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.
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