The Atkinson Swires Cup Final, the senior cup competition for the Nidderdale League, took place at Whixley CC yesterday in front of a large enthusiastic crowd. Whixley, relative newcomers to the league were blessed with a lovely afternoon and the ground with its views of the White Horse in one direction and glimpses of the towers of York Minster in another, looked a picture and a great credit to the club. Just a mile from my house I took up deck chair residence at the west end of the ground 15 minutes before starting time and was soon joined by friends Arthur Bartle and Rob Walder.
Contesting the final were keen rivals, holders Birstwith and their near neighbours Darley, less than three miles apart, and it was the latter who won the toss and chose to bat on what looked a very good wicket, it had been getting the finishing touches when my wife and I passed at 8:15 on Sunday morning. Openers Gill and King got off to a good start at five an over and the Birstwith tifosi to my left were rather quiet but the dismissal of Gill at 46, a first victim for George Hirst (sic), brought them to life and from there on the game began to turn in favour of the league leaders despite the best efforts of Scott Clark who top scored with 83. With numbers 6,7,8 and 9 getting only three between them it was left to the last pair, Sands and Beecroft, to put up the 200 and when the latter fell to Chris Base, Darley were all out for 205 with just three balls of the allotted forty overs left. Hirst 4 for 25 was the pick of the bowlers and after Clark, extras top scored with 45 including 30 wides.
Tea interval essentials, refreshments, raffle draw, test match score check, were carried out in time for us to resume our seats as Birstwith began their reply, steadily at first and Hirst soon fell for 7 with the score at 21 but then it began, a display of hitting from the phenomenon that is James Riley that made the game hopelessly lopsided as he added 152 for the second wicket with Tom Croston. Sixes and fours went to all parts, at least three sixes went where the legions had marched down the adjacent roman road, and some of the Darley bowlers collected figures they will struggle to forget for the rest of their lives. With Clark receiving a fearsome crack on the knee from a Riley special and having to withdraw from the attack Darley's shoulders collectively slumped as the ball was brought back from the surrounding fields time and time again. It was almost inevitable that when five were needed Riley would oblige with a six and he did not disappoint and victory was ensured with almost 18 overs to spare. Riley not out 141. Wow!
Our little group had each had a guess at the likely finish time, my 6:40 was half an hour late and I was home in plenty of time for the traditional Sunday G and T. Hoping to get to Trent Bridge one day this week and also fit in the counter attraction of the Second XI championship final at The Riverside where Durham II take on Essex II in a four day match beginning tomorrow. Next Sunday I intend to be at Northallerton for the Kerridge Cup Final between Richmondshire and Middlesbrough. This is the senior cup competition for the NYSD and dates back to 1920 when Norton were the first winners. Middlesbrough have the most victories, 17 and the Dalesmen won for the first time only last year but on league form Boro must be considered underdogs. The ground is easily accessed form the A 167 and is just a few minutes walk from the station. Wickets pitched 12 noon.
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