By Mike Latham
The Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge is a traditional Dales
show that attracts many thousands of visitors.
As part of the show an annual cricket match is held at
Pateley Bridge Cricket Club which adjoins the showground in Bewerley Park.
Many years ago, I’m told, the Yorkshire CCC beneficiary of
the year used to stage a match here as part of the fundraising activities, but
these days the feature match is between a Craven XI and a Nidderdale XI.
This was the first time the show had been held since 2019
due to the pandemic, and the organisers had to react quickly and bring the
event forward from the traditional third Monday in September when the Queen’s
funeral was arranged.
The Sunday slot certainly seemed popular with visitors and
by ten o’clock overflow carparks were already in use to accommodate the large
number of vehicles arriving for the day.
The Craven XI take first knock
The cricket match started at eleven, and was a 45-over
contest, the Craven XI taking first knock.
While the showground got even busier the cricket passed by quietly,
a small crowd at the commencement growing in number during the day.
Pateley Bridge’s ground has a lovely, rural feel, its
centrepiece the pavilion in the corner which houses the dressing rooms and
canteen. There were several benches around the perimeter and the two scorers
kept the electronic scoreboard ticking over.
The Pateley Bridge CC pavilion
While the equestrian events, dog races, cattle show, tractor
displays and dry-stone walling exhibitions were among the events taking place,
the Craven XI batters struggled against an accurate and keen attack.
Only two players made significant scores as the Craven XI
were bowled out for 151 in only 30 overs, leaving 15 of their allocation
unused.
Oakworth opener Bradley Powell hit 42 and Bingley Congs’
Johandre Barnard 41, his first three scoring shots all sixes towards the
scoreboard. Barnard looked a class player, and it was to the disappointment of
the spectators when he miscued a shot and was caught off a skier.
Looking him up on the internet it was no surprise that he
had been a prolific run-scorer for Congs, Craven League champions this year, in
both 2019 and 2022. Remarkably, he had to change to batting left-handed at the
age of 17 after developing a rare eye condition.
Joe Preece, playing on his home ground, and Knaresborough’s
Jordan Tear each took three wickets.
The Nidderdale XI begin their reply
After a leisurely lunch, as the players took the opportunity
to wander around the show, play resumed with the Nidderdale XI making light of
their target.
Ben Cutts, the Bishop Thornton opener, hit an undefeated 81
as his side won by seven wickets in the 22nd over of their reply.
Despite the one-sided nature of the game, it was good to be
back at Pateley Bridge and great to see so many happy, smiling faces at the
show as visitors enjoyed a return to normality after two blank years.
The Nidderdale Show cricket match is a great occasion
Well done to the organisers for maintaining the tradition of
cricket at the show. If you haven’t been, it’s a great occasion and well worth
reserving in your diary for next year.
I expected to see more PCWs in attendance, but maybe they
were at Headingley where Woodlands won the Yorkshire Play-Offs. Congratulations
to them.
Their nine-wicket win over Appelby Frodingham sounds every
bit as comprehensive as that by the Nidderdale XI here.
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