Yesterday, Monday 15th June, not a lot of cricket about but a longstanding arrangement to visit Giggleswick School in North Yorkshire for their annual match with MCC provided an excellent day out for four old men aged between 78 and 90. Needless to say, the conversation continued unabated all day, particularly when we realised all four of us attended the 1948 England v Australia Test at Headingley. We could recall almost every incident from so long ago, but not where we were last week.
As the youngest of the party, as well as chauffeur, navigator, lunch arranger, medical adviser and general factotum, I can confidently say that the day was a resounding success. Having arrived at the picturesque school ground well ahead of the start time of 11.30 those of us able to ascend the steep pavilion steps had a well earned cup of coffee, having arranged the deck chairs on the boundary edge. Before the start the two teams lined up for a minute's silence in tribute to former New Zealand test cricketer Mike Shrimpton, who died recently at the age of 74. He had been cricket coach at Giggleswick for four years and was obviously very highly regarded.
Giggleswick school remember Mike Shrimpton
We made ourselves known to the affable MCC captain, John Booth from Huddersfield and the official scorer from Chester le Street, Mr Connolly. As usual the MCC team had a strong looking team of league cricketers against the unknown qualities of the home team. MCC batted first, as is the custom, and the openers Sadler and Westwood put on 43 for the first wicket. Sadler was out for 32 and Wolfenden soon followed to give the school some encouragement.
Giggleswick v MCC
However a partnership of 114 between Westwood and Bowett, who both scored fifties put MCC back in control. The four of us departed by car, which was just as well, down the steep hill into the village to find that both of the pubs were closed on Monday lunchtimes. Help was at hand as only a mile or less down the road is the town of Settle, famous for the Settle to Carlisle railway. The first pub we came to was serving food and after a few altercations over the food order from the older members all was well with the world again.
Suitably refreshed we returned to the fray just as the players, all smartly dressed in their blazers, were struggling back up the hill from the school buildings. They were followed about half an hour later by the ever present 70 year old wicketkeeper Tommy Hodson from Cheshire. He either had much more to eat than anyone else or took much longer to climb the hill, possibly both!
Tommy Hodson returns from lunch - eventually
Before the action re-started, I took the opportunity to take the two members of the party unable to climb the steep steps, by road up the hill to the very impressive school chapel, with it's huge dome which can be seen from miles around. Brian Senior had already discovered during the morning that the chapel was open to visitors. On previous visits it has always been locked. Both John Rex and Richard Perkin, who are regular church goers at different parishes in Leeds, were very impressed with the interior, particularly the magnificent stained glass windows and the amazing height of the dome.
Beyond the boundary - Giggleswick school chapel
Then it was back to the cricket and the runs came quickly with Bowett out for 54 and then Westwood for 83, which included 13 fours. The school bowlers stuck to their task well, five of them taking wickets with Roberts 2-25 having the best figures. John Booth, a very good Huddersfield League batsman, chose not to bat playing the role of non playing captain. We had discovered that the Giggleswick coach was a well known county cricketer of not that long ago in Robbie Joseph a quick bowler from the West Indies who played for both Kent and Leicester.
More runs for MCC at Giggleswick
MCC finally declared with a total of 228-6, with the school facing a difficult task. So it proved with the visitors' pace attack proving a bit too hot to handle for the early batsmen. Four wickets fell with only twenty odd runs on the board and the game was almost over. There was some defiance from one or two of the tailenders, including a huge straight drive for six which was the only one of the day. In the end, shortly before six o'clock the school were all out for 78. Unfortunately it was really a case of men against boys.
As usual the game was played in the most sporting of spirits and the MCC players were happy to spend time with a party of boys from the junior school, who asked them questions and then applauded the players as they went back on the field after tea. The refreshments provided were enjoyed by the spectators after the players had finished, none more so than by 90 year old John Rex, who almost sprinted up the steps, with walking stick on one side and holding on to the railings on the other. There were a few sandwiches remaining for the rest of us!
A most pleasant day in beautiful surroundings thoroughly enjoyed by all. Hope we are still all around next year.
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