and Pujara coming off for tea.

AP rescues Lancashire

posted by John Winn

I made an early start yesterday on a cheerless morning in the Lower Ure Valley, making the 90 mile journey to The County Ground to see Derbyshire take on Lancashire in what was for both teams their first championship action of the season. For me this is match 149 out of the 153 needed to see every county play every other county once and the only one available to me this season. So smooth was my journey that I arrived 15 minutes before the gates were due to open but I found a gateman prepared to take my £23 (£18 admission plus £5 car parking) and stifling a cry of ouch I parked up.

A north easterly breeze and cloud cover made me seek refuge in the Cricket Derbyshire Tea Bar, the 'reconfiguration' of which was undoubtedly the main focus of the Derbyshire faithful's grumbles as they arrived, most of them for the first time this season. And boy can they grumble. 'Reconfiguration' is a euphemistic way of describing the tea bar's reduction in size by about 50%, the menu has suffered a similar pruning so that for example those wanting the 'full breakfast' can only do so by accessing the members' area, which ruled me out. The tea bar's loss has been the book shop's gain as this has been moved from its previous small hut to occupy the other half of the old tea bar. At 10:00 on a cold Sunday morning however there was more demand for sausages than Swanton.

Lancashire were, in the words of the public address, 'invited to bat', what would happen if they had refused remains a mystery, and the B team, Messrs Bodenham and Benson led the players out through a guard of honour and a whisker before 11:00, Footitt, 82 championship wickets last season, bowled to Horton and we were underway. Under Winn's rules one ball allows me to tick off a match so it was 149 down and 4 to go before the clock had struck eleven.

 

A gloomy day at Derby

 

The County Ground has always featured prominently in the competition to be judged  England's coldest cricket ground and yesterday it threw down an early marker for 2015. I decided that I should sit with my back to the north easterly wind which put me next to disgruntled of Chesterfield who throughout the day kept up a litany of complaints about the county's administrators. That  Footitt and Palladino dismissed  both Lancashire's openers in the first twenty overs did little to stem the bellyaching. The two early wickets brought together the two South Africans, Petersen and Prince and to make them feel more at home the lights were switched on. Lancashire's top order would look a little thin without these two very experienced players and they had added 49 before Prince was out, swiftly followed by Croft, Palladino's second victim.

The lunch interval provided me with an opportunity to check out the book shop and I picked up a copy of a biography of Arthur Milton  at a very reasonable price. There are some gems amongst the shop's stock, many priced at just £1 but even in its enlarged premises these are rather hidden away. Meanwhile  the queue at the tea bar was stretching out of the door.

The afternoon belonged to Petersen who found an ally in skipper Smith and they added 135 for the fifth wicket before Smith was bowled by Hughes. The sun had made a few brief appearances during the afternoon but not for long enough to offset the cold wind and by tea time I felt thoroughly chilled and left for home where I arrived shortly before six, pleased that I had been able to see this match so early in the season. The two teams meet again on May 24th at Southport, a ground I have not previously visited and I have it in mind to make the trip over to the west coast. Please let it be warmer.

 

Palladino: three wickets on opening day.

Local hero

posted by John Winn

Like Tony I started the league cricket season with a game in The Nidderdale league, but just a mile from home where I saw history made at Rudgate Fields when Whixley, long time members of the Wetherby League, took the field in a Division 3 Nidderdale match. Relegated Galphay and Winksley, two small villages near Ripon, chose to bat first and made steady progress on an afternoon when the sun shone but the breeze that blew across the Vale of York carried a reminder that it was still April. Whixley sported a new badge on their kit, appropriately a phoenix, rising metaphorically at least from the ashes of their pavilion which was burnt down in an arson attack in 2005. A full account of how the club has moved forward from that event can be found on the village website.

 

Opening day at Whixley

 

After an hour, by which time G and W had reached 50 for 1 off 22 overs I drove to Green Hammerton, just a mile away but here it was Wetherby League cricket, Division 3,  with the local first team entertaining Kirk Deighton A. Hammerton were batting but were struggling at 63 for 5 and not helped by a silly run out they soon found themselves taking early tea at 76 all out, having only batted ten men*. Cue to move on and another short drive to the other Hammerton, Kirk that is, Wetherby League again but a division higher and proceedings in the hands of my umpiring friend, John Fisher. Tea was being taken here too and I scrounged a cup of 'double brickies' and digested the news that 1:00 starts will apply throughout the season in the league in the hope that earlier starts will be preferable to late finishes and there by encourage more participation. An idea worth a try I think.

 

Green Hammerton

 

South Milford had notched up 186 for 7 and although Kirk Hammerton began boisterously I learned from John later that they had been bowled out for 151. Having found a sheltered spot at this attractive ground which is tucked away down a lane that runs down to the River Nidd I was happy to sit a while but having promised myself that I would end up at Ouseburn CC I moved on. My route took me past the Whixley ground where I stopped to learn that the minute my back had been turned Galphay had collapsed to be 69 all out with Pat Greenwood taking 8 for 13 and who should be at the crease but the evergreen Pat, calmly knocking off the runs to give his side a ten wicket win on their first Nidderdale game. Truly a local hero.

While on my second visit to Rudgate Fields I met up with photographer Barry Gill, one of the keenest followers of the blog and who spends many Saturdays recording events on the Nidderdale scene.

To Ouseburn, too late for tea but in time to see the second XI making a very well paced effort to overhaul Birstwith's 204 for 6. This they did with six wickets and seven overs to spare and the signs are that the ground staff at Lightmire Lane, under the direction of Head Groundsman Edward Pearson, will continue to produce excellent wickets on this fast scoring ground. I look forward to many more visits throughout the season

* Kirk Deighton won by 7 wickets

Bright start in the Nidderdale League

Posted by Tony Hutton

I decided to start my league cricket campaign with a tour of the Nidderdale League, one of the largest leagues with nine divisions and covering a large geographical area. My prime objective was to tick off a couple of grounds which had so far eluded me and I am fairly confident that I have now seen cricket on all the leagues grounds, including some elusive third eleven venues.

Birstwith pavilion

I started at Birstwith, promptly at half past one play was under way in their game with Studley Royal in Division Two. The ground looked fine, with a smart pavilion and a good few cars parked in the adjoining field. The sun shone, there were signs of green in the hedgerows and trees and all seemed well with the world. League cricket was back. A little way down the track from the main road I saw my first cricket on the Belmont Grosvenor School ground, where Birstwith 3rd XI were taking on Helperby 3rds. The sheep were not paying much attention to the action on the field but added to the rural scene.

Belmont Grosvenor School Ground (Birstwith 3rds)

A short ride up the hill to Burnt Yates where their 2nd XI were taking on Ripley 3rds at the hill top ground with fine views all around. Next stop Bishop Thornton this time a first division game with Spofforth. Lots of runs being scored here and quite a good attendance of cars parked round the ground.

Burnt Yates

Now quite a long run to the most northerly ground (I think) at Spennithorne, the one major ground not previously visited. Parking not the easiest down a narrow track, but worth the effort to see a delightful ground with daffodils along the edge of the lane, cows in one field, sheep in the next and attractive houses and the church in the distance. The home side Spennithorne and Harmby to give them their full title were taking on Newby Hall 2nds in the fifth division. Lovely spot.

Spennithorne and Harmby

Heading south again the next visit seemed appropriate as two clubs with probably the most eccentric grounds in Yorkshire, if not in the whole of England, were doing battle together. Thornton Watlass at home to Crakehall. This pretty village green ground is somewhat triangular in shape, with roads on three sides. One of which in front of the pub is in fact inside the short, straight boundary. The ground was ringed with daffodils and the handful of spectators enjoyed the sight of cricket back on the green.

Thornton Watlass

I saw the Crakehall innings come to a conclusion with a rather modest total of 94-7 in 45 overs. Some of the players, on their way to the pub for tea, suggested that it must have been as dull to watch as it was to play in. On studying the bowling figures on the excellent league website later, I understood why. Opening bowler M. Johnson bowled 10 overs for only 17 runs but did not take a wicket. There were wickets for all the other bowlers, notably G. Smith with 3-9, but a total of 12 maiden overs.

Time to move on, but again the website tells us that the home side, probably much more familiar with the short boundaries, had no trouble knocking off the runs in less than twenty overs, with Johnson making up for his lack of wickets with 55 not out.

North Stainley

Then back south calling in at familiar grounds at West Tanfield and North Stainley on the way home. Play back on at both after tea and both looking as pretty as a picture in the continuing sunshine. Still a cool breeze which dictated the plan to keep moving all afternoon. League cricket is back, the countryside delightful, it all makes you feel good to be alive.

GRAY DAY FOR YORKSHIRE AT TRENT BRIDGE

 
By Brian Sanderson,

Early start to go to my favorite county cricket ground,Trent Bridge. Arrived about 10.15 which enabled some signature obtained and a cup of coffee.In the Pavilion Tony had also obtained his coffee as the temperature was on the cool side.Yorkshire had won the Championship here in September. Were had seven months gone ?.

Yorkshire decided to bowl  and soon the lights had to be put on.Yorkshire had six right arm  medium pace bowlers included Matthew Fisher who was playing his first Championship match aged 17 as they  had drop Carver  who was Yorkshire only genuine spin bowler.By lunch Yorkshire had taken two wickets for 105 included Fishers first wicket of Taylor.

During lunch time I always go in to the Library were Peter Wynne-Thomas was having his lunch. A supporter had  brought in a photograph of a side who played at Trent Bridge during the Second World War and wanted to know the  names of the players. However when I left he was struggling to name the side which included some Army personnel.There is a excellent article by Nottingham Post about the library dated  17 May   2013.

Back to the cricket were Alex Hales had decided to take the Yorkshire bowling apart. and by tea was 141 not out  . The Nottingham score had moved up to 281 for 4. Again the sky darken  and also the Yorkshire supporters with little prospect of stopping Nottingham scoring a large total.

After tea Hales carried on batting and at the end of the day was 222 not out with 37 fours and 1 six.Nottingham were 393 for 7 at the end of play leaving Yorkshire  three days of hard work.

HALES AND WESSELS COMING OFF FOR TEA.

GROUNDS IN THE HILLS

By Brian Sanderson,

    Start of another League season and a trip to Ribblesdale and Craven League. The sun was shining and a clear blue sky was excellent for taking photographs.

The first match was Ribblesdale Wanderers against Brinscall and the above photograph shows the hills in the distance .The ground is in Clitheroe with excellent views of the hills.

 In the distance you can see Clitheroe Castle  which may have been built before 1066. The excellent league website has the result of the match  and the home side scored 178 for 5 and bowled Brinscall for 124.

We then visited the following grounds, Clitheroe are the Champions of the Ribbledale League.The rest of the grounds were in the Craven League. The best views were from Chatburn looking over the valley.

Barrowford v Ingrow St. Johns

Foulridge v Riddensden

Jewel of the grounds Chatburn v Oakworth

Clitheroe v Baxendale with  with the view of the Castle and Church.

Weetwood story continued

Posted by Tony Hutton

Cricket continues to surprise everyone. Brian has already described the confusion of the early start to the game at Weetwood today. The fact that the game ended so quickly as well caused consternation to one or two late arrivals. When Brian departed due to really cold wind when watching the game on pitch number two I was about to follow him, when who should appear but the sage of Adel, Reg Parker. He was hoping to see the end of the game with Exeter but settled in to watch what we then thought was a game between Leeds university first team and Newcastle university.

Weetwood No.2 ground

Newcastle were struggling with six wickets down and another man retired hurt holding his shoulder. It looked as though they might be all out soon, but the four remaining spectators, Reg Parker and Gordon Chadwick, two wicket-keeping league cricket legends, and Brian Senior and myself rather less famous legends, stuck it out. The wind whistled round us but the runs and the conversation kept flowing. Reg told us about the Hepworth cup final of 1949 as if it were yesterday.

The temporary scoreboard had very flimsy numbers which soon blew away and John Taplin, gave up the job he had been given and sat next to the scorer, keeping us advised of the score at regular intervals. Newcastle passed 200 and one of the batsmen was knocking the ball to all parts. As he reached his nineties the ninth wicket fell. However, he was joined not by number eleven, but the batsman who had earlier retired hurt, and he could bat a bit. They put on a good last wicket stand and M.Darby not only reached his century but proceeded to 132 by means of several sixes towards the end, with a grand total of 246 all out. Only one umpire in this match our friend David Godbold from the Bradford League.

The four intrepid spectators had signs of imminent frostbite and retreated in different directions to find shelter. Mr Taplin, the font of all knowledge, said there was a match on at New Rover just across the ring road. Brian said he might have a walk down there after first finding some refreshments in the pavilion. I went home for my meal and around six o'clock the sun was shining brightly and the wind seemed to have dropped a
bit, so I set off to see if there really was a match on at nearby New Rover.

Here the surprises continued. Brian was sitting with University coach Richard Horner in the latter's car, sheltering from the wind. They informed me that this was the the University first team game between Leeds and Newcastle and that the game we had been watching at Weetwood was only a second team game. Two highly qualified Yorkshire League umpires, including Barry Oliver in place here.

Early season at New Rover

Newcatle had batted first and scored 223. Leeds were going well in reply and only wanted 50 or so to win. Again one of their batsmen was approaching his hundred.
As I did a lap of the ground to take some pictures, he immediately launched three huge straight drives for six and despite two further wickets falling, reached 140 not out at the end as Leeds won by five wickets. So my second century of the day after such a low scoring first game. His name is T. Simmons and looks a very good prospect. Richard Horner only knew that he was from the south of England and had a year off cricket last season.

Simmons hits a six at New Rover

So back across the road to Weetwood around 7 o'clock by then and the second team game still going on. Leeds II had five wickets down and wanted another 60 odd runs to win. By this time it was bitterly cold and all spectators including the intrepid John Taplin had long gone. I had really had enough by then and made my way home and just wonder if the game went on for another hour or so. We may never know!!

So home to watch a remarkable Leeds Rhinos win at St Helens, with time for my third century of the day by the West Indies captain Jason Holder to save the match in Antigua. A very long day but as you can see, full of surprises.

WAS YOUR JOURNEY REALLY NECESSARY ?

By Brian Sanderson,

Today was a chance to see the start of Leeds and Bradford University one day season at Weetwood.I arrived at 11.30 to find Exeter had lost three wickets to the left arm bowling of Lilley for the total of 16.
It seemed they started at 11 o,clock as the website yesterday said 12.30 .

In his car was Ian from Lancaster who had watched Exeter been beaten by Durham University yesterday and thought the match would start at 11.00.The sun was out so I  settled down to watch the match being joined by Tony and Jenny. Tony had noticed it stated on the University website that match started at 11. and had to interrupt his lunch to get to Weetwood.

Wickets fell quickly to all the Leeds University bowlers so bowling Exeter out for 83 in 32 overs but there was a bonus match on Weetwood second ground. Leeds University were playing a friendly against Newcastle. So at lunch we all moved over to watch this match but the cold wind was back which made watching uncomfortable.

After lunch Leeds batsman Bullen and Wakefield won the match in 10 overs. Bullen finishing the match with a six and completed his half century.Beenwhile Leeds University had taken six wickets for 108.
The thought of keeping warm and the chance to watch the test match was more attractive than windy Weetwood.

Tomorrow a trip into the Ribblesdale and Craven leagues with some sunshine I hope.