Cricket's simple pleasures prevail.

 Posted by Tony Hutton

The game of cricket at both international and national level seems to be in turmoil, with both the winter's Ashes series and the format of next season's domestic programme still uncertain. However yesterday's October game at Arthington managed to run it's course, despite a weather interruption, and the handful of spectators, as well as the players, could be forgiven for thinking that the game's simple pleasures still prevail.

Autumnal sunshine while black clouds circle Arthington.

The visitors were a recent addition to the Festival fixture list in the shape of the XL or Forty Club, Yorkshire and the North East District. This admirable club, with regional groups throughout the UK, play an incredible number of fixtures mainly in mid-week against school and club sides. As the name suggests players are over the age of forty, some still performing in league cricket and others happy to concentrate on mid-week friendlies.

Looking up some of the visiting players on play-cricket's comprehensive individual playing records was most interesting. For instance skipper Kevin Owens is still playing league cricket for Knaresborough 1st XI and has already scored four centuries and four scores in the 90s for the Forty Club this season. His highest score was 150 not out early in September playing for the Kent & East Sussex Forty Club against British Tamils!

Another celebrity was Dr Chris Stride, a lecturer at Sheffield University, who plays for the University Staff XI as well as the Forty club and has somehow managed an incredible 72 games this season. His batting record suggests he is a bowler, confirmed by best figures this season of 7-97 for Forty Club Eastern District against Sprowston of Norfolk. He is Sheffield Cricket Lovers' first speaker of their winter season later this week and will be talking about 'Cricket Statuary'.

Geoff Barker sets off for the pavilion after being caught behind.

Getting back to yesterday's action saw the home side batting first and guest star Nathan Smith dominated the early scoring in partnership with Geoffrey Barker. Smith went for a polished 32 out of a total of 35 and Richard Spry, captain of Adel's evening league winning side, joined Barker in a partnership of 71. Barker was then caught behind by wicket keeper Freeman (from Addingham) for a well made 41. The afternoon progressed with a mixture of sunny intervals and threatening rain clouds, but no more wickets fell as Spry and James Lord scored almost at will against the change bowlers.

Model forward defensive from Richard Spry.

When the rains finally came the 40 over innings was almost complete and Arthington declared on 212-2 from 37.1 overs. Spry 83 not out, possibly robbed of a century by the rain, and Lord on 53 not out. Arthington's efficient new covers were brought out and protected the wicket well to enable the second innings to take place with a target of 213 required from 38 overs. Notable for bowling the only maiden over of the Arthington innings was Dave Hadley, another Sheffield University Staff player, with a tidy spell of 4-1-14-0. Dave's career record showed he has played for the University Staff since 1990!

The sun breaks through again.

The Forty Club innings started well, apart from Freeman being run out, and Kevin Wan (Spen Victoria) with his highest score of the season (64) and Yufuf Kayat (Mount CC, Batley) who made 26, taking the score to 111-1. However 'Nelson' struck and the innings collapsed something like a pack of cards. The deadly duo of Andy Stoddart (3-20) and Nathan Smith (3-7) reduced the visitors to 144-8 when the overs ran out. By the end of the day the afternoon chill was taking effect but a good time was had by all. Cricket in October is alive and well and weather permitting will continue each day of next weekend with fixtures against St George's Church on Saturday and Cambridge Methodists on Sunday.

One man and his dog in the background.