Practically Oldham

posted by John Winn

When I told a friend of the grounds in my itinerary for yesterday, he replied 'Why, that's practically Oldham! And indeed it was for the schedule, organised with almost Ron Deaton like precision by David Thorpe included trips to six OL postcodes and one beginning SK (Stockport) and that is practically Cheshire.

An early start for me to meet up with Brian Sanderson, his son Andrew and Brian Senior before joining up with David in Huddersfield. First call to Friarsmere (OL3) and a Saddleworth League Div 1 match  with South West Manchester the visitors, but not just any old Saddleworth game for yesterday stumps were pulled for the last time and the clubs will go their separate ways as part of the reorganisation* of cricket in the Greater Manchester area. A 1:00 start proved too soon for the visitors from Chorlton-cum-Hardy who took the field six minutes late and then with only seven men, which increased to nine by the time we left.  The gentlemen shown leaning on his bat gave it some heave ho while we watched before being out to a fine catch in the deep and Friarsmere went on to make 195 for 4 against their bottom of the league opponents who in turn were dismissed for 99.

Friarsmere

But with seven grounds to visit we were soon on our way to Greenfield where a good crowd (unlike at Friarsmere where we the only spectators) was watching  the home team bat against close rivals Glodwick. Star of the show at this lovely little ground was Alex Peters who made 107 out of Greenfield's 180 all out to which Glodwick replied with 103, a result which means Greenfield finished second and Glodwick third behind champions Saddleworth .Like the game I saw on Saturday this fixture had attracted a number of pcws including notables such as Blackpool Ken, Policeman Bob and the secretary of Cumberland CCC.

Been here before

Next and something of a climb to the heights of Mossley and Richmond Hill, the home of Micklehurst and a second team game with Moorhouse the visitors. Splendid views from here and after some confusion we established that the home team were batting. Interest here focused on whether Richard Jones would get his century when joined by a young looking number 11 with the score on 108 for 9 and Jones in the eighties. The young man had a nice line in defensive shots  and the website reveals that he stayed long enough for his senior partner to get three figures and take Micklehurst to 199 all out. Too good for Moorside: all out 97.

Natty head gear at Micklehurst

Sustained by some rather sticky cake we headed for Staley near Stalybridge where we saw the finish of a second team fixture and a hefty win for Whalley Range. Staley, who we learned were Harry Pilling's old club, had been dismissed for 88 and Whalley sealed a nine wicket win with a six. Next came the trickiest journey of the day and back towards Oldham to Glodwick and their seconds taking on Greenfield II. This looked like another case of just in time for for Glodwick in chasing 107 were 22 for 5. Resistance stiffened while we there however and they were eventually out for 73. Blackpool Ken had recoiled in horror when we told him that we were going to Glodwick but we found a semi rural ground surrounded on three sides by woodland and a small but welcoming crowd and most remarkably a first time visit for Mr Senior.

Time runs out for Staley

At last our luck ran out for although our next journey went without a hitch we arrived too late at Moorlands where we had hoped to see a first team fixture against Micklehurst but the players were starting to come away with the home team winners by 8 wickets. Fingers crossed we made another short journey this time to Austerlands and despite this being a second team match there was still a little life in it. More fine views from this ground although the light was beginning to fade and visitors Wythenshawe were chasing 180. A rather dull looking pavilion here but a very comfortable club house and another strike for Brian Senior.  The Wythenshawe tail showed some resistance and when we left the ninth wicket pair were at the crease. The website shows they fell 71 short but by this time we were on our way home very grateful to David for organising the day and personally delighted that I had visited six grounds for the first time on the last day of the league's existence. Ground of the day for me was Greenfield, a ground at the heart of the community with good vantage points all round and young and old enjoying a high standard of cricket.

Headingley for the next three days. Why, that's practically Leeds!

* subject for a later posting