Tristan saves the day at Barnt Green

Posted by Tony Hutton

The final stop of our four day cricketing odyssey was to Barnt Green which is about as far north as you can get in Worcestershire and just south of the sprawling Birmingham conurbation. It's cricket ground is in a nice rural setting, surrounded by trees, and retains its attraction despite a large new housing development nearby. After some research I was able to establish that my last visit was back in 1996 for a Birmingham League game with Old Hill.

The Worcestershire and Barnt Green flags fluttering in the breeze at Cherry Hill Road.

Tuesday 22nd May was the first day of a three day Second XI county championship match between Worcestershire seconds and Lancashire seconds. The two sides had met in a one day Trophy match at the same venue yesterday. Lancashire had won this game by seven wickets with Haseeb Hameed scoring a century in the process. However today was at last back to proper cricket - played in whites, with a small select crowd so that we were not bothered by the bane of true cricket watchers - other people's conversations.

The umpires take the field at the start of day one.

Worcestershire fielded a team with several trialists from elsewhere which tested our memories and our reference books to the limit to trace their places of origin. Tristan Blackledge proved the most difficult to pin down, particularly as he is blessed with four initials T.W.M.H in fact. However we got a clue from the Worcestershire lady scorer who knew he was a club cricketer from Cambridge. We found him on the internet playing for Cambridge Granta. The reliable 2nd XI annual eventually gave us the stories of J.H. Barrett (MCC Young Cricketers), N.S. Oxley (Sussex) and T.G. Sturgess (Surrey).

Detective work completed so it's back to the cricket and Lancashire batted first with two Test players in the ranks, Hameed of England opening the batting and one Shriv Chanderpaul of the West Indies due in at number five. Jones and Lamb both went early, both caught off the lively Sturgess and Lancashire were soon 11-2. The two Boltonians Hameed and Bohannon steadied the ship for a while with a partnership of 48 before Hameed was caught at slip by Dell when a ball from Twohig turned and caught the outside edge.

One Test player, Hameed, leaves the field to be replaced by another, Chanderpaul.

Time for a short cameo from Chanderpaul who opened his account with a six over long on. He was caught by Ul-Hassan from the bowling of off spinner Malik, who was also getting a bit of turn. So it proved throughout the first innings, with the second left arm spinner Oxley getting the best return of the day with 4-34. Bohannon held the innings together and was on the verge of a century when he was ninth man out, lbw bowled Oxley for 93. Lancashire were soon all out for 194. It had been a pleasure to watch thirty three overs of spin bowled during the Lancashire innings.

Dell at the crease, Hameed in the field.

Worcester struggled initially against the pace attack of Lester and Lamb and were 67-4 before a partnership of 78 between Barrett and Dell, the tall England Under 19 batsman pushed them towards a first innings lead just before close of play on day one. Barrett was out for 60 but Dell looking increasingly confident, was still there on 71 not out at the close when Worcester were 204-6. A splendid day's cricket, several new faces, plenty of spin bowling and wall to wall sunshine.

The view from the pavilion at Barnt Green.

We were back again the following morning but only for one session as we needed to set off home at lunchtime. Dell duly completed a fine hundred, which he has been threatening for some time with several fifties. He had impressed us at Hartlepool last week and played a fine innings which lasted three and a quarter hours and included seventeen fours. The Worcester tail rather subsided around him with Toby Lester the best bowler with 5-45. There was also sight of another young left arm spinner Morley who is a Lancashire Academy player and he picked up two late wickets. Worcester were all out for 255 which was a first innings lead of 61.

Dell, batting on after completing his century.

Time to see Hameed, looking in fine form, together with Balderson make a good start to Lancashire's second innings before our early departure. Hameed, back to his best apparently, went on to score 140 together with Jones 105, so that Lancashire were able to declare at the end of the day on 386-4 setting Worcester a daunting target of 325 to win on day three. A century from skipper Westbury gave them a chance but a middle order collapse, again precipitated by Lester, led to them playing for a draw. This they did with a vengeance with Ul-Hassan and none other than number eleven T.W.M.H. Blackledge batting out the final 22 overs of the day for the last wicket to give Worcestershire a gallant draw.

Magic Weekend continued

Monday 21st May is a date I am unlikely to forget as over recent weeks I have been repeatedly asked for my date of birth by a whole series of doctors, nurses and receptionists at a variety of venues.
However today medical matters could be forgotten as it was off to another most wanted ground, which has long been on my list. This was the home of Lutterworth cricket club in Leicestershire, just off the M1 motorway and again well worth a visit. Leicestershire second eleven were playing Notts second eleven in a one day Trophy again. Once more of course a coloured clothing game, but needs must I suppose.

Another attractive venue, near the town centre with all amenities close by and overlooked by the parish church. A very old club too, founded as far back as 1789. Plenty of old photographs inside the pavilion and only a small handful of spectators to see Notts batting first.

The tree-lined Lutterworth ground.

Leafy Lutterworth.

Notts batted first with many familiar names from their appearance at Scarborough earlier in the season. One newcomer since then was the Bermudan Leverock who played for Sussex seconds last season. He rescued Notts from a poor start having lost James, Libby and Budinger with the score on 39. Leverock's four fours and two sixes certainly enlivened proceedings as he went quickly to 44 and the only other batsman to make a score was wicket keeper Keast with 46.

A club with a long history - Lutterworth C.C. established in 1789.

The visitors rather stuttered their way to 193 all out in only 37.5 overs but by then we were on our way for an easy hour's drive back to Edgbaston where Warwickshire seconds were playing Yorkshire seconds in yet another one day Trophy game. We timed our arrival perfectly just in time to see former Yorkshire player Will Rhodes complete an excellent century against his former employers. Something that seems to happen regularly when players move elsewhere. Rhodes never really got a regular place with Yorkshire and certainly deserved much more time in the first team.

Rhodes and Hannon-Dolby return to the pavilion.

His innings today of 107 came off 91 balls and included thirteen fours and two sixes. He was the last man out after putting on thirty runs for the last wicket along with another former Yorkshire player Oliver Hannon-Dalby. Warwickshire made 287 all out to the first ball of the final over. Matthew Fisher, hopefully now back to full fitness, was the best bowler with 4-42.

 The vast Edgbaston pavilion.

It was a difficult target for the very young Yorkshire side, but with Alex Lees and Johnny Tattersall opening the batting they got off to a positive start with a partnership of 71 in thirteen overs. Thompson, who like Tattersall, has been in good form recently made top score of 73 and when he was out at 215-5 it looked as if the game would swing Warwickshire's way. Not so, as Fisher, the youngster Hill and Shaw all made useful runs to keep Yorkshire in the chase.

The old scoreboard is almost the only remaining feature on the ground since my boyhood days here.

The decisive period came when the opening bowlers Wright and Hannon-Dalby returned for the final four overs and poor Karl Carver could not lay bat on ball at all against Wright, a very experienced bowler. Hill had managed to hit danger man Poysden, the leg spinner, for a big six to the shortest boundary, but his team mates could not match it. In the end Yorkshire lost by just twelve runs and one feels that two more sixes to this tempting short boundary could have clinched it.

Beyond the boundary - a view of the River Rea, a contrast with the concrete jungle of Edgbaston.

Warwickshire can be congratulated for at least providing excellent refreshment facilities for the small band of enthusiasts who came to watch, but as with Lutterworth earlier in the day neither county could be bothered to provide scorecards, which in this day and age can be run off by pressing a few buttons on a printer.

Magic weekend - sunshine all the way.

Posted by Tony Hutton

The Rugby League authorities in their wisdom always seem to choose their Magic Weekend to coincide with my birthday. I have been tempted on more than one occasion to visit St James' Park in Newcastle to follow Leeds Rhinos to this event, especially when there is the chance of Minor Counties cricket at Jesmond as well. This convenient arrangement failed this time around with Northumberland away in Lincolnshire instead.

As usual cricket comes first and so it was that a trip to the Midlands was planned with a variety of county 2nd XI and Minor Counties fixtures available, plus the chance of a few new grounds to add to my collection. So on Saturday 19th May, giving the M1 motorway a wide berth, with a slightly delayed start to cope with the Royal Wedding and all that we landed up at the ground of Kenilworth Wardens in mid-afternoon. Two matches for the price of one in this attractive setting which has been visited by Warwickshire 2nd XI in recent times

Kenilworth Wardens Third eleven in action.

Wardens 3rd XI were taking on Badsey in the Cotswold Hills League Division Two on the second ground in a game which the visitors won in the end fairly easily by five wickets. A very attractive league with several grounds already visited in the past. The main event here however was a Birmingham League Premier Division game between Wardens 1st XI and Knowle & Dorridge. Top scorer for the visitors was a J. Grundy, not I am assured Joe Grundy from the Archers, in whose territory we almost were. The home side were comfortable winners by four wickets with four overs to spare.

Kenilworth Wardens main ground and pavilion.

My next target, which involved a jaunt along the M40 and M42 motorways to Hagley Hall, a ground which I have wanted to visit for many years, having had good reports from several sources. This certainly proved well worthwhile with a stunningly picturesque ground in the parkland of Hagley Hall, complete with a herd of deer, a church just behind the pavilion, the Hall itself with rhododendrons in full bloom and even a tree inside the boundary. What more could you ask for?
Hagley 2nd XI were taking on Cookley in the Worcestershire County League and wickets began to fall regularly soon after our arrival in what proved to be a high scoring game.

The idyllic scene at Hagley Park.

 The tree inside the boundary at Hagley.

Hagley Hall in the background.

This is certainly a ground which deserves the attention of any professional cricket watcher at the home of the Lyttleton family, which has close connections with Worcestershire County Cricket Club in years gone by. The conveniently situated Lyttleton Arms is close by and the house itself is well worth a visit with a fascinating history.

The long walk back to the pavilion.

The following day was back to the modern cricket world with a vengeance. Minor Counties Knock out cricket in coloured clothing for the first time. Not really to be recommended but the large ground at Himley cricket club, north of Stourbridge and almost in Wolverhampton was a convenient spot for the game between Staffordshire and neighbours Shropshire. What a game it turned out to be with a place in the quarter finals at stake.

Himley cricket club pavilion.

Staffordshire batted first and helped by 73 from the former Notts player, Sam Kelsall they ran up what looked like a winning score with 265-8 in their fifty overs. It might have been more but for a very sad, stop-start-stop run out incident between Kelsall and Hill which sent Kelsall on his way. Hill tried to rectify matters with a solid 44 and a 62 run seventh wicket partnership with Richardson. While all this was going on we were entertained (?) by music and loudspeaker announcements from the dragon boat racing going on at the lake across the road at Himley Hall.

Kelsall batting for Staffordshire - still can't get used to the coloured clothing though.

Shropshire in reply did not get off to the best of starts although skipper Steve Leach, brother of Worcester's Joe, made 46, former county player Kervezee was out cheaply and the visitors slumped to 129-6. However, cometh the hour cometh the man in the shape of Robbie Clarke, captain of Oswestry cricket club and only brought into the side at the last minute. His elder brother Joe Clarke is currently doing great things for both Worcestershire and England Lions.

A good crowd enjoyed the sunshine at Himley.

With many of the spectators, including myself it must be admitted, thinking the game was all over Clarke took charge of proceedings in a big way, initially putting on a hundred partnership with number eight Sam Whitney to put Shropshire back into the game. Three wickets then fell quickly, including another former county man Gurjit Sandhu, who has been around the second eleven circuit.
So it was now 251-9, with fifteen more required. Enter the last man, young quick bowler Jack Twigger from Wellington, making his county debut.

The nearby hillside looked attractive - but not the black sitescreens.

Twigger proved up to the task seeing Clarke to a memorable century, with eleven fours and six sixes, and managing a valuable five not out himself as Shropshire won the game by one wicket with two overs to spare. They will now travel to play Norfolk at Manor Park in the quarter final.

Three more days of this memorable trip to follow in the next instalment!

Cross border Raiders take the spoils

posted by John Winn

On Sunday, and seeking something close to home, for the second time this season I made the short trip over the River Ure to Alne, this time for a women's match with Ribble Valley Raiders making the journey from Lancashire for a Group 1 match in the ECB Women's Club Cup. The website for the competition did not show a start time so armed with the deck chair and the Sunday paper I arrived well in advance of the start of play. I was impressed to find the Raiders, in coloured clothing, already present and warming up under the supervision of their coach, also dressed in the same fetching shade of pink.

My assumption that all the Raiders were present was corrected when the coach made a phone call which included the advice to look out for a traditional phone box, albeit as this photo shows one slightly on the tilt.

Coming from Lancashire turn right just before the phone box.

The directions proved helpful for shortly afterwards the eleventh Raider arrived and we were underway on time with the visitors batting. Although billed as 'women's cricket' both teams seemed to comprise young players, one couple from Lancashire I spoke to told me that their daughter was only 13. Alne's bowlers had problems finding their range both in terms of height and width, twelve wides conceded and openers Liberty Heap and Alice Clarke put together an opening stand of 113 before Liberty was bowled by Jennifer Quick for 66. The innings closed on 167 and the you never knows from Alne supporters lacked conviction.

During the Raiders' innings I chatted with one of the Alne players' mothers who told me that they have in the region of 80 women and girls registered, great stuff, and as she put it, 'so much better than rounders'.  The Lancashire bowlers were quicker and straighter and although the Alne openers put on 38 it was at a pace never likely to threaten their target. Runs came almost exclusively from shots to leg and only some lusty clouts towards 'cow corner' from Emily Johnson who finished on 32 not out brought the score to respectability and closure at 94 for 5.

'Cow Corner at Alne'

Action in the competition resumes this Sunday when the Ribble Valley Raiders, based in Clitheroe, will be at home to Saxton Ladies. The full draw is available at ecbwclubt20.play-cricket.com.

Hiding its light under a bush,

Nearly to Filey (Part Two)

posted by John Winn

Back to Plan A and back to the A64 this time to the village of Ganton, a few miles west of Staxton. The ground here can be seen from the main road and is a large enclosure with the village hall doubling up as pavilion. A Division 1  local derby on offer here against Sherburn who had brought a number of supporters. Ganton batting and going along well at 100 for 2 as I settled into the deckchair. Progress was halted when both batsmen disputed possession of the same crease and shortly afterwards a left arm spinner who might have seen Derek Underwood as a child sent a fourth Ganton man back to the village hall. Things improved and with Liam Cousins hitting 57 Sherburn were set 179 to win which proved 16 too many. 22 points and bragging rights to Ganton, just 8 for Sherburn.

Heading east again through Sherburn and East Heslerton to West Heslerton  and down Sand Lane to a multi purpose sports ground, shared with football and bowls, and one that has benefited from some of football's riches although not to the extent of two sightscreens. Heslerton II v Ravenscar I in Scarborough League Division 3, Heslerton batting and struggling although while I watched the eighth wicket pair led by Andy Exton managed to almost see out the forty overs. Taking the chance to have a cup of tea I was part of a conversation in which the lady who had laid on the spread bemoaned the shortage of tea ladies and that the players should be grateful that Harry and Meghan had plighted their troths at noon and not later. 125 for 8 did not seem a lot and the website shows Ravenscar got home with all their wickets in hand,  a win that leaves them second in the table behind Cloughton seconds. Heslerton fourth from bottom but well clear of the pink relegation zone.

Heading for Settrington, the last ground of the day, took me through Scagglethorpe and past the Ham and Cheese a busy looking pub not a discarded sandwich and to what I hoped would be a another Division 1 game against Staxton II. Alas a deserted field spelt out my first concession of the year with Staxton the culprits. Their twitter feed reveals that raising a second XI has been a problem for them since the beginning of the season, a problem reflected in their position at the foot of the table. Settrington lie second, just one point behind Great Habton.

And so to home with five new grounds ticked off and ground of the day, not because of its facilities but because I found it, Wold Newton. Lots more grounds still to visit make a return trip a must.

Folkton and Flixton CC

Nearly to Filey (part 1)

posted by John Winn

On Saturday  the counter attractions of the Royal Wedding and the FA Cup Final persuaded me  that the notoriously busy A64 from York to Scarborough would not have too much traffic going to  the coast. A tortuous journey round the York ring road suggested that I might be wrong and that the two thirds of the population who had told YouGove that they were not interested in events in Windsor had decided that the North Bay was the obvious alternative. My concerns proved unnecessary however for once free of the ring road's shackles I had a clear run.

In the past I had visited a small number of grounds in the Scarborough League but in a recent conversation Tony alerted me to the concentration of cricket clubs close to the A64 between Malton and Scarborough. First port of call took me onto the Filey road and the home of Folkton and Flixton CC. The ground is easily accessible from the A1039 and is just a short distance beyond The Fox Hound pub, Flixton where a modest lunch delayed me just enough that I missed the opening over. 'Which team is batting, please?' brought the response 'Flixton' and their opponents were Easingwold in a York League Premier Division game. Flixton made a good start while I watched and Hutchinson and Stocks added 44 for the first wicket before I left. Those who stayed to watch must have enjoyed an eventful afternoon with F and F recovering from 81 for 6 to reach 281 for 7 with Matthew Nesfield hitting an undefeated 112. Easingwold who had a season to forget in Yorkshire Premier North last year fell just fifteen short with a wicket in hand to give them a losing draw. The table shows that they are in third place just a point ahead of Saturday's rivals.

Before leaving the enclosure I turned to the smaller of the two pitches and here it was Scarborough League Division Three with 'Flixton' III batting against Cloughton II. 203 all out was seemingly easily overcome by the vistors' 204 for 3 off 27 overs. After watching a start delayed while some bails were found I turned my back on the distant view of Filey Bay and headed for Staxton a village I have passed through many times on my way to North Marine Road. Precise directions made the ground easy to find and although just a few hundred metres from the A64 it is a most attractive venue.

Premier Division stuff here with Scalby, from just north of Scarborough, batting and my arrival brought a fall of wickets with 17 for 0 becoming 44 for 5 before after a couple of circuits I called time. Things didn't improve much and despite 49 from Adam Waugh Scalby were all out for 120. Staxton's openers Dove and Pinder took them close to victory before being parted and a nine wicket win puts them second to Seamer in the table. Scalby lie fourth from bottom. 

Not for the first time on one my ground hopping jaunts I deviated from Plan A and instead of heading east I took the Driffield road in search of the intriguingly named Wold Newton. Intriguing may be but Wold is most apt for the village is tucked away in typical rolling countryside. The law of lost travellers, namely that the first person you ask for directions will be a stranger, in this case from Eastern Europe, having been confirmed, I turned to the local postman, still delivering at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon, and his 'turn left at the bungalow and go through the farm yard and up the hill' soon had me watching cricket on a ground that I suspect has changed very little over the years. Wold Newton batting against Seamer II and slow going the other spectator informed me. 

While I watched the opening pair were parted by a catch at cover which brought about an excessive celebration. 'Scoreboard pressure' was felt to be the cause amongst sympathetic team mates. Poor shot would have done just as well. Things must have speeded up in this Division Two game for Wold reached 192 for 5 with Charles Gary hitting 61 and Seamer fell 67 short. Bridlington II head this division with Wold Newton fith and Seamer seventh.

Somewhat reluctantly I turned my back on this very rural ground and headed back to the A64.

To be concluded.

Hartlepool host Durham seconds.

Posted by Tony Hutton

Thursday 17th May and although it has been a long time coming delighted to make a return to the pleasant Park Drive ground in Hartlepool where Durham seconds were taking on Worcestershire seconds in a Second XI Trophy one day game. Plenty of Yorkshire connections around with James Middlebrook one of the umpires, Kevin Sharp, now the Worcestershire head coach, George Rhodes son of Yorkshireman Steve Rhodes and Ben Twohig born in Birstall in the Worcester side.
Twohig's dad was keen to inform us of an error in the Second XI annual, to which we had introduced him, in that his son was not born in Dewsbury but in Birstall (very different). No doubt this will be noted in due course by editor Howard Clayton.

The welcoming clubhouse at Hartlepool has been refurbished since our last visit some years ago but the rest of the the ground retains its pleasant appearance with attractive houses and trees around the playing area and the park across the road a suitable venue for a lunchtime stroll around the lake. Nice to see Mike Taylerson, our Hartlepool correspondent, in residence with friends from Darlington, originally from York, who admitted to being regular readers of our blog (the more the merrier).

Durham pile up the runs early on.

Durham won the toss and batted first with in form opener Liam Trevaskis soon going well, again being watched by England Under 19s John Abrahams. Jones went cheaply but Trevaskis and Harte put on 110 for the second wicket in fine style before Trevaskis was out for 71 (seven fours and one six). Harte was looking good until he was bowled by Finch for 74. Wicket keeper Davies, who impressed at Headingley last week, was also back in the runs before being run out for 56 and the icing on the cake came from young hopeful Scott Steel with 47 not out at the end. 284-5 looked a stern target.

View of the Hartlepool pavilion.

Worcester had won all four games in this competition so far and batted full of confidence. However the strong Durham pace attack soon had them in trouble with McCarthy, Main and particularly Gareth Harte, the South African, among the wickets. The top five were back in the pavilion with the total on 74 and it was left to the two youngsters, Dell and Twohig to get them out of trouble. Together they put on 81 for the seventh wicket. Twohig went for a well played 45 and Dell continued to make top score of 60 before Worcester were all out for 203 in the 43rd over of this fifty overs a side contest. Durham winners by 81 runs.

Health and safety is everywhere.

After the late lunch interval word soon passed around the ground that lots of food was left, as usual prepared in abundance by the admirable Mrs Mulholland, previously well known for her catering skills at Darlington. Now that her husband is starring for Hartlepool she has transferred her allegiances. We managed to devour a plateful of left over cakes which were delightful and certainly much appreciated.

Cricket at all levels

Posted by Tony Hutton

After a long day at Derby, made longer by a police 'incident' road closure on our cross country journey through the Derbyshire Dales, it was time for a couple of days close to home. Tuesday15th May was an opportunity to catch up with the all conquering Yorkshire over 60s side who were playing Durham over 60s at the attractive Bradford League ground of East Bierley. Another very hot sunny day with marvellous views looking south over Huddersfield and the Pennines with the Emley Moor TV mast on the far horizon. The ground is situated on the aptly named South View Road.

The sunny scene at East Bierley.

Yorkshire, following a big win last week away to Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes in their first match of the season, were soon down to business as usual. Durham elected to bat first but became bogged down somewhat against some accurate bowling, particularly from the ever reliable Mick Scott, veteran of the Aire Wharfe league for many years. A typical performance with nine overs, five maidens, no wickets for only ten runs more or less settled the match.

Durham looking for runs.

All the other four bowlers supported him well and there were in fact ten maiden overs out of the total of forty five. Only a late flourish from the later batsman took the final score to 147-6, almost respectability but not enough to challenge Yorkshire's batting line up which included two century makers last week in Colin Frank of Pickering and skipper Martin Ivill of Barnsley. Perennial wicket keeper Tommy Hodson got in on the act as usual, the 'crafty cockney' snapping up two stumpings and a catch towards the end of the innings.

Tommy Hodson celebrates two stumpings at the end of the innings.

Durham suffered a little with one batsman retired hurt and another having great difficulty running between wickets due to a pulled muscle apparently. Garry Purcell with 38 and Colin Ede withe 37 were their top scorers.

The 'crafty cockney' just misses out on a run out opportunity.

The Yorkshire reply was very predictable with the long standing opening pair of Martin Ivill and John Flintoff, from Sessay, making short work of the job, knocking off the required total of 149 together in 31 overs. Ivill finished with 72 not out, including eleven fours and the slightly more sedate Flintoff 59 not out, with six fours. All in all a splendid advert for over sixties cricket. The running between wickets and sometimes the fielding may be a little slower than when in their prime but the players still give their all in a very competitive competition.

Wednesday 16th May brought a distinct change in temperature, about ten degrees cooler in fact.
A full programme of BUCS (British Universities) cricket in the North Leeds area but the cold winds made it necessary to find a ground where you could watch in comfort from the car. After an early trip to windswept Weetwood, where Leeds/Bradford's womens team were entertaining (?) Edinburgh women and Leeds University mens 2nds were playing Durham 2nds, we went a short distance down the road to New Rover cricket club.

Here Leeds Beckett University were playing Loughborough University and as the only two spectators to be seen were able to secure an admirable vantage point in our car where we could see both the play and the scoreboard. Problem solved for the moment. The home side batted first but were very soon in desperate trouble as the freezing conditions did not seem to hamper the Loughborough bowlers. By the third over Leeds Beckett were 9-3, with stumps flying out of the ground on two occasions. When the fourth wicket went down at 27 we anticipated another early finish, which seemed to be a trend this week with Yorkshire seconds twice bowling out opponents cheaply in the Second XI trophy.

However, some resistance from the middle order saw a partnership of almost fifty develop, but the tail succumbed to the Loughborough spinners until the number eleven batsman supported the unknown number four who collared the bowling at the end to finish with 73 not out in a total of 135 all out.

At this point (around 1 p.m. we returned to Weetwood to find that the women's game was already over. Edinburgh who had been bowled out for ten a couple of weeks ago at home by Leeds/Bradford, did rather better with 39 all out today. The home side knocking off the runs in 4.4 overs. Was your journey really necessary!

On the main Weetwood ground Leeds University seconds bowled out Durham second for 202, again with a one man band, this time number four scoring 86. Leeds knocked off the runs fairly easily after losing two early wickets with Killoran 70 not our and Tikere 76 not out taking them to an eight wicket victory. By this time we had long gone for the warmth of a shopping trip but had achieved our daily fix despite the Arctic conditions. Last we heard from New Rover was Loughborough 70-2, so assume they won although the rather dilatory BUCS website still does not show the result.

Next thrilling instalment a long awaited return to Hartlepool tomorrow.

Durham denied by the foreign legion.

Posted by Tony Hutton

Monday 14th May and despite further traffic problems on the M1 we arrived at Derby just as play was about to commence for the last day of what had been a very high scoring championship game between Derbyshire and Durham. The visitors huge total on Sunday had given them a first innings lead 93 runs. The prospects of another Durham victory, following their success over Leicestershire last week, looked rather remote at the start of the day but as we know all too well from some of the exciting championship games this season things can change rather rapidly.

Change they did indeed following a stubborn opening partnership between the Leeds/Bradford University pair of Ben Slater and Louis Reece. Mark Wood who has returned early from his stint in the IPL with a view to gaining Test selection for England got one to whip through, perhaps keeping a bit low, and clean bowled Reece for 12. Things seemed to be going along nicely for Derby at 88-1 with Slater and Madsen together, but all changed again rather quickly when Wood had the prolific Madsen caught behind by Poynton and Slater caught by Steel to make it 97-3.

Good advice at Derby (courtesy of health and safety).

Just before lunch the occasional leg spin of Cameron Steel was introduced and he did the trick with the fourth wicket, that of Alex Hughes falling to another Poynton catch. Durham must have been delighted with the first session and another remarkable victory seemed very much on the cards.
Skipper Godleman and Critchley who have both been in good form with the bat this season had other ideas and Critchley in particular  scored quickly at the start of the aftenoon session. After an hour's batting he became another caught Poynton bowled Steel victim for 40, which included six fours.

Markram patrols the boundary in his last appearance for Durham.

Godleman batted more circumspectly for 25 in about the same time as Critchley before he was caught at slip by Collingwood off the bowling of Weighell, who of course was the hero of last week's win over Leicester. The score now was 185-6 and Derby were almost 100 runs ahead, but Wood had been off the field for a while and it was some time before he came back for another spell.

Spectators enjoying the sunshine at Derby.

This was the cue for the entry of the foreign legion in the shape of Derby's three South Africans, Smit, Viljoen and Olivier together with West Indian Ravi Rampaul. They all made significant contributions to the score as the lead slowly increased and the remaining overs began to run out. Wood returned to dismiss all three South Africans eventually but number eleven Rampaul together with the foreign sounding Palladino, who is in fact as English as they come,  put on 37 more runs for the last wicket to take the game out of Durham's reach.

Durham persist with their attacking field.

Durham's own South African, who has had a short chequered career with the county, ended proceedings by bowling a maiden over, but by then the game had died the death and the players shook hands on a draw. Despite missing out on another victory full credit to Durham for fighting back as they did with Mark Wood's 6-46 the highlight of a fascinating final day's play.

Act one is over now costumes change

posted by John Winn

Tomorrow sees me off to the Knavesmire for the York Dante race meeting but following my predictions on the outcome of Monday's championship matches you would be well advised to give 'Honest John's' tips a wide berth if you fancy a flutter on the big race.To recap I suggested the fixture most likely to produce a stalemate was that between Derbyshire and Durham whilst in all the others there was the possibility of an exciting finish. Most of our readers will be aware that I couldn't have been more wrong for only stubborn tail end batting prevented Durham pulling off a second last day surprise following last week's remarkable win over Leicestershire. At The Oval Yorkshire caused the catering staff more problems than they did Surrey's bowlers being all out by 11:45. An innings defeat on arguably the best batting wicket in the country raises yet more questions about Yorkshire's top order and I hope stand in skipper Root privately is more concerned than the platitudes he offered in a post match interview for radio.

With Yorkshire heading back up the A1 Radio Five Extra switched its attention to Taunton where Hampshire, led by James Vince who I was sure had played himself into next week's test side, had Somerset man Anthony Gibson predicting a draw by mid afternoon. A similar pattern unfolded at Lord's where Gloucestershire were indebted to a century by Bristol born James Bracey in their draw with Middlesex.

The championship next reappears on Saturday (sic) June 9th when there will be seven games. Top of the bill is Notts v Somerset, first v second, at Taunton. In the second division Warwickshire will fancy their chances of cementing their position at the head of the table when Glamorgan visit Edgbaston. A fifteen point lead is a handy one at this stage and better tipsters than me will feel fairly confident that they will return to Division 1 in September. Kent are second with three wins but only one batting point. To fill  the twenty six days before the next round of matches counties will play eight 50 over matches in the Royal London Cup which will produce the eight quarter finalists. The competition kicks off tomorrow with games at Edgabston, Old Trafford, Wantage Road, Radlett and Hove.

Back on familiar territory

Posted by Tony Hutton

Sunday 13th May was yet another hot and sunny cricketing day. Sadly we were persuaded by a rather incorrect weather forecast, which suggested rain overnight and during the morning, to cancel our plans to travel to Derby to see Durham in action. Of course as John has already mentioned we missed the chance of seeing the two Durham wicket keepers put on an amazing record partnership for the sixth wicket.

So instead we stayed near to home by visiting what had been my local club for thirty years, just round the corner from where I lived until my move two years ago. Adel were playing old rivals Collingham (or to give them their full title Collingham and Linton cricket club) in the Aire Wharfe League's Waddilove Cup. It took some time to take in that only the first division teams and the top four of division two are in this competition now. All the other second and third division clubs can enter a T20 knock out competition instead. The second team cup, the Birtwhistle, is now also a T20 event.

Be that as it may - presumably a sop to the idea that players want shorter games so they can have longer nights out, but the 45 overs cup game was still contested in the same old fashioned way as ever. Sharing our viewing with local sage, Reg Parker, and later the slightly younger Brian Senior, was yet again a long trip down memory lane of events long gone but never forgotten.

Collingham still have two former spin bowling first class cricketers in their ranks, Toby Jacklin who paraded in a rather faded Cambridge University top and Stephen Booth, who turned out for Somerset, what seems an eternity ago. It was their opening batsmen who put the visitors into a winning position with yet another century opening partnership. Not 200 this time but 134 was pretty good going in the context of this game. Skipper Jack Harrison with 53 and Ed Hayhurst 75 were followed by Charlie Swallow with 48 at number three.

Collingham piling up the runs at Adel, with the trees all in full bloom.

After them nobody else got double figures and the innings fell away somewhat to finish on 233-8 when the general consensus suggested something like 275 at one stage of the proceedings.
Opening bowler Griffin Lea, an Irishman I understand, no doubt inspired by his country's Test status, was the best bowler with 4-43 and leg spinner Rishi Chopra did better in his second spell to take 2-42.

A very young Adel side without new captain David Foster, who has joined from Harrogate, made a good effort with opener Tom Harrison making top score of 42, before becoming the first of Jacklin's three victims. Wickets fell at regular intervals and only a stand of 25 for the eighth wicket in which Sam Baxter hit three sixes in his 22 showed any promise of a recovery.
Adel were finally all out for 175 with three overs still remaining so full marks to Collingham who progress to the next round.

Interesting new advert at the Adel ground.

A very happy afternoon, in good company with excellent weather and the ground looking a picture, with all the surrounding trees now in full bloom. As always happy memories of this picturesque ground.