RAIN, TOUR DE YORKSHIRE AND THEN SUNSHINE

By Brian Sanderson,

Picking Bob up in good time to arrive at Dunnington at 11.45 to find the Yorkshire players sunning themselves and the comment there was a delay. We found via the scorer the match would start at 1.00 PM as water had run under the covers.

Some more rain and the match started at 1.30 with the Academy batting. After threeovers more rain, this time very heavy.By the time it  had stopped there was talk of play in an hours time but we decided to go home.It seems looking a total scorer it turned out to be a twenty over match which he Academy won.

On returning to Bardsey we found the A64 road blocked due to the Tour de Yorkshire.Choosing another route we passed Bardsey cricket ground but all Airedale and Wharfedale cricket matches were off due to the race.

Nearing home I noticed that St.Chads were playing Scarcroft in the First Division of the Wetherby League.
St.Chads ground is situated next to the main Leeds to Otley road  and opposite by favorite Leeds pub Woodies The club has four senior league sides and is very well run by Paul Berry. As I arrived Scarcroft innings was finishing on 173.

During the interval Paul was sweeping the wicket whilst the players were having tea. Whilst St.Chads were batting two incidents happen which I have not seen at a cricket match before.

The first one was the umpire eating a banana  whilst St. Chads were batting.

The second incident was the ground been invaded by drunked students on a. Saturday afternoon drink.

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This did not help the home side who found themselves at 56 for 8 at drinks break. A few overs later they were bowled and I could arrive home early but pleased to be able to see the last match and the incidents.

 

MAY FIXTURES

By Brian Sanderson

May   1    Yorkshire v Nottingham                          Trent Bridge      4 days

          Cumberland v Cambridgeshire                    Furness            1 day

         Streethouses  v Houghton Main

      2  Lancashire Seconds  v  Derbyshire         Northern             3 day

      3 Yorkshire Seconds v Unicorns                Barnsley              1 day

        Grassington  v  Kettlewell

      Littondale v Cracoe

     4 MCC  v Bradford G.S.                                                     11.30

         University of Leeds Seconds v University of Manchester  Weetwood   12.30

        Linton v Thresfield

      5  Lancashire Seconds v Derbyshire                Northern                1 day

         M.C.C  v Sedbergh                                                             11.30

      8  Yorkshire v Surrey                      Headingley                      4 days

          Lincolnshire v Cumberland v       Bracewell Heath                1 day

      9  Leeds and Bradford  v Durham   Weetwood                        1 day

     10  Leeds and Bradford   v Durham  Weetwood                      2 days

       Burnsall v Grassington

      Littondale v Linton

       Threfield v Kettlewell

  11  MCC v Brenard Castle                                     11.30

     MCC v Silcoates                                                 11.30

     MCC v Worksop College                                   11.30

  12  MCC v Leeds G.S                                            11.30

     13 Derbyshire Seconds v Nottingham    Derby             1 day

   15  Durham v Lancashire                         Riverside                4 days

        Notts  v Warwickshire             Trent Bridge                  4 days

        Cumberland  v  Northumberland      Penrith                   1 day

    16  Northants Seconds  v  Yorkshire   Stowe School     20/20

    17     Kettlewell v Burnsall

  

          Thresfield  v Cracoe

        Linton v Grassington

    18- MCC v Ampleforth                                       11.30

       Univ of Leeds v Newcastle     Ilkley                     12.30

      Leeds MCC Women v Univ of Edinburgh   Weetwood      12.30

  22  Derbyshire  v Kent                           Derby                      4 days
         Lancs v  Surrey                               Old Trafford             4 days
   23 Durham II v Unicorns (SET) Burnopfield

   24  Derbyshire II  v Lancashire  II    Glossop       20/20

         Durham II v Unicorns (T20) Burnopfield

        Burnsall  v Cracoe

        Linton   v Kettlewell

        Lintondale  v  Thresfield

  25   Yorkshire II   v Lancashire  II   York               20/20

      Derbyshire II  v Warwickshire II  (SET)  Repton School       1 day

      Leeds MCC Womens  v Durham      Weetwood            12.30

  27  Notts II v Yorkshire II  Trent College     20/20

    28- Notts v Durham              Trent Bridge             4 days

    29 Yorkshire  v Lancashire              Headingley                4 days

       Yorkshire B U15  v North Yorkshire             Fishlake

    31     Durham II   v  Yorkshire II     Brandon             20/20

          Yorkshire U15 B v Lincolnshire      Hensall

        Burnsall v Littondale

        Cracoe   v Linton

        Thresfield  v Grassington

  Just require no rain and sun. Check before setting off.

          

   

Stoneman makes the trip worthwhile

posted by John Winn

Yesterday was the only day it was convenient for me to make the trip to The Riverside for the match between Durham and Middlesex. After the visitors' very solid batting performance on Sunday Durham need to knock over the three remaining wickets as quickly as possible and then make best use of what seemed a very good batting wicket. When snow (sic) brought proceedings to a slightly premature close these two objectives had been achieved with Durham finishing the day 95 behind with six first innings still intact.

Two for Stokes and one for Onions had the Middlesex innings wrapped up for the addition of 31 and by lunch Durham had reached 87 for 2 with Jennings who had continued in the excellent form shown against Somerset two weeks ago dismissed by a poor ball from Finn and Borthwick, who has not really got going this year out to a lifter from Harris. Stoneman, who among the Chester le Street aficionados at least, is frequently mentioned in the same sentence as the England selectors, made it all look very easy and in the afternoon he found excellent support from Jack Burnham who surpassed the 50 he had made on debut against Yorkshire at Scarborough last year. The pair added 131 before Burnham was out straight after tea by which time I was on my way to  Durham station.

At a shade over 54 degrees north you would not expect it to have been warm yesterday but by dint of changing our viewing position to the Lumley End and gaining the shelter of the health centre we avoided the worst of the wind and at one point during the afternoon the sun emerged to make things just about bearable. That however  is the best one can say and the Middlesex fielders, unaccustomed to such temperatures looked as though it was at least a three sweater day. Today's forecast is no better with a maximum of 7 degrees and wintry showers possible. Brrrr

Coldest conditions in living memory at Weetwood

Posted by Tony Hutton

Almost a festival week of cricket at Weetwood started today, with Thursday the only blank day in the calender. However the weather conditions made it anything but a festival atmosphere. The biting north wind was the most serious problem added to which came sleet, hail and rain showers throughout the day. The only possible way to watch the action was to slip the car into one of the few spaces possible, normally firmly behind a locked gate.

Once ensconced in the warmth of the car the action in this eventful BUCS fifty overs a side one day match between Leeds/Bradford and Cardiff came thick and fast even if interrupted several times by the weather. The match did start on time at 12.30 despite a slight drizzle and the home side lost Bullen lbw early on. Then a good partnership between Andersson from Middlesex and the prolific Billy Root put on 59 runs. Root, who had made 85 for his club side Sheffield Collegiate on Saturday is already well into form and scored most of his runs in boundaries before being surprisingly bowled by Scriven for 34.

This brought in the captain Davis who batted through the remainder of the truncated innings to top score with 73. Andersson also made a confident 52 and Leeds/Bradford looked set for a big score when the weather intervened for the first time. A brief resumption saw the loss of Davis and as soon as he was out the heavens opened again and the innings was terminated at 184-5 after 30.4 overs. The Cardiff skipper Brand had the best bowling figures with his slow left arm spin taking 3-19 towards the end of the innings.

At this point I returned home to thaw out and cook my evening meal, returning about an hour later. Play had just re-started and Duckworth Lewis came into operation and we were told by the ever efficient Total Cricket Scorer that the revised target for Cardiff was 213 off 28 overs. They did not make a particularly good start losing opener Lawlor for one and when Billy Root came on to bowl with his innocuous looking spin he rather surprisingly took three wickets for twenty three in a very tidy six over spell.

The sun did appear towards the end of the game

The home side looked a bit short of bowling and when Brand was batting his fifty looked like giving Cardiff a chance, but the advent of offspinner McKendry changed all that with three wickets, all to excellent boundary catches. The other spinner, Hill, also bowled well with McKendry to the end and the game looked won with the scoreboard showing 32 runs still required with only two wickets left at the start of the last over.

The scoreboard shows 39 runs required in two overs

This is where the real confusion started as Cardiff were still going for the runs and it transpired later that the target of 32 had been reduced to 20 because of penalty runs awarded due to Leeds/Bradford's slow over rate. The scoreboard and Total Cricket Scorer could not cope with this so the handful of spectators left were oblivious to this new development. Cardiff went for two off the first ball which ended in a run out. The next two balls went for six and four so nine I think were required of the last three balls.
However in the gathering gloom the last wicket fell off either the fifth or sixth ball of the over with McKendry either taking a caught and bowled or effecting a run out.

Nearing the end of a very long day

Leeds had obviously won, but not by more than a single figure. A tweet by the University confirmed this but Total Cricket Scorer is still in a state of shock several hours after the end of the match, so the full detail will be confirmed later. A great game of cricket but it was cold, really hypothermic cold! The game finished at 7.45 p.m.

Scarborough win in Royal London club knock out

Posted by Tony Hutton

On Sunday like Brian it was a toss up as to which national knock out game to go to.
In view of the climatic conditions it was decided to go to Stamford Bridge, where we knew we could watch proceedings from the car without having to brave the cold winds.

Stamford Bridge on another day when the sun shone.

The home side were entertaining Scarborough after a good win yesterday in which their new West Indian professional scored runs together with McQueen the Yorkshire triallist spin bowler, who played for Leeds/Bradford University after beginning in Surrey's age group sides. Neither of these two were available to play in this match as I assume the rules prevent professional players from taking part.

Scarbrough batted first and Stephenson and Harland put on 65 for the first wicket before Harland's over eagerness saw his partner run out for 28. Harland and wicket keeper M. Tennant continued the good work and took the score to 114 before Harland managed to run himself out for 57.

Things rather fell apart from then on and although Tennant carried his bat for 59 not out, despite having to face his brother's bowling, his partners provided little support and the innings tailed away somewhat to finish on 190-6 in the 45 overs. The best figures came from spinner Beckett, with a very low trajectory, who had 9-0-27-1.

Sadly Stamford Bridge struggled from the beginning of their innings and were never really in with a shout. A good opening spell from Holt and particularly Wilkinson, who took three wickets and was ready to get in the face of the batsmen, reduced the home side to 38-4. Despite a top score of 27 by Woodliffe at number six, the innings subsided to 99 all out and Scarborough had won by 91 runs. The only plus point was that the weather eventually improved and the sun came out some time well after tea.

The next round of this competition will be played on Sunday 8th May when Richmondshire will play Scarborough, Sheriff Hutton Bridge play York, South Northumberland play Dunnington and Harrogate are at home to Elsecar.

Academy off the mark in fine style

Posted by Tony Hutton

On Saturday at Weetwood in very cold conditions Yorkshire Academy started their campaign in the new Yorkshire League North against Driffield Town. The visitors managed to get a game in last week and started with a win against Scarborough, whereas the Academy's game at Sheriff Hutton Bridge had been called off due to the weather.

The handful of diehard spectators sheltered under the pavilion balcony and saw Driffield's opening bowler, Ezard, take two quick wickets. Brown was caught behind and Waite clean bowled for nought. The score was then 11-2 but Ben Ainsley and Mo Hussain then shared a good partnership of 79 before Ainsley was stumped off the younger of the three Drurys on show for 52.

Hussain was also stumped for a good 41 and it was left to Thompson and Warner to give the score some respectability with innings of 25 and 31 respectively. The final score in the fifty overs (a reduction of five from last season) was 196-9. Newcomer Rudd ended with the best bowling figures of 3-32.

Rudd did not repeat his success with the ball when he was the first man out for 4 early on but overseas player Azad and G. Drury then took the score to 42-1 without too much trouble and Driffield looked in with a chance. However as the wind grew stronger and the temperature even lower the game was turned on its head by the introduction of the two Yorkshire spinners. By this time the majority of spectators had departed to get warm.

James Logan

(Picture by Brian Sanderson)

Off spinner Shutt was introduced at the pavilion end and immediately took a wicket with his first ball, having G.Drury lbw for 23. In the same over he had S. Drury caught by Thompson and the score was now 43-3. Left arm spinner James Logan, who did so well last season, was immediately put on at the other end and took his first wicket with the last ball of his second over removing Asad again caught by Thompson.

Things really happened in Logan's next over in which he took no less than three wickets and the score plummeted to 53-7. Despite some late resistance from wicket keeper Goddard with 19, Driffield were finally dismissed for 79 and Logan finished with outstanding figures of 9.2-5-16-7. It will be interesting to see if he progresses well in the Yorkshire 2nd XI in the near future. Shutt also bowled a tidy spell of 9-3-19-2.
A good start by the young Academy side which bodes well for the rest of the season.

ONE SIDED MATCH AT RICHMONDSHIRE

By Brian Sanderson,

I was going to York today but Tony Hutton reminded me they were playing away at Brandon in the Royal London Club Championship so a change of plan.After looking at the fixtures I decided to go to Richmond who were playing Clifton Alliance in the same cup.

I think the Richmond ground has one of the best view from the club house a church,see the opening photograph and a castle,see above. We sheltered from the cold northerly wind to watch the home side bat in the forty-five over match.. Soon the home team captain , Gary Pratt was bowled for 5 and  the team had lost three wickets very quickly.

It was left to Matthew Cowling, seen above,  to score 57  in 39 balls together with Sam Wood to bring the score up to 271 for 9. They were helped with 34 extras which included 20 wides. This helped to keep the umpires warm. One out  standing bowler was David Friend who took 6 for 25 in his eight overs.

After tea the sun was out  but it did not help Clifton Alliance who were bowled out in 21.4 overs for 68.
The top scorer was extras on 18. Gary Pratt caught a catch at first slip with the help of his body and spent five minutes on the floor and then later hurt his hand going for a catch. Not a good match for him.

York scored 232 for 9  and bowled Brandon for 102.Tom Pringle taking 6 for 15 in 6.5 overs.

Acomb hang on

posted by John Winn

The reorganisation of the upper tier of league cricket in Yorkshire and in particular the creation of Yorkshire Premier League North with its promotion of six clubs who last year were members of the York and District league provides me with easy access to at least half the grounds in the new division. So yesterday a twenty minute drive took me to Acomb Green (pictured) where promoted Acomb were taking on Harrogate, two teams whose games were washed out last week.


When I arrived Harrogate had been batting for little over an hour to reach 126 for 2 off 18 overs, a rate of progress that suggested a score well in access of 300 might be achieved. Anchoring the innings was former Yorkshire  player, Jonny Tattersall while the fireworks at the other end were coming from 'Gate skipper George Ross who hit 48 off 32 balls before being well caught in the deep at 142 for3.

Out of the breeze and in the sunshine,watching was a pleasant enough experience and with a cup of tea from the excellent clubhouse I settled down to watch the rest of the visitors' innings. To their credit Acomb stuck to their task and with wickets falling at fairly regular intervals the run rate was hauled in. Tattersall was ninth out, lbw for 92 at slightly under a run a ball, a decision with which he clearly did not agree and we were treated to a modest tantrum on his return to the pavilion. The innings closed on 323 for 9 and Acomb could perhaps reflect that it might have been worse.

Time for me to move on, and a short drive to Clifton Park where three matches were in progress, all in the York League, York II v Clifton Alliance, York III v Malton and Old Malton II and Clifton Alliance II v Acomb II with a rugby match thrown in for good measure. The game between York II and Clifton Alliance, two clubs separated only by the rugby pitch, was just resuming after tea with Alliance chasing 184 and after losing two early wickets I did not fancy their chances but checking the scores this morning I saw they had won by 5 wickets.

The afternoon had turned cold with the forecast northerly breeze strengthening and I made my way back along the A59 to Ouseburn CC where the seconds were in Div 4 Nidderdale action against their Helperby counterparts. Ouseburn had just begun their reply to Helperby's 225 for 5, A cautious start watched from behind glass did not induce me to stay for long and their final 212 for 7 was better than I had anticipated.

Home by 5:30 and the first Saturday watching league cricket under my belt. Not a bad start, at least the deck chair had seen the sun at Acomb and it looks as though just about every game went uninterrupted. To Riverside tomorrow where Durham have struggled against what is looking like a formidable Middlesex batting line up and credit to their skipper Adam Vosges who opted to toss nad decided to bat.

Finally plaudits to Acomb who held out for a draw against Harrogate hitting up 237 for 8 James Fletcher top scoring with 62. And even bigger congratulations to Sheriff Hutton Bridge who became the first promoted club to beat a 'senior' club with a five wicket win over Castleford. In this morning's table Bridge can look down on all but York. Last night I dreamed of Abu Dhabi.

PROPER START TO THE 2016 LEAGUE SEASON

By Brian Sanderson,

Last Saturday myself and Bob had a trip round grounds north of York but found no cricket due to rain.Above we called at Dunnington were the sun was shining and field was dry but still no cricket.

Today it was the start of travelling round matches with the help of Ron Deaton very detail travel log.

Arriving early at Weetwood the select few spectators were able to sit on new blue chairs to watch Yorkshire Academy against Driffield in the sunshine .This was in the Hunter ECB Premier League North. The Academy
batted first with Ben Ainsley and James Brown against a good bowling attack.

Moving on to a lower cricketing league Bradford Mutual Sunday School League division C.The two sides were Greenfield  who were playing Yorkshire LPS-Second X1. The ground is situated next to the River Aire in Shipley. During the winter the field was under water and we were very pleased to see players in cricketing whites as we arrived at the ground.The match started late and the boundary markers arrived ten minutes after the start. It reminded me of what cricket must have like in the 1860;s. People turning up and playing on a unprepared wicket. However they were all keen to play.

Moving on to the Horsfall Sports Fields were Buttershaw St. Pauls third team were playing Bradford Indians
 in the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League Group D. match. The home team had only ten men and had been bowled out for 55 which included 11 extras. There was a cold wind blowing and we were pleased to move on to a higher league.

About two miles away Woodlands Seconds were playing Undercliffe in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League 2nd X1. This gave us a chance to have a cup of tea and get warm again.The home side had scored 274 for 6 and Undercliffe were bowled out for 156.

Moving again about two miles we arrived at Scholes which is situated in Cleckheaton. The match was in the Bradford League Premier Division between Scholes and Woodlands. Scholes started playing in this league in 2015 previously in the Central Yorkshire League. Woodlands had scored 236 for 5  whilst Scholes were bowled out for 110.

The final match we went to was in the Bradford League Championship B. It was between Hartshead Moor and Methley. The away side last season were in the Central Yorkshire League last season.. The ground is next to the M62 which causes  conversation to be drowned by the sound of cars going past at seventy miles an hour.
The photograph shows the motorway signs. Methley scored 119 but bowled out Hartshead Moor for 90 with a 15 year old leg spinner taking 4 for 10.

Arriving back at Weetwood we found the Academy had scored 196 for 9 and then bowling Driffield out for 79. James Logan took 7 for 16 in 9.2 overs.He bowls left arm spin and is a  bowler for Yorkshires future.

University season well under way

Posted by Tony Hutton

One area of cricket which does not get much publicity is the games between the major cricketing universities. Following their early season games against first class counties the two inter varsity competitions are now well under way with some interesting games having taken place this week. Next week sees four days of cricket at Weetwood in Leeds where the all conquering Leeds/Bradford side start their home programme.

Cricket at Weetwood

The 'Yellows' as they appear to be known have been on tour this week and after winning both their games in the one day competition came unstuck somewhat in their first two day game at Oxford. On Monday they were at Bristol and scored a very healthy total of 343-6 with one of their new recruits Martin Andersson from Middlesex scoring a century. All the other batsmen got runs including Billy Root with 62, following his maiden first class century at Sussex.

In reply Bristol also batted well but despite a century from Warren a total of 263-7 was not enough. Moin Ashraf was among the wickets with 4-27. The following day they were at the Parks in Oxford and Billy Root weighed in with yet another century, 120 to be precise, in a total of 296-7. Again too much for the opposition as Oxford were all out for 154. Moin Ashraf took three wickets this time and spinner McKendry four.
So two wins in two days, but things were about to change.

The two day match against Oxford saw the home side pile up a total of 404 with not only a century for Dickinson, but an eighth wicket partnership 0f 77 and a tenth wicket stand of 58. In reply Leeds/Bradford despite an opening stand of 200 between Root and Weston could only muster a total of 319 all out so lost on first innings points. Weston became yet another centurion and this time Root made only (?) 85.

Leeds/ Bradford now take on Cardiff at Weetwood on Monday (12.30) in a one day match and then a two day game against the same opposition on Tuesday and Wednesday (both 11 a.m.). Finally they take on Southampton Solent in another one dayer at 12.30 on Friday (although be prepared for a possible change of start time to accommodate travel arrangements.)

Elsewhere Southampton Solent played out a 50 over tied game with Cambridge at Salisbury.
Solent were all out for 206 and Southampton ended their overs on 206-9. Even more startling was the Loughborough total of 599-7 dec against Durham. Of the top eight batsmen two made centuries, five made fifties and only Basil Akram, who had scored heavily in early season, failed to make it with 36. This is by far the highest total ever in a two day University game.

Durham were then bowled out for 166 with open batsman Eben Kertz, who comes from Loughborough Grammar School, out for a duck. Following on Durham then made 193 for no wicket, with Kertz 124 not out. Funny old game!

Around the North Yorkshire Leagues Part 2

posted by John Winn

The focus of the Harrogate Advertiser's revue of the prospects for clubs in the Aire-Wharfe League centres on a club who are embarking on their last season in the league for Knaresborough CC having given notice have been accepted into the York League for 2017. Like the similar move made by Pannal, Knaresborough's transfer is motivated by ambition and a chance to rise towards ECB Premier cricket. The league title is seen as largely a struggle between Otley, last year's champions, Beckwithshaw and Bilton, the last of these strengthened by the arrival of two men with recent captaincy experience, former Ouseburn skipper Chris Morrison and Knaresborough captain Simon Bridson. Bilton will be captained by former Yorkshire all rounder Vince Craven.

The departure of Pannal leaves my local club Ouseburn as favourites to win the Nidderdale League. Winners of the Atkinson Swires cup last year and champions in 2014 the Lightmire Lane outfit will start the new season under skipper Dave Cummings who has already impressed with team bonding exercises leading up to the new season. With last week's programme put back to September 17th Ouseburn will start the season with a trip to Darley, weather permitting. Others fancied to do well are Spofforth and Helperby and my eyes will be on newly promoted West Tanfield who have shot up the ladder with four promotions in six years. Their Twitter feed suggests they are raring to go in Division 1. The other newly promoted side are Knaresborough Forest. Trees' skipper and keeper Craig Robson is relishing what he admits will be a tough season.

There is of course much more to the Nidderdale League than the top tier with a total of 8 divisions and some very attractive grounds. If you haven't tasted the fare treat yourself to a run out on a fine day to places like Crakehall and Thornton Watlass, two division four clubs playing on traditional village green grounds.

Time permits a quick look further north and the likely front runners in the NYSD. Richmondshire were champions last year and their Yorkshire home means that another success would give them a Premier League semi final against the winners of the Bradford League. With three titles in four years on their cv they will feel confident of further success, assuming the bowlers' run ups dry out. The Northern Echo thinks that The Dalesmen will face competition for the title from Barnard Castle who have Karl Turner as their new 'pro'. Stokesley have recruited Doug Mulholland from Darlington and he will presumably  bring with him Sue's excellent refreshments. Darlington, champions in 2014 have something of a new look and I will watch their fortunes with interest.

Finally Tony mentioned in his account of his trip to Chester le Street an 'important football match', the outcome of which was a two nil win for 1883 Darlington over The Gingerbreads aka Grantham Town and a win tonight at Whitby will give them the title and promotion to National League North, their third such elevation in four years, Realistically a draw tonight will do, such is the Quakers' goal difference advantage over Blyth Spartans and even defeat will not be terminal but the prospect of having to get at least one point at Rushall Olympic on Saturday is not one I care to think about at the moment but at least I've managed to get Gingerbreads, Spartans, Quakers and Olympic into one short paragraph. Twice.

Runs galore yet again

Posted by Tony Hutton

After two days watching Yorkshire pile up the runs at Headingley from behind glass in the Long Room to keep warm a change of scene was required. This was partly due to the claustrophobic atmosphere inside and the necessity of listening to other peoples' conversations which is not recommended.

Our original choice of a more peaceful venue was Richmond in North Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Academy were due to play their counterparts from Durham. However despite the wall to wall sunshine all the way we found on arrival a very large wet patch off mud on the bowlers run up at one end. The unofficial information we received from fellow spectators was that another inspection would take place in a hour's time but the most likely outcome was no play today.

Time to put plan B into operation. We knew Durham 2nd XI were due to start a three day game with Scotland A at Riverside, Chester le Street so off we set further north.
On arrival at about 12.15 we were greeted by our informants from Richmond, who had got there first, and told that Scotland had already lost five wickets. However with a maximum of only fifty people dotted around the huge ground the atmosphere was just as we like it.

Riverside bathed in sunshine

In the company of our Hartlepool correspondent (now with the grand title of Director of cricket at Hartlepool CC) we spent the rest of the day basking in the warm sunshine (a new experience this season) and enjoying some good tail end batting which took the score from 37-5 to an almost respectable total of 157 all out.
Durham's battery of pace bowlers dispatched the young Scotsmen in just 35 overs, with major contributions from Harrison 4-52, Weighell 3-39 and McCarthy 2-8. One other bowler deserves a mention, if only for the number of Christian names his parents have bestowed upon him. This was Asher Hale-bopp Joseph Arthur Hart no less. This nineteen year old comes from Cumbria and more may well be heard of him in future.

As for the batsmen the most performance came from Haris Aslam, from Edinburgh, with a well made 52 not out coming in at number six. He received good support from Watt and Main, who also plays for Durham, with 17 and 30 respectively. The last man Neill who is very tall, well above six feet, had his stumps re-arranged in dramatic fashion by Weighell as pictured below. Wicketkeeper Poynton seems to be saying to the umpires 'It wasn't me'.

Stumps demolished

An added bonus today was the purchase of the Northern Echo at Scotch Corner, which as well as its usual excellent sports coverage of cricket and football, with a preview of tonight's important match for Darlington FC and John Winn,  had a story about pork pies by the redoubtable Mike Amos.

During the afternoon session the Durham openers 'Colonel' Mustard and Graham Clark helped themselves against some not very hostile bowling. With a shortish boundary on one side of the wicket the two batsmen took full advantage and another run spree, almost on a par with Bairstow and Plunkett at Headingley yesterday, entertained the sparse crowd. Both players hit six sixes and innumerable fours with Mustard the first to his century soon followed by Clark. Their partnership went on well into the evening session and was almost up to three hundred when Mustard retired out on 166.

The first actual wicket fell at 314 when Clark was caught for 122 off the persevering Evans. By this time the poor bowlers must have had enough but had to continue until close of play when the Durham score had reached 395-1. So two prodigious days of run scoring which seemed to have been repeated throughout the county fixtures this week.

The following day was a non-cricketing day for us but suffice to report that Durham batted on to achieve a total of 654-4 declared. Two more centuries from MacLeod with 123 and Poynter with 111 not out, and Couglin 50 not out for good measure. Subsequently despite 50 from Mommsen, Scotland were all out for 247 and well beaten by an innings and a lot of runs. Former Yorkshire spinner Randhawa was the best bowler this time with four wickets. Scotland must have welcomed their day off to lick their wounds.

Hampshire enjoy the sunshine

posted by John Winn

In weather that would have graced any summer's day Hampshire showed that their abject cricket of Monday was not the only trick in their bag for as we basked in unbroken sunshine their batsman dug in and lost only three wickets in the day, enough to save the follow on and make it unlikely that Yorkshire can pick up a win today.

If the sun was the star of the day then the villain was the pitch which was unresponsive to almost all the Yorkshire's bowlers' efforts. Vince and Ervine looked comfortable from the start although the Zimbabwean was subject to a round the wicket attack from Plunkett that would have unsettled the best of batsmen. A fierce blow on the hand required several minutes treatment and throughout the rest of his innings Ervine showed signs of discomfort which made his innings of over five hours even more commendable. After Vince went, lbw Patterson for an impressive 119, Ervine found good support from Wheater and later in the day McLaren and Wood passed the 442 needed to save the follow on.

The day was not without its lighter moments, when the ECB changed the rules relating to the toss in order to encourage more spinners they probably didn't have Gary Balance in mind but if counties know that there is probably about 90% chance that they will be invited to bat then we must not be surprised if pitches last four days and teams are difficult to winkle out. The current match at Headingley has produced over 1000 runs, at Lord's Middlesex and Warwickshire haven't finished the second innings yet, at Bristol it is  Derbyshire 444, Gloucestershire 563, three situations that will hardly whet the appetites of fourth day spectators.

For those looking for something a little more interesting today then Old Trafford looks almost to serve up a win for Lancashire but probably before lunch, a hefty come down for Notts after their win over Surrey last week. In South Wales Leicestershire will fancy their chances of an early season victory against Cardiff, when did the Foxes last win the opening match of the championship campaign, but were the helicopter not in for service then I would be off to Hove to grab a deckchair, apply factor 30 and enjoy a natter with old friends while two of the favourites for the one promotion spot battle it out. Alas it's a border day for me, herbaceous not Alan.

Spectators enjoy their recently granted freedom to roam at Headingley yesterday

Not Hampshire's day

posted by John Winn

Tony has given a full account of the opening two days of the championship at Headingley and the annihilation of Hampshire's attack, such as it was, before lunch yesterday. Rarely, if ever, have I seen county bowlers serve up such dross and collectively eleven players look as though they would prefer to be anywhere but out on the field. What puzzled me was Vince's reluctance to use his senior bowlers choosing to use Will Smith and young Alsop as the cannon fodder. During the morning's play McLaren, 128 overs in just four games in last year's championship, bowled only four overs while Yorkshire scored 323 runs and Ervine, 125 overs in 2015, managed just six deliveries, albeit costing eleven runs. Add in Wood and Dawson's injuries and you are left with a very toothless attack

For any Hampshire supporters braving the cold of the last couple of days it must all have been a very depressing experience and their local paper, The Echo, offers little in the way of comfort on its website for the injury list extends way beyond Wood and Dawson to include Topley (hand), Berg(knee), Stevenson (back) and Adams(ankle). Bring on the youngsters? Perhaps not, for scrolling further down the Echo's website we find

Hants 2nds collapse against Surrey pace ace

an account of the first day of a three day friendly against Surrey at The Ageas Bowl

Scores:  Surrey II 400 for 4, Bradley Erasmus 136 not out, Gary Wilson 96 and in reply Hampshire II 45 for 7 , Matt Dunn 5 for 8.

Not many crumbs of comfort for Dale Benkenstein in that lot and  his close of play comments published on the website are perhaps couched in milder tones than he might have used in the dressing room at lunchtime, 'It has not been an easy two days for us'......we now have to try and salvage as much as we can out of the game'. The salvage operation begins at 11:00 with little or no hope of the weather coming to Hants' rescue for the forecast is for a warmer and sunnier day, time to get ready.

Yorkshire off to a flying start

Posted by Tony Hutton

Yorkshire county cricket club proud county champions for the last two seasons set off on their quest for a treble at Headingley yesterday. A half hour delay due to ice under the covers, in the cold temperatures overnight, was only a slight blip on proceedings as Hampshire put the home side in to bat in the first game without the toss of a coin.

The sun shone for much of the day but the biting south westerly wind drove many of the good crowd into the Long Room to keep warm. However a surprising number of the diehards braved the cold to get the real atmosphere of the occasion outside. Hampshire were off to a good start with three early wickets suggesting their decision to field had been the right one.

Lees was the first to go caught by Vince the new Hampshire captain at slip off Tomlinson. Adam Lyth survived a fairly easy caught and bowled chance by Fidel Edwards, the West Indian fast bowler and got his head down to play a most valuable innings. Wickets fell in a hurry at the other end with Ballance and skipper Gale out in quick succession. So enter Bairstow at 41-3 and Yorkshire in trouble.

Johnny Bairstow at Lord's last week

Announced last week as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year Bairstow took over the proceedings in typical fashion from the beginning of his innings with a big hit for six coming early on. Lyth took his time at the other end and grafted his way to a valuable 50 before opening up with some attractive drives to race to a very well played century before falling lbw to Ervine.

Bairstow proceeded on his merry way, exuding confidence, and putting all the Hampshire bowlers to the sword apart from a brief hesitation before reaching fifty in only sixty three balls. He soon reached the nervous nineties and almost came to a full stop with the cloud cover threatening and the floodlights on it looked certain that an early finish for bad light was on the cards. However to general relief all round he eventually got to the elusive century mark and together with Lyth their partnership of just over 200 had turned the match round completely.

So after Leaning was out very quickly in very poor light and most of the spectators already heading for home play ended with twenty one overs still remaining.

Today day two started promptly with a much smaller crowd and possibly even colder conditions. Met a young man from Sri Lanka, newly arrived to play in the Huddersfield League, who has seen snow for the first time this week and was really feeling the cold. The overnight batsmen Bairstow 107 not out and Adil Rashid 7 not out started the morning in overcast conditions but with no hint of danger either in the pitch or the Hampshire bowling. Runs flowed steadily with Bairstow again in commanding form. The pair added 99 for the sixth wicket before Rashid was surprisingly caught behind down the legside.

Enter Liam Plunkett the man who spent his winter as drinks waiter for the England team and on his last appearance in the World T20 was down to bat at number eleven!
Today he looked nothing like a number eleven and playing proper cricket shots, by no means slogging, he raced to 94 not out by lunch from only 73 balls. Bairstow was no slouch either and reached a marvellous double century just before the interval. Yorkshire had incredibly scored 236 runs in two hours. Lunch score 506-6.

Liam Plunkett

The poor Hampshire bowlers without spinner Dawson from the start of the day and with Wood leaving the field injured in the middle of an over, were absolutely shell shocked, particularly Fidel Edwards who must have been feeling the cold and finished the innings with figures of 0-145.

Yorkshire batted on after lunch to enable Plunkett to complete his maiden county century, having scored 114 for England Lions in Sri Lanka. Bairstow also achieved his highest ever score of 246 before giving young Tom Alsop his first ever wicket thanks to a brilliant catch on the boundary edge at long on by Tomlinson. Bairstow and Plunkett had added 227 in only 28.1 overs. Yorkshire finally declared at the fall of the ninth wicket on 593-9, enabling Ryan Sidebottom to conserve his energy to open the bowling.

This paid off as Sidebottom, as he so often does, claimed an early wicket and the unfortunate Alsop was lbw for one in the third over. Brooks then got into the act to dismiss Carberry thanks to a brilliant catch by Alex Lees at first slip. Yorkshire were up and running again and when I left at the tea interval the game had changed from a run bonanza to a war of attrition to winkle out the Hampshire batsmen. What an incredible day - if only it was a good few degrees warmer.

The close of play score was Hampshire 141-5 with Vince on 76 not out with two wickets for Sidebottom, two for Plunkett and one for Brooks. On this form who would want to bet against Yorkshire winning a third title. They played like champions and Hampshire may be the first of several counties to feel Yorkshire's strength in depth.
Remember Bresnan is out injured and Root and Willey still resting from their England exertions. Lots to look forward to.

Around the leagues in North Yorkshire Part 1

posted by John Winn

My local weekly newspaper can be relied upon at this time of the year to publish an excellent preview of league cricket in its readership area which covers Harrogate, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Knaresborough. This week's edition is no exception with a full commentary on prospects in Yorkshire Premier (North), York and District, Aire Wharfe, Nidderdale, and Wetherby leagues.

Most attention centres on the first of these which starts life as an amalgam of those clubs from the northern part of the area which previously formed the Yorkshire Premier League and the six highest placed clubs in last season's York League. Last Saturday's fixtures for example included clashes between York and Dunnington, Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Yorkshire Academy and Harrogate and Woodhouse Grange. Alas as we all know only too well almost all league cricket was postponed in advance after the last few week's wet weather but York and Dunnington managed to squeeze in a 24 over game which York won with ominous ease and in the arid east Driffield were comfortable victors over Scarborough. This week's tempting morsels include Acomb v Harrogate, Woodhouse Grange v York and Castleford v Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Ed White, Sports Editor, places his emphasis on Harrogate's prospects and sees them as one of the favourites to secure a play-off place. Skipper George Ross describes several changes in the squad including the import of New Zealander and opening bat Dion Sampson and Matthew Good signed from New Farsley. Ben Coad has made the short trip from Studley Royal and will share the cherry with Tom Geeson-Brown.

Looking at the York Senior League attention focuses on two clubs who have switched from their traditional haunts, Pannal, champions of Nidderdale in 2015 and Wetherby who join them from the Wetherby League in what both clubs see as a leap in the dark. They will play in Division Two Galtres* where they will come up against the likes of Ripon, Thirsk and Tadcaster Magnet. In the Premier Division clubs will be seeking promotion to the Yorkshire League, keenest perhaps will be Easingwold, who finished seventh last year, one place below the cut off for promotion.

Wetherby CC have left behind a league which has struggled to hold onto clubs in recent years but Div 1 starts with 12 clubs and St Chad's Broomfield defending their title. Kirk Deighton, runners up in 2015 are fancied to be near the top but their skipper Rich Ward believes the league will be more competitive this year. A sad note is the recent  resignation of Amaranth CC from the league and  as a consequence one club will have a blank fixture each Saturday in Division 3.

Aire Wharfe and Nidderdale Leagues later in the week.

Pocklington CC who have teams in Div 1 and Div 3 (Ebor) of the York League.

* 'Galtres' covers those clubs in the north of the region and 'Ebor'those in the south with the dividing line drawn through the city of York. The Premier and Division 1 remain 'unregionalised' and at a quick glance the longest journey in the Premier Division is between Studley Royal and Hull Zingari, a distance of over 80 miles.

FREEZING WEETWOOD AGAIN

By Brian Sanderson

After having to walk away from Headingley on Wednesday morning as the match against the Leeds and Bradford University had been call off for a wet outfield.I was able to catch up on trying to sort out my cricket memorabilia.

This morning with the sun shining I went up to Weetwood to see the University play M.C.C in a forty over match.Arriving at 10.30 the sun was out I had chance to get some warmth from the sun however rain was forecast for the afternoon. Yorkshire ladies should have had a match but this was called off again for a wet outfield.

After a little huddle M.C.C bowled first and soon was chasing the ball round the field.Tom William Wallace Rich of Suffolk and captain for the day figures were 4-0-43-1.His wicket was Henry Thompson who had scored some runs against Yorkshire on Monday.It was left to Steven Bullen, of Somerset, Surrey and Wiltshire, to score 71 quickly  against some weak bowling.

Then Logan Weston of Worcestershire and Cumberland, want on to score 75 not out in even time .This brought the score up to 231 for 4 in the forty overs.At this time the temperature had dropped to freezing and drops of rain was falling.

After going  home and warming up M.C.C was batting with Simon Lambert ,of Warwickshire seconds and York was out to Moin Ashraf. He was released by Yorkshire and now with the University. Today he had good figures of 5-1-17-3.

At about 3.15 the rain arrived and most spectators were please to get back in

to the warmth and watch the I.P.L were the temperature is 40 degrees compared to 5 degrees at Weetwood. Hope to find a match tomorrow after more rain tonight.

A mixed week for Notts.

posted by John Winn

Rain has blighted the first week of the county championship with New Road having its first wash out for 9 years, Ben Ducket was left just short of a triple hundred against a Sussex attack that has conceded almost 800 runs in its two outings and two blank days at The Riverside saved Somerset from a fairly hopeless position. Yorkshire might well reflect it was a good week to be without a championship match.

There were however some exceptions to the wet weather, none more so than at Costa Trent Bridge (left) from where the blog is reporting, for the second time already this season, cricket played in lovely sunshine. Having decided that play was unlikely at both The Riverside and Headingley I made a late decision on Wednesday morning to take the train to Nottingham where the game was interestingly poised and a reasonably full day's play possible as long as Surrey did not collapse in the morning session. Harinath and Curran(S) made reasonable progress against excellent bowling from Bird and Ball and Surrey's lead was over 120 before Ball made the breakthrough when Curran fell lbw, the first of three such dismissals in the morning session. The other Curran (T) may consider himself lucky if he escapes a charge of dissent after remaining at the crease so long after umpire Robinson had given him out, same dismissal as his brother, this time to Gurney.

Surrey's resistance ended just five minutes before lunch (chicken and leek pie) which set Notts a target of 169 with plenty of overs in which to get them. Mullaney and Smith set off as though the job had to be sorted before tea and had 72 on the board before the former, who had made a hundred in the first innings, fell to Rampaul just a few balls after he had swotted him over midwicket for six. Curran was switched to the pavilion end where he extracted some lift from a pitch that had given up over 1100 runs since Sunday. The one that accounted for Brendan Taylor being particularly nasty. When three, four and five went for just two runs the Notts County supporters sitting near me, seasoned grumblers, awoke from the reverie induced by the Magpies' victory over Hartlepool on Tuesday evening to resume normal service and foresaw a Surrey victory. When Patel who had used up a season's luck in reaching six played a dreadful waft to be caught at slip even the most optimistic supporters became anxious.

Reed and Greg Smith saw them through to tea after which the opener became the third victim to be entered in the book as ct Foakes b TK Curran. and when Read fell to the persevering Rampaul 17 were still needed but Hutton and Ball kept their nerve and shortly after five o'clock a four from Ball, who had taken five wickets in the second innings, gave Notts the win and a maximum haul of 24 points. It is understood that the Notts' dressing room, on hearing the very distressing news about James Taylor pledged to win a trophy in his name. They've made a good start

Oddschecker shows Yorkshire as favourites at 7/4  to retain their title with Notts at 5/2 second favourites to challenge them. The Bears are third at 7/1. Notts travel to Old Trafford on Sunday where the hosts are among a group of three teams, Hampshire and Somerset are the others, least favoured at 20/1. Essex, joint favourites with Sussex at 5/2 to gain the one promotion spot available were the only other team to win this week and 23 points sees them off to a good start, especially as likely rivals Worcestershire get only five points from their four blank days.

The wet weather has had a profound effect on tomorrow's league cricket with the Aire-Wharfe, Wetherby, Nidderdale and Bradford leagues postponing all matches. This may not be the full list and even in leagues where the  programme may go ahead there are bound to be individual matches abandoned. Please check before travelling. BBC forecast for Leeds on Sunday is quite good. I'll be there, will you?

Rain stops play for a week

Posted by Tony Hutton

Trent Bridge in the sun

After an early start to the season on 31st March and 1st April the rains took their revenge with a vengeance. No cricket for the next eight days in fact due to both the weather and a certain lack of information which eventually ended on Saturday 8th April in a somewhat surprising fashion.

Saturday 2nd April should have been a pre-season friendly between New Rover CC and near neighbours St Chads CC, last season's Wetherby League champions. Knowing how groundsman Keith Boyce nutures his excellent wicket we were not surprised to find the game was off, as were several others that day.

Sunday 3rd should have been another game at New Rover just off the Leeds outer ring road, but it was even wetter. The following day seemed more promising at first. One version of the ever changing weather forecast suggested a dry morning with possible showers later. So ever hopeful we set off for Richmond in North Yorkshire where Durham 2nd XI were due to play Worcester 2nd XI in a one day trophy match. The previous days friendly between the two teams had been abandoned.

As we drove north the drizzly rain got stronger and when we arrived at Richmond the ground was deserted apart from the hapless groundsman struggling to keep his precious square dry. So obviously no play today. One alternative was to travel further north to Chester le Street, where Durham were due to be playing the local university side. Good job we didn't as no play there either!

To our surprise the Yorkshire CCC website had a report the next morning of a game between Yorkshire 2nd XI and Durham 2nd XI but no venue was mentioned for this mystery match which had not been publicised. A quick phone call revealed a two day game at the Racecourse Ground, Durham which we could have seen on Tuesday if we had known about it.

Next day we were not prepared to gamble with another long trip to Durham where play did in fact take place for most of the day despite another adverse forecast
Thursday was earmarked for domestic duties and as far as we knew no cricket was scheduled for Friday. So by then we were into Saturday where in theory we were spoilt for choice with endless pre-season friendlies in store. However heavy rain throughout the week had already wiped some out and others seemed doubtful.

We set off for a nice ride over Otley Chevin and Ilkley Moor to Keighley where the home side were scheduled to play Yorkshire Academy in a friendly game. The ground was locked the gates shut - obviously off. An interesting circular tour back to Leeds past several cricket grounds with no signs of action, although there were stumps in the ground at Ben Rhydding for action of some kind.

Back into Leeds we knew of three scheduled games which all proved to be off too, but passing the Headingley CC ground in Glen Road we eventually did find a game in progress between the home side and visitors Brook Walton from Wakefield. After watching a few overs we returned up the road to Weetwood, where in passing my travelling companion had seen some figures in white in the distance.

This made it all worthwhile as the Keighley game had been transferred to the home of the Yorkshire Academy, but of course no mention of this on the Yorkshire website. Here we were able to sit in the sun for a couple of hours enjoying a real game of cricket.
Young batting hopeful Harry Brook retired on 82 soon after our arrival but we were entertained by some good batting by the Academy whose innings ended on 257-6.

After tea it clouded over and got considerably cooler. Jared Warner, the England under 19 quick bowler took an early wicket and Keighley were struggling to get anywhere near the Yorkshire total and lost wickets at regular intervals. We soon departed and eventually learned the result on Monday at Headingley, with the Academy winning by about 140 runs. No result or report on either Yorkshire or Keighley websites of course.

First century of the season by Mullaney of Notts

Sunday and Monday saw a return to normal service with full days at Trent Bridge and Headingley, as related by Brian Sanderson. Indeed a full house of all three bloggers at Headingley today, along with many of our cricketing friends we had not seen since last season. So our summer way of life is almost back to normal and weather permitting we
will look forward to having many more good days to report upon.

Stern warning notice at Trent Bridge

.

WHEN IS IT A FRIENDLY FIXTURE ?

By Brian Sanderson,

On a sunny Monday morning I walked up to the stadium called only Headingley to a cricket match between Yorkshire and Leeds and Bradford University in a three day match.It is classified a friendly match. There was a debate by the local P.C.W.'s about why it should not be first class match.We understand that Chris Waters is going to explain it in tomorrow's Yorkshire Post so get the paper.

Leeds and Bradford won the toss and decided to bat. Sidebottom, above, opened the bowling from the pavilion end. As you can see in the photograph the sight screen is a off white cloth bellowing in the wind.Soon the University were 11 for 2 including the wicket of Billy Root for a duck.

During the morning Henry Thompson who has played Lancashire seconds scored his fifty.

Two balls before lunch George Scott was out to Lyth leaving the University 92 for 4. After lunch the clouds came rolling in on a strong cold easterly wind whilst Thompson was lbw to Sidebottom for 64.  Also in my absence it was decided that I would write this report.It was left to Logan Weston be not out in the evening on 68 and the University were 225 for 8.

The teams came out after tea but soon decided to go back in with the drizzle falling. The floodlights were on
but I decided to go home with no prospect of play. There was no  wish for the Yorkshire players to come out of the warmth for a friendly match.

The B.B.C weather forecast  tomorrow is  starting off with one drop and moving on to two drops till midnight.So if you are travelling to Headingley tomorrow,I would recommend you think again. However I  say the best forecast is looking out of the window or seaweed.

Jennings takes Durham to par

posted by John Winn

An early start on Sunday morning saw me at The Riverside in plenty of time to see the new procedures governing who does what at the start of this season's championship matches. Promptly at 10:30 Messrs Bailey and Cowley walked to the middle where they soon attracted quite a crowd (picture above) and where after a short wait they were joined by Durham captain Paul Collingwood and new Somerset skipper Chris Rogers. Watching closely there was no sign of a coin being flipped and it was soon announced that Rogers had cast aside centuries of tradition by declining the toss and asked Durham to bat which came as no surprise to anybody*.

The sun kept its promise and shone all day and as long as you were prepared to follow its progress round the ground, watching cricket in mid April at nearly 55 degrees north was a not unpleasant experience. I was joined by a number of friends most of whom I  had not been seen since September and it was good to see them all in apparently good health. Stoneman and Jennings did not appear unduly troubled by a Somerset attack minus the Overton brothers until the former played a loose shot to hole out at point to Gronewald who had opened with Gregory, The next five hours belonged to Jennings who appeared relatively untroubled on a day when both Borthwick and Richardson fell lbw to balls that appeared to keep low and Burnham and Collingwood were both bowled by what I believe in cricketing parlance are known as 'jaffas'. Burnham had added 79 with 'KK' before Davey knocked two of his stumps out of the ground and Collingwood, who just a week ago had been in the 40 degrees of Kolkata, got a ball from Gregory which twitter later showed had done enough to bowl a man in mid season prime form, let alone one facing his first delivery of the season.

When Pringle went at 172 for 6 it was advantage Somerset but Jennings received good support from Arshad and a further 72 were added before the opener top edged one to Trescothick and departed for 116, an excellent start for a young man who had lost his place in July last year. His dismissal was the signal for me to head home where I arrived to find Durham had been all out for 256, considered to be about par for first innings at The Riverside in April, and that Somerset had lost three early wickets which tilted the day back in the Prince Bishops' favour. The traditional Sunday evening G and T went down nicely.

* It is believed that Angus Fraser, on hearing the new rules surrounding the toss, texted Paul Collingwood to inform him that Middlesex will be fielding when they visit Chester le Street in two weeks time.

HOW LONG DOES THIS MATCH LAST ?

 By Brian Sanderson,


On a frosty morning myself and Bob sent off south to one our favourite cricket grounds ,Trent Bridge.

When we arrived there was the only disappointment  of the day  the bacon was delayed by fifteen minutes.

Surrey decided to bowl on a green looking pitch.So there was no need for a toss of the coin and for the first time it was put on the excellent scoreboard. They had two new bowlers in there side Mark Footitt,ex Nottingham and Derbyshire and Ravi Rampaul ex West Indies. He had not played first class cricket since
March 2013 and he is on two year contract.

Nottingham started with Steven Mullaney ex Lancashire and Greg Smith ex Leicester and Durham. Soon Smith was out and by lunch Nottingham were 119 for two with Mullaney punishing numerous bad balls from the Surrey attack.

After lunch I walked round to opposite to the pavilion to meet another Brian. We were able to watch Mullaney  obtain his century in 102 balls.The sun was shining which was nice to see in April and we were able to catch you on our news. A gentleman next to me asked how long the match would last.I had never been asked this question in all my cricketing life sixty years. I replied four days but you had not got to come every day. No reply.

Mulleney got a rare good ball from Rampaul and was out for 113. After he left Wessels ex Northampton and Nondescripts, and Patel,local player which made a nice change, went on to take the Nottingham total to 315 for 5. 196 in the afternoon session which shown how bad the Surrey bowling was which Alec Stewart agreed with me. At this moment we returned back to Leeds  after enjoying been out in the open watching cricket again. With the hope there will be a dry summer

After we left Rampaul took 5 for 93 and Nottingham were bowled out for 446 which should have been over 500. Tomorrow to Headingley to see Leeds and Bradford University against Yorkshire who will have some local players in the team unlike Surrey and Nottingham.