Too late for tea

posted by John Winn

West Tanfield CC were promoted to the top tier of the Nidderdale League for this season and can feel themselves reasonably pleased with the progress they have made in the new campaign, standing sixth in the table following yesterday's win over Pateley Bridge. After lunch in Ripon I made the short drive to WTCC's Sleningford ground close by the River Ure on a day warmer than of late and with the promise of sunshine later.

The call of play was heard two minutes before the appointed time of 1:30 with second bottom of the table Pateley batting. Their two experienced openers made a steady start against an attacking field but the first wicket fell at 18 when captain and wicketkeeper RDL Light was bowled by the left armer Luty, a prized scalp judging by the bowler's excessive celebration. After half an hour and with the score at 30 for 1 I moved on. Pateley lost only one more wicket reaching 204 for 2 from their 45 overs but Tanfield overtook this total in the 39th over with only two down. Clearly a batsman's wicket.

                                                                                 
                                                                            WTCC

Turning back towards Ripon it is but a few minutes drive to North Stainley where visitors in a Div 5 match were Arthington. The Wharfdale outfit were batting and led by J Brennan were having a profitable afternoon, rattling on at close to six an over. Since my last visit the village hall and cricket pavilion have been tastefully incorporated into  a housing development and the club has found a novel way of using an old roller

Several of the Stainley players had their names printed on the back of their shirts and myeye was caught by one who appeared to go by the name of the 'Winks', how I wished he had the number 40 printed there as well

300 would normally be considered a winning score at this level but North Stainley are not top of the table for nothing and knocked off the runs with a couple of overs and five wickets to spare. Back to the top division for my next ground and a meeting between third and fourth, Burton Leonard v Birstwith, with the visitors batting on what was now a sunny afternoon. Hero for the homesters was Australian Nicky Smith who took 6 Birstwith wickets as they finished on 204 for 5. Not quite enough as Leonard got home by three wickets with 8 balls left.

Leaving Burton Leonard as tea approached I expected to arrive at Ouseburn just in time for refreshment only to find tea had been cleared away with Spofforth out for 74 and Ouseburn half way towards victory which they achieved for the loss of two wickets. Russ Robshaw had claimed five wickets for OCC and skipper Dave Cummins had 27 not out when stumps were drawn at twenty to five on what had become a lovely evening. Seven wins out of seven give Ouseburn a four point lead over Darley and five over Burton Leonard who come to Lightmire Lane next week. Family commitments will prevent me being there but it should be an interesting afternoon.

Ouseburn groundsman Edward Pearson gives the wicket an early night.