Two days without cricket at the beginning of this week, with poor weather forecasts putting me off visits to Trent Bridge on Monday and Acomb (for Yorkshire over 60s) on Tuesday. The second one particularly annoying as 90 year old John Rex played for Acomb many years ago and was looking forward to returning to his old haunts.
However, Wednesday at last brought some improvement to the weather but still proved a somewhat difficult day.
The Wednesday University fixture list looked more sparse than recently, but the obvious choice was Leeds Beckett University at home to Newcastle scheduled for 11.00 a.m. at Kirkstall Educational. On arrival at the ground just before 11 things did not look good, the ground was deserted and no sign of life. Malcom Shearsby arrrived almost simultaneously and his search of the BUCS website indicated that the game had been switched to New Farnley with a 12.30 start, and that the women's game would be played with a later start at Kirkstall.
Domestic duties at home prevented me travelling to New Farnley straight away and I did manage to see a prompt start at 12 at New Rover, where Leeds Trinity were taking on Sheffield University 2nd XI. Sheffield were soon 30-3 and the game looked likely to finish early. So after lunch I set off to join Malcolm at the pleasant New Farnley ground, which is surrounded by trees and has a nice rural atmosphere. The birds were singing and the sun was shining. What could be better.
Morning action at New Rover
Well for one thing the quality of the batting. Leeds Beckett have already lost two league games and with one abandoned were in much need of a win. However they lost wickets at regular intervals against a varied Newcastle attack with left arm quick Ben Marsh getting some awkward bounce. They also had a useful leg spinner and fielded well too, with one excellent run out. Leeds Beckett, not looking good were all out for 116. Wicketkeeper Potter who plays for Harrogate top scored with 26 and there were also a good number of wides.
Afternoon sun at New Farnley
The result of this game has still to appear on the BUCS website, but Malcolm reported that wickets were falling quickly at the start of the Newcastle innings, before he too had to leave, but a close finish looked likely.
At this point I had to depart to collect my grandson from school, managing to call in again at New Rover thinking it might have finished. Not so, Sheffield had recovered to post a useful score of 195 in 49 overs. Trinity were in hot pursuit scoring rapidly and eventually won the game by seven wickets with 17 overs to spare. Another lesson -don't write games off because they start badly.
We had been followed to New Farnley by another couple who had been re-directed to New Farnley by the Kirkstall groundsman. Perhaps a good time to remind all readers of the cricket health warning. University games in particular, but others as well, can be re-arranged at short notice in terms of both dates and venues. Always check before travelling long distances and be aware that information given on this website is always subject to change.
The short University season is nearing it's end, but the good news is that Leeds/Bradford MCCU top both the one day and two day competition league tables and could see them through to two finals, one of which is played at Lord's. For further information refer to the University's excellent website www.leedsbradfordmccu.com
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