Studley take the cup.

posted by John Winn

After a frustrating weekend when I saw only thirty minutes cricket the weather and the York Senior League Cup Final came to my rescue and provided me with an excellent afternoon's entertainment at Clifton Alliance CC yesterday. . Some of the credit should also go to Twitter for it was through social media that I was alerted to the fixture in plenty of time to make my way this lovely ground (above) for the 1:00 start.

The sides involved yesterday were Easingwold, beaten finalists in 2013 and Studley Royal, winners in 2014. Studley, thought to be weak in bowling batted first and after the loss of an early wicket posted a total that, judging by their body language, Easingwold felt was beyond their reach.. The damage was done by a second wicket stand between Rob Mackle, 108, and James Clarkson 83 and the frequent boundaries were enjoyed by most of the good sized crowd that had gathered in the sunshine. 277 for 4 was the forty over total.

If Easingwold were to have any hope of getting near such a target they needed a good start but the loss of early wickets and a run rate that stuck at about two an over did not fit the bill. The idea that Studley's attack might not be up to scratch was not supported by the evidence and although a couple of difficult chances were spilled the fielding generally was good. Easingwold had some hope while Paul Skilbeck was at the crease but when he went for 52 the end was nigh and I set off for home. 170 all out suggests there was some tail end resistance but a winning margin of 107 runs, the widest in recent years,  accurately decribes Studley's superiority. Charlie Scatchard was Royal's hero with the ball taking 6 for 32.

Thanks to Clifton Alliance for hosting the game and providing such a lovely spread at tea. They currently stand top of the York League Premier Division with two matches left to play and with a good advantage over Sessay who are third. If promoted to Yorkshire Premier (North) then their local derby will be against York CC, two grounds separated by the width of a rugby pitch, doesn't get much more local than that.

Throughout the afternoon I enjoyed the company of Stephen from Starbeck, a fount of knowledge of league cricket in this part of North Yorkshire, and who next Sunday will travel with Sessay CC to Lord's for the village cup final. Enjoy.

A maiden sends Swardeston to Northampton

posted by John Winn

The semi finals of the ECB National Club Championship were decided yesterday and the final at Wantage Road, Northampton on Sunday 18th September will be between South Northumberland and Swardeston.

South Northumberland had what appears to have been a comfortable win over Ormskirk. South North won the toss and chose to bat in a rain affected game reduced to 36 overs. They were all out for 181 but Ormskirk lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 109.

The drama of the day however was played out in Norfolk where Swardeston took on Weybridge. Swardeston batted first and thanks in large part to Joe Gatting who made 91 their innings finished on 245 for 9. Weybridge made a good start in reply and an eigth wicket stand of 63 between Phillip Mann and Brent Kay left them needing just 12 to win when Gatting broke the partnership. The visitors began the last over needing just one to win with two wickets still to fall but remarkably Matthew Taylor bowled a wicket maiden to leave Weybridge one run short at the close. Cue manic celebrations which can be seen on Twitter @SwardestonCC.

Wantage Road

Harrogate beat the weather and stay top

Posted by Tony Hutton

Saturday 27th August and back to Yorkshire premier league north action at St Georges Road, Harrogate. The home side hold a narrow lead at the top of the table and are being hotly persued by the Yorkshire Academy and York.

Harrogate put the visitors Sheriff Hutton Bridge in to bat and the game started in similar fashion to last week's game at Weetwood with wickets falling quickly. Harrogate were able to play Yorkshire second XI bowler Ben Coad, but it was his opening partner Geeson-Brown who did the early damage, dismissing the two Fisher brothers and wicket keeper Gill very rapidly. The first wicket had been an unfortunate run out and when Coad clean bowled Collins it was 34-5 and the game seemed over.

However some resistance from Pinder with 28 and some late hitting by Ibbotson, who had earlier retired hurt after being hit on the head by Coad, brought the visitors back in with a chance. Ibbotson made top score of 41 before being bowled by the spin of Tattersall and with 27 from Croft the Bridge made a respectable total of 143 all out.

By this time the weather had taken a turn for the worse, the earlier sunshine disappeared and it got colder and then started to drizzle with rain. A long rain delay meant the paltry attendance, already decimated by people going home to watch the Rugby League cup final or even Harrogate Town FC, got even smaller. When the rain eventually stopped the dreaded Duckworth/Lewis formula took effect.

Gate's reduced target was 114 which they managed to knock off in only 17.2 overs thus claiming the full ten points. Good made 45 and Aussie Sanson 25 not out. They did have another scare when rain took them off with only seven runs required but managed to get back on between the showers.

As both York and the Academy had abandoned games Harrogate have extended their lead at the top and cemented their position as favourites to win the inaugural league title.

Scarborough Cricket Festival - part two

Posted by Tony Hutton

A large crowd assembled at North Marine Road for the County Championship game between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire on Tuesday 23rd August. The Yorkshire side, still challenging for a hat-trick of championship wins, were without five England players and also captain Andrew Gale due to injury. Nottinghamshire struggling at the bottom of the table and desperate to avoid relegation were also without Alex Hales and Jake Ball.

Before the start the Yorkshire President John Hampshire was asked to re-present county caps to Jack Leaning and Azeem Rafiq, who along with the absent Willey had been strangely awarded them at Old Trafford before the recent Roses match. Many Yorkshire members were annoyed with this break with tradition and the club tried to rectify matters with the re-run this morning.

John Hampshire with Jack Leaning and Azeem Rafiq

 

 

No toss was made and Notts invited Yorkshire to bat first. Lyth and Lees progressed steadily to 21-0 without due alarm and then the fun started. Lyth was run out by Mullaney, who then had Lees caught and suddenly it was 26-2. The latecomers, and there were plenty of them, were not pleased. Things soon got worse as the Australian newcomer Jake Lehmann was caught by Patel off Mullaney again and Ballance was lbw to Fletcher with the score unchanged at 36-4.

There must have been some movement for the bowlers particularly the gentle medium pace of Mullaney who took his third wicket getting Bresnan lbw for 10. Leaning went soon after and it was 51-6 and Yorkshire reeling. Fortunately help was at hand and Azeem Rafiq trying to show he was worthy of his county cap joined Andrew Hodd in the rescue mission. This they did in fine style putting on a partnership of 132 before Rafiq was out for a valuable 74 during a much happier afternoon session for the home supporters.

Rafiq and Hodd prosper in the afternoon sun

Jack Brooks then came to the party until he fell just short of a deserved fifty, playing some good shots including seven fours and one six in his 48. Hodd was still there and into the nineties when joined by last man Ryan Sidebottom, who failed to survive long enough to leave Hodd not out 96 and just short of his first ever Yorkshire century.

Notts lost two wickets before the close and the following morning they collapsed completely against the pace of Sidebottom, Brooks and Bresnan who each finished with three wickets in an all out total of 94. Now came the big decision of the match should acting captain Gary Ballance enforce the follow on or not. The vast majority in the crowd wanted the follow on to be applied and Notts to be finished off, possibly in two days, especially with a poor weather forecast for day three.

The bowlers could not possibly have been tired but Yorkshire took the now fashionable course of not enforcing the follow on. Whether financial considerations were involved it is hard to see, but the possibilty of a two day finish would certainly affected the takings at the gate as well as the many local hotels. The rain did arrive during Thursday afternoon and became more torrential overnight particularly unfortunate for those of us returning from the Spa Theatre at around 10 p.m.

Full house at Scarborough

Before all that, after a swift start by Lyth and Lees, the Yorkshire batsman struggled, particular Ballance who looked really out of form and could hardly get the ball off the square. However he persevered and eventually completed a hard earned century just before the declaration came leaving Notts the impossible task of chasing 450. They were 61-3 when play ended on day three.

Fortunately the sun shone again the following morning and Yorkshire had taken the wise step of sending for the super sopper machine from Headingley to dry the soaked outfield. Apparently this operation started about 4 a.m. and enabled play to start on time. Tim Moores, son of coach Peter, made a stubborn 41 on debut but when Taylor was dismissed by Brooks and Luke Fletcher clean bowled next ball it was nearly all over. Imran Tahir survived the hat trick but not for long. Bresnan had career best figures of 5-36 as well as holding a stunning slip catch in the first innings and making 35 not out in the second.

All in all a superb all round performance by Yorkshire's understrength side which, with warm sunshine for most of the game, attracted huge crowds and surely Scarborough should not loose a championship match next season. Notts look certain to go down. They looked a team without fight and no doubt some heads will roll before next season.

The Scarborough Cricket Festival - part one

Posted by Tony Hutton

Unknown to many cricket lovers the Scarborough cricket festival actually started on Sunday 21st August, two days before the important county championship match between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire started. The first game had little publicity and gave the handful of spectators an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere and the good weather long before the huge crowds appeared.

The game was an inter league match between the Yorkshire Premier League North and the North Yorkshire and South Durham League with two very strong looking sides taking the field. Three from each side involved in the game yesterday at Weetwood, together with three from York, appeared for the home side. Whereas the visitors fielded quite a gathering of overseas professionals as well as a name still remembered as a Yorkshire hopeful from some years ago now in Chris Allinson.

The visitors batted and started strongly piling up the runs in good batting conditions.
The innings fell away a little towards the end but a healthy total of 262-9 was achieved in fifty overs. The two top scorers were Arshad from Seaton Carew who made 77 and Sajjad from Normanby Hall with 79. Best bowling came from George Ross of Harrogate with 4-46.

George Ross leads off the Yorkshire league north side

One of the late replacements for the Yorkshire League side was Harry Brook, who of course was out for a duck in the first over yesterday. He replaced the Castleford all rounder David Wainwright, who we later learned had joined Hampshire to play against Somerset later in the week. Well this time John Abrahams should have been here as young Harry, still only seventeen, dominated proceedings with a master class of batting. Apart from one or two rather wild swings, he played some beautiful shots keeping the ball on the ground, finding the gaps in the field and collecting a succession of boundaries. Brook finished the game on 130 not out and was well supported by Duncan Snell, Johnny Tattersall, Liam McKendry and George Ross who all made decent scores.

Harry Brook brings up his century in front of the modest popular side crowd

Harry Brook acknowledges the applause at the end of a great innings

The NYSD league bowling was not really of the best but still a very interesting game greatly enjoyed by all who were there and a shame really that it did not get much publicity and no reports or scorecard appeared anywhere to my knowledge. Still a nice appetizer for the more important things to come on Tuesday and nice to enjoy the facilities and the memorabilia in the pavilion before it is packed to capacity.

Wickets tumble at Weetwood.

Posted by Tony Hutton

A week ago on Saturday 20th August the Yorkshire Academy achieved a famous victory over Yorkshire league north leaders Harrogate at the Leeds University ground at Weetwood. The weather, although dry, kept the number of hardy spectators to a minimum with almost gale force winds blowing throughout the game. Perhaps this had a bearing on the game in which wickets fell with great regularity.

The Academy won the toss and batted and lost the first four batsmen in no time for only 16 runs. Indeed John Abrahams, the England Under 19 team manager, who had come to watch Harry Brook bat, appeared from the car park just as Harry was out lbw to the fifth ball of the first over. Harrogate's Geeson-Brown took three of these wickets in an unplayable opening spell.

Wickets continued to fall and only Ainsley and Read, both with 10, had reached double figures when the ninth wicket fell for only 60. However a gallant last wicket partnership of 25 between the two spin bowlers, Logan and Shutt, did improve the total somewhat to a final figure of 85 all out. Logan 15 and Shutt 16 not out with Geeson-Brown finishing withe figures of 4-33 in twelve overs.

Most people thought Harrogate would knock off this modest total in no time, but Matthew Fisher, recently returned from a long standing injury, had other ideas and immediately clean bowled Aussie Sanson and the prolific Johnny Tattersall for ducks with balls which swung in to demolish the stumps. Matthew Taylor, fresh from a century batting at number 11 for Yorkshire under 19s last week, joined in by bowling the other opener Good for 5 and amazingly Harrogate were 7-3.

Harrogate's unhappy scoreboard

Things settled down for a while with the biggest partnership of the match between skipper George Ross and Foster who put on 43 to take the score to 50-3 and the visitors seemed to be coasting. Off spinner Shutt entered the fray and immediately dismissed Foster and Ellaby to make it 50-5.  The turning point then came when George Ross on 31, by far the highest score of the match was controversially given out caught behind by Read off Shutt. Obviously the batsman did not agree with the decision.

Another concerted appeal during Fisher's opening spell - this time not out

After that the Harrogate innings turned into a shambles and Logan joined in with two wickets, Taylor was run out by Imtiaz,  before Fisher, bowling with considerable pace, returned to clean bowl number eleven Harry Stow and Harrogate were all out for just 73. A memorable victory for the young Academy side due in full measure to that last wicket stand. This opened up the title race with both sides, together with York, fighting for top spot.

The Academy celebrate victory as the umpire retrieves the middle stump

September Fixtures

August 31st

Durham v Notts day one of four

Hants v Yorkshire day one of four

Derbyshire II v Notts II: Denby day one of three

Derbyshire U19 v Durham U19: Marehay day one of two

September 3rd

Yorkshire Premier League North: Yorkshire Academy v York (Weetwood) 12 noon

September 4th

Yorkshire Premier League Cup Final: Yorkshire Academy v Sheriff Hutton Bridge (Stamford Bridge) 12 noon

Village Cup Final: Sessay v Sibton Park Lord's 11:00 am

Atkinson Swires Final: Spofforth v Darley, Ouseburn CC 1:30 pm

Minor Counties Playoff Final: Berks v Lincs  (Wormsley) day one of four

WYACC Cup Final: Aire Wharfe League v York League at Drighlington

North East Under 21 Final: NYSD v NEPL Whitburn

Jack Lee Under 17 Final: Aire Wharfe v Doncaster at New Rover 12 noon

September 6th

All county and second XI games start 10:30

Yorkshire v Durham Headingley day one of four

Yorkshire II v Scotland Harrogate day one of three

SEC Final: Durham II v  Middlesex II Riverside day one of four

Derbyshire II v Glamorgan II: Belper Meadows day one of three

National Club T20 finals day at Derby

September 10th

Harrogate v  Stamford Bridge (last day for most league cricket)

September 11th

North East Senior Final:: NYSD v NTSL Marske

Black Sheep Cup Final Pudsey SL v York Sheriff Hutton Bridge 11:00

Start of Arthington Festival, games each Saturday and Sunday until 9th October, fixtures not known yet

September 12th

Durham v Surrey day one four

Yorkshire v Somerset day one of four

Yorkshire II v Notts II: Scarborough day one of three

September 17th

Royal London Cup Final Lord's

Yorkshire Premier League Semi Finals

September 18th

Royal London Club Championship: Northampton

September 20th

Hants v Durham day one of four

Middlesex v Yorkshire day one of four

Lancashire win Second XI Trophy

posted by John Winn

Duckworth Lewis Stern*came into play at the SET final at Old Trafford on Thursday, a day gloomy enough to necessitate the floodlights being used from the start of play. Lancashire chose to field and when rain brought a stoppage Somerset were 107 for 5 off 29 overs. The three hour break meant a reduction to 44 overs per side and some late hitting took the West Country boys to 209 for 9.

Lancashire were way above the DLS par score when rain returned and prevented ant further play and clinched the red rose's fourth win in the competition.

* Professor Steven Stern is now the custodian of the DL method hence the addition of an S to the shorthand expression

September awaits us on Thursday but there is still plenty of cricket to be played before the first class season ends on September 23rd with some counties still having 25% of their championship

fixtures to play. Our popular monthly fixture list will be published in the next couple of days.

Tea at North Marine Road

Second XI Championship

posted by John Winn

Durham II yesterday defeated MCCU in the final northern division game in this year's SEC, a win that takes them above Lancashire and they and will now play Middlesex II in the final.

In the game played at South Northumberland, MCCU had batted first and were bowled out for 263 with Usman Arshad and Sam Grant taking three wickets each. Arshad, who was perhaps a little unlucky to be bowling at the end of the T20 final against Northants on Saturday built on his success with the ball and hit 105 in Durham's reply with Clark getting 91. By close on the second day Durham had captured four MCCU wickets and the innings closed on the final day for 169, something of a recovery from 85 for 7. Durham needed 67 to win and got home with seven overs to spare due almost entirely to an amazing innings from Graham Clark. This time last year Clark was given a run in the Durham's championship side but managed only 65 runs in six completed innings with a top score of 36 against Yorkshire at Scarborough. Yesterday he hit 56 off 19 balls, 42 from his final 9 deliveries and finished the game with four successive sixes, McIver 0 for 24 off 0.4 overs. Has that been done before? Clark's strike rate was 294.74, obviously keen to get home for Bake Off.

The final will be a four day match beginning on Tuesday September 6th and will be played at The Riverside, an unfortunate clash with Yorkshire v Durham at Headingley but I hope to spend at least one day there.

In the SET final being played today at Old Trafford, Somerset batted first in a rain reduced match and  the latest score I have is Somerset 200 for 8 off 43 overs, Lancashire still to bat.

Second XI one day final

Posted by John Winn

The Second  XI one day final between Lancashire II and Somerset II will be at Old Trafford on Thursday. Gates open 10:00, wickets pitched 10:30. Entry is free to Lancs members, £5 for non- members.

Shadwell take the prize

posted by John Winn

Although the cricket ground at Bilton-in-Ainsty is only a fifteen drive from my house I had only made one previous visit before yesterday, Very much in The Vale of York here with York just a shade under ten miles away and the small ground looked a picture in pleasant sunshine. The playing  is rather squeezed into its perimeter and for most of its circumference there is only a foot to spare between the white line and the fence.

The attraction yesterday was the final of the Wetherby League Senior Cup with Shadwell and Kippax Welfare facing up. Kippax folded mid season in 2012 but reformed the following year and now stand top of Div 3 in the Saturday competition and in all probability will be back where they were in 2012 when next season begins. Both teams had brought good support with Kippax just about having the majority.

Play began spot on the appointed hour of 2:00 and got off to a frenetic start with a possible run out missed off the first delivery. Kippax were batting and adopted a vigorous approach which brought boundaries but no big partnerships and two wickets fell to run outs and two to outstanding catches in the deep. I texted a friend to say that I was concerned Welfare might not see out their twenty overs, a cardinal sin in this format, but in the event they were dismissed for 117 in the final over, about ten more than looked likely at one point.

Shadwell began their reply by losing
wickets and were soon 13 for 2, but a stand of over 70 calmed any nerves the Leeds' side might have had. Some excellent strokes found the rather pedestrian Kippax fielding wanting, catches went down, run outs were missed and The Rams coasted home with a couple of overs and 6 wickets to spare, worthy winners who had demonstrated superiority in all aspects of the game.

At the presentation, host club Bilton were rightly thanked for their efforts in contributing to an entertaining afternoon's cricket played in the right spirit. Nice to see the umpires thanked as well, congratulations Wetherby League.

In the Under 17 One Day Cup final played at Kibworth yesterday Surrey completed the double with a victory over Durham. Durham posted 237/9 and Surrey got home by two wickets having needed 12 off the last two overs.

In the Women's T20 Super League, the start of which Brian and I reported on three weeks ago, yesterday's final was won by Southern Vipers with a five wicket victory over Western Storm.

A very wet morning in the Lower Ure Valley but prospects much better for Scarborough tomorrow, see you there.

Bowl outs not necessary

posted by John Winn

With no spare day available the semi finals of the SET had to be concluded yesterday, if necessary by bowl out but despite a poor day's weather both games produced meaningful cricket, At Taunton a start was possible at 2:15 and in a 34 over game Leicestershire won the toss and chose to bat. If 186 for 9 looked a decent score it wasn't enough for Somerset got home by seven wickets with 21 balls to spare.

Somerset's opponents in the final will be Lancashire who got the better of Kent at Canterbury. Here the game was reduced to 33 overs and then 22 because of rain. Kent opted to field on winning the toss and Lancashire hit up 156 for 5. Duckworth and Lewis were brought into the action leaving Kent needing 176 off their 22 overs. They got off to a very good start being 74 for 1 off 10, enter Parkinson, Matthew not Michael, and the young spinner took 4 for 17 to see the red rose home by 11 runs.

The final will be played on Thursday, venue and times to be announced.

In the Under 17 Championship some play was possible at Arundel but not enough to give a definite result and Surrey won the championship by virtue of their first innings advantage over Lancashire

Almost the end of the Minor Counties season

Posted by Tony Hutton

The last round of Minor Counties championship games are already upon us and it was a delight to spend two days at Sedbergh School for the game between Cumberland and Norfolk. Nothing at stake for these two teams but a very competitive and compelling game played out in splendid weather which is not always the case at this charming venue.

Sedbergh School ground looking towards the Howgill Fells

The actual championship titles were being played for elsewhere with Berkshire winning the western division and a very tight contest between Lincolnshire and Northumberland in the eastern division saw them both achieve victories and finishing the season level on points. Lincolnshire, with a splendid victory over Staffordshire, were declared champions by reason of a superior run rate. So the four day final will be played at Wormsley on the 28th August between Lincolnshire and Berkshire.

The knock out final, an all midlands affair, is also being played at the same venue on Wednesday 24th August between Herefordshire and Staffordshire.

However, back to Sedbergh and, despite the absence of several regulars due to the counter attraction (?) of the Roses match at Old Trafford, Norfolk won the toss and decided to bat in far more salubrious surroundings. It was slow going for much of the day with most of the Norfolk batsmen getting in, but no one able to play a big innings.

The middle order of Park (36), Bridgestock (42) and Watson (46) steadied the ship
after the first four wickets went down for 81. Cumberland were handicapped by a shoulder injury to star bowler Toby Bulcock who was back after a three match suspension imposed by the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, where he plies his trade with Richmondshire. Bulcock only managed eight overs and it was left to leg spinner McKiernan to carry the bowling burden which he did successfully bowling 31.5 overs and taking 5-81.

Sedbergh school pavilion

Norfolk were finally all out for a modest 234 with just one ball of the 90 overs left before the compulsory end of the innings. Surely not enough was the general feeling amongst the cognoscenti. After all Cumberland are the current champions and have batsmen a plenty. Norfolk had other ideas and in no time Cumberland were 7-2 with both openers Hale and skipper Gary Pratt making the long climb up the pavilion steps.The two youngsters Michael Slack and Sam Dutton, son of Simon the former Cumberland skipper and wicketkeeper, held things together before the close on day one.

The following morning, with the sun shining yet again, these two carried on the good work with a partnership of 134 before Slack was out for 36 made in two and a half hours. It was a good grafting innings to support Dutton, who gained in confidence throughout the morning and reached an excellent first century at this level, which contained seventeen fours. Gilbert Johnson, long serving former secretary, was able to inform the assembled throng that this was not the first case of a father and son having scored centuries for the county. This record was held by no less than David (Bumble) Lloyd and his son Graham, now of course a first class umpire.

Cumberland in the runs in the first innings

When Dutton was finally out for 104, bowled by the persistent Spelman, wickets fell rapidly and Cumberland descended from164-3 to 173-6 with the speedy departures of both Longhurst and McKiernan. Another pair came to the rescue as wicketkeeper Gary Knight from Lytham and Glen Weightman from Keswick put on another century partnership. Knight made 48 and Weightman a rapid 65 with four fours and two sixes.
Cumberland finally all out for 326 again with just one ball of their ninety overs remaining. Spelman toiled away at the church end all day and was rewarded with figures of 6-98 off 28 overs.

So a useful first innings lead of 92 for the home side, but the Norfolk openers J.T. Taylor and prolific scorer Sam Arthurton soon narrowed the gap towards the end of the second day. This was when we left the scene to travel elsewhere and we were surprised to learn the following day that Norfolk had made 326 in their second innings with Taylor top scoring on 103. This left Cumberland with apparently plenty of time to score 239 to win.

Well known music hall act on the back row - David Thorpe and 'The three Grahams'

However it was not to be and Norfolk, thanks to their spinners who took four wickets each, bowled them out for 207 to win by 32 runs. Veteran captain Chris Brown, a Lancastrian of course, took 4-58 and Watson 4-60. So a sad end to their season for last year's champions but a nice, fluctuating game with which to finish.

Still catching up

Posted by Tony Hutton

Still trying to catch up with some of the games which I failed to report on during my period without a computer. One of these was a bit of a surprise fixture between Pro Coach Academy based at Headingley Leeds against the Leicestershire county Academy played at the Pudsey St Lawrence ground on the 19th and 20th July.

Pudsey St Lawrence cricket ground

No scorecard ever appeared for this game but several informants suggested that the home side won a two innings match after first innings scores of 220 by Pro Coach XI and 168 by Leicestershire. However the weather was scorching hot and we were very lucky to find a spot in the shade of the trees. The refreshments were first class and only a smattering of spectators mainly parents or grandparents of the players.

Pudsey St Lawrence pavilion

The only players we could recognize in the home side were Charlie Parker, of Pudsey St Lawrence and Warwickshire 2nd XI (see Birmingham blog dated 8th June) and listed at number twelve Chris Taylor, formerly of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, the man behind the Pro Coach cricket empire.

Similarly the Leicestershire team were largely unknown although it did include two Nightingales. They were captained by Sam Evans, who has played for the second XI along with Harry Swindells the wicketkeeper. It was very hot work for the all pace attack of the visitors and several spectators complained to the Leicestershire coach about the absence of any spinners.

Sir Leonard Hutton gates

The other attraction of the day was to see the re-vamped pavilion with big picture windows to watch the play during cold weather and the impressive collection of cricketing memorabilia centred around the club's most famous son, Sir Leonard Hutton.

Memorabilia at Pudsey

Under 17 competitions

posted by John Winn

The Under 17 County Championship final is being played at Arundel this week and at the end of the second day Surrey are well on top of their opponents Lancashire. Winning the toss and batting first Surrey were all out for 415 with Euan Woods top scoring with 141and skipper Angus Dahl run out for 88. Lancashire's reply of 246 was led by 'keeper George Lavelle with 56 until he too was run out. Surrey batted again and overnight are 76 for 2, a lead of 245. Alas the forecast for West Sussex for today is very poor and the Brown Caps are unlikely to be able to force a complete victory but if the game is drawn Surrey will win on first innings. There has been no play before lunch.

The final of the Under 17 One Day Cup is being played at Kibworth (pictured below) on Sunday with Surrey in action against Durham, they may fare a little better with the weather.

A bit more light

posted by John Winn

Second Eleven Trophy

Semi Finals Friday August 19th

Kent II v Leicestershire II at Canterbury 10:30am

Somerset II v Lancashire II at Taunton 10:30 am


Second Eleven Championship

Final (4 days) September 6th (venue to be confirmed)

Middlesex II v Durham II or Lancashire II or MCCU


Durham can qualify by beating MCC Universities in a three day game beginning on Monday 22nd at South Northumberland. Please note that some lists and websites say venue to be confirmed but the receptionist at The Riverside has South North on her list.


PS the league table has finally been brought up to date and shows that an emphatic win for MCCU over Durham could take them above Lancashire to top the table.

Culgaith's loss is Appleby's gain

posted by John Winn

On Sunday my wife and I called in at the lovely town of Appleby in Westmoreland and in our perambulation came across the picturesque cricket ground. Alas the ground like so much of Cumbria suffered badly in last year's floods and this photograph shows some of the debris close by the pavilion.

Research in advance of our trip had told us that the ground was still out of action and that Appleby Eden as they are known are now playing their home matches at Culgaith CC, just a few miles drive along the A66 towards Penrith, so off we jolly well.

The match in progress at 'The Playing Fields' was an Eden Valley League Div 1 encounter between Appleby II and Caldbeck II. We were informed by a couple of spectators that Appleby were batting with  the board showing 70 for 4. Of greater interest however was that Appleby would be unlikely to return to the banks of the Eden until 2017 at the earliest with restoration work to be done on the pavilion and the outfield and that the availability of Culgaith's ground had arisen because they, Culgaith, had folded last season. Our two informants attributed this demise to a number of players leaving to join Penrith CC but were pleased that some Culgaithians were now assisting Appleby. The misfortunes of both clubs had at least created a situation where on a warm Sunday afternoon cricket was still being played on the Culgaith ground with its backdrop of Cumbrian fells.

Looking at the league website on Monday morning I saw that Appleby had made 144 all out to which Caldbeck had replied with 127, a deficit of 17 and a result which leaves the exiles in mid table and their visitors looking like strong contenders for the drop. It is interesting that another team, Threlkeld, whose travails with flood damage was reported  in the blog stand second, a splendid recovery from the catastrophic damage to their ground in 2012.

The Culgaith roller, a Barford Perkins stalwart.

A trip to the Midlands

Posted by Tony Hutton

On Wednesday 3rd of August made a trip to Market Harborough for the second day of the county second XI match between Northants and Yorkshire at the appropriately named Fairfield Road ground. No play had been possible on the first day and a rather understrength Northants side batted first. The only player known to us was Moin Ashraf the former Yorkshire and Leeds/Bradford University opening bowler.

Market Harborough pavilion

A pleasant ground, with a rather pronounced slope to the far boundary, but with an attractive pavilion bedecked with flower baskets, coffee and scorecards readily available and all in all a very pleasant atmosphere. Still a little puzzling that Northants were staging a home match just over the county border in Leicestershire. Several former players in attendance, including to our surprise Jim Love acting as assistant coach with Ian Dews for Yorkshire. Also present were Jack Birkenshaw, former Yorkshire and Leicestershire spin bowler and George Sharp former Northants wicketkeeper and first class umpire.

Market Harborough - view from the boundary

Some tidy bowling by Yorkshire enabled them to dismiss the home side for 176, somewhat below par, with Jack Shutt the off spinner having the best figures of 3-19 continuing his recent good performances for the Yorkshire Academy side.

Attacking field for Jack Shutt

The day was full of interest first of all trying to identify the collection of club players and trialists appearing for Northants and then my efforts to find the elusive blogger 'Backwatersman' on his home turf. I was first of all directed towards a gentleman who turned out to be a cricket and racing journalist for the Leicester Mercury and we had a most interesting conversation for some time. He pointed me to the area where 'Backwatersman' normally sits and suggested that a man in a white cap might be my target.

However, although quite friendly despite being interrupted while eating his sandwiches, this gentleman was also not my target. However two or three places along the same bench was the man himself who overheard our conversation and assumed he was the man I was looking for. Indeed he was and I was able to congratulate him on his recent piece on second eleven cricket at Desborough.

A nice walk round this pleasant market town during the lunch interval only confirmed our pleasure with this new venue for us and the only downside was the rather strong breeze which blew throughout the day. When Yorkshire batted Brook and Ainsley took their time but built a useful response of 100-2.

The following day we were off to Northampton to see England Under 19s take on Sri Lanka Under 19s at the county ground with even less spectators than at Market Harborough. The highlight for us was the performance of Ed Barnes, the young Yorkshire Academy allrounder, who bowled two good spells and finished with admirable figures of 3-38 against a strong looking Sri Lanken team who won the match comfortably by seven wickets the following day.

Sri Lanka under 19s in the runs at Northampton

On our way home we stopped off at Market Harborough again, on what was the last day. Arriving around tea time we found the Yorkshire side anxiously waiting to take the covers off following a rain delay. They seemed to be the only ones interested and having bowled Northants out again for 143, they chased down a target of 220 after tea to win by three wickets. We were well on our way by then but apparently Matthew Waite was the star of the show with an innings of 103 not out with good support from Will Rhodes.

Back in action

Posted by Tony Hutton

Good to be back in action again after almost a month's break due to a house move which has involved considerable downsizing of my cricket archives and a disconnected computer into the bargain.

However here we are again and I can start with day two of the Sanderson cup game between Lancashire under 19s and Yorkshire under 19s at Todmorden on 21st July.
Yorkshire batted on in the morning to total 349-8 declared which should have put the game out of reach. The Lancastrians had other ideas though and fine century from Brad Yates put them well into the chase. Wickets then fell and Yorkshire looked likely winners until an amazing ninth wicket partnership from Phelan 62 not out and Dotters 51 not out gave Lancashire victory by two wickets with only nine balls remaining.

 

Under 19s in action at Centre Vale, Todmorden

 

The following Saturday, 23rd July saw the Yorkshire Academy gain an eight point victory over Stamford Bridge at Weetwood. The Academy batted consisently but as is their wont without acceleration later on to make 253-5 with 84 from Harry Brook and 92 from Ben Ainsley. The visitors put up a good fight with Sinclair making 107 not out and as usual James Logan looking the best bowler with 4-39, as the Bridge finished on 194-8.

 

The following day the Academy were again in action at Weetwood against York in the Black Sheep Trophy semi final and as reported by Brian it proved an easy victory for the visitors who will now play Pudsey St Lawrence in the final at Sherrif Hutton Bridge on Sunday September 11th.

 

John Winn has reported on the Under 17s game between Lancashire and Yorkshire at Weetwood which ended in a draw due to rain and the following weekend I saw an exciting finish at Harrogate, where the premier league north leaders very nearly suffered a surprise home defeat to bottom club Dunnington. The visitors were in the game right to the end when the Harrogate last pair saw them home by one wicket.

 

Also caught up with Adel on Sunday 31st July, when they entertained Horsforth in the final of the Headingley T20 evening league. Horsforth had beaten North Leeds in the semi final that morning but made mincemeat of the Adel bowling attack notably through South African Ben Boshoff who made no less than 147 not out (with 12 fours and 8 sixes) in a total of 205-3 in 20 overs. Adel did make a game of it thanks to Mark Johnson's 44 getting them off to a quick start, but the later batsman could not maintain the momentum and Horsforth were winners by 23 runs. Reg Parker, veteran league cricketer and sage of Adel made the presentations to both teams.

 

Second XI competitions nearing closure

posted by John Winn

With the Second Eleven Trophy Semi Finals due to played a week today and the list of outstanding SEC fixtures reduced to a handful it is time to try and identify which counties are in the running for second XI honours.

In the one day competition only two games remain to be played and both are scheduled for today, Kent v Middlesex in the South Division at Beckenham and Northants v Notts at Finedon in the North Division. A win for Kent** would take them past Hampshire and Sussex into second place behind  Somerset who by their win over Essex at Halstead yesterday clinched top spot. In the North Division the semi finalists were clarified by an abandoned game at Bowden when rain thwarted Lancashire and Leicestershire's attempts to play their match. The two teams finish level on points with Lancashire top by winning a game more than the Foxes.

The final of the SEC competition is set for September 6th and five matches remain to be played, two beginning on Monday, one on Tuesday and two the following Monday, August 22nd. Durham who scraped a draw against Yorkshire at Clifton Park this week, have one match left, success in which could take them above Lancashire, who have finished their programme, into top spot in the north. In the South Division Middlesex's win over Kent at Beckenham on Thursday would seem to guarantee them top spot and a place in the final. Please excuse the use of the word 'seem' but the tables have not been updated to reflect this past week's matches.

Finally many of our readers will have followed this week's quarter finals in the t20 blast and be aware that for the first time the four teams who will be in action on finals day are all from the Northern Section*. A gentleman whose name I did not catch but who appeared to be employed by the ECB and whose job was to hold the bag from which the balls were drawn to determine the draw for the semi finals described the competition as being 'dominated by the south', The past winners are as follows

South: Hants 2, Surrey 1, Somerset 1, Kent 1, Middlesex 1,  Total 7
North: Leicestershire 3, Northants 1, Warwickshire 1, Lancashire 1, Total 6
an advantage of one win to the south which will of course be negated on Saturday week come what may.

* described by some southern based pundits as 'the weaker northern section'. the same section that has provided the last eight winners of the county championship.

** Kent won by 48 runs and will play either Lancs or Leicestershire at Beckenham on Friday 11:00 start.

England 2 Wales 0

posted by John Winn

The prospect of an all Welsh final in the Village Cup, a red kite flown by me in a recent blog, disappeared yesterday when both teams from the Principality suffered defeats. In Pembrokeshire local outfit Carew were never really able to force the pace against the attack of North Yorkshire visitors Sessay although 58 for 2 off 20 overs looked like a platform from which 150 might have been possible. Sessay, winners in 2010, had prepared well, bringing forward the start of their Saturday league game against Driffield II so they were able to spend Saturday night in Cardiff. The fruits of this good planning were shown in some very tight bowling and Carew were dismissed for 133 in the 39th over.

Sessay got off to a bright start against some undisciplined bowling from Carew who conceded almost twenty runs in wides and victory was secured as early as the twenty first over with seven wickets in hand. This was described on Carew CC Twitter feed as 'an edgy nip and tuck game', tongue in the cheek there methinks. To their credit the vanquished were generous in their congratulations and wished the winners well in the final.

Sessay's opponents on September 4th at Lord's will be Kent side Sibton Park CC who beat the other Welsh contenders, Miskin Manor CC in a much closer match the result of which was in doubt until the last few balls. The home side batted first having won the toss and must have doubted the wisdom of that when they were 23 for 3 in the ninth over. Things did not really improve and the scoreboard showed 96 for 8 with just nine overs left. The extra fifty runs that were added for the last two wickets were to prove decisive.

Miskin got off to a disastrous start. 0 for 2, 6 for 3 and 8 for 4 tell the story but a recovery left 14 to win off the last two overs and 10 off 8 balls but in the end Manor fell 9 short and faced the long journey back to Pontyclun empty handed.

To tidy things up South Northumberland beat Chester Boughton Hall in the National Club Championship Quarter final and will play Ormskirk in the semis at Gosforth on August 28th. In the Under 17 one day competition Somerset lost to Surrey by 6 wickets at Taunton Vale. Surrey will play Durham in the final at Kibworth CC, Leicestershire on August 21st.

Under 17 Competitions

posted by John Winn

The ECB competitions for under 17s have moved forward this week. In the three day competition  northern section there were wins for Lancashire and Durham over Derbyshire and Yorkshire respectively which left Lancs four points clear at the top of Division 1A . They will play Warwickshire in the semi final starting on Tuesday at Moseley CC. The other semi final will be between Somerset and Surrey but neither the ECB nor the counties' websites are showing a venue for this match which is also fixed for Tuesday.

In the one day competition Durham topped their group and beat  Notts in the semi final by seven wickets at Welbeck Colliery last Sunday. The final is to be played at Kibworth on Sunday 21st of August when Durham's opponents will be either Somerset or Surrey who play off
tomorrow. As yet no venue posted for this one. Taunton seems likely to be unexpectedly available.

A Jimmy Anderson shelter?

YORKSHIRE DAY DEFEAT

By Brian Sanderson,

Today;s fifty over match started 2 P.M. at  Headingley between Yorkshire and Warwickshire.. This enabled me to do some gardening , shopping and have my dinner before walking up to the ground. There was a slight rain delay when Warwickshire came out to bat. There was a decent crowd with Yorkshire top of the league but had a bad loss yesterday at Durham.

The first shock was that Bresnan was not playing as he was Yorkshire top run scorer in this competition.Warwick started at  a slow rate and were 92 for 3 after 23 overs.

The Warwickshire innings was dominated by Jonathan Trott who scored his 19 th career List A century. He was involved in two fifty stands with Bell and Ambrose. Their innings was given a lift by  scoring 104 off the last ten overs.They finished on 283 for 6.

This total was always too much for a weak Yorkshire batting side. They needed a good start but were 79 for 4. One bright spot of the innings was Travis Head innings of 53.However Yorkshire could  were only manage to get 167 and  were bowled out in 37 overs . Poor show.

The best Warwickshire bowler was Javid who's figure are above.Yorkshire needed 189 to have a home quarter-final  but they failed badly.So they are away in the quarter-finals so more loss revenues.

Yorkshire will have to improve on Thursday when they play Warwickshire again in the Championship at Headingley.

Runs galore at School Lane

posted by John Winn

On Sunday I went to one of my favourite grounds, School Lane, the home of Spofforth CC who were entertaining Birstwith in the semi final of the Atkinson Swires Trophy, the senior ko competition for clubs in the Nidderdale League. Birstwith came flushed from being the first team to topple Ouseburn this season in Saturday's high scoring match. The good size crowd  at School Lane yesterday saw another run fest with Spofforth coming out on top by 18 runs.

Spofforth CC

The home team batted first and a bizarre scorecard shows two century makers, Nick Robinson and Andrew Bottega, nobody else in double figures except for extras 40, 29 of which were wides. 309/9 looked a good score, assisted by some poor ground fielding off set by some very good catches in the deep. Birstwith certainly gave it a go, feasting on some short stuff from young opening bowler M Bird, and there were good scores for the Riley brothers but wickets fell at regular intervals to see them all out in the 40th and last over. 601 runs, not a bad afternoon.

The other semi final was won by Darley who saw off Helperby by a large margin. Darley and Spofforth meet in the final at Ouseburn CC on September 4th.

In the National Club Championship there were wins for Ormskirk, Weybridge and Swardeston. South North and Chester Boughton Hall will play their tie next Sunday at Gosforth.

Lightning strike at Headingley

Like Brian I went along to Headingley on Saturday to see the launch of the women's T20 Super League along with almost a thousand other folk. I went with some reservations for if the powers at the top pf the ECB have their way then it may not be long before we are seeing something similar played by men with teams representing cities rather than counties, a change to which I am opposed.

Saturday's game was between two teams made up of international stars, three or four England players and some local talent.To followers of women's cricket names like Lauren Winfield, Beth Mooney, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry are very well known and they represent some of the finest women's cricketers in the world. Brian has described the game of which Loughborough were easy winners, in particular I thought their bowling and fielding were superior. Those who lament the lack of spin bowling in the men's game might like to try the female version for several exponents of the art were on show and I was disappointed that we only got to see one over of Harrogate's Katie Thompson whose action defies description. Think grandad's Christmas party trick but instead of a coin coming from behind the ear imagine a cricket ball.

I spent the afternoon in the company of Malcolm Sheasby who as usual was wired for sound, on this occasion to five live sports extra who are covering the games. No tv this year. Malcolm enjoyed the music that greeted each boundary as much as I but it obviously resonated with the teenage girls who were present which is perhaps how it should be. The other four teams in the competition played yesterday and both ended in easy wins for South Vipers over Surrey Stars and for Western Stars over Lancs Thunder and both were low scoring games. The sponsors will hope for more runs in the subsequent matches.