Seems a long time ago, but on Tuesday 8th September set off for London (after a day in Carlisle!) for a full week of cricket at Lord's followed by a day at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. So from one end of the country to the other and this was followed by a ten day trip to Paris to be in attendance for my two grandsons' birthdays.
However, I was delighted to read Brian and John's blogs keeping everyone up to date during my absence. So day one -
which was to see MCC schools playing ESCA (English Schools Cricket Association) at Lord's in a 50 over a side game. The first surprise came early on at Kings Cross Station in fact. We saw a familiar figure in the distance crossing the overhead pedestrian bridge. It looked like Peter Mann from Burley, aka Motor Bike Man, who now has great difficulty in walking.
On arrival at the ground we soon realised it was Peter, accompanied by the Brook family from Burley, as local lad Harry Brook was out there opening the batting for ESCA. Now at Sedbergh School, young Harry is an outstanding talent and has already been playing regularly for Yorkshire Academy and the Second XI in recent matches.
Harry Brook at Lord's
The smallish crowd on the grandstand side were entertained by some good batting by the top four, Haines top scoring with 63, but then the fell away somewhat towards the end and didn't really accelerate. The final score was 219-7 which seemed a little below par on a good batting wicket.
MCC member watches from the pavilion
MCC schools lost one of their openers for a duck but then Lynch from Somerset took over with a fine 68 which was the highest score of the match. The rest of the batsmen all made a few but only Keeping from Stowe school with 34 made a significant contribution. The return of opening bowler Jafri led to wickets beginning to fall and a close finish was on the cards when the eighth wicket fell on 206.
Close finish coming up
However McCoy from Millfield and Meyer from Whitgift saw MCC home with a partnership of 16 to win the game by 2 wickets with just one ball remaining. So an entertaining day's cricket ended with a presentation ceremony on the pitch, with the spectators allowed on the hallowed turf to see medals awarded to both sides.
David English presents the trophy to the winning captain
The winners - MCC Schools
Next day it was back to the serious business of the county championship with the four day game between Middlesex and Yorkshire. A good contingent of Yorkshire members were there in the pavilion for the 10.30 start, although some latecomers missed the sensational opening of the match. Ryan Sidebottom opened from the Nursery End and amazingly took three wickets in the first over. So Stirling, Compton and Malan (who had one of his stumps removed) were all back in the pavilion with the total 0-3.
End of Sidebottom's first over
By mid-afternoon it became clear the Yorkshire were county champions by picking up full bowling bonus points and that Notts had failed to get maximum batting points. However from then it took almost an hour, until the tea interval in fact, for the public address announcer to broadcast the news. Not to worry the travelling fans were all well satisfied. From then on the game became something of an anti-climax but still plenty of excitement in store.
Despite Yorkshire's first innings lead of almost 200, with captain Gale unluckily dismissed for 98, Middlesex fought back with a vengence in their second innings.
Compton played a splendid innings of 148 and such was the support he received from the later batsmen that some people were suggesting a declaration late on day three when the lead reached 350. However they batted on to the close to enable number 10, Toby Roland-Jones (a product of Leeds/Bradford University of course) to reach his first ever century.
Middlesex reach 500
The declaration came next morning, start of day four, and expectations were high that Yorkshire would go for the runs - target 381. The players must have been exhausted after their long day in the field and possibly due to some level of celebration of that second championship title in two years. Whatever the reason Yorkshire appeared to give up the ghost rather easily, despite 62 from Alex Lees and were all out for just 134, leaving Middlesex the winners by 246 runs.
Middlesex pack the slip cordon
What a turnaround, reminiscent of last years' game when Middlesex chased a huge total to win on the last afternoon. Full marks to Middlesex for not giving up and also to Roland- Jones who followed his century with five wickets for twenty seven. It must be said that the procession of Yorkshire batsmen seemed to hang their bats out to dry and most were caught in the slips or behind the wicket. Yet another remarkable game of cricket at Lord's which will linger long in the memories of all who saw it. The trophy was presented in front of the pavilion and the players soon made their way to the grandstand side where most of the fans and the players families were assembled. A proud moment for Andrew Gale, after his experience last season.
Andrew Gale gets his hands on the trophy
Celebrations!
The following day (Sunday) was another Yorkshire occasion. This time the Village Cup Final with Woodhouse Grange, who play in the York Senior League up against Foxton from Cambridgeshire, who were making their first appearance in the final.
A great day for both teams and their supporters. Woodhouse Grange are of course old hands in this competition and were probably red hot favourites.
Woodhouse Grange
Grange's openers Andrew Bilton and captain Nick Hadfield were never really in trouble and put on an opening stand of 120. Both scored 60, as did Chris Bilton 65 not out at the end with Tom Young a quick fire 40 not out. So a daunting score of 256-2 in just 40 overs for Foxton to chase.
Foxton - gallant losers
Foxton were not going to lie down and their star batsman, yet another Sanderson, who had made three centuries in earlier rounds looked dangerous from the start. When he was out for a well made 74 things began to change and although some late hitting brought Foxton within sight of the target they were never going to win. Full credit to them for making it a close contest and they finished with a respectable 237-8. Woodhouse Grange taking the trophy for a record fourth time. It will be their last as next season they will be playing in the new Yorkshire Premier League North, which disqualifies them from this competition.
Foxton go down fighting
Woodhouse Grange take the trophy
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