Like John Winn on Saturday I was at Sheriff Hutton Bridge, but ensconced in the warmth of my car to watch,
after an early circuit to take photographs in the teeth of the very strong wind blowing across the flatlands of the Vale of York. However, our paths did not cross. Like John I was impressed by the memorabilia in the pavilion. The club was only founded in 1949, which means they have the full club history on the walls. My last visit must have been all of twenty years ago, so nice to be there again to see this well run club, which of course won the Village Knock out at Lord's a few years ago.
Sherrif Hutton Bridge
Yorkshire started brightly with Elliot Callis and Ben Ainsley. Callis was out as soon as he reached 50 but Ainsley, not to be confused with the famous yachtsman, went from strength to strength and completed a well earned century (my first of the season too) before retiring. He is a young man who hails from Middlesborough and has worked his way through the Yorkshire schools system from the under 13s upwards. Looks a good prospect. Another youngster, Harry Brook from Burley in Wharfedale, now at Sedbergh school, came in at number three and hit a rapid 50 against bowling which must have been very difficult given the very windy conditions.
Sheriff Hutton Bridge
The middle order finished the innings with a flourish and the final total in 50 overs was 267-5. It was time for me to depart at tea time and no information has so far been forthcoming about the result, but we may find out at Headingley tomorrow. I assume Yorkshire Academy would have won. Sadly Harold Galley is no longer going to score for the Academy and we will all miss his regular reports and scorecards on the website.
After an overnight stop near Birmingham, I arrived bright and early in Worcester, where the wind was not quite as strong as Sheriff Hutton, but not far off. I had time for a walk along the river and a tour of the Cathedral with the Sunday morning bells ringing. Memories of my boyhood visits during the 1950s. The ground itself has changed out of all recognition with a large Premier Inn in the corner of the ground nearest the Severn Bridge. Some of the rooms actually overlook the ground and on a day like this it might have been better to stay in bed to watch!
New Road Worcester
I encountered fellow blogger Brian Sanderson before the start in a pavilion quite full with plenty of travelling support from Yorkshire. Brian may still be there I think, but no doubt we will have his report and more pictures in due course. Yorkshire started well with Brooks claiming two quick wickets, but Moeen Ali stopped the rot with a fine innings, which suggests he might be back with England very soon. He got good support from young Tom Fell, a product of Oakham School, who despite having a bit of good fortune at times completed a valuable century. Things turned Yorkshire's way again after a good spell by Bresnan, but Gareth Andrew scored valuable runs towards the end of a day truncated by bad light.
Yorkshire take the field at Worcester
Back home that night, ready for another trip, this time by train and tram to Old Trafford, as I still call it. This was day two of a friendly with Leeds/Bradford University which had been rained off after lunch yesterday. Met one or two Lancashire friends, before the inevitable appearance of Brian Senior. The cold wind was still blowing but not as bad as the previous two days. It was possible to watch the match behind glass in the long room, with scorecards conveniently placed on all the seats. One up to Lancashire as none were available at the start of play at Worcester. Brian Senior's culinary grape vine found him dining cheaply in the canteen of Trafford Town Hall just across the road.
The re-built old pavilion at Old Trafford
Batting for Lancashire looked easy with former Leeds/Bradford man Louis Reece making 80 then retiring and newly acquired South African Alviro Petersen did the same. Ashwell Prince, the South African involved in the Andrew Gale controversy, then scored 50 very easily and it was all plain sailing with a final total of 482 all out for the home county. My first visit for about five years, so again a very different outlook with the new players pavilion in the distance and the old pavilion substantially enlarged. However I was pleasantly surprised by many of the changes, none of which my Lancashire friends seem to like. I was able to sit on the upstairs balcony for a while and took quite a few pictures. We will all reconvene at Headingley tomorrow for Yorkshire second XI versus Glamorgan. Hopefully the wind will have dropped.
No comments:
Post a Comment