Houdini Hampshire survive again

posted by John Winn

So when the music stopped it was Middlesex who were left without a seat at the first division table next season. From champions yesterday they were rolled over in fairly short time at Taunton and then endured a five hour wait while the wooden spoonists tried to bowl out Hampshire. Shortly after lunch, when Hampshire lost three quick wickets, their hopes of survival must have been raised but obdurate defence from Vince and Dawson saw Hants almost to safety, safety ensured by Holland and Berg. By 5:
30 Middlesex knew they could look forward to trips to Derby, Chester le Street and Grace Road next year and could rue even more the loss of two points for a slow over rate in the match abandoned when Kennington's answer to William Tell decided to take a hand.

Not only Middlesex could look back and lament that the season had been at the mercy of such narrow margins. Yorkshire who sighed with relief as early as Monday, a sigh so deep it left them without the breath to stand up to the Essex attack on Wednesday afternoon , can look back more than three months to June and their victory by three runs over Somerset, three months in which they have won just one championship match, last week's nerve jangler against Warwickshire. On that Monday afternoon Ballance's persistence with Lyth's spin finally paid off when Jamie Overton miscued to Carver at mid wicket and the white rose men trousered 16 points. If Overton had middled that delivery Yorkshire would have lost and finished the season with 132 points thus keeping the bears company in the bottom two.

Such has been the competition to avoid relegation in the last month that all the sides involved, and third placed Surrey were not safe until last week, could probably point to some turning point, inclement weather, a bad lbw decision, five penalty points for the ball hitting the helmet,etc etc which might have gone for or against them and when two points cover four teams such events can make or mar a season. Thus Hampshire survive again, this year by two points, last year by courtesy of the ECB and in 2105 again by two points. It is nine years since they finished above sixth in Division 1.

In the second division Notts, another 'tomb raider' club, finally overcome their jitters thanks to a partnership between the retiring Chris Read and Root the younger and left Northants in third place. Leicestershire held on to the wooden spoon and Durham handicapped by a 48 point deduction could do little better. The season at The Riverside has seen its share of exciting finishes and the loss of Coughlin, Onions and Jennings has been to some extent offset by the emergence of Steel at the top of the order and in the last few weeks signs that Clark might be fulfilling his potential. The return of Will Smith, who has been kept out of the Hampshire side by Kolpaks, has amongst a small number of members I have canvassed received a lukewarm reception.

My season is not quite over but a weekend away rules out my attendance at Arthington until Saturday week at the earliest so my next posting will probably be an appropriate time to sum up my season's watching.

Dashing off to Teesdale, will caption this photo on return.

Eyes on Taunton

posted by John Winn

Listeners to Five Live Sports Extra can today follow events at Taunton where Middlesex, needing to score 250 to ensure safety , have already lost two wickets this morning.This on a pitch where of the thirteen wickets that fell yesterday, twelve were to spin and the other a run out. Wayne Noon, cricket liaison officer for this match, remember when we had pitch inspectors, made no comment last night but is expected to make some announcement at stumps today.

In the meantime I recommend you to go to cricinfo and read an excellent report on yesterday's play by George Dobell.

Those of our readers who know their Onions will be aware that he has failed to agree terms with Durham and consequently the current match at New Road will be his last for the  county that he has served since 2004 and for which just last week became its leading first class wicket taker. It is again tempting to blame the ECB's harsh punishment handed out to Durham a year ago for this departure but given that Onions is 35 and has a history of severe back problems one wonders if he would have been given the two year contract he desires even had the coffers been full.The rumour last week was that he was going to Kent, this morning's Guardian says it is Lancs. In the meantime, that phrase again, Lancs have announced the signing of Keaton Jennings on a four year contract, on recent form that must be for his bowling. This is the same Jennings who all along had been going to Notts providing they were promoted which as yet they are not. Keats' exit can be laid at Harrison's door for the contract Jennings signed a year ago had a get out clause allowing him to leave if Durham failed to win promotion this year, which given they started minus 48 was very very unlikely. And so it has proved and only Leicester have saved them from the wooden spoon which the Prince Bishops last held in 2004 when they wrenched it from Derbyshire's grasp.

Finally I note with mixed feelings that Onions has struck at New Road to remove Clarke, ct Collingwood bowled Onions, perhaps the last time that mode of dismissal will appear in Durham's records.

Thornes lose their title due to penalty runs.

Posted by Tony Hutton

The semi-finals and final of the four Yorkshire Premier Leagues Championship have had a difficult time with games called off due to bad weather and re-arranged at different venues, with different start times. It all came right in the end and despite two rather one sided semi-finals yesterday at Scarborough and Headingley, today's final at the Yorkshire headquarters produced a stunning finale to the season.

This competition was first played last season when the final was controversially played in Abu Dhabi of all places. Fortunately common sense has prevailed this time and the final was played where it should always be - at Headingley. The surprise champions of last year Wakefield Thornes, from the Yorkshire Premier League south, again eased their way into the final by beating Great Ayton from the North Yorkshire and South Durham league very easily at Scarborough yesterday. Their opponents today, rather to some surprise were the Bradford League's Hanging Heaton who disposed of Yorkshire League north champions, York CC, with a comfortable 122 run victory.

Today's final was a much closer affair going right to the last ball. Hanging Heaton are the new champions by the narrow margin of three runs and Wakefield Thornes only had themselves to blame as their abysmally slow over rate ended with them conceding five penalty runs despite a very generous addition of time to the allotted three hours ten minutes by the umpires.

Hanging Heaton - new Yorkshire premier champions

The over rate was painfully slow during the first half of the innings with only twenty five overs bowled in the first two hours. Things did improve with the introduction of the spinners but surely it is possible to bowl fifty overs in three hours ten minutes. This whole problem of course applies at all levels of the game and is a real blight on proceedings.

That having been said the Wakefield bowlers were all very accurate and restricted Hanging Heaton's batsman considerably after yesterday's 312 against York. Opening bowler Rasool struck the first vital blow having Heaton's star man Gary Fellows caught behind for just one and continuing to finish with 2-34 from ten overs. Spinner Isanka was also very tidy and produced figures of 4-53 from thirteen overs. The main man for Heaton, as yesterday, was Callum Geldart, another former Yorkshire player like Fellows. He made 90 not out yesterday and today again top scored with 85 before sweeping once too often to be brilliantly caught by Morgan on the deep square leg boundary.

Geldart sweeps to leg and is caught on the boundary.

Morgan, a slow left armer, was the only bowler to take much punishment towards the end and his eleven overs brought figures of 2-73. Overall though Wakefield's bowlers had restricted Hanging Heaton's powerful batting line up and an all out total of 231 did not seem too onerous. The general feeling seemed to be that this game, unlike both semi-finals yesterday, would produce a close finish.
How right that was.

Celebrity spectator at Headingley.

Jared Warner, the current Yorkshire player, returning to his former club had produced a very accurate spell with the ball and now opened the innings for Thornes. His partner Wolfenden was into his stride first and they put on 49 in eleven overs before Wolfenden was bowled by David Stiff, yet another former Yorkshire and Somerset player. Enter David Toft, by far Thornes' star batsman, a century maker in the final last year as he was yesterday at Scarborough. Today was not his day as he was brilliantly run out by bowler Rameez at the non-striker's end for just 20. This was perhaps the crucial turning point and the scoring rate began to slow.

Warner batting for Thornes.

Thornes still well in the game half way through their innings.

Warner kept his end up well, but boundaries were not coming and left arm spinner Rameez tied up one end with fifteen overs bringing him 3-47. Probably a match winning performance particularly when he dismissed Warner for a patient 68. It was still anybody's game at this stage and it was not until the final few overs when Isanka, who was capable of quick runs, went down the pitch and was smartly stumped by Imran Dawood off Rameez, that things began to fall apart. Fourteen were required from the final over, which despite a four off the last ball, proved too much and Hanging Heaton were champions by a margin of just three runs.

Not many spectators to be seen at Headingley.

A shame such a great finish was watched by a very small crowd which turned out for what proved to be such a tight contest and great advert for premier league cricket in Yorkshire. No doubt this competition will be equally competitive next season and perhaps it is time we saw a side from the North Yorkshire and South Durham League in the final. Rumour has it that Gary Pratt's Richmondshire side, who narrowly missed out this season, may have a valuable reinforcement in the pipe line.

Yorkshire scrape home

Posted by Tony Hutton

Yorkshire's last home match of the season brought a nail biting finish at Headingley in a game which showed how little there is between all the teams in the championship first division. Essex showed they are worthy champions, not only by beating Yorkshire so easily at Scarborough but today managing to turn round their game with Hampshire to produce another notable victory. The performance of already relegated Warwickshire showed some remarkable contributions, notably from New Zealander Jeetan Patel whose century and six wickets in the second innings showed what an excellent overseas player he has been. Sadly Yorkshire's army of  'here today, gone tomorrow' foreign contingent, including their latest short term import, contributed little to the overall picture.

However this was a game to savour with the twists and turns which only a four day game can provide for the cricket connoisseur. Warwickshire under new captain Jonathon Trott won the toss and decided to bat on Tuesday. A decision which surprised many, particularly when they had slumped to 49-6, thanks to some useful bowling by Yorkshire's all seam attack. Ian Bell played as only he can, a backs to the wall player if there ever was one. His workmanlike fifty set the scene for Patel, coming in at number eight, to play his shots from the word go and he cruised to an admirable century in just 112 balls with seventeen fours.

A last look at the Rugby Stand before demolition.

Matthew Fisher returned after two wickets in his first spell and dismissed Patel lbw as soon as he reached his century then finished off the tail, including the other Ryan Sidebottom (an Australian version) to complete best bowling figures of 5-56. A good reward for his rather belated re-call to the first eleven after a difficult season for him.

We missed most of the Yorkshire first innings on day two deciding instead to enjoy the sunshine at Riverside and some good batting from Durham against a rather new look Sussex bowling attack as already described by John. I agree entirely with both John and Sir Ian Botham (another first for me) in their comments on the departure of Coughlin to Notts, yet another team which seems unwilling to encourage their own youngsters.

Back at Headingley for day three with a smallish crowd present due in no small part to the weather forecast which had predicted rain for most of the day. We took our chance expecting only a short period of play and were rewarded with a full day and no rain whatsoever. This time the bowling hero was the dependable Steve Patterson. He managed to dismiss Bell cheaply and eventually Trott for 59 when he looked capable of a really big innings. He followed this with the wickets of Lamb and Patel to finish with typically economical figures of 26-7-46-4. Warwickshire all out for 251 leaving Yorkshire with what seemed like an easy enough target of 175 to win.

Not so, after an early wicket for Sidebottom number two, enter Jeetan Patel yet again. Yorkshire's bowling attack with five seamers and no spinner provided little variety and Patel was soon in action with the ball dismissing first Lees and then the West Indian Brathwaite with the last ball of the day.
Close of play at 56-3 and Yorkshire in dire trouble, still facing the possibility of relegation with just one more match to play next week away to champions Essex.

An expectant fourth day crowd turned up to enjoy the sunshine hoping that skipper Gary Ballance would play another fine innings, of which there have been many this season, to seal a home victory.
It was not to be as he went lbw to Patel for 21 and Yorkshire were 71-4 soon to be 86-5 when Leaning after playing his first aggresive shot against the spinner was brilliantly caught by Ian Bell at short leg. Bresnan tried to hit Patel but only skied him to Thomson at deep mid wicket and Bresnan plodded off with yet another duck to this season's collection.

The crowd were very quiet now, aware that defeat was staring Yorkshire in the face, and it got quieter still when Hodd, who had just begun to play a few shots after a very quiet start, was out to a fine low slip catch by that man again Patel. 96-7 now and the game looked all over, indeed one or two long standing members were seen to leave the ground in disgust. Enter Mr Reliable, Steve Patterson, to join the youthful Matthew Fisher, no mug with the bat himself.

Patterson watchful in defence.

Patel wheeled away at the pavilion end, bowling maiden after maiden with now five wickets to his name and everyone feeling he might end up with eight. The pace bowlers were alternated at the soon to be demolished rugby stand end. Patterson decided to up the tempo, mainly off the pace men, while just keeping Patel at bay. Fisher too played his part looking confident in his more defensive role.
Gradually the runs ticked away, Patterson hit some splendid shots through to the off side boundary and suddenly the crowd responded to this remarkable change in fortune.

Almost there - fifty partnership.

They pair received a standing ovation at the lunch interval with a fifty partnership under their belts and after the interval with the sunshine replaced by cloud cover it was downhill all the way for the Yorkshire pair. Patel, who bowled unchanged to the bitter end somehow seemed to lose his accuracy and bowled two wide balls down the leg side, one went for four byes, the other for four leg byes. How the crowd roared now! Soon the scores were level, but more drama to come as Fisher was finally out caught by Bell at short leg for fifteen runs, but more importantly he had batted out for 98 minutes.

Fisher out - caught at short leg. Scores level.

Patterson soon ended the game with a four taking him to an admirable 44 not out, making top score just above extras with 40. Patel who had toiled away manfully ended with figures of 28-17-50-6.
Together with his century this should have made him man of the match without question but for the Yorkshire fans there was only one man of the match - Steven Patterson, who received a tremendous ovation as he left the field. Yorkshire won by two wickets and make rapid progress up the championship table, although all still to play for next week.

Steve Patterson acknowledges his standing ovation.

The celebrations continued with the real Ryan Sidebottom, injured for this game, appearing on the field at Headingley for the last time to be greeted by all his team mates and the ecstatic supporters. A marvellous ending not only to the game itself but to a wonderful career by one of the all time greats of Yorkshire cricket.

Ryan Sidebottom says his farewells.

Coughlin latest to leave The Riverside

posted by John Winn

Even before I passed through the turnstiles at The Riverside yesterday the talk was of Tuesday's announcement that Paul Coughlin was the latest to take the gravy train,  this time bound for Trent Bridge. Coming a year after the departure of Stoneman and Borthwick to Surrey, exits that filled me with dismay but which I came to terms with on the grounds that they were long servants of Durham CCC and most supporters wished them good luck, if with a side portion of grudge. For Stoneman it has been a successful move, plenty of runs for his new county and a long delayed test cap. For Borthwick less so. After a good beginning with the bat his stock has deteriorated to the extent that he was not named in the squad for last week's game, he has scored just over 400 runs and taken just three wickets at a cost of close to 100,

Amongst the people I spoke to you yesterday feelings run much stronger than in the Borthwick and Stoneman case and much of people's ire is directed towards the player. Chairman Sir Ian Botham in a statement released on Tuesday described Coughlin as someone the county has 'nurtured through the academy system' and who had been offered 'a very competitive contract extension, our devoted support through periods of injury*, continuous development and leadership opportunities'. Yet such a player can walk away from his native county to Notts, the Surrey of the East Midlands without Durham receiving a penny in recompense. And the vultures are not done yet for Jennings, who averages a little over ten since he was dropped by England, will almost certainly join Coughlin at Trent Bridge as soon as Notts promotion is confirmed.

Further remarks from Sir Ian have brought Andrew Strauss into the ring in defence of those England selectors who are also directors of cricket for their counties and the affair has also opened up discussion on the feasibility of a transfer system for county cricket. Amongst those expressing early support were Middlesex, Surrey(sic) and Gloucestershire. I would not favour an open market transfer system of the type found in football but a scheme of compensation administered by an independent panel might be feasible.

As for yesterday's cricket Latham, what a splendid overseas player he has been, and Steel, the find of the season, put together a partnership of 165, then both got out in similar fashion, pulling to long leg and Collingwood and Richardson followed in short order but Clark and Carse steadied the ship to leave Durham just 25 behind at the close. With Northants in a reasonable position against Notts, Kent totally frustrated by a wet outfield at Chesterfield, Sussex will be hoping they can do the double over Durham. As I type, 2:30 Thursday, the threatened rain has not reached The Riverside and Sussex will want to press on as fast as possible as long as it holds off. A decent forecast for tomorrow suggests the last day of the season at Chester le Street might be well worth attending.

* Coughlin had a long term back injury in 2015 and has missed five championship matches this season, next week when he is not available for selection will make six.

Ouseburn beat the weather to retain their title

posted by John Winn

A rainbow over West Tanfield

On Saturday, a day of heavy but isolated showers, I drove to West Tanfield, between Ripon and Masham, where Ouseburn were the visitors and for whom victory would ensure they retained the Nidderdale First Division Championship.  

Ouseburn won the toss and fielded, an easy decision given the threatening clouds, and wickets fell at regular intervals with only Sam Abel offering serious resistance. During his innings Sam passed 500 runs for the season and when the last wicket fell at 118 he was undefeated on 65. Towards the end of the innings a heavy shower drove me to my car but the players remained on the field. Further heavy rain came shortly into the Ouseburn reply and held up play for about half an hour and sawdust was liberally applied before the Ouseburn innings could resume. Chasing a modest total a good first innings partnership by Peter Carr and Chris Morrison calmed the nerves and 97 were on the board before Carr was out. There were to be no more alarms until the scores were level at which point Morrison, going for his fourth six, skied one to mid off but with all rounder Jamie Bryant, over 500 runs and 45 wickets in the season, hitting the winning run, the title was retained. 

Credit is due to the umpires and West Tanfield's players for sticking it out in the soggy conditions. During the course of the evening news came through that Masham's match at Birstwith had been abandoned thus leaving them seven points behind Ouseburn in the final table. Birstwith a further five points away can consider themselves unlucky as they have suffered four 'wash outs', more than any other club in the division. 

Yesterday the finals of the two national ko competitions were held. At Lord's holders Sessay lost by seven wickets to Reed and at Chelmsford Wanstead and Snaresbrook beat Ormskirk in the National Club Championship by 12 runs. The Essex club were all out for 159 but four wickets for 19 year old  Jack Lord saw Ormskirk fall short. A good weekend for cricket in Essex. 

Eight championship matches begin tomorrow and with Essex crowned champions on Friday attention in the first division turns to who will join Warwickshire in Division Two next year. The Bears visit Headingley where Yorkshire, who have not won  any of their last six matches, lie fifth but only one point above Somerset and Middlesex. Middlesex are at home to Lancashire and Somerset are at The Oval where if last week is anything to go by they will find it hard to get more than a draw. For Yorkshire Sidebottom faces a fitness test, how sad it would be were he to be denied his swan song at hq, and one presumes Father Lyth will return with Brathwaite as his partner. 

In Division Two it is stretching it a bit to think that one of  Northants, Kent or Sussex can squeeze into the top two . Northants entertain Notts while Kent are at Queen's Park, a switch from Derby, and Sussex will be at The Riverside. Temperatures as high as eighteen are forecast for Chester le Street in the next few days. Whether that is Celsius or Fahrenheit is not known. 

The last round up for league cricket

Posted by Tony Hutton

The cricket season seems to be going out with something of a whimper rather than a bang.
Many of the local leagues finished their programmes on Saturday 9th September, but a surprising number from the lower echelons were still involved a week later. Our original plans were thwarted by the wet weather which put the lid on the premier leagues semi-final between York and Hanging Heaton in Scarborough. However our few days on the Yorkshire coast were not in vain being able to see the last four concerts of the admirable Scarborough Spa orchestra before they shut up shop for the winter.

On returning to Leeds early on Saturday afternoon the sun was shining and we managed to find an abundance of fixtures in a variety of leagues all within a short distance from home. First stop Crag Lane, Alwoodley where the sports complex adjacent to Adel Woods had not only an Aire Wharfe third division game between Alwoodley and New Rover, but an Old Leos seconds v South Milford seconds in division four of the Wetherby League as well as an Old Leos rugby union match going on.

Alwoodley, perennial strugglers in recent seasons, finished bottom of their league and will presumably have to apply for re-election. Today however they managed to finish with a win, only their third of the season, against local rivals New Rover who continue to have problems without a junior set up. Nice to see our friend Harold Todd still umpiring and keeping an avuncular eye on proceedings.

The rural surroundings of Alwoodley cricket club.

Just next door some very young cricketers were both batting and bowling for Old Leos and South Milford second teams. South Milford ended the season as Division four champions. Plenty of enthusiasm here on a ground where I played my very last game of cricket some thirty years ago. I still remember hanging on to a very fierce caught and bowled to the amazement of my team mates!

Old Leodensians ground.

We drove past the Adel ground, where their second team were in action. No room to stop because of a huge crowd watching the adjoining soccer match. Not a car parking space to be had anywhere in the vicinity! So up the road to Bramhope where Headingley Bramhope were playing their last match before relegation from Division one of the Wetherby League. They have had a spectacular rise through the divisions of this league in recent years, when they were based at Glen Road, Headingley.
Sadly the tide now seems to have turned and they are bottom of the league by a substantial margin. A brief rain shower sent the players from the field on this hill top ground, so off we went again down into the valley bottom.

Here at Pool in Wharfedale it was still dry and the game in progress between Pool and visitors Ilkley.
I seem to remember Ilkley doing well in the first half of the season,but they too seem to have come unstuck and both sides are in the lower half of Aire Wharfe division one. A close encounter this one as Ilkley were bowled out for 107 and the home side were in sight of victory when we arrived. The fall of two quick wickets turned the tables and despite some late resistance the home side were all out for 98 finishing just nine runs short. Slow left armer Nick Cockcroft the match winner with 6-24.

Pool in Wharfedale.

The door about to close on the 2017 league season.

There was just time to make one further call a short distance down the road where Arthington were celebrating both teams having gained promotion this season all be it in the lower reaches of the Nidderdale League, but no worse for that. The first team who are promoted from Division five were entertaining Bishop Thornton 2nds and cruising to yet another victory by eight wickets. This was their sixteenth victory of the season.

A large part of their success has been the prolific form of a newcomer this season Naveed Andrabi, who before today's game had scored no less than 1,316 runs, including five centuries, with a highest score of 166 not out against Pateley Bridge, where he also took 7-15. He is also the leading wicket taker with 44.

Another star performer was Lawrence Barraclough who made the club's highest ever score of 235 back in June against Crakehall, in a record total of 410-3 in 45 overs!

The second team who gained promotion from Division eight had a record of a very different kind. No less than nine of their fifteen victories were due to the opposition conceeding due to failures to field a team. Sadly a growing trend where second and third elevens are concerned. However promoted they are and congratulations to everyone at this pleasant club who continue to play their festival matches until mid October.

Arthington cricket club.

Just to confirm the plans for the two premier league semi-finals which were both involved in endless changes due to the weather this weekend. They are both now to be played next Saturday 23rd September. Great Ayton will play Wakefield Thornes at Scarborough at 10.30 and York will play Hanging Heaton at Headingley, also at 10.30.

The final will then be played at Headingley the following day, Sunday 24th September, also with a 10.30 start. All games of fifty overs duration.

Still much to do for Yorkshire at The Oval

posted by John Winn


Despite the 10:30 start only a couple of overs had elapsed when I walked into The Oval on Tuesday morning. Surrey were batting and that remained the case until after lunch on Wednesday. Batty had won a contested toss and opted to bat on a surface that played true throughout the two days of which only five minutes were lost when bad light intervened with just two overs left to bowl yesterday evening.

 This picture was taken shortly before Messrs Burns and Mallender called it a night.

During Tuesday morning's play another Burns, Rory, and Stoneman feasted on some wayward Yorkshire bowling. Four seamers, average age 34, were put to the sword while the leading wicket taker, aged 23 and who played a day and a half's cricket last week brought out the drinks. 126 without loss at over four an over at lunch tells the story and another 52 were added at almost five an over before Hodd pulled off a smart catch to see the back of Burns, the first of five wickets for Brooks. Stoneman's hundred followed shortly after and surely he can choose his seat on the plane to Australia in November. Patel was up at three and played nicely but he was only the warm up act for Sangakkara who came in shortly before tea.  

Yorkshire a bit short of gas at tea

Post tea Sangakkara and Foakes added 139 and the fifth batting point was only two runs away at stumps. Two Surrey supporters sitting by me were adamant they would be in their seats at 10:30 on the second day with the batting point, Sangakkara's hundred and Foakes not too far behind all likely to provide an opportunity to applaud. 

The three milestones duly came up, Sangakkara's century his third against Yorkshire this year and each time against a different coloured ball. At four hundred the bonus point score was 5/1 and although Foakes became a little more circumspect his hundred duly arrived. Sangakkara' finally fell when he was caught by Coad, promoted from drinks carrying, who held on at long leg. Pope, maiden century last week, felt the rough side of the sandpaper when he was bowled first ball to set up a hat trick opportunity which came to nought but Brooks had Foakes caught behind before lunch at 543 for 7.

During the interval I turned my back on the sausage rolls at £4:70 and ventured to an excellent deli/café just five minutes walk from the ground and returned in time to see Surrey batting on with Clarke and van den Bergh at the crease. It was Patterson's turn to reap some reward but a last wicket stand of 37 saw Surrey just eight short of 600 when Clarke was brilliantly caught by Bresnan. 52 overs left in the day and almost 450 to avoid the follow on. 

For the first time in over five years neither Lyth nor Lees opened the innings, instead Marsh, to be replaced by Brathwaite next week, and Kohler-Cadmore took the field and from a modest Surrey attack, Ricki Clarke was surely not brought from Warwickshire to open the bowling, they took rich pickings. The younger Cullen, Clarke, Meaker, Batty all had no joy and it was left to former Durham University man Freddie van den Bergh to get the only wicket, his first in the championship. Kohler-Cadmore was his victim, out for an excellent 78 but Marsh and Lees saw things through to the only slightly premature close, still 421 behind. Gulp, a lot to do today and tomorrow, especially as Somerset seem likely to beat Lancashire. Middlesex, the other team with concerns about relegation, have managed only 30 overs in two days. The forecast for Uxbridge for today suggests they might get almost a full day's play but is less promising for tomorrow. 

Grand Central trains had me back in York eight minutes before the appointed time and I shall follow the next couple of days via the online commentary. Plenty of league cricket left for Saturday and the two national club ko finals on Sunday. Championship cricket resumes on Tuesday by which time Warwickshire, who visit Headingley, may well be relegated, almost certainly Yorkshire will need to beat them. 

Surrey members wait for the Hobbs' gates to open on Wednesday morning, anxious to get the hands on the first batch of sausage rolls. Washed down with a pint of Greene King and you have 10p change from a new Jane Austen. You do the maths. 

The weather takes a hand

posted by John Winn

Heavy showers on Saturday morning and a forecast of more to come easily  persuaded me that it was not a day for venturing far from home. First port of call was just a mile down the road at Whixley where The Cherrymen have enjoyed a decent season in Division Three of The Nidderdale League.

As I reported at the time, the  a year ago Whixley took the bold decision to plough up and reseed their entire outfield and despite the very dry spring the new turf looked in good condition when I arrived just before four o'clock. The earlier rain had caused a delayed start and there had been some reluctance amongst the visitors, Boroughbridge and Staveley, to hang out about while the afternoon sunshine dried the wicket and surrounds. Indeed one of their number felt that in such circumstances and in particular where 'there was nothing to play for' a team that did not want to play should concede the match and let their opponents take the points. You could make it up but you probably wouldn't. 

In the event and after tea had been taken a start was made at 4:00 with Boroughbridge batting. Twenty five overs had been agreed although a consultation of the rule book showed that 20 was the minimum allowed .A late flourish saw the visitors reach 124 for 7 at which point I decided that it was time to move on, a  five minute drive taking me to Lghtmire Lane, Great Ouseburn just in time to see groundsman Edward Pearson locking the last of his machinery away and giving me the news that OCC had had an easy victory in their local derby with Alne. Later in the evening the news came through that their two rivals for the championship had had mixed fortunes. Birstwith had suffered their third washout of the season but Masham had gained a five point win in a thirty over game with Burton Leonard. This means that with one week to play Ouseburn lead the table by three points from Masham with Birstwith a further five points away. In next week's final round of matches Birstwith, who can no longer win the title, entertain Masham while Ouseburn travel to West Tanfield. 

Meanwhile back at Rudgate, Whixley had reached 77 for 4 off 18 overs when the heaviest rain of the day brought proceedings to an end. The table shows B and S fourth and Whixley fifth.

Yesterday was a similar day to Saturday although without much in the way of sunny intervals. I resisted the temptation to travel to Masham where the final of the Black Sheep Cup had been scheduled to be played between York and Pudsey St Lawrence. Disappointingly this too fell to the weather and was called off about three o'clock. 

As Tony has pointed out forcefully on social media the ECB has contrived to fix eight championship fixtures for the coming week, four in each division but none north of Birmingham.  I'm off to The Oval for a couple of days where Yorkshire are the visitors. One school of thought anticipates this will be a stalemate. If so much the same could be said of Middlesex v Hants at Uxbridge and certainly the other two first division games seem to have a bit more bite to them with Somerset, whose win last week has given them hope of avoiding the drop, taking on Lancs at Taunton, and for the red rose anything less than a win must surely hand the title to Essex. The leaders go to Edgbaston where the Bears are supping in the last chance saloon, 30 points behind Somerset. One win all season and I note that as far back as April, Coach Ashley Giles was talking about his side being in a relegation struggle.  

In Division Two Notts have a week off and Worcestershire who rather spoilt Chris Read's party last week will fancy their chances of taking close to maximum points off likely wooden spoonists Leicestershire where coach, Pierre de Bruyn pulled out of Grace Road rather abruptly last week. BBC Radio Leicester correspondent Richard Rae describes the South African as 'abrasive'

who 'was quickly at Loggerheads with a number of players'. The simmering pot boiled over when de Bruyn would not agree to an attempt to contrive a finish at rain soaked Canterbury a fortnight ago. The Foxes seem likely to finish the season without a win. 

More heavy rain in the Lower Ure Valley this morning but a decent forecast for the next couple of days in Kennington. It is perhaps worth a look at the first division table before this week's games for all teams have three games left and positions five to seven, Yorkshire, Middlesex and Somerset are separated by 13 points, little more than can be gained from a decent draw. Drawing matches can still be reasonably profitable, Surrey lie fourth and are probably safe having won only once this season, but Yorkshire and Middlesex would be foolish to be complacent, and amongst a number of members I have canvassed pessimism is not in short supply. 

Contrasting days

posted by John Winn

Three years ago to the week the sun shone, Yorkshire supporters, me amongst them, were at Trent Bridge in large numbers and on the 12th of September Yorkshire won the championship. Three years on Yorkshire find themselves on the brink of a relegation fight, and at Headingley the cricket has failed to warm the bones.

On Tuesday I decided to wait and see what the day might bring and when at two o'clock Messrs Illingworth and Lloyds decided no play was possible at Headingley my mind was made up, for although the prospects at The Riverside seemed brighter by the time play got under way it was too late to make the 130 mile round trip. Wednesday promised better and I stuck to my original plan and drove, trained, bussed and walked to Chester le Street for the second day of Durham v Kent, the visitors first trip to the north east for seven years. Durham  were 61 for 4 overnight and in no time had slumped to 77 for 7 but then Wood and Weighell silenced the Kent supporters who had predicted it would be all out for under 100 by adding 106 for the eighth wicket and by the time Onions was last man out a batting point had been achieved. Wood in particular gave it the kitchen sink, the sun shone and the excellent company in the south east corner, despite being displaced from their seats by Kentish men or men of Kent, thoroughly enjoyed proceedings.

Kent began their reply after a delayed lunch and Dickson and Denly soon departed but Bell-Drummond was joined by his skipper Northeast who later got aggressive support from Crawley to bring us to tea at 134 for 3. Time for home and a lift to Durham station for my train to Northallerton by which time the game had spun round again with Wood taking two wickets in the first over after the interval and then Onions sweeping aside Haggett,  Milne and Billings to make it 147 for 8. Mitch Claydon, always a popular fellow in his time at The Riverside, had returned after a five year absence, to take five Durham wickets then swung the bat to good effect and Northeast went on to a well crafted century, his second against Durham this season. All out 206 when bad light intervened. But an excellent day's play with sixteen wickets going down and runs being scored at a rate which suggested both teams though a win might be possible. The chances of such a result were dashed by rain and bad light which allowed only 29 overs yesterday.

Yesterday I was at Headingley in good time and the conversation over coffee centred mainly on how cold it had been on Wednesday, the alacrity with which the players had left the field when bad light had been declared the previous evening and the suggestion that had been made by Tony on Wednesday that more might have been done on the first day to have some cricket. Could it be that a draw might suit both sides ? The loss of best part of half a day yesterday,a forecast of more showers today and the fact that Yorkshire need to take seventeen wickets to gain the victory points makes such a result very likely. In the meantime at Edgbaston Somerset have built a winning position which only the weather seems likely to snatch from them, a win which will narrow the gap on Yorkshire and Middlesex.

Thursday morning's play saw Yorkshire add 41 and Robson and Compton make a solid start in reply. Another cold day made watching a fairly miserable experience, even the presence of seven wagtails, a season's best, did little to lift spirits and when at two o'clock the light meters said no the decision to go home was not a difficult one. There was a little more play but not enough to make me think I had made the wrong decision. Sidebottom, who has only 3 more matches left after today, took three wickets and Middlesex will start today still 250 behind. The forecast is for showers and if those we have had already this morning in the Lower Ure Valley are a measure they will be heavy. Day at home I think.

Headingley on a warmer day

Good weekend for Stamford Bridge

Posted by Tony Hutton

A busy weekend for Stamford Bridge cricket club and their growing band of followers as they went in search of a league and cup double in the Yorkshire Premier League. The battle for top spot in Yorkshire League North could not be closer with three contenders in Yorkshire Academy, York CC and Stamford Bridge all in the frame. So Saturday's game at Weetwood between the Academy and Stamford Bridge was all important and turned into an absolute cliff hanger going to the last over of the day.

The new look Weetwood pavilion following the visit of Test Match Special.

To add some spice to the proceedings the Bridge fielded two players who are leaving Yorkshire county cricket club in rather different circumstances. The powerful batsman and useful bowler Ryan Gibson has already left for disciplinary reasons following an altercation with an umpire in the Bradford League. Will Rhodes, another batsman with an excellent track record, who can also bowl, is leaving at the end of the season to join Warwickshire, who seem to be recruiting in a big way. It seemed that both were determined to go out with something of a bang.

Birkhead and Brook open for the Academy.

The Academy batted first and Harry Brook, scorer of a century for the under 19s in midweek, looked in excellent form from the word go. One of his trademark shots, the square cut for four, bringing plenty of runs which removed Will Rhodes from the attack after only two overs. He was replaced by Gibson who struck the first important blow of the day by clean bowling Brook for 47. You felt even at this early stage that a long innings from Brook would have been decisive.

Stamford Bridge take the field.

Harry Brook soon into the action.

However his opening partner, the ever improving Ben Birkhead, played the major role in a second wicket partnership with Anjum which put on 66. The Academy seemed to be coasting at 145-1 against the varied Stamford Bridge attack, but then Anjum went for 18 to Ryan McKendry's first ball and Birkhead soon followed for 72. Enter Matthew Fisher, who has had an up and down season, now appearing to play more as a batsman than a bowler.  He certainly turned on the style today hitting a fine 50 off only 59 balls before being run out.

The Academy's innings closed on 252-5 which on most day's would have seemed enough, but today it was felt that they were perhaps 20 or 30 runs short of a winning total. However they were not bowled out so the Bridge could only get a maximum of eight points rather than ten for a complete win. News was by then coming through that the other contenders, York, had run up a huge score against Clifton Alliance and would probably get ten points to take them into the lead.

Still all to play for at Weetwood and Ryan Gibson, opening with Stuart Boyle, came out with all guns blazing. He certainly took a fancy to Ed Barnes' bowling as his first four overs went for forty runs. Gibson made 46 in very quick time with six fours and one six before he was caught at deep mid on by Harry Brook off Jack Shutt's bowling. The score was 77-1 in only twelve overs and the Bridge well ahead of the required rate.

Gibson gives Barnes the treatment as the ball sails over mid on's head.

Another four to Gibson this time to mid-wicket.

Enter Will Rhodes, the main man as far as the Bridge were concerned. He started slowly if not leisurely just strolling his singles, but looking well in control from the word go. His partner Boyle, seemed stuck on 38 for a long time, but eventually fell lbw to Shutt for a hard earned 49. It was now 130-2 in twenty eight overs so the Academy had pegged back the scoring rate. The thirty sixth over, bowled by Fisher could have been decisive when Fisher claimed two wickets, first having the dangerous McKendry caught behind by Read, and then clean bowling McIver three balls later.

Both sides discuss tactics before the last vital over.

This made it 165-4 with 88 still required from 14 overs, but by now Rhodes, who had earlier been dropped by Harry Brook, was beginning to accelerate. Partnered now by the West Indian, Donovan Sinclair, he took the game away from the Academy with some powerful hitting which included four huge sixes towards the end and the Bridge to victory by six wickets with just three balls to spare.

Will Rhodes makes the winning hit.

With York getting the expected ten points this leaves them top with 166 points, Stamford Bridge second with 164 and the Academy third with 160. With just one game to play the Academy should pick up ten points against already relegated Easingwold but that would not be enough to win the title even if York were rained off as they would get five points to take them one clear. York must now be favourites but strange things can happen and the Bridge could still pull it off at the last gasp. All to play for next week.

As John Winn has already described the following day at Sheriff Hutton Bridge Stamford Bridge won the two premier leagues' Rudgate cup trophy fairly easily against a rather dispirited Harrogate side who looked a long way below the form they showed last season to win the league title. They were missing skipper George Ross, whose all round skills might well have made it a closer contest.

A surprisingly large crowd turned up as John said, mainly to support the Bridge as Harrogate fail to attract more than a handful of supporters at the best of times. The whole occasion was not really to my taste with coloured clothing - Harrogate in bright green shirts and Stamford Bridge in black and dark green, something like camouflage colours. Even worse was the loud music on the public address at every boundary and break in play. In addition many of the Stamford Bridge followers, as they did yesterday at Weetwood, continually walked round the boundary edge throughout the match blocking the view of many seated spectators as they did so. Whatever happened to good manners?

As far as the cricket was concerned it became the McKendry and Rhodes show with fine batting by this experienced pair, who were never in trouble against the varied Harrogate attack. Full marks to Geeson-Brown, the best bowler and chief motivator for Harrogate but the Bridge deservedly took the trophy and will still think they can pinch the league title as well next weekend.

A Bridge too far for The Roosters

posted by John Winn

I spent yesterday afternoon at Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC in the company of Tony and Jennifer watching the final of the Rudgate Brewery Cup between Harrogate and Stamford Bridge, This competition is open to clubs in both North and South Yorkshire Premier Leagues and because both finalists were from the Northern Section the final had been moved from its original venue at Treeton.

The noon start may have been a little early for some but a reasonable crowd gradually assembled, overwhelmingly in favour of the East Riding outfit.  Harrogate won the toss and elected to bat and were soon in trouble at 36 for 3. A stand between Atkinson and Kempley restored the position and Atkinson went on to be out in the last over for 72 and having added 41 with Geeson-Brown for the ninth wicket. 214 for 9, a defendable total on an increasingly murky afternoon it was felt.

Stamford Bridge lost one of their star men, Ryan Gibson, in the first over and skipper Beckett followed shortly after, 21 for 2.  Will Rhodes who batted very steadily was joined by Ryan McKendry, two very experienced cricketers who knew if they stayed the job would almost certainly be done. Some of Harrogate's bowling and fielding was no better than moderate and McKendry in particular pushed the rate up as the target neared. Geeson-Brown, the Roosters' cheerleader, looked the most dangerous bowler and I thought his second spell too long delayed when a breakthrough was so obviously needed.

Both Tony and I had a 'start the car moment'  at 200 for 2 and the game was over in the 37th over with McKendry reaching 100 not out and Rhodes unbeaten on 80. So Bridge go into the last round of league fixtures next Saturday with a trophy on the mantelpiece and with a chance of the league title. Not really a showpiece for the league, an afternoon that never really caught the imagination and grew increasingly cold, quite a contrast with the day before.

There are five matches in the second division of the county championship tomorrow with Notts v Worcestershire probably the pick. Sussex who had a dramatic win at Colwyn Bay last week are very much in contention for the runners up spot and it looks to be between them and Worcestershire. The Martlets are at Northants and Kent, whose hopes were probably washed away by heavy rain at Canterbury last week, go to The Riverside where they face a Durham team unbeaten in its last six matches.  With the T20 Blast final out of the way the championship has the domestic programme to itself for the next four weeks. Let's hope for some decent weather, September can be lovely but by the 28th, the last day of the championship season it can be very cold.

This photograph of Tholthorpe CC, a small village north of York, was posted on the blog some years ago. My excuse for posting it again is that it appears in a recent ACS publication, 'Class Peace' by Eric Midwinter.

Two for the price of one in Halifax

posted by John Winn

On my only previous visit to the Halifax League, in 2010, I visited four clubs all with Bradford postcodes. Seven years on I picked out four grounds with HX prefixes and on a glorious September Saturday began my watching at Mytholmroyd, previously only known to me as somewhere the train occasionally stopped en route to Todmorden. The match at Moderna Way was a Premier Division fixture with Queensbury the visitors. Arriving five minutes before the scheduled 1: 30 start I was only just in time to see the first ball bowled on this attractive ground.

Runs were slow to come at first but taking advantage of some slackness in the field and the relatively short boundaries the Queensbury openers built up a head of steam to reach 49 without loss off nine overs, including a six which was only prevented from entering the adjacent  Rochdale Canal by the density of Himalayan Balsam growing on its banks. Time for me to move on but the website shows that Queensbury were bowled out for 241, something of a collapse after an opening partnership of 63 and this was fairly easy meat for Mytholmroyd who won by 8 wickets with Thomas Conway unbeaten on 107.

For match two I climbed away from the Calder Valley to Booth, a ground recommended to me a long time ago by Brian Sanderson, and one of the most attractive grounds I have visited, set off perfectly by its hanging baskets, beautifully mown outfield and seen at its best in the sunshine. Booth, top of the league were batting against fifth place Triangle, who won the prize for noisiest team of the day, and I was impressed by the quality of the cricket .Booth were batting and while I watched most of the runs came from Robert Worsnop but after he was out another Robert, Laycock this time, took over and top scored with 92 in a total of 265/7. Not enough for Triangle won with five wickets to spare. Despite this defeat Booth stay top. Whilst wandering round the ground I saw a bench in memory of one Reg Parker, not, I am reliably informed and glad to say,the sage of Adle.

Drinks being taken at Booth.

The front cover of Bloggers on The Boundary, Cricket Diary 2010, written by Tony Hutton, Brian Sanderson and Peter Davies shows a picture of Copley CC with the iconic Copley Viaduct built in 1852 overshadowing the cricket. This was my next stop on Saturday and while I was there several trains passed by travelling between Manchester and Leeds but a remarkable change has occurred at this Halifax League Premier Division ground since Peter visited it seven years ago and enjoyed four different kinds of sandwiches and pasta. 'The cheesy egg mayo delicacy was absolutely gorgeous'.  The change has come in the form of a new pavilion, shown on this photo and opened in 2012.

Not surprisingly a good sized crowd had decided to soak up a few rays and some alcohol watching Sowerby St Peters batting and stepping up the pace as the innings neared its close. One six resulted in a lost ball underneath the arches, we dream our dreams away, and SSP finished on 264/8. It is on occasions like this that one is tempted to tear up the programme of visits and had I stayed to the end I would have seen a thrilling finish with Copley falling just two short.

For what I expected to be my fourth and last ground of the day I passed through Halifax town centre to Northowram and another Premier match between Northowram Hedge Top and Warley. Tea was being taken here with the visitors having hit 332 for 5. To my surprise, and separated only by a low wall, a game was in progress this time between Northowram Fields II and Hopton Mills II with the home team defending 345, an effort far too much for Hopton who fell 181 short. This match was in the Bradford League Championship 2 Second Teams. So two for the price of one here and a nice round up to as good an afternoon out as one could wish for.

Before leaving I watched a little of Hedge Top's reply which did not begin well and the website shows they were all out for 85, 247 short.

Yorkshire Under 19s win the Sanderson Cup

Posted by Tony Hutton

Wednesday30th August and a trip to Honley, south of Huddersfield, for the annual clash between Yorkshire and Lancashire under 19s for the Sanderson Cup. I go back a long way with this fixture which used to be played at the Yorkshire Bank ground at Moortown, Leeds. In fact I can recall a young Michael Atherton bowling leg spin and taking wickets there.

Unfortunately this is a game which gets little, if any, publicity. The worthy gentlemen on both sides of the Pennines who organise this game are I gather not computer literate and therefore very little news or scores is ever generated either before, during or after the game.

This year in a break in tradition Yorkshire fielded over half their strong Academy side, whereas in the past it used to be a Yorkshire Senior Schools side made up of good players who had not quite broken into the top level. However a match programme was produced so that we did know the players involved and Lancashire batted first in typically dour Roses cricket fashion before lunch when runs came only slowly.

After a lunchtime walk round this very attractive village, with lots of old buildings and hidden nooks and crannies, the tempo increased somewhat particularly after the arrival at the crease of the Lancashire captain, George Lavelle, who is a talented wicket keeper batsman. After Yorkshire's Ed Barnes had taken two quick wickets soon after lunch, Lavelle was soon hitting the ball to all parts and provided by far the best entertainment of the day.

Lavelle gets the score moving.

Model forward defensive shot by George Lavelle.

Yorkshire had an abundance of bowlers and most of them got a turn although it was something of a surprise to see Harry Brook come on as first change and bowl a fair number of overs of gentle medium pace. James Logan and Adam Ahmed, from Farsley, who are both left arm spinners were soon in on the act and taking wickets. It was only later in the day that we had a glimpse of local leg spinner, Siran Sajid from Kirkburton, who bowled a tidy length and Nicky Bulcock from Burley who had a very good performance in the St Peter's School festival with both bat and ball.

Harry Brook guards the square leg boundary

Throughout all this Lavalle was in control as partners came and went until he was in the nineties and in danger of running out of partners. When the number eleven came to the wicket he seemed to have little faith in him and on 94 tried an optimistic leg side heave to bring up his hundred and was clean bowled. A sad end to a fine innings as Lancashire were all out around teatime for 241.

The Honley pavilion, with it's unusual pagoda like centre piece, has recently been extended and improved and provides really excellent facilities both for players and spectators. They also have a loyal band of tea ladies who provide food of a high standard. Altogether a pleasant experience with many friends and acquaintances from the Huddersfield area to keep us up to date with all the cricketing news from the Huddersfield League.

The pagoda like pavilion at Honley

Yorkshire opened their innings in the evening session with the Academy opening pair of Harry Brook and Bilal Anjum. Brook after his splendid first half of the season has had rather a difficult period lately with a string of low scores. He played himself in without making any rash mistakes and needs some runs under his belt before Saturday's vital Yorkshire League North crunch game when the Academy, current league leaders by just four points, take on second place Stamford Bridge.

The rural surroundings of the Holme Valley.

The pair were still there at close of play and thanks to our good friend Peter France we got the news of day two that the pair had put on a tremendous opening stand which took the home side beyond the Lancashire total before the first wicket fell. Both batsmen completed centuries, Brook 128 and Anjum 115 and Yorkshire regained the Sanderson Cup with a final score of 299-4.

Durham Double Derbyshire

posted by John Winn

Having won at Chesterfield in early July Durham had the chance for their first double of the season when Derbyshire came to The Riverside on Monday. The Peakites exercised their right to ask Durham to bat and when Jennings fell to the first ball of the match skipper Godleman must have felt he had made the right choice but Collingwood who hit the 35th first class century of his career, with good support from Steel, the find of the season, and Coughlin(P) put Durham into a strong position before stumps. A position from which the skipper and Sunderland youngster Matthew Potts made hay on Tuesday morning. The forecast sunny spells did not materialise and most of the day's play was under lights.

When Derbyshire batted Onions, back after injury, led the way with four wickets and the visitors were bowled out on the stroke of six. Jennings, who has completely lost his batting form took the key wicket of Hughes and only Potts went wicket less. We returned on Wednesday morning to much better conditions and pleased to find that Collingwood had done the old fashioned thing and asked Derbyshire to follow on. Second time around they made a much better fist of it and 99 were on the board and the rattle of soup plates could be heard from the pavilion when the first wicket fell and we actually lunched on 100 for 2 when Godleman failed to add to his first innings two when he was bowled by Rushworth.

Taunton born Luis Reece was the hero of the afternoon and he and the elegant Madsen served up a century stand for the third wicket before the latter fell to occasional bowler Steel. With Coughlin injured Durham were short of a bowler and Potts, who had been on the field since Monday evening and who has the physique of a baking powder drink, began to look very tired but he captured one of the two wickets that fell in the last hour. Derbyshire trailed by 11 runs overnight with just four wickets left, a situation that convinced me that it was not worth making the trip for a third consecutive day. With the game wrapped up before lunch and Durham taking 24 points I felt I had made the right decision.

The alternative was the short trip to Harrogate and the third day of Yorkshire II v Derbyshire II. No sooner had I got there than a shower sent the players off the field although had there been any point to the match other than glorified net practice they would probably have stayed on. Of the Yorkshire eleven at least seven seem likely to take the field against Middlesex on Tuesday but an unfamiliar Derbyshire side were still able to clock up 360 before the last wicket fell. In the afternoon Kohler-Cadmore and Rhodes went cheaply but Leaning and Bresnan put together a good stand before Jupiter Pluvius took pity on us and sent rain heavy enough to cause an abandonment.

Looking ahead to Tuesday the box of red balls will be taken from the Headingley cupboard for the first time in three months, they were pink in July you will remember,  for a match which should Somerset or Warwickshire have a revival could place the losers in a tricky position. Just in case you have forgotten how to get to Headingley the post code for the ground is LS6 3DP. Up the A1 Durham will take on Kent who still have an outside chance of promotion. An annoying clash but Tuesday at Headingley and Wednesday at Riverside is the plan then take it from there.