MORTON AND SOUTH WINGFIELD BEATEN BY ENGLISH WEATHER

MORTON COLLIERY 29 FOR 3 [8 OVS] V SOUTH WINGFIELD  122 ALL OUT [34 OVS]
MATCH ABANDONED @ BACK LANE MORTON
DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 2
SAT 25 JUNE 2016 1.30PM

MORTON COLLIERY CC OVERSEEN BY THE VILLAGES HOLY CROSS CHURCH

Oh the joys of an English summer time, cricket, cucumber sandwiches, warm beer etc and then there's rain lots of it.  This match was disrupted by the ever threatening wet stuff that seems to accompany all Saturdays at the moment whether it be football in the winter or cricket in the summer and what a shame it was because this encounter was well set when players handshakes called the game to an end at 7.10pm following another downpour.  After a delayed start and a reduction in overs to 35 per team Morton restricted South Wingfield to 122 all out in 34 overs after at one stage the visitors were coasting at 42 without loss.  As the rain disrupted the proceedings late on Morton were left stranded on 29 for 3 after 8 overs and a tantalising finish was denied by the wet stuff.

THE MODEL HEADSTOCKS IN THE VILLAGE IN MEMORY OF THE COLLIERY 1865-1965

Having tried to cover a game a Morton on 2 previous occasions today was another opportunity grasped and as the weather forecast did not look good it was with trepidation that arrival at the ground via the narrow unadopted road that leads to the ground was greeted with some relief to see a wide selection of cars in situ.  So there was a chance of some play and as I made my way across to the pavilion umbrella aloft the club officials were just waiting for an improvement in conditions.  Play did start at 2.45pm with a reduction to 35 overs it allowed a chance to pick some snacks and a soft beverage from the smart little club house alongside catching up with a few familiar faces a quick greeting from Tony Lowe was welcome after I had met him a few weeks ago on a postponed game.  There was plenty to look at and one of the selling points of the club was the Yorkshire Tea Great Cricket Tea Challenge, indeed this was mentioned to my Frank Mosley who I knew from watching Derbyshire County Cricket Club.  During the last season I had spoken to Frank at a few football Sunday League games in which his grandson Jack Maltby had been playing and the proud Granddad mentioned I should come along and take a look at Morton Colliery Cricket Club where Jack also played and who had just achieved two promotions in 3 seasons pushing them to the heady heights of Division 2 in the County League.

TEA ANYONE? YES PLEASE AT MORTON COLLIERY CC FOR AWARD WINNING TEAS

Having spoken to some of the ladies in the pavilion I soon gained some more information about how the clubs had finished in the top half a dozen countrywide and were awarded a runners up position.  Proudly on display is a Yorkshire Tea tea pot and also a screen frame of the Daily Telegraph's article on the club featuring a visit from Gareth Davies the journalist and former England Captain Mike Gatting who came to sample the teas, apparently Gat's was more than happy to tuck in! 
Morton as a village came to life in 1865 when George Stephenson developed the pit which is just 1/4 of a mile down the road and some of its buildings remain in place today and the main road through the village has a memorial in the form of some model headstocks as is so often seen around pit village in this area of Derbyshire.  The date 1865 was very relevant here with the cricket club formed in the same year and having celebrated its 150 years last season with a promotion things couldn't be much better.

GROUNDS MAN CHARLIE WRIGHT SECOND FROM THE RIGHT WITH FRANK MOSLEY NEXT LEFT

There was clearly a lot of people involved in varying activities at the club alongside the kitchen ladies, bar operators, scorer and Charlie Wright the grounds man who was available for action on this wet afternoon.  Here it has to be commented that the outfield is an undulating but well manicured affair and as ever the many volunteers like Charlie who keep local sport going are the real stars.  During the early stages of the game it was good to catch up with Gary, whom I know from my time with Clay Cross Town, born in Stonebroom he has a long service record since 1965 with the club and now assists Charlie with pitch cutting duties.
With a club house emitting the European Championships Football on a large screen it was a welcoming little set up but with the rather slight but persistent rain we just hoped for a break.
A quick wander round the ground upon entry via Back Lane there is a grass car park edged off by fenced off nets, the whole perimeter [barring the pavilion front] is railed with no advertising boards the club has a fantastic ball stopping device hanging to the railings in former pit conveyer belt material of which some is from Oxcroft Mine and a little I'm told from Morton Pit.  To our left are the main buildings with scorers box and scoreboard above although to the opposite corner the club have a smart electronic scoreboard.  To the side are the changing rooms and then attached to them the pavilion and kitchen area, the far end of the pavilion has a nice fenced off patio area.  The whole of this side has a nice selection of seats and benches some in memory of former supporters and players.  On a nice afternoon this is a tremendous setting and I guess exceptionally peaceful place to watch your cricket.  Directly viewing out of the pavilion you see the pit tip a short cover drive away as a reminder of the clubs history which still holds the colliery name in its title.  The club proudly displayed within and without the pavilion the helpful assistance they have had with grants from various places including Coalfield Regeneration, Viridor, Sport England etc.

MORTON RESIDENT DAWN ADLINGTON HERE TO SUPPORT HER SON MITCH

Just before the start it was also good to catch up with Dawn Adlington and her son Mitch who was playing for Morton and indeed finished with a creditable 3 for 34.

EARLY ACTION WITH MORTON'S PAUL HOLMES BOWLING

The umpires were ready and convinced we could get some play in and it was also noticeable to see Mick Glen former DCCC player in the middle today.  Play got under way 1 and a quarter hours late with a reduction to 35 overs a side and South Wingfield rattled onto 42 before they lost their first wicket after that they advanced to the early 70's before the loss of the third wicket.

 
From here on in the positive start seemed to drift away and they were dismissed for 122 with an over to spare.

JOSH CLARKE 4 FOR 18

Top wicket taker for Morton was Josh Clarke who returned figures of 4 for 18.

MITCH ADLINGTON RETURNING FIGURES OF 3 FOR 34

With Mitch Adlington chipping in with three wickets the home side had secured a creditable effort in restricting the visitors to what looked a low total.  The innings suffered a break just short of halfway during the allotted overs for a rain shower and tea was taken before the visitors completed their efforts.

TODAYS MOBILE COVERS WERE A MUST

During the perimeter walk it was great to see Frank Mosley whom I previously mentioned and throughout the afternoon we had some interesting conversations about local and county cricket.
During the break I meandered down the road towards the west of the village to locate the tree that signified Morton as the 'centre of England', upon mentioning this to many people at the club it was treated by them with caution.

THE BLOG BRINGS YOU THE CENTRE OF ENGLAND........TREE!

But its a good selling point that pits this former pit village on the map and maybe should be used by the Parish Council as a promotional tool.  The entrance to the ground is also fronted by the smart stone built Sitwell Arms and brings a link to the blogs earlier visit to Eckington and Renishaw Hall the home of the Sitwells.

ADDLINGTON RACES IN FOR ANOTHER PACEY DELIVERY

Having made it back in time with a few minutes to spare the blog popped into the pavilion and the Bill Copson bar for a few more refreshments.  Copson was a former England International born in neighbouring Stonebroom who made his debut versus the West Indies in 1939, taking 9 wickets and who played 18 years for his county side.
Morton started their innings with a little threat of rain and sadly at 5.50 they players left the field with the reply at 16 for 1 off 5 overs.

MORTON WICKET KEEPER KIERON MARSH ON STRIKE

After a 45 minute delay the football beckoned in the pavilion and when the umpires gave the weather of a restart 45 minutes later it was clear that very shortly this would be all over with dark clouds gathering.  Indeed it was with Morton reaching 29 for 3 off 8 overs and a weird looking scorecard had two batsman out for a duck and the 2 not out batsman scoreless it was Harry Wilmot scoring 28 and one wide taking the plaudits in the scorers book.
Just before the rain came lashing down there was a chance to see Stamford FC player Jordan Lemon take to the middle.
At 7.10pm the captains shook hands on the result an abandoned match that saw the home side gain 11 points to the visitors 8.
After bidding farewell to the club on an entertaining and enthralling afternoon which was sadly curtailed by the weather the blogs re appearance onto the main road was greeted by a halt to the rain and a sparkle of sunshine,  English weather and cricket you couldn't make it up.