75% strike rate near Fitzwilliam.

 Having been informed by Andrew Marr on Sunday that it was the last day of summer I decided to take advantage of a lovely day on Monday to see some league cricket. In order to allow clubs the opportunity to play each other once in this truncated season the Pontefract League had allocated the bank holiday for a round of fixtures but allowing clubs with the approval of their opposition to use as an alternative either  Sunday August 23rd, Sunday 6th September or Saturday September 26th, a date which might allow some pcws to extend their season. Thankfully a reasonable number of clubs had opted to play on the appointed day and I selected a number of grounds  in postcode WF4, none of which I had visited before. 

First stop was Ryhill and Havercroft CC, a facility shared with Ryhill FC. The entertainment here was a Division 5 game with Normanton St John's CC and as I arrived the umpires took the field. Ryhill find themselves well adrift at the foot of the division and on slow wicket within a large playing area made only slow progress against some steady bowling, slow to the extent that they made only 67 for 9 off their 30 overs. Normanton, who had won the toss knocked these off with time to spare and for the loss of four wickets.

The seasons overlap at Ryhill

Next stop, and not far aware is Nostell St Oswald CC, but on arriving at the ground I found it deserted and the square roped off. I discovered later but too late to retrace my steps, that a burst water main had caused the game to be relocated to Thorpe Audin. Another short trip took me to The Sidings at Crofton where home side Crofton Phoenix II were batting against Burton Salmon, a club I visited in 2105 when they were in the York Vale League. The ground is an attractive one, set in parkland with again a large playing area and football pitches in the distance. 62 for 0 read the board with 14 of the prescribed overs left. As wickets began to fall a gentlemen seated with the Burton Salmon scorer got increasingly excited, even more so when Rupert Jones and son arrived. Rupert is a man I have always identified as an Arthington Festival enthusiast but neither my name or face meant anything to him. Nevertheless we found plenty of common ground for conversation, much of it about Steve Bindman's book reviewed by Tony a few weeks ago. As the overs ran down wickets fell  Mr Burton Salmon who had done much to revive the club when it folded got increasingly excited, even to the point of describing a wicket taking ball as a ripper, an unforgiveable offence in my book. 

The innings closed with the score at 157 for 8, or so the scorer told me but the league website says 147 for 8. Whatever the case it proved too much for Burton Salmon who were 89 all out. Three run outs suggests some confusion in the middle order. Phoenix lie second in Division Five, Burton Salmon in mid table.

Last ground on what was still a beautiful afternoon was that of Old Sharlston where I arrived just after the home team's second eleven had begun their reply to South Kirkby II who had been bowled out for 78, five wickets for Tom Maskill. In  front of a very good crowd Sharlston began confidently mainly through Colin Scattergood and won by five wickets taking a ball more than 26 overs. This is another attractive ground with an outfield that would serve very well in a much higher standard of cricket. This was a Division three match, a section in which a young South Kirkby side are finding it tough going and Old Sharlston are two places above them, third from bottom. Good to see so many watching on a bank holiday at a club which I sense  serves as something of a hub in the community. 

 Old Sharlston CC

On the 45 minute journey home I reflected on what had been an interesting afternoon and although disappointed by missing out at Nostell I felt a strike rate of 75% was not a bad return at this late stage in such a strange season.