PIES AND PROS

By Peter Davies

Three Huddersfield League Clubs in South Kirklees-and three 2nd X1 games.

DENBY DALE : TWICE AS NICE

A main road ground and a new Huddersfield League club .Denby Dale is famous for pies and the pie hall is only a six-hit away from the cricket ground. A lovely sunny afternoon and Dale were home to Lepton Highlanders. We sat on the banking on the road side of the road side of the ground. We had two cups of tea and Dad bought a tea meal to share: quiche ,sausage rolls, cheese sandwiches and salad.Dale have just "moved up " from the Hudderfield Central League to the Huddersfield League-not bad for a club with no bar.They share the pavilion with a chartered physiotherapist.

SKELMANTHORPE : BIG RON

Tea had just been served at Lidgett Lane- only pork pies were left.We sat in our usual seats-just round from the pavilion. Denby Dale were the visitors. Said hello to a club  official I knew and Dad walked round the ground. Skelmanthorpe  means Ronnie Irani- he played as a pro for Skelmanthorpe in the early 1990,s. Lidgett Lane is a "proper" cricket ground- good facilities in all respects.Houses and bungalows just beyond the boundary,and close to the fire station and school. The club graduated from the Huddersfield Central League and are now a top Huddersfield League club.

KIRKBURTON: VILLAGE PEOPLE

Serving behind the bar was Andrew Crookes, my former plumber when I lived in Shelley. His son   now plays for the Kirkburton i st X1- an off-spinning all-rounder. Kirkburton were playing Broad Oak. Pretty quiet on the boundary edge.We sat just in front of the pavilion. Sunny evening and the views out over the village: parish church,cricket ground,and a couple of pubs. Got to know Kirkburton quite well when I lived in Shelley-the next village along. My doctors was in Kirkburton and "T he Bakery and Coffee Shop", on the main road , is a place my Dad really liked.