A day behind Tony

posted by John Winn

Tony has described his day at Richmond on Wednesday watching Durham Academy entertain their Yorkshire counterparts. If your geography is up to scratch you might wonder why Durham were the hosts for the fixture for the attractive market town is by some margin within the Broad Acres but as at Middlesbrough the men from the Land of the Prince Bishops are not averse to using the facilities of clubs south of the Tees for Second XI and Academy fixtures.

Tony had  left before stumps on Wednesday but the result was a win for Yorkshire by 19 runs with the scorecard available on the Durham Academy play cricket website. The two sides met again yesterday for another 50 over game at the extremely well appointed Hurgill Road ground. I played here in the early seventies when Richmond were a District League side but after years of knocking on the door they finally gained admission to the NYSD in 1981 and were promoted to the top division in 1994. They start their 2015 campaign tomorrow when champions Darlington come to town, wickets pitched 12:30.

an historic scorecard at Richmond CC

 

I made an early start for the 45 minute journey from home and took a seat in front of the pavilion in lovely sunshine where I was joined by our Hartlepool correspondent and Darlington Eddie. Durham batted first and were soon in trouble at 24 for 4. On a beautiful day we began to fear an early finish would curtail what had promised to be a grand day out. Fortunately Durham's and our day was rescued by an excellent knock from South African Brydon Carse and when the last wicket fell in the last over 186 represented respectability.

During the break between innings we walked the short distance into the town centre and enjoyed an alfresco lunch sitting in the market place. We timed our return to perfection for Yorkshire's reply was about to start and when drinks were taken at 25 overs Yorkshire had made 87 for 4 and a close finish looked possible but when we left at five Harry Brook had steered Yorkshire into a position from which a second win looked likely*. Alas the Durham website has so far (noon Friday) kept the result to itself. Boo and another boo to Yorkshire for having to rely on a player to score but I must not carp too much for I thoroughly enjoyed the day out and Richmond are to be commended as, not resting on their laurels, they continue to improve the ground with improvements to the club house and an extension of the terrace at the front of the pavilion currently under way. Durham return to Hurgill Road for four days of second eleven cricket in May by when local MP William Haigh will be past caring. It is unlikely however that he will be seen in these these boots.

 

*Yorkshire did indeed win by six wickets