By April 2010* the blog, which had had its beginnings in 2008, was well and truly in its stride with 33 postings in the month. The three correspondents were its founder Peter Davies and Tony and Brian. All three were busy throughout the month with Brian reporting from Headingley on Tuesday 6th where he had come across a two day Yorkshire practice match which had attracted 11 spectators. The championship got underway on the Friday of that week with Yorkshire travelling down to Edgbaston. **
Tony had made a shorter journey, to Old Trafford where the weather was perfect (sic) for a two day friendly between Lancashire and champions Durham. Tony reported 'The fireworks came after tea when newcomer Ben Stokes hit a quickfire 70......he looks a considerable asset to the Durham squad.' Wise words from you there Tony.
In the meantime Brian had dropped in at Weetwood where he sat next to Joe Root's grandfather Don who at that time was acting as the future England captain's chauffeur. Other pcws including Brian Senior and David Thorpe were in the crowd. Peter Davies filed his first report from Old Trafford on Friday 16th April the second day of a championship match between Lancashire and Warwickshire.
League cricket got underway on its traditional third Saturday in April and the title of Peter's posting 'From Shelley to Skelmanthorpe' describes his movements round the Huddersfield League which took in several grounds and an equal number of cups of tea. On the same day Brian saw some of the action from the first championship match of the season at Headingley from where Tony had reported the day before. Somerset the visitors here. Brian saw a good stand between Rashid and Shazad then took in some league cricket in the afternoon. Tony made the trip to Chester le Street where Durham were struggling against newly promoted Essex but recovered to draw the game thanks to runs from di Venuto and Benkenstein in the second innings.
So the pattern was set for the season with reports from county matches, both first and second elevens, league cricket and tea rooms, the last mainly from Peter. Although I did not begin posting until the following year my diary shows I saw my first cricket on Friday 15th at The Riverside and the following day enjoyed a whirlwind tour of the Aire Wharf league taking in new grounds at Upper Wharfdale, Skipton, Steeton, Silsden, Addingham and Ben Rhydding. Phew.
* Some readers may not be aware that the blog began life as a book, 'Off the beaten track, Three Men and a Cricket Season' which recorded in diary form the travels and travails of its three authors, Tony Hutton, Mick Bourne and Brian Senior during the 2006 season. Very much a collectors' item and my copy which I bought from Mick at Stamford Bridge in 2007 introduced me to the world of pcws for which I will be ever grateful. The 2010 season was the last year that the reports went into print. Here is the cover.
** Yorkshire won by four wickets
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