CRICKET IN THE CLOUDS

By Brian Sanderson

This morning started dry but my the time I went up to Weetwood at 11.45 ,it was raining. The Yorkshire Academy were playing Appleby Frodingham in the Yorkshire cricket league.However the umpires decided to start on time with Appleby batting. I watched for about twenty minutes and no wickets fell.Myself and Ron Deaton then started on our trip round the grounds.

The first match was Crompark who were playing East Keswick.There are in Division 4 of the Wetherby League.I have not seen as much wild flowers on the boundary of a cricket field.

The ground is in the old Menston Mental Hospital which is now been turned into luxury housing block.

The next ground we visited was Esholt ground whre their seconds were playing Horsforth Seconds in the Airedale @ Wharfedale League.A chance to have some lunch in pleasant surroundings.

Moving on to the next ground in Sandal School Baildon were Baildon Thirds were playing Haworth Road Methodists in the Dales Council League.

There were great views towards Manningham Mills and across Bradford.

Moving on down the road were Haworth Road Methodists were playing Crossflatts  in the Craven Cricket League. A photograph of Ron Deaton going past the scorebox.

There is some great views of Salts Mill and the new flats looking over the ground.

Moving on we were going to Hepwoth Idle ground when I noticed a cricketer looking for a ball in a graveyard. Further looking we found to our surprise Cambing ground. They were playing Muff Field in the Bradford Mutual Sunday  Cricket League.

It has some excellent views again of the valley. You would not believe you were in Bradford.

The ground is very rare as it is surrounded by two graveyards.

Moving a hundred yards up the hill we visited the Hepworth Idle ground who are in the Craven League. Today they were playing Wilsden. Again there was great views and my this time the sun had come out which made the grounds look more picturesque.

Moving on to Thackery were their seconds team was playing Skipton Seconds in the Airedale @ Wharfedale league. The home side only reqiured six runs to win so five minutes later we moved on.

The next ground was Fulneck School were Pudsey Congs were by Leeds Sikh in the Dales League. We had seen Leeds Sikh last week in Roundhay Park. Some more  great views this time towards Leeds.

Moving back to Weetwood. The match was coming to a end The Academy were nine wickets down  and  about forty runs behind. So it was very pleasant in the sunshine to watch this tense ending. At 7.20 the Academy lost by Karl Carver been run out by a direct throw from the boundary.

Great  afternoon again traveling round the clubs  meeting cricket people who are willing to talk about their club.