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
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