posted by John Winn
As we begin to say goodbye to this soggy season I have yet to find anyone who can remember a wetter one, and all manner of statistics have been produced to support the notion that it has been the worst in living memory. Last week's Darlington and Stockton Times produced its usual admirable end of season summary of those leagues that fall within its readership area.
The NYSD championship went to Richmondshire for the first time in seventeen years and by a reasonably healthy margin. On the final Saturday the Dalesmen got their expected win over bottom club Billingham Synthonia while nearest challengers, Darlington, who rather fell away towards the end of the season, lost to the team immediately below them, Great Ayton. Marske accompanied Billingham into Division One and they will be replaced by their neighbours Saltburn and Redcar. A visit to the two promoted clubs will make a good day out in 2013. It has been a particularly disappointing season for Marske as their second eleven will drop out of Division One along with Yarm. The great escapees in the Premier Division were Thornaby who, revitalised by the return of their Sri Lankan pro won their last two games to escape relegation by two points.
Moving down the pyramid to the Darlington and District League I was delighted to see my faher's old club, Haughton clinch their first ever outright championship, (they shared it with Barton in 1969) when they beat East Cowton on the final day.Barton finished second, eight points in arrears. Haughton were skippered by 23 year old Mark Dobinson whose 45 set up the decisive win and I take particular pleasure in this because Mark's grandfather and I were cousins. Keeping it in the family, this time on my mother's side. My delight at Haughton's success was tempered by the relegation of Cockerton where I last played in this league, forty years ago. Promoted just a year ago Middleton Tyas finished bottom and they and Cockerton will be replaced by Barningham and Cliffe.
Finally to the Langbaurgh League where last day focus in Division One centred on the foot of the table for at the top Kildale had secured the championship the previous week, and the unlucky losers here were Hutton Rudby and Scruton with Stafford Place just squeezing under the portcullis before it fell. New Marske and Crathorne had already gained promotion from Division Two.
One league not covered by the Dand S is the Cleveland League whose results are typically reported by The Middlesbrough Gazette but despite searching the paper's website and the league's play cricket site I have been unable to find a complete final league table.
Finally something that slipped under the radar last week was York's victory in The Kingfisher Cup, their progress in which I have reported in postings throughout the season. They were very comfortaable winners over Wanstead and Snaresbrook form Essex. Played on Sunday September 16th at The County Ground, Derby, having lost the toss York held their opponents to 162 for 9 off their 45 overs, a target reached with 15.1 overs to spare and with 8 wickets in hand. Top performers for York were Tom Pringle who took 4 for 22 and Oliver Hairs with 68 not out off just 45 balls. Well done, York, their first title in this competition for 37 years.
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Monday, 24 September 2012
On this day (3)
posted by John Winn
This year's first class season began in March and ended on the 13th of September. The earliest ever start but not the latest ever finish for on this day in 2009 there was a full programme of championship matches which ended on Saturday 26th of September. Durham had already clinched the championship two weeks previously when they had defeated nearest rivals Notts on a gloriously hot day at the Riverside. There was still however much to play for when the last round of games began on Wednesday 23rd, not least Yorkshire's survival in Division 1 for as they entered the game with Hampshire at Headingley they needed five points to ensure they avoided the drop. Hampshire too were not free from worry for they still needed three points.In the event both were saved by Sussex's defeat at Trent Bridge and it was the Hove side who accompanied Worcestershire into Division 2.
The first morning saw barracking of umpires Bodenham and Cowley for their failure to allow play in what they judged to be poor light but when it did get underway Hampshire batted solidly and ended the day on 227 for 4 with Lumb leading the way and good resistance on the second morning saw them to the batting points that guaranteed safety. Rudolph and Sayers began well for Yorkshire and when the former was out shortly before the close they had added 162 and with Sayers making 95 and an unbeaten fifty form Bairstow Yorkshire were dismissed just three short of Hampshire.A last wicket stand with Deon Kruis, playing his final game for the county, just failed to gain a fourth batting point.
The final day of the season saw the wicket get slower and slower and Hampshire had no problem seeing out the day until the captains shook hands, Mc Grath's last action before handing over the captaincy to Gale. The crowd gave Kruis a rapturous ovation but what was not known at the time was that this was to be Hoggard's last game before setting his satnav for Grace Road. He did not end on a high note however, 1 for 146 and a duck being a poor return for one who had given so much for his native county. Just a week earlier he had taken a hat trick at Hove that had pushed Sussex to the brink and yet on October 9th it was announced that Yorkshire would not be offering him a new contract after all and just a week later The Foxes stepped in.
Just three years on only three of those who wore the white rose that day, Gale, McGrath and Lyth played in the last match of this season against Essex.
This year's first class season began in March and ended on the 13th of September. The earliest ever start but not the latest ever finish for on this day in 2009 there was a full programme of championship matches which ended on Saturday 26th of September. Durham had already clinched the championship two weeks previously when they had defeated nearest rivals Notts on a gloriously hot day at the Riverside. There was still however much to play for when the last round of games began on Wednesday 23rd, not least Yorkshire's survival in Division 1 for as they entered the game with Hampshire at Headingley they needed five points to ensure they avoided the drop. Hampshire too were not free from worry for they still needed three points.In the event both were saved by Sussex's defeat at Trent Bridge and it was the Hove side who accompanied Worcestershire into Division 2.
The first morning saw barracking of umpires Bodenham and Cowley for their failure to allow play in what they judged to be poor light but when it did get underway Hampshire batted solidly and ended the day on 227 for 4 with Lumb leading the way and good resistance on the second morning saw them to the batting points that guaranteed safety. Rudolph and Sayers began well for Yorkshire and when the former was out shortly before the close they had added 162 and with Sayers making 95 and an unbeaten fifty form Bairstow Yorkshire were dismissed just three short of Hampshire.A last wicket stand with Deon Kruis, playing his final game for the county, just failed to gain a fourth batting point.
The final day of the season saw the wicket get slower and slower and Hampshire had no problem seeing out the day until the captains shook hands, Mc Grath's last action before handing over the captaincy to Gale. The crowd gave Kruis a rapturous ovation but what was not known at the time was that this was to be Hoggard's last game before setting his satnav for Grace Road. He did not end on a high note however, 1 for 146 and a duck being a poor return for one who had given so much for his native county. Just a week earlier he had taken a hat trick at Hove that had pushed Sussex to the brink and yet on October 9th it was announced that Yorkshire would not be offering him a new contract after all and just a week later The Foxes stepped in.
Just three years on only three of those who wore the white rose that day, Gale, McGrath and Lyth played in the last match of this season against Essex.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
What happened to autumn?
posted by John Winn
It might seem strange to say that September is one of my favourite months for after all for most cricket watchers it marks the end of the season and the beginning of six months when ones interest in the game has to be sustained at second hand through the television, through reading and through conversation with fellow lovers of the game but I always feel the ninth month has a special feel to it, especially when the sun shines,as it did for much of last week when I spent a few days in Cornwall.
Having made the four hundred mile journey from Penzance to York on Friday I decided to resist the opportunity to take in some new grounds in the Central Yorkshire League yesterday and instead drove the eighteen or so miles to to Arhington to take in the second game in their annual festival of matches which will stretch into mid October. On arrival I was surprised how soft the outfield was but the game was five overs old, Dennis Nash was bowling and The Mutineers, one of several wandering clubs who comprise the majority of the home club's opposition for these games, were batting and above all the sun was shining. In other words things were just as they should be at Arthington in September and I took my seat in the sunniest corner of the ground where I was joined by nobody. Indeed throughout the three hours I stayed there were no more than two other spectators, both of whom at different times found a perch at the opposite side. My nearest neighbours were some grazing cows and a few sheep but they showed little interest as The Mutineers, aided by some lapses in the field, clocked up 193 in their forty overs.
I took tea and watched the opening overs of Arthington's reply led calmly by that most immaculate of cricketers, Geoff Barker who as usual set out his stall to anchor the innings and at the same time assist the groundsman by regular patting down of the wicket and a little hand weeding. The first eight overs having yielded nine runs it was looking as though the home team did not relish a run chase and so I made my way home. On returning to Arthington today I learned that they had got within seventeen of the target, thanks to some good hitting by the middle order. Today's opponents were another travelling eleven, Romany, and there was Geoff, padded up and ready to do battle again. The one thing that had changed was the weather and while days like Saturday may not be the exception they are certainly not the rule and although the afternoon was dry there was a freshening wind and the prospect of rain by tea time.
Having caught up with Tony Hutton about the various games scheduled in the county over 60 competition* we sought shelter in the lee of the groundsman's garage where we soon joined by a number of other Arthington regulars. Brian has given you some details of the first innings and as we left at the same time I can add no more. Even the prospect of Liz's tea could not persuade me to sit it out any longer as the rain, which had arrived a little after three, became heavier and the wind colder. If yesterday was the last rose of summer, today felt like the first taste of winter with autumn having been passed by.
On my way home by the time I reached the sign welcoming me to the jurisdiction of Harrogate Council I had left the rain behind and as I type (6:30) it has not yet reached the Lower Ure Valley. Let's hope it abated at Arthington and play could resume after tea. A family occasion takes me to The Lake District next weekend and so will not be at Arthington where the fixtures are:
Saturday v Jesters and Sunday v King James 1, both 1:30 starts. The long range forecast certainly suggests more sunshine than today so perhaps autumn's time is still to come.
* Full details at www.60cc.co.uk or put Spitfire National 060 Championship in a search engine. you may be surprised how much cricket is still being played.
It might seem strange to say that September is one of my favourite months for after all for most cricket watchers it marks the end of the season and the beginning of six months when ones interest in the game has to be sustained at second hand through the television, through reading and through conversation with fellow lovers of the game but I always feel the ninth month has a special feel to it, especially when the sun shines,as it did for much of last week when I spent a few days in Cornwall.
Having made the four hundred mile journey from Penzance to York on Friday I decided to resist the opportunity to take in some new grounds in the Central Yorkshire League yesterday and instead drove the eighteen or so miles to to Arhington to take in the second game in their annual festival of matches which will stretch into mid October. On arrival I was surprised how soft the outfield was but the game was five overs old, Dennis Nash was bowling and The Mutineers, one of several wandering clubs who comprise the majority of the home club's opposition for these games, were batting and above all the sun was shining. In other words things were just as they should be at Arthington in September and I took my seat in the sunniest corner of the ground where I was joined by nobody. Indeed throughout the three hours I stayed there were no more than two other spectators, both of whom at different times found a perch at the opposite side. My nearest neighbours were some grazing cows and a few sheep but they showed little interest as The Mutineers, aided by some lapses in the field, clocked up 193 in their forty overs.
I took tea and watched the opening overs of Arthington's reply led calmly by that most immaculate of cricketers, Geoff Barker who as usual set out his stall to anchor the innings and at the same time assist the groundsman by regular patting down of the wicket and a little hand weeding. The first eight overs having yielded nine runs it was looking as though the home team did not relish a run chase and so I made my way home. On returning to Arthington today I learned that they had got within seventeen of the target, thanks to some good hitting by the middle order. Today's opponents were another travelling eleven, Romany, and there was Geoff, padded up and ready to do battle again. The one thing that had changed was the weather and while days like Saturday may not be the exception they are certainly not the rule and although the afternoon was dry there was a freshening wind and the prospect of rain by tea time.
Having caught up with Tony Hutton about the various games scheduled in the county over 60 competition* we sought shelter in the lee of the groundsman's garage where we soon joined by a number of other Arthington regulars. Brian has given you some details of the first innings and as we left at the same time I can add no more. Even the prospect of Liz's tea could not persuade me to sit it out any longer as the rain, which had arrived a little after three, became heavier and the wind colder. If yesterday was the last rose of summer, today felt like the first taste of winter with autumn having been passed by.
On my way home by the time I reached the sign welcoming me to the jurisdiction of Harrogate Council I had left the rain behind and as I type (6:30) it has not yet reached the Lower Ure Valley. Let's hope it abated at Arthington and play could resume after tea. A family occasion takes me to The Lake District next weekend and so will not be at Arthington where the fixtures are:
Saturday v Jesters and Sunday v King James 1, both 1:30 starts. The long range forecast certainly suggests more sunshine than today so perhaps autumn's time is still to come.
* Full details at www.60cc.co.uk or put Spitfire National 060 Championship in a search engine. you may be surprised how much cricket is still being played.
RAIN AGAIN AT ADDINGHAM
By Brian Sanderson,
I always look forward to watch cricket at Addingham which is a friendly local club who had come fourth in their Niidderdale division.The forecast was that rain would arrived during the afternoon with wind picking up.Arriving at the ground there was a cold wind blowing across the ground and the home side would bat first against Romany.Romany are a wandering side based in Leeds and I saw them last at Swinton Park Next to the ground there is a extension to the house been built from last season.There was a notice on the pavilion stating to keep of the adject farm land as it seems some youngsters had been chasing some sheep. recently.
Geoff Barker opened the batting as usual together with a lad who played at Rawden.They put on a century stand with the Rawden lad retiring at fifty as the bowling was very friendly.Tony Hutton, Mick Bourne and John Winn were among the crowd sheltering out of the wind.Geoff reached his fifty and also retired which is the first time I had seen him do this.One of the batsman who came in was Mel Wood who is the brother of Barry ex England and Lancashire opening bat.
One of the bowler was Steve Bindman who bowls lobs .You can see him on You tube under Arthington Cricket Festival which shows Sky Sports News who came to the ground two years ago.Watch it it is worth seeing.
The rain came in a the wind was cold so I went home. The score was over 200 for three wickets in the thirteith over.Hope to go next weekend.
I always look forward to watch cricket at Addingham which is a friendly local club who had come fourth in their Niidderdale division.The forecast was that rain would arrived during the afternoon with wind picking up.Arriving at the ground there was a cold wind blowing across the ground and the home side would bat first against Romany.Romany are a wandering side based in Leeds and I saw them last at Swinton Park Next to the ground there is a extension to the house been built from last season.There was a notice on the pavilion stating to keep of the adject farm land as it seems some youngsters had been chasing some sheep. recently.
Geoff Barker opened the batting as usual together with a lad who played at Rawden.They put on a century stand with the Rawden lad retiring at fifty as the bowling was very friendly.Tony Hutton, Mick Bourne and John Winn were among the crowd sheltering out of the wind.Geoff reached his fifty and also retired which is the first time I had seen him do this.One of the batsman who came in was Mel Wood who is the brother of Barry ex England and Lancashire opening bat.
One of the bowler was Steve Bindman who bowls lobs .You can see him on You tube under Arthington Cricket Festival which shows Sky Sports News who came to the ground two years ago.Watch it it is worth seeing.
The rain came in a the wind was cold so I went home. The score was over 200 for three wickets in the thirteith over.Hope to go next weekend.
Saturday, 22 September 2012
FINAL LEAGUE MATCH OF 2012
By Brian Sanderson,
The weather was sunny for my trip to Gypsy Lane in Leeds to watch Hunslet Nelson against Wrenthorpe in the Central Yorkshire Cricket League.Wrenthorpe had already won the League again but Hunslet could go fourth.
Hunslet Nelson a club was established in 1810 as was known as The Albion and changed to Hunslet Nelson in 1869 and played at Low Road in Hunslet.In the last few years the club moved to Gypsy Lane which is about three miles from Elland Road were football was due to play at 3.00 P.M. while the cricket started at 11.30 A.M..Hunslet won the toss and bowled first on a damp wicket and outfield.Their second team match at Gildersome was called off due to the damp ground as no covers had been put on the wicket.
Wrenthorpe did not have their full team out and decided to play the match as end of season match with bowling eleven bowlers.The best bowler was Glover bowled his fifteen overs for twenty-five and took two wickets.The best batsman was Michael Lambert who scored fifty-six not out.The total score in the fifty overs was 234 for 9.
There was a good crowd to watch the match and enjoyed the sunshine.Wrenthorpe reversed the batting line up.At least Hunslet took the match seriously and bowled five bowlers.Lambert opened the bowling and bowled fifteen overs for twenty-six and taking three wickets.Wrenthorpe reached 188 for nine with Glover the opening bat reached thirty-two to be the top scorer.
Wrenthorpe played it for fun so spoiled the day but the sunshined and did not watch any football.To-morrow I am going to Arthington as the match at Spout Houses has been called off due to the lack of players which is a pity as I was looking to go to the special ground again.
The weather was sunny for my trip to Gypsy Lane in Leeds to watch Hunslet Nelson against Wrenthorpe in the Central Yorkshire Cricket League.Wrenthorpe had already won the League again but Hunslet could go fourth.
Hunslet Nelson a club was established in 1810 as was known as The Albion and changed to Hunslet Nelson in 1869 and played at Low Road in Hunslet.In the last few years the club moved to Gypsy Lane which is about three miles from Elland Road were football was due to play at 3.00 P.M. while the cricket started at 11.30 A.M..Hunslet won the toss and bowled first on a damp wicket and outfield.Their second team match at Gildersome was called off due to the damp ground as no covers had been put on the wicket.
Wrenthorpe did not have their full team out and decided to play the match as end of season match with bowling eleven bowlers.The best bowler was Glover bowled his fifteen overs for twenty-five and took two wickets.The best batsman was Michael Lambert who scored fifty-six not out.The total score in the fifty overs was 234 for 9.
There was a good crowd to watch the match and enjoyed the sunshine.Wrenthorpe reversed the batting line up.At least Hunslet took the match seriously and bowled five bowlers.Lambert opened the bowling and bowled fifteen overs for twenty-six and taking three wickets.Wrenthorpe reached 188 for nine with Glover the opening bat reached thirty-two to be the top scorer.
Wrenthorpe played it for fun so spoiled the day but the sunshined and did not watch any football.To-morrow I am going to Arthington as the match at Spout Houses has been called off due to the lack of players which is a pity as I was looking to go to the special ground again.
Monday, 17 September 2012
CUP FINAL AT SPEN VICTORIA
By Brian Sanderson,
An early start on Sunday as the Priestley Cup Final started at 11.00 o,clock were East Bierley were playing Manningham Mills.This was a replay as the orginal was washed out with Manningham on top.The weather forecast for Sunday was rain by 3.00 o,clock so the match was made a forty over match in the hope it could be completed on the day.Usually the Cup Final days are full of people more interestd in drinking beer however this match did not have this problem.
Manningham won the toss and bowled first on a green wicket.The ball moved around in the opening overs as Zeeshan Quasim and Iqbal Khan utilised the conditions. With openers Gavin Hamilton and Mark Gill going cheaply, Luke Goddard and Andrew Rennison put to-gether a stand of eighty-nine with both been out for fifty-one.Eat Bierley reached 182 all out in the final over. There was a good crowd as the admission was free.There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch so we sat out of the wind.
Manningham lost a wicket in the first over to a good catch by Goddard.The wind made it hard to control the ball and there was a number of wides bowled.Manningham were worried about the rain and tried to force the pace but lost wickets.It was good to talk to spectators I had not seen for a few weeks with the conversation going to the coming winter.The man of the match Norman Ali hit three big sixes but was in vain with Manningham scoring 152.
As we were driving away the rain started so the decision was correct to reduce the match to forty overs.
The President of the M.C.C Philip Hodson give the trophies away in his new Bradford League tie. The Central Yorshire League is the only League playing on Saturday so a chance to see some more new grounds before going to Arthington to watch the final matches of 2012 season.
An early start on Sunday as the Priestley Cup Final started at 11.00 o,clock were East Bierley were playing Manningham Mills.This was a replay as the orginal was washed out with Manningham on top.The weather forecast for Sunday was rain by 3.00 o,clock so the match was made a forty over match in the hope it could be completed on the day.Usually the Cup Final days are full of people more interestd in drinking beer however this match did not have this problem.
Manningham won the toss and bowled first on a green wicket.The ball moved around in the opening overs as Zeeshan Quasim and Iqbal Khan utilised the conditions. With openers Gavin Hamilton and Mark Gill going cheaply, Luke Goddard and Andrew Rennison put to-gether a stand of eighty-nine with both been out for fifty-one.Eat Bierley reached 182 all out in the final over. There was a good crowd as the admission was free.There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch so we sat out of the wind.
Manningham lost a wicket in the first over to a good catch by Goddard.The wind made it hard to control the ball and there was a number of wides bowled.Manningham were worried about the rain and tried to force the pace but lost wickets.It was good to talk to spectators I had not seen for a few weeks with the conversation going to the coming winter.The man of the match Norman Ali hit three big sixes but was in vain with Manningham scoring 152.
As we were driving away the rain started so the decision was correct to reduce the match to forty overs.
The President of the M.C.C Philip Hodson give the trophies away in his new Bradford League tie. The Central Yorshire League is the only League playing on Saturday so a chance to see some more new grounds before going to Arthington to watch the final matches of 2012 season.
BRADFORD LEAGUE SATURDAY
By Brian Sanderson,
It was a late start on Saturday as Andrew was coming up from London to see the final weekend of the Bradford League.The matches started at 12.00 o,clock but we arrived about 1.30 at Pudsey Congs .I thought this would be a good match as Cleckheaton had to win the match to have a chance of winning the League and Champions Woodlands had to lose their match.
The weather was sunny as Cleckheaton were batting and were two wickets down for eighty-three.We sat under a tree to watch the match and wished all the summer days were like this instead of rain.As usual Brian Senior also arrived late and wander road the ground.Cleckheaton looked like they would reach 250 in their fifty overs however the spinners Roberts and Walmsley slowed the scoring down.Walmsley bowled his fifteen overs for forty-seven and took three wickets with the help of two good catches on the boundary edge by Lindley.Clecheaton reached two hundred and ten which was a reasonable score.There was messages coming through from the Woodland match saying they had only scored just over one hunred and fifty.So Cleckheaton were in with a chance.
After tea two Yorkshire County bowlers opened the bowling Wardlaw and Lee..Soon Lee took a wicket but Wardlaw was expensive.Lindley,the opening bat and Andrew Bairstow but on a stand of ninty-three to put Pudsey in the driving seat.Lindley got out l.bw.to the spinner Mahmood who looked the best bowler.
The message came through that Woodland needed to take four wickets quickly as Bradford and Bingley needed five runs.The champions did this and took four wickets for no runs to win the league.The body language of Cleckheaton changed and Pudsey went on to win the match.
It was a full day on Saturday as I went to watch Leeds Rugby at night win against Wakefield. Arriving home about ten o,clock at night.
It was a late start on Saturday as Andrew was coming up from London to see the final weekend of the Bradford League.The matches started at 12.00 o,clock but we arrived about 1.30 at Pudsey Congs .I thought this would be a good match as Cleckheaton had to win the match to have a chance of winning the League and Champions Woodlands had to lose their match.
The weather was sunny as Cleckheaton were batting and were two wickets down for eighty-three.We sat under a tree to watch the match and wished all the summer days were like this instead of rain.As usual Brian Senior also arrived late and wander road the ground.Cleckheaton looked like they would reach 250 in their fifty overs however the spinners Roberts and Walmsley slowed the scoring down.Walmsley bowled his fifteen overs for forty-seven and took three wickets with the help of two good catches on the boundary edge by Lindley.Clecheaton reached two hundred and ten which was a reasonable score.There was messages coming through from the Woodland match saying they had only scored just over one hunred and fifty.So Cleckheaton were in with a chance.
After tea two Yorkshire County bowlers opened the bowling Wardlaw and Lee..Soon Lee took a wicket but Wardlaw was expensive.Lindley,the opening bat and Andrew Bairstow but on a stand of ninty-three to put Pudsey in the driving seat.Lindley got out l.bw.to the spinner Mahmood who looked the best bowler.
The message came through that Woodland needed to take four wickets quickly as Bradford and Bingley needed five runs.The champions did this and took four wickets for no runs to win the league.The body language of Cleckheaton changed and Pudsey went on to win the match.
It was a full day on Saturday as I went to watch Leeds Rugby at night win against Wakefield. Arriving home about ten o,clock at night.
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