HONLEY COMFORTABLE LOCAL DERBY WIN

HONLEY 238 FOR 8 THONGSBRIDGE 105 ALL OUT
DRAKES HUDDERSFIELD CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP @ FAR END LANE
17 JUNE 2017 --- 1PM

FAR END LANE HOME OF HONLEY CRICKET CLUB

Honley secured a comfortable derby victory over Holme Valley neighbours Thongsbridge by 133 runs after a workmanlike batting performance saw them reach 238 aided by Timmy Taylor [85] and overseas player Brett Randell [59] and when the visitors slumped to 55 for 5 the writing was on the wall as the Honley victory was completed just before 7pm on a blisteringly hot afternoon.
Having departed Honley station on a few occasions for Underbank Rangers and Holmfirth the research into local cricket clubs off the Peninstone Line had led me to mark down a visit to Honley who with their newly refurbished pavilion, clubhouse and changing rooms plus a glorious summers day forecast meant the time was now.
Early departure from base was greeted by the proverbial toddler using the bus into base station as an adventure playground but a slightly stressed exit towards Sheffield saw the blog pick up the previously mentioned Penistone line and again once top side of the town on a bright summers day the beauty of the area becomes self evident all overviewed by Emley Moor TV tower.

HONLEY SOUTHGATE LOOKING TOWARDS WESTGATE

Upon skittling down the station steps the Motts 911 service was waiting just for me and instead of departing at Honley Bridge for the Holmfirth connection I continued into the village passing the delightfully named 'Get Stuffed' sandwich shop and departed by the library for a little walk back through the main shopping street before diverting off to the Far End Lane ground.  Anybody that knows the Holme Valley area or the famous TV show, we wont mention again, will be aware of the make up of many of the buildings and Honley is no different with so many quaint back streets making the whole area aesthetically pleasing.  There are a couple of chippy's but today during my stay I made a hat trick of visits to the local Coop saving the warm food for another day!  Sadly with a 1pm start and finish that would have probably been around 8pm if we had viewed a close game there was not too much time to explore the village but the little I saw was seen in good light on this glorious day.  Turning onto Southgate the tranquil nature of the village was evident before turning right into the main entrance of Honley Cricket Club with an immediate declaration of 'bar open'.

NEW AND REFURBISHED SIDE BY IMPRESSIVE SIDE

The immediate impression is of a tidy very well appointed ground with the proud new buildings of the club already overviewing proceedings.  The pavilion sits between to its left the new changing rooms block and to the other side a smart refurbished clubhouse offering a superb internal view of proceedings outside.  From the top deck of the pavilion there are commanding views of play plus the surrounding hills and countryside.  The improvements and building work has taken 5 years of hard work and planning and as ever its is of great credit to many hard workers in community sport that these achievements are seen by many well done one and all.  To the front of these buildings the area as been smartly paved off with additional smart new green railed fencing offering a very attractive finish to the upgrade here at Far End Lane.  Back to the main entrance and to the left we have a almost continuous collection of two slatted low wooden seating scattered with spectators own more plush seating in attendance.

VIEWS EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK

There is a chance to overview some of the lovely gardens and houses that back onto the ground before we arrive at the scoreboard which is a functional affair but with a 1970s feel it feels a little out of place in this stone village.  Coming behind the bowlers arm, as at the other bowling end the stone walls have been white washed for additional sight screen cover.  Back towards the business end and more seats in a slightly raised area are available with behind the club the local recreation area offers a wide expanse of playing area.  Past the clubhouse and back towards our entrance and many cars are parked up here in the space provided away from the outfield and by the time we are an hour into play a fair crowd are in attendance taking up many vantage spots.  The views from the clubhouse side are fully in visible today on this fantastic Yorkshire day back towards the railway station can be seen Victoria Tower at Castle Hill being the highlight.

HONLEY BATTING AMID THE WHITEWASHED STONE WALLS

Back to the cricket then and this local derby sees Thongsbridge from just 2 miles down the road secure 2 early wickets [18 for 2] in what was a keenly contested and confidently appealed for opening session.  Without the innings getting away from Thongsbridge they seemed to be containing Honley however the home side were moving the score along at acceptable rate and the glue in the order was Timmy Taylor who was finally dismissed 15 short of his century.  While walking round I of course was aware it was highly unlikely I would see anybody I knew here, that was until I spotted on the balcony Brett Randell New Zealand U19 international who last season had played for Denby in The Derbyshire Premier League and the blog had caught up with at Eckington.

HONLEY'S NEW ZEALAND OVERSEAS INTERNATIONAL BRETT RANDELL

The 22 year old right arm medium paced bowler is looking for a good summer to get a contract with Northern Districts back home while helping out the progression of Honley CC.  As per last year thanks Brett it was good to catch up with you before you went out to bat and for a moment when you returned after striking leather around the outfield and beyond for your 59 off of 46 balls, wishing you well in your season with Honley.

RANDELL GUIDES ONE AWAY

The resolute innings from Taylor and swashbuckling efforts of Randell got the home side to a very respectable 238 for 8 and we looked to be on for a close game Thongsbridge had certainly been buoyed up during the 50 overs with some very enthusiastic appealing showing the importance of the game for them.

 RESOLUTE DEFENDING FOR HONLEY C C

A brief respite at the previously mentioned food emporium and we were back to the action and with a close finish signalling a late return it was time to settle back and relax to the game.  However the visitors were soon in trouble and when they reached 55 for 5 in 15 overs it was all but a foregone conclusion and although the battled on into the 33rd over they were soon all back in the pavilion all out for 105, Sam Denton had secured 4 for 39 in his 12 overs with Randell picking up 2 wickets for 27 off 7 overs.

RANDELL RACING IN ON A HOT HONLEY DAY

Third visit of the day for hoppers delight pastry roll and pop for the 15 minute walk to Honley station before once again admiring the views this time back towards the ground for what had been a very enjoyable visit to Honley and a debut game in The Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League named after James Haigh's with Christine's maiden name and here former family textile business, the league has carried the name for 25 years a great achievement all round.
Todays picture selection was hard work but in the end features the views and delightfulness of the ground plus 2 influential players on the outcome of the match, always difficult to select.
With a quick change at Sheffield base station was arrived at just before 9pm a long day for a cricket match but an entertaining day in beautiful surroundings in Yorkshire.