BACK TO LEAGUE GROUNDS

By Brian Sanderson,

It was good to get back to see some local grounds with no rain forecast.The first ground was above and I remember playing cricket on the ground over fifty years ago and I scored fifty without by glasses as I had left them at home.In the book about the  history of the central yorkshire cricket league edited by Tony Woodhouse in 1987. It states  very little is known of the club,s history. Largely composed of village players, the club,s history can be traced back  some 110 to 115 years.

Today they are first division of the Yorkshire League and were playing East Leeds. On one side of the ground are some houses which are in easy six hit from the pitch.

Moving on to Dringhlington ground where the club used to play in the Bradford League but they are now in the Dales Council.In 1893 the club was formed and became members of the Central Yorkshire League. They were known as Drighlington St. Paul,s and played on the present ground which has always been owned by the church and held in trust for the club. Today there B team was playing Great Horton Park Chapel who won the match by one hundred runs.

Near to Dringlington is a Central Yorkshire side called Adwalton who were playing Mirfield A.The emblem for the club is army helmet from the English Civil War. It relates to a battle  which the Royalist defeated the Parliamentarians.It is the first time I had seen a disabled umpire.

Moving on to New Farnley were seconds were playing Keighley . We found that the home side were scoring 314 for 4 in 35 overs. A Thomas Suggitt scored 103 not out. I found out later the very young Keighley  side were bowled out for 88. When I played Keighley had a very strong second team and it now shows how  far the standards have dropped.

Moving on to the Dales Council League were Farnley Hill were playing Pudsey St. Lawrence third team.The ground is in the village of Tong and behind the Grayhound Pub.Tong cricket club folded in 2012 . A  proper village ground with a cricket pavilion.

Moving on to the Bradford Mutual Sunday School League were Yorkshire LPS were playing Great Horton Church . They play on the Woodhall Park which is Thornbury Bradford.They were formed in 1994.

Moving on to another club in the league Parkside who were playing Muff Field  in Bowling Park Bradford. The home side were winning the match easily. The facilities are very limited but they were enjoying their cricket.

On the way back home we called into Farsley who were playing Bradford and Bingley. The home side were getting beaten easily.However after we left James Wainman scored 129 not out but they still lost by 55 runs.

Another interesting six hours visiting eight grounds.