FIRST CHANCE TO SEE WOMEN,S CRICKET THIS SEASON

By Brian Sanderson,

Wednesday morning was cloudy and raining so I thought I would not see any cricket to-day. However after dinner the sun came out so I caught a bus to Kirkstall Educational were Leeds Met Ladies were playing Loughborough in the Premier North of the BUCS League . There are two other University in thtis league Durham and Edinburgh.

As I arrived at about 2.00 P.M. Leeds were eight wickets down and struggling.However a lady but a six over the fence. So myself and Dave Hodgson,club groundsman and all good man.,spent ten minutes looking for the ball.Leeds were bowled out for 72.

This is a photograph of Leeds going out to bat and struggled to  get eleven players. In the first over the bowler bowled three wides which shown what was to come. Loughborough lost one wicket but got to the total in 10 overs.

This is a photograph of the Leeds Met leaving the field in a one sided match. One of Loughborough was Helen Shipman who is in Englands Women Academy.A early day to-day.Tony Hutton shown up for the last few overs after to his trip to Durham yesterday.

ANOTHER PIECE OF THE JIGSAW OF OLIVIERRE CAREER

By Brian Sanderson,

On a beautiful Wednesday I picked Brian Workman up from Sheffield and went on A57  which is a single track road between Sheffield and Manchester.Going  through the Peak District to Glossop to see Derbyshire and Lancashire again.

On entering the ground we purchased a excellent programme which included the history of the club.It was established in 1833 by a number of cotton makers.The first match at North Road was August 9th 1880.
Going into the pavilion to obtain a cup of coffe I noticed the club board.

Among the players who have played for the club was Oliver Olivierre who was the first West Indian to play for Derbyshire from 1901 to 1907.It is an interesting story of his life and have mentioned him on a few occasions on the blog but I did not know he had played for Glossop for two years.

There is photograph of him on the bottom right hand row. I wish clubs would use non-reflective glass which would  make the photograph easier to see.t

Outside the new pvilion the groundsman  had been rolling the wicket.The pavilion was built with the proceeds of selling a small section of the land for flats.

Walking round the ground there was a old tractor which is used to help to pull a roller. There was a good crowd and excellent parking . The ground at on side is overlooked by houses and has  some  excellent trees.

Derbyshire batted first in the first of two 20/20,s.

After the first innings Derbyshire had scored 124 which Lancashire reached with two balls to spare. They were helped by dropped catches and some poor bowling.After the first match I asked the scorers if the scorecard would be on total scorer but was told no as there was no electricity in the scorebox so will have to wait a few days before they may appear on either of the counties web-site. We watched the match from a bank overlooking the wicket and the railway line behind us.

The trains go to Manchester and the station is on a spur line.

We left the second match with Derbyshire batting first again and were 128 for 5 with three overs to go.

A very pleasant day at a homely  club and is worth visiting.

FIFTH LEAGUE IN THREE DAYS

By Brian Sanderson,

On a Bank Hoilday Monday there are not many league matches been played around Leeds apart from Yorkshire E.C.B  Cricket League. I thought I would visit Castleford against last years champions York at Savile Park.As soon as you mention Castleford you think of Chemicals and Mining however as you can see above next to the ground is the park with colourful trees which seem to at their best in the last few weeks.

The match started at 12.00 however we arrived at about 12.30 with Castleford 30 for 3 in 8 overs. The first thought that this match would be over soon.There was a good crowd included p.c.w,s Brian Senior and Malcolm.

The above photograph was taken at tea-time but the pavilion seats were full in the sunshine.Castleford put together a stand against the York bowling included the top  bowler in the league Dan Wood who is a left arm spinner.This was York,s third match in three days. Two league matches and on Sunday a victory at Whitburn in the Royal London Club Championship.By tea time Castleford had reached 222 in the fifty-five overs.

This a photograph of the scoreboard at tea but it should have stated a total of 222. The is the first time I had seen the scoreboard been used for a number of years so somebody must have put in a lot of work

This is a photograph of York coming off the field at the end of Castleford innings lend by Dan Wood.

During tea I walked round the ground and found two unused rollers awaiting to be taken to the  rollers graveyard.After tea York started well against Ben Coad who is a Yorkshire Academy bowler.

This is photograph of him starting his run up. One of the York opening batsmen was Jack Leaning who was in Yorkshire First Team squad for Durham. As I left York were 80 for 0 with plenty overs to spare.So looked like winning.I was hoping to see the score on the Yorkshire League web-site but it is not on ,all the other results are on the site.Frustrated again by  web-sites.

Hoping the weather fine at Glossop tomorrow.

CRICKET AND BIRDS IN HUDDERSFIELD

By Brian Sanderson,

I had decided to go into the Huddersfield League to-day and start off at David Thorpe club Golcar.As usual David was outside the clubhouse after helping with the ground.The match was a cup match against Clayton West.The sidescreen had to be moved so the  hens had to move to a new feeding area.

In the clubhouse is a photograph of Brian Turner who played two matches for Yorkshire and was a professional at Golcar for fourteen years.

Golcar won the toss and put the second division side into bat,The wicket was number 5 of 9 on the square as I was informed by the groundsman.Clayton West struggled and eventually were bowled out for127 in the forty over.

There is some beautiful views from the ground as it situated on top of a large hill.

After helping to roll the wicket David went to have a delightful tea while I moved on to see the Paddock ground. I have passed it on many occasions as it is near David,s house but never seen cricket there,One famous Yorshire cricketer who played there was Chris Balderstone.Today the seconds were playing Linthwaite seconds in the Paddock Cup.The ground is next to the main railway line out of Huddersfield.

The home side was batting and still eighteen overs to bowl  so will be a late finish.There were no animals or birds near this ground as it was in the middle of a houseing estate.There was an old roller resting away in a corner.

Moving on to a new club in the Huddersfield League which was Birkby Rosehill who were playing Cumberworth . They also have moved this season from the Huddersfield Central League which is gradually losing clubs.The homeside were bowling as I arrived.

Walking round the ground I found a pend that had a. peacock.This is a first for me to be seen near a cricket ground.

Moving on to my last ground which Blackley which is situated near to the M62 and the photograph at the begining of the blog is one view from the ground. However look a few yards away you can see cows which means it ia rural ground.

When I got home and went on to the Halifax cricket web-site I was unable to obtain who was playing Blackley .Also Blackley web-site did not supply the information.

The  Blackley batsman who reached fifty was out as I walked round the ground.

Two new grounds and warm weather so can not complain.See what to-morrow brings, you  never know which is the beauty of  you watching sport.

Three Leagues in Yorkshire

posted by John Winn

Having been asked to score for the second innings of Ouseburn's match at Spofforth yesterday I took the opportunity to visit two grounds in East Leeds which though only a mile apart host cricket in two different leagues. First call was at Whitkirk's well appointed ground on the Selby Road. As well as cricket, bowls, tennis and football are also played here and the other two summer games had attracted participants on a lovely sunny afternoon.

Whitkirk, founded in 1892 are one of only three teams in the York and District league with a Leeds postcode, and the westernmost of those, and although the lower divisions of the league have returned to a regional format this season, their location still involves clubs in some quite long journeys. Yesterday's visitors Malton and Old Malton II, for a Div 3 North match, had travelled over 40 miles. They would have been pleased to bat and made good progress in the half hour I spent watching. The result is not available on the website this morning.

 

Just a mile's drive took me to my next stop, the Kingswear Crescent ground of Crossgates CC, on the very edge of the city. Sitting by the pavilion one has views of cattle grazing, undisturbed by trains travelling between York and Leeds on the immediately adjacent line. Crossgates are members of the Wetherby League and this was a Div 2 Match with Saxton from near Tadcaster the visitors. Facilities are more basic here with the score still being posted by the use of tins which were showing the batting side,the homesters, 13 for 3 off 13 overs. Bad as this seemed it disguised an even more unpalatable truth for when a waiting batsman updated the board it showed 15 for 4, soon to be 18 for 5. One reason for the slow progress was the lushness of the outfield but there was some good seam bowling from Saxton which added to the batsmen's difficulties.

While I watched a recovery to 37 for 5 was mounted and Crossgates went on to make 120 all out. I have been critical of the Wetherby League website in the past but it is much improved this campaign and this morning it showed that CCC's score had been beaten by Saxton's 121 for 3. In the table Saxton now lie fourth but Crossgates are without a win and only one point better off than the two clubs below them.

Leaving behind the Wetherby and York Leagues I drove to Spofforth and the third league of the afternoon, the Nidderdale. Spofforth is one of my favourite grounds, beautifully cared for and tucked away behind the village school. Spofforth left the Wetherby League in 2010, gained promotion at the first attempt and last season pipped Ouseburn by one point to take the championship. Juicy fare indeed then with Spofforth having suffered an unexpected defeat last week and Ouseburn, with two wins out of two, coming to town.

All was not going well however for Ouseburn who had been 15 for 3 and although 68 for 7 on my arrival represented something of a recovery the tail showed the same brittleness as the top order and they were all out for 89 in the 34th over. Jonathan Ross was the leading wicket taker with 3 for 21.

During the tea interval I was introduced to Sandra the Spofforth scorer and it was clear immediately that I was in safe hands for in addition to keeping an immaculate book in various colours she operated the electronic board and scored online for the league website and even coped with some banter from passers by. While all this was happening I managed to score in what I would call traditional fashion i.e. with a pencil (monochrome) as after a slow start a flurry of boundaries saw Spofforth home by 8 wickets well before six o'clock. Outstanding for the champions was their Australian opener Will Long who finished on 45 not out, including one six and 8 fours.

Relieved that the books balanced, I replaced my pencil, rubber and pencil sharpener, the bare bones of a scorer's kit these days, in the pencil case I had borrowed from my wife and made the twenty minute journey home. A truncated afternoon but an interesting one.

SHOOK HANDS WITH ONE OF OUR FOLLOWERS

By Brian Sanderson,

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon I set off to see a few matches.The first match was in the Airedale and Wharfedale First Division Otley against Kirksstall  Educational both sides had been unbeaten.

As you can see from the photograph there is beautiful view of Ikley Moor with the groundsman rolling the pitch. Kirkstall bowled first and objected to the roller been on for 7 minutes.

A beautiful  ground to start our trip from. Otley scored 152 and Kirkstall only reached 74.Next ground was  Blubberhouses who were playing Goldsborough in the first division of the Nidderdale League.Another beautiful ground just off the Harrogate and Skipton Road.

Great views of the moors behind the new pavilion.The accents  from the Blubberhouses team were not just Yorkshire.There is a new electric scoreboard which registered the home side score.You could not ask for better two grounds within ten miles of Leeds.

Last year I tried to see cricket at Darley but it was called off due to rain.The photograph above is of their new pavilion.They were playing Ripley in the second division of the Nidderdale League.

The next match was Hampsthwaite against Pannal Seconds.As you can see from the photograph the umpieing is been done by the batting side which is not ideal.The ground is a typical small village ground with a communal hall as a pavilion.

The next ground was Burnt Yates on the Ripley road. They were playing Masham Seconds who were bowling when we arrived.Another person was taking photographs for the Nidderdale web site but I did not regonised him. It was BarryGill who is the groundsman at Dacre Bank and a historian of local Nidderdale cricket.The photograph at the top of the blog it of Barry taking a photograph of Masham Seconds for the league web site.It took some persuadeing by Barry for the picture to be taken .He said that he read the blog every day so than from myself and John for you taking time out to read our ramblings. Also thank you for Burnt Yates for free cup of tea.

Next ground was Ripley who were playing Pateley Bridge Seconds who had batted first.The Ripley ground  has a tented village at one side of the ground.

There is a excellent view of the castle.

The next ground was Killinghall were I also tried to visit last year but was under water.To-day they were playing Stavely Seconds who were batting against a very young Killinghall side.A nice photograph of the flowering trees.

On the way home I called into Beckwithshaw were Adel Seconds had scored 293 in fifty overs.It must be a long time since a score like this has been scored by Adel.All to gether a nice Saturday afternoon drive and chance to meet some good people.

TWO MATCHES THREE MILES APART

By Brian Sanderson,

After the rain of yesterday,the sun was out but a cold breeze.First match at Headingley was the first 20/20 between Yorkshire Seconds and Lancashire Seconds which had a debateable starting time.Some people thought it was 11 o,clock start other thought it was 10.30 however it started at 10.45. It started early because of the rugby league match this evening.

The big talking point of this match apart from the Yorkshire colours was Bairstow fit enough to be keeping at Durham on Sunday.He was due to play in the first match and keeping.Lancashire batted first and we were entertained by Alex Davies,a under 19  England keeper.Yorkshire tried eight bowlers against him  but none of them were able to contain him. He scored 101 not out out of a total 172 for 4 .Yorkshire best bowler was Moin Ashraf  with figures for his four overs of 1 for 25.

Spectator  there must have been about fifty people when the match started.We were joined by Tony Hutton for a few overs returning from four days at Lords.We were also joined by Jerry ,the Middlesex supporter, talkiing about his accommodation in London.

Yorkshire started poorly and were 11 for 2.Bairstow arrived and shown some powerful hitting to score 77.Only two other batsmen got to double figures.Clark been the best bowler taking 4 for 28.Yorkshire finishing on 145 all out.At one stage the scoreboard shown the Duckworth-Lewis total Yorkshire had to win was 204.How this was worked out I do not know as Lancashire total was 172.Bairstow looked fit and I think he will play at Durham along with Bresnan.The Yorkshire colours were purple tops and black bottoms.
It must have taken ages to design.

After lunch a trip up to Weetwood were Leeds @ Bradford University were playing Durham University.Orginally it was a two day match but because of the rain yesterday it was reduced to a one day match. Durham coach was Graeme Fowler,ex England and Lancashire batsman.who was wearing a large beard and looked different from his playing days.

Durham batted first and when I arrived they were they were 80 for 4 in the thirty over and struggling against the spin bowling. These were McQueen and Foster who between them took 7 wickets for 81 runs.With the cold breeze all six spectators were hudled together in front of the pavilion.These included,Tony Hutton ,John Winn,Brian Senior and Jenny.All were being entertain by John Tipley.

This is a photograph of Leeds coming off the field after bowling Durham out for 138 in 63.2 overs.As you can see the University tops were better colours than Yorkshire.At tea Leeds were 65 for 6 with the Durham spinners on top taking 5 wickets.The only wicket they did not tae was Gubbins who was 21 and was run out by not moving back into his crease when the ball was return to the wicket keeper.Bat throwing time.

After tea it was Laws and Macload who saved the day and put on a partnership of 60.The spinners taking no more wickets.Leeds went on to collect sixteen points when they finished their innings at 154 for8  with Macload scoring fifty.Another wicket keeper which seems the theme of the day.

Coming back home I passed a number of students with Christmas hats on.You worry about the state of England.