Woodlands worthy winners at Headingley.

 Posted by Tony Hutton

As Mike Latham has already pointed out, an unfortunate clash of fixtures meant a difficult choice for many cricket watchers. We took the easy way out with the Headingley final of the Yorkshire premier leagues champions more or less on the doorstep. However the Nidderdale Show game, so well described by Mike, has always been an event not to be missed in years gone by. Always a wonderful day out regularly attended by old friends from both sides of the Pennines, many sadly no longer with us. None more missed than the legendary 'Motor Bike Man', Peter Mann from Burley in Wharfedale, who died only last week.

Peter followed the career of Harry Book since boyhood and would have been thrilled to see him playing for England. Remember meeting him at Lord's, along with Harry's family, when the young man appeared for English Schools. Peter followed Burley CC, home and away on Saturdays, but on Sundays would travel across the Pennines to watch Lancashire League games on his trusty motor bike, often returning soaked to the skin with rain over the tops.

So to Headingley. For once free admission, free parking and no bag searches. Wonders never cease! However, the relatively few spectators, mainly from the two competing clubs, were corralled into the area inside or in front of the Long Room, with no access to the more attractive viewpoints. No scorecards in evidence either. Woodlands, champions of the Bradford League, where making their third attempt to win the trophy, whereas Appleby Frodingham, champions of the Yorkshire Premier League South - despite coming from Lincolnshire, were making their first appearance in the final.

Woodlands - Yorkshire champions 2022. Picture Ray Spencer.

As many had forecast the game, sadly, was rather one sided. Appleby Frodingham won the toss and batted, but despite a workmanlike fifty from captain Alex Grimes, who held the innings together, were unable to up the scoring rate, which only rarely got over three runs per over. Boundaries were few and far between as the Woodlands' experienced spin trio of Chris Brice, Brad Schmulian and Kez Ahmed took control. Brice, a left arm spinner, remembered from the Yorkshire Academy of long ago, bowled fifteen overs, with excellent figures of 3-33. Schmulian, the prolific New Zealand batsman and captain of the side, took 3-41 while Ahmed, as ever, was economical with 1-29 from nine overs.

The final total of 150-9 in 50 overs looked far too few and so it proved. Despite losing opener Sam Frankland early on - caught and bowled by South African Jordan Neil, Tim Jackson and the impressive Brad Schmulian saw Woodlands to victory with considerable ease. In the 30th over, with the help of a little stage management from his partner, Schmulian not only won the match and the man of the match trophy, but just got to an undefeated century. Gracefully allowing his partner, Jackson, to make the winning hit.

Brad Schmulian reaches his century at Headingley. - picture Ray Spencer.

Welcome indeed to see spin bowling can still win cricket matches. Woodland's experience and know how in field placing really had the final say. Full rewards for this very well run club who have certainly carried all before them this season. Mr. Schmulian will no doubt return to New Zealand this week a very happy man and hopefully will return for next season unless, who knows, higher things await him.