On arrival I spent time looking at the lovely display of old photos and press cuttings in the 'new pavilion', opened in 1994, including this one taken in 1895. The ground was looking in splendid condition, not as arid as some I have seen recently, and the bar and barbecue were ready for custom.
As a seven aside contest got underway I was joined by several of my contemporaries from the late sixties and early seventies, all looked in good shape and we joked that we could have put a side into 'the sevens', sponsored by tubigrip perhaps. The longest journey had been made by Steve Crowther who lives in Bedfordshire, Billy Jewers, aged 81, had comfortably managed the ten minute walk from his home. Secretary Richard Cowan, who organised the event, had provided scores and averages for our perusal and these settled a few arguments as we reminisced about our time at the club. Time flew by and when I left after four hours I took time to thank Richard for his efforts but said that I couldn't promise to be at the 150th anniversary which was also the case for several of us who were there yesterday. And who knows what state club cricket will be in in 2043?
On Saturday I made my annual appearance as Ouseburn's scorer while regular scorer Tricia Bryant was on holiday. I was relieved to find that visitors Burton Leonard's scorer, Megan Eustace, was mega competent as she looked after a multi coloured book, kept the league website up to date, operated the electronic scoreboard and found time to chat to me and passers by. The game, between two of the strongest teams in Division 1 of the Nidderdale League, proved a thriller, with Burton batting first hitting up 244, all out on the last ball of the 45th over, Sam Crompton leading the way with 72 and Michael Wray providing useful middle order runs. Skipper Chris Morrison took four wickets for OCC.
South African Matthew Nicholls got Ouseburn off to a flier but was run out going for a second and at 65 for 4 I was not sanguine about their chances. A century partnership between Jamie Bryant and Adam Fisher, 57 and 86 respectively, turned the game however, and Morrison finished things off with successive fours of the other Crompton, Max, to seal a three wicket win with ten balls to spare. Twenty points to Ouseburn and eight for Burton Leonard, my monochrome book agreed with Megan's which prompted a exchange of high fives and of course the sun shone. Perfect.
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