HOYLANDSWAINE TITLE CHARGE CONTINUES

HOYLANDSWAINE 61 FOR 3 CAWTHORNE 57 ALL OUT
DRAKES HUDDERSFIELD CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP @ HAIGH LANE
29 JULY 2017 --- 1PM

HOYLANDSWAINE C C

This Barnsley derby was all over just after 3.30pm with Hoylandswaine brushing aside their near neighbours Cawthorne thanks to a devastating bowling spell from Adnan Ghani taking 7 for 31. For the visitors just Australian Ayrton Dehmel could put up any resistance with 26 as his team mates wickets clattered all round him.
A blog to Hoyalndswaine had been on the cards for the last few weeks and a further journey along the Sheffield to Huddersfield, Penistone line beckoned always a pleasure plus of course the chance to Watch some Huddersfield League Cricket again.

PENISTONE AND ITS VIADUCT

The start out from base station met with a change at Sheffield before arrival in the market town of Penistone with 40 minutes to journey the 2 miles to Hoylandswaine. with the one an hour bus timed to leave the same time as the train arrives into the station the option was clearly by foot.  A walk through a local park by the River Don and then the busy A628 Barnsley Rd saw the climb to the summit and Hoylandswaine, mind you this was not before a few 'look backs' towards Penistone and beyond and the impressive railway viaduct that brings the line into the town.

ARRIVAL

Having turned off the main road the view down to the ground gave up more sights of the surrounding area and way beyond on this clear day.
Upon arrival at the ground there was just time to seek out todays umpires Robert Gartside and David Haikings who were in their own little shed adjacent to the scorers accommodation of a similar variety.  Thankfully the officials were able to supply me with a quick photo of the team card and so we had a few minutes to take in the surroundings before the start of play.

THE VIEWS AND OH YES GHANI HAS DISLODGED THE BAILS

There was a little time to take a few pictures of this stunning little ground, with its clubhouse and changing rooms decked out with a superb display of wall and ground flower baskets you knew there was much love going into the club.  The club house was very well presented with a clean and tidy feel about it from bar to kitchen.  By the side of the business area is a standard electronic scoreboard which was well operated during this short game and a selection of smart and well maintained seats were also being well used today some had brought their own indeed one gentleman was in full reading mode for the Barnsley Chronicle something which I guess he didn't have time to get through today!  From this lofted position the ground offers commanding views back towards Barnsley and Darton and way beyond with the 3 power station of Eggborough, Ferrybridge and Drax all within view today.  Just behind the houses is our old friend Emley Moor TV tower but probably just out of view for most cricket scene pictures today.  The outfield undulates all over the places and with the wickets of course on a level from one side of the ground it is possible to see just a players head from the other side but of course this all adds to the wonderful feel to proceedings.  Also of note is a smart and well appointed bowling green behind the bowlers arm at the far end.  The opposite end as the community centres stone wall as a back drop.  Sadly today there would not be time to explore any of the village due to the curtailed nature of the encounter but apart from 2 pubs there appears not to be too many attractions in this farming village.

GHANI SENDS ONE DOWN AS HIS TEAMATES WAIT

Cawthorne won the toss today and decided to bat against the current league leaders and just over an hour later their innings was complete 39 for 3 became 47 for 9 and shortly after following too late boundary flourishes they had been bowled out for just 57.  Opening bat Dehmel had put up sterling resistance for his 26 but this innings had been about Swaine opening bowler Adnan Ghani with 7 dismissals.

ONE UP ALL UP

Let me caution all cricketers at present Ghani is injured and today he bowled fast and straight and had the pegs flying at regular intervals what will he be like when he is fit?  Last season he had turned out for Denby and on his debut took all 10 wickets for 20 odd and re wrote the record books at the club.  During his demolition job it was good to catch up with Derek a local supporter who had come up from nearby Darton and it was interesting to get in conversation about all things cricket, mining and a local contact to the blog John Lowe the former world champion darts player who he met in his dealings with clubs as a former brewery rep.  As ever nice to meet you plus todays scorers who were a friendly bunch and thankfully showed no displeasure to my steady requests for information thank you all.

PROGRAMME AND CAWTHORNE TOTAL AT HAIGH LANE

The first innings had amazingly not even seen me do a full circuit of the ground and indeed by the end of proceedings I had only been around once!  The club certainly showed a lot of forward thinking because after partaking of a Lemonade, it definitely was, I purchased some raffle tickets and a unique for local cricket match programme, great effort Hoylandswaine!
During the interval it was also good to meet Adnan Ghani and he joined in his afternoons success with a few pictures, thank you.

ADNAN GHANI HOYLANDSWAINE CC WITH 7 WICKETS V CAWTHORNE

There was a suggestion of going straight through but thankfully the tea ladies had nearly prepared their fayre so the break allowed me to have a little time here on this whistle stop game and when we restarted at 2.45pm I didn't expect their to be too much cricket left and so it proved with the winning run being score at just after 3.30pm.

SP SINGH HOYLANDSWAINE CC

 he first over produced 9 runs and the second doubled the total so things were not looking too good for Cawthorne testing the leaders, indeed the score had advanced to 27 before the first wicket in the 5th over.  SP Singh edged to the keeper and it was 39 for 2 could the visitors run through a few wickets?  Sadly not although Max Joice fell with Swaine just 2 short of victory it was all over a few balls later and a dominant victory for, I guess, the champions elect had been secured.

SINGH CAUGHT BEHIND OF THE BOWLING OF FAISAL HUSSAIN

Having expected this game to continue beyond last bus time, around 5pm in the sticks, I expected a walk back to Penistone but after consulting the bus stop timetable I was away from Haigh Lane at 3.45 on the way back to Penistone.  This was sadly too early and I look forward to re visiting Hoylandswaine to get a further intake of this wonderful little set up.
With just under an hour to wait for the train departure it was a late portion of chips from the 3 fryers by the railway station and a quick walk to the nearby Penistone Church to take a look at their ground and preparations for the upcoming appearance for the first time in the NCEFL Premiership. 
While awaiting the arrival of the Northern Rail service I had a look to check on a few other cricket matches on the way back with the intent of maybe calling in.  In Barnsley the Shaw Lane clubs game was very well advanced and so it was in Chapeltown for Thorncliffe.  Previously I had spotted Wombwell Main's cricket ground was about 1 minute from the villages station and they were at home today, well at least the 2nds were versus Whitley Hall 3rds.  It was only just gone 5pm and with no updates on either clubs social media I decided at the last minute to give it a go.  Unbelievably another one sided game with Wombwell posting 194 as I walked onto the ground the visitors reply was 17 for 5!  Anyway an hour was spent watching proceedings and upon leaving the visitors had approached around 50 for the loss of 8 wickets.  Nice new clubhouse being developed here with the Sheffield County Senior Football Club adjoining the cricket but this is one for another day.
An enjoyable day again in the Huddersfield Cricket League and an unfortunately short trip to a lovely ground in Hoylandswaine with views to match.

DEWSBURY RAMS CHARGE HOME

DEWSBURY RAMS 28 SHEFFIELD EAGLES 18
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP AT TETLEYS STADIUM
23 JULY 2017 --- 3PM

TETLEYS STADIUM DEWSBURY RAMS RLFC

Dewsbury finished the regular season in eighth place thanks to this, at times, testing win over the Sheffield Eagles who had lead 12-10 at half time.  But a second half performance of grit and character non more so than when the Rams were a man down sin binned for the final 10 minutes.
Once again the showery rain forecast finally put me off a cricket fixture and the rain and transport experience would add to this day.  The arrival at base station was by a late bus which had me worrying about the connecting train to Wakefield Kirkgate, my normally preferred choice of arrival in Wakefield even though the station is renovated there are still no toilets and the whole area outside is still a major work in progress that at last shows some 'work in progress' but not much.  Its a very poor first impression of Wakefield and I guess once the area is regenerated it will be better but it seems to be taking a very long time.

THE SMART NORTH STAND AT DEWSBURY

Arriva day ticket purchased the short walk to Westgate had seen me board the 268a towards Cleckheaton being on time I opted to travel into Dewsbury bus station for a further connection to the ground rather than hop off at Gawthorpe and walk the 10 minutes to The Tetley's Stadium.  Utilisation of the day ticket saw the 202 take me on the climb out of Dewsbury passing by the site of the former Crossflats ground.  Having alighted at Shaw Cross Industrial Estate the ground is in sight.

LARGE TERRACING OFFERING A COMMANDING VIEW

The banking from the road side offers a nice view of this smart modern stadium and I wont re describe to much as it was covered in July 2015 since then a nice 4g rugby pitch has been added adjacent to the ground.  Everything else seems pretty much the same with a good public address system and the large open waggon food van which served an excellent chip cob, its a nice atmosphere and ground to watch some rugby.

ROGER RAM ALWAYS UP FOR A PHOTO OP

Early greetings were friendly and never one to miss a photo opportunity I managed to collar Roger Ram the mascot who I have to say always comes over as one of the better sporting mascots.  This would be the last game of the regular season before the league splits and Dewsbury go into the super 8's a procedure that is probably not for the 'old uns' but does seem to create an interest until the end of the season much like The welsh Premier League in football.

A CLEAR AND VISABLE SCOREBOARD WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT

As the atmosphere came to a peak in this crowd of 794 the teams appeared and believe me Yorkshire lads and lasses can make their presences felt when you've got old lasses shouting 'leg him e cant run wiout em' for the whole 80 minutes and hurling derision at referee Straw over most of his decisions this afternoon, although he didn't appear to help himself at times.

WARM UP FOR ROBBIE WARD DEWSBURY RAMS

Dewsbury started strongly and Josh Guzdeck went over with a conversion from Paul Sykes taking maximum points.  The home side were on top but disappointingly they allowed Gary Lo to go over the whitewash but with no conversion the home side held a 2 point lead extended to 4 with a penalty goal from James Glover,  during this section of play Sykes was sin binned the first of 2 yellows for Dewsbury.

NO WAY THROUGH FOR THE EAGLES

A second try for Lo on 28 minutes and up and under found no Dewsbury player fancying it and Lo collected well to dive over to level at 8 all.  A second penalty goal from Glover saw Rams edge ahead again before Sheffield took a 12-10 half time lead with a Menzie Yere try.

TOBY EVERETT IS HELD UP ON HIS PROGRESSION TO THE LINE

An increased tempo saw Dewsbury take a lead again in this game on 49 minutes with an exciting try in the far right corner with Lucas Walshaw diving for he line and Sykes converted wonderfully from the wide.  From excitement to the sublime a audacious dummy that even I fell for 50 yards away on the terracing allowed Dom Speakman to pass through the Eagles defence and Sykes did the necessary to make it 22-12. 
The second sin bin for the home side came when Jode Sheriffe saw yellow and Dewsbury would have to play out a man down.  They dug in and defended their own 10 metre line with real determination as Sheffield tried to break through first one way then the other.   During this passage of play though there was a superb breakaway sprint between Gareth Potts and 2 Sheffield defenders from his own 10 metre and frustratingly he was caught at the Sheffield 10.  Defend they did though and with 5 minutes remaining Glover dove over for Sykes to convert and put the game beyond the visitors.  More or less immediately Sheffield replied with a Reme Marginet try converted by Jack Owens to see the score finish 28-18 at the hooter.

TWO WAY RESPECT HERE

Always a pleasure to catch some rugby league and Rams coming from behind at half time to win with a man down in the latter stages made for an exciting game with a couple of lovely tries from Walshaw and Speakman to add to the day.
The dark clouds were gathering and with the 10 minute walk to Gawthorpe to catch the 5.15 service back to Wakefield the clouds burst heavily after 5 minutes of shielding under some trees with fellow spectators the downpour lessened and time was calling as well as a bus or so I thought.  Having made it to the stop with 5 minutes to spare of course there was no shelter and 2 more short downpours later I was slightly wet.  To add further frustrations the 268a decided not to turn up and after 20 minutes I made a short walk to a nearby stop to pop aboard a 127 that would travel back to Wakefield the long way through Ossett and Horbury.  The decision was taken to depart at Westgate and board the X Country express service to Plymouth, thankfully with the famous station newsagent chain open there was time for a hoppers delight of 2 bars of chocolate, crisps and pop coming in at just short of a fiver!
On a day of transport delays the service back to base was slumbered its way to Rotherham before stopping and then again south of Sheffield it meandered into base station just short of 15 minutes down.
Once again a good day watching rugby league the crowd today were very encouraging for Dewsbury Rams and generated much support for the home side and at the end acknowledgment from the Rams players showed their appreciation for being the extra player on the terraces.

HALLAM BEAT LEAGUE LEADERS

HALLAM CC 156 FOR 5 [43 OVS] V SHEFFIELD COLLEGIATE CC 167 ALL OUT [49.4 0VS]
YORKSHIRE SOUTH PREMIER LEAGUE @ SANDYGATE
22 JULY 2017 12 NOON [DELAYED START 1230]

HALLAM CC AT SANDYAGTE

Hallam upset the applecart by defeating league leaders Collegiate who suffered only their second loss of the season.  The home side were well on their way to victory when the rain came down but by this stage they were well ahead and secured victory by the infamous Duckworth Lewis method.  The methodical 167 from Collegiate looked to be a good total with most people thinking par was around 150 but Hallam thanks to captain Nick Dymock [54] were always ahead of the run rate and chalked the runs off calmly without losing their focus to gain a well deserved result.
All week the sport was cricket and this game until the lovely weather intervened and rugby league became an option but a late change on the BBC weather forecast around Sheffield highlighted the possibility of taking in a near full days play after all and so it turned out.

CRAIG MOFFAT RACES IN FOR HALLAM

Short hop on the train to Sheffield found the city waking up for its now famous Tramline Festival and although preparing for another day of music by the time I was to return things were in full swing with quite a few beverages being ordered for the evening when I made a hasty retreat to the station in the early evening.  First bus service 51 took the blog on the climb out to Sandygate through the bustling Broomhill and then Crosspool the village shopping area nearest to Hallam CC.  The further climb out to todays venue backs up the theory of Sheffield as the hilly city.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL

The ground is shared with Hallam FC and of course this has been covered on the blog before but its a totally different experience watching the cricket here I'm not normally to keen on watching cricket on a football ground a bit like the latter on an athletics stadium but today was a must with its history.
Much of the back catalogue comes through The Plough public house opposite the ground, sadly now boarded up and up for sale with a local residents group hoping to secure it from the seller.  The football club was formed here and allegedly the rules of the game with the oldest ground adjacent but always, weirdly to me, the oldest club is fellow city team Sheffield FC.  Now cricket wise Hallam CC were founded in 1804 by the then Plough landlord and are the second oldest club in Yorkshire and the oldest club UK wise to play consistently on the same ground.

THE PLOUGH SADLY SEEN BETTER DAYS OVERVIEWS COLLEGIATE'S INNINGS

Most people will be aware of the famous slope at Sandygate and of course the cricket has the same through its outfield.  Sadly the pavilion and clubhouse are closed for first team games as the club awaits re development, the changing rooms are not big enough but thankfully on site are the football clubs that are and thanks to their generosity they are also able to use Hallam FC's clubhouse too.  The ground is nicely walled with a fair selection of the green stuff with a rare glimpse of moorland occasionally visible along the Manchester Rd area.  The scoreboard is of an old variety with minimalistic information provided but Hallam are a newly promoted club and obviously advancements will take time.

SHEFFIELD COLLEGIATE DEFEND

A small crowd had gathered by the time stumps were pitched and here I would like to thank todays umpires Ray Knowles and Carl Williams for their assistance with the team cards.  The visitors were without Billy Root, brother of England captain Joe, on duty with Notts and Azeem Raffiq also serving with Yorkshire CC.  For the home side a mid table placing so far is a good return but today they would be tested by a strong club in Collegiate.

COLLEGIATE'S CHRIS PURSHOUSE HITS SHANE SMITH FOR A MAXIMUM

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat with a slow start they were at 50 for 3 in the 19th with overseas player Australian Tom Rowley falling for 15.  Eliot Callis [41] and Chris Purshouse [39] rescued proceedings somewhat and it was 119 when the fourth wicket of Callis fell.  A handy contribution from Michael Simpson of 29 added to the visitors total before they were all out 2 balls short of their full compliment for 167.  The wicket had seemed to throw up a few balls that kept low there was also plenty in it for all the bowlers and runs off the square seemed hard to come by on a slow outfield that had probably had the pace taken out of it by overnight rain.  For Hallam South African overseas player Shane Smith returned 4 for 49.

HALLAM'S JOE COOPER STEAMS IN

Before the start of play it was good to catch up with quite a few in the crowd including Hallam secretary Richard who has just celebrated a recognition by the club of 30 years in the role, like most helpers he was busy all afternoon and saw little of the proceedings.  Thanks for an interesting chat and your enthusiasm for your club was self evident long may your help continue for Hallam CC.  Also during the first innings Hallam opening bowler Craig Moffat's dad was a very interesting visitor down from Workington to watch his lad whose now based in Sheffield.  Needless to say we had an interesting sporting chat including updating the Cumbrian football, rugby league and cricket scene.  There was also time to discuss former Workington player Geoff Martin, who now lives near by to the blog, and his time playing for the Cumbrian club in their football league days, good to meet you and later Craig a pleasure guys.

HALLAM'S MARK WILLIAMS FLYING IN

Tea interval saw a brisk walk into Crosspool, down the hill, to the big 'T's although in this case it was a small 'T's in the form of an express for goodies, with a good bus service the use of the day ticket for 2 stops avoided the big hill walk and saw arrival back at the ground in the first over of Hallam's reply.
A steady start by the home side saw them lose their second wicket at 53 in the 15th but they were nicely on target if heads could be kept.  Here into the equation rode captain Dymock who secured 54 in 87 balls to keep the scoreboard moving after his opening partnership he went onto have further pairings with Harry Bliss [20], Humphrey Emery [27] and Joe Cooper [26 not out] all who stuck to the task of keeping the run rate fed.

HALLAM CAPTAIN NICK DYMOCK ON HIS WAY TO A HALF CENTURY

The weather looked in the balance after a major darkening of the skies from 5pm it looked only a matter of time before the rains came even though the BBC were still saying no!  Finally at 20 minutes to seven the rain came sharply and with the umpires taking the players off there were just 7 overs to bowl and the game would be awarded by the D/L method to Hallam by 24 runs.

HARRY BLISS HALLAM CC

A superb win by the home side who measured their reply well while keeping ahead of the run rate all the way through their innings.  Its always feels like a disappointing way to win when it would have been more satisfactory to get over the line with the required runs but the often complicated D/L method produced the correct match result here and Hallam had beaten the league leaders from Abbeydale.
With the rain brisk now I was grateful for the arrival of this excellent bus service to arrive and whisk me back into Sheffield and soon out of the station to arrive back in base transport hub[?] just 7.30pm.
An enjoyable visit to an historic club in a lovely setting accompanied by a tight game of enthralling cricket.

MATHEWS MASTERCLASS FOR MORTON

MORTON COLLIERY CC 267 FOR 5 SHIPLEY HALL CC 266 FOR 9
DERBYSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 2 @ BACK LANE
15 JULY 2017 --- 1.30PM

SECOND SHIPLEY WICKET FALLS CAUGHT AND BOWLED TO TOM COXHEAD

In a game that produced over 500 runs and 2 superb centuries it was ultimately the three figures from Morton's Blair Mathews that guided the home side over the line to victory.  Have no doubts though this was a close game with Shipley Hall posting a large total thanks in the main to their South African overseas player Angelo Yiatses who hit 107, ultimately though this was surpassed by Morton with 13 balls to spare and 5 wickets in hand.  Games that go this close are hard on the side that just misses out but Shipley Hall should be proud of a tremendous effort and their part in an highly enjoyable watch.
Not too much travelling this week with a local game just 20 minutes from bases by the stripey boys 55a service slightly delayed due to the chaos of closing part of the bypass in Chesterfield.  So with a base county watch today there was no travelling to Yorkshire and beyond and many people thought I would not be able to arrive at the ground by train, how wrong you were.

ARRIVAL PLATFORM 1 FOR MORTON  WAS COMFORTABLE IF SOMEWHAT BRIGHT

Having covered Morton and their Back Lane ground a few times before I wont go into a ground descriptor if you take a look at June last year on the index its in there.  I started off today taking a few pictures in relation to the colliery link but in the end opted not to use them thanks to some steady game pictures even though we had an overcast day for much of play, mind you by the close of play and with cans out on the boundary the sun shone brightly!

TENSION RISES ON THE BOUNDARY

Its always funny how some clubs just score a success with any hopper and Morton, I'll say it again, do just that with their friendly welcome and homely facilities for the visitors.  Having spoken to a few of the Shipley lads and looked at their ground for a visit a few times I hope to sample an afternoon their this season given the chance.  The only downside to the village is the lack of a shop that opens after 1pm and although there is history if you look for it, former station and centre of England tree, its otherwise a sleepy former mining village on Saturday and Sunday visits I find certainly no chippy to sample.

STAR JUMPS COMPETITION HAS A CLEAR WINNER

The game today was a mid table affair with nothing much resting on it except for that old classic 'local pride'.  Morton looked pretty strong they were without Jordan Lemon who picked up a hand injury playing football for Spalding Utd the previous evening at Grantham.
It was a cloudy and overcast day with thankfully hardly any of the pre match rain forecast falling and to this effect the ball was moving around in the early overs and Shipley Hall were only just into double figures when their second wicket fell to a sharp caught and bowled from Tom Coxhead.  The visitors pushed themselves on to 85 for 4 and all looked to be going well for Morton to skittle the visitors out fairly cheaply.

MITCH ADLINGTON LOOKS TO GET HIGHER THAN SECOND SLIP

That was not too take account for the arrival of Yiatses who battled sensibly and then aggressively, admittedly Colliery failed to take a couple of chances offered, but the South African took advantage and went on to a devastating spell of hitting mid innings that saw his final total of 107 include 18 fours and one maximum.  The dismissal of Morton's tormentor came with an audacious catch from Harry Wilmott as Yiatses looked to clear the boundary the Morton player sprinted round from wide long on reached out a hand and the ball stuck to the palm for a remarkable take.

ADLINGTON SENDS THE BAILS FLYING

The visitors innings was supported by Ryan North who contributed 42 as at times Morton struggled to contain Shipley and in the end the total of 266 looked a big one.  For Morton captain Paul Holmes returned 4 for 61 in what had been a hard afternoon in the field.

ANGELO YIATSES ACKNOWLEDGES THE APPLAUSE FOR HIS CENTURY

Tea at Morton is always a special affair and today looked no different with an excellent selection of food prepared by the club for the mid innings get together.
Morton started their reply at a pace with opener Wilmott launching the ball all around the park while Ashley Caunt played the early cautious approach.  The reply was going swimmingly well until Wilmott skied a top edge and was caught for 42 including 7 fours and 1 maximum with h score on 61 for 1.

THE TENSION I CAN HARDLY LOOK

The score had moved to 74 when Caunt edged to first slip and this brought a sedentary passage in play which was needed for stability but appeared to see Morton fall behind the run rate.  When wicket keeper Jack Stone was out LBW the score was 108 for in the 23rd over and this would now be a big ask for the home side.

MORTON CAPTAIN PAUL HOLMES CAN ONLY WATCH NOW AFTER TAKING 4 FOR 61

David Greaves [37] joined Blair Mathews at the crease and the fightback started with some big hitting the former was out going for another big score and 179 for 4 soon became 183 for 5 when Mitch Adlington was trapped LBW.  Out strode Jordan Crowder and the ask was at around 7 an over but by this stage Mathews was well in his stride confidently picking the right ball to send to the boundary and with the support of his new partner the run rate came down.  In the 44th over as the total became nearer Crowder pushed a single, finishing on 29 not out, to allow Mathews the strike and he confidently went to his century with a massive maximum.

BLAIR MATHEWS RECEIVES THE APPLAUSE FOR HIS MATCH WINNING CENTURY

 Moments later the single required was achieved and Morton had overhauled the total posted by Shipley which at times seemed unlikely.  Everything had to go right for the chasers and today it did and although no consolation I'm sure for Shipley they take credit in playing their part in an excellent advert for Derbyshire County League cricket.  Both sides can look at dropped catches in this game and of course the old adage 'catches win matches' rings true but from a spectator point of view this was a superb afternoons cricket to watch from the boundary, well done both sides.
The return journey was an uneventful affair and base was arrived at around 9pm after another pleasant afternoons cricket at Morton.

PARKHEAD SEE OFF MORTONS CHALLENGE

PARKHEAD CC 277 FOR 8 MORTON 215 ALL OUT
MANSFIELD DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE SECTION 1 AT ECCLESALL RD
9 JULY 2017 --- 1.30PM

PARKHEAD CRICKET CLUB

This top of the table clash in section 1 found Parkhead too strong for visitors Morton Colliery who fell away after an attempt by Harry Wilmott and Blair Mathews to overcome the large total posted by the home side aided by Harrison Vinall, 74 and J Snelling 90 not out.
The option finally arrived of visiting Parkhead cricket ground, in the south west of Sheffield having passed by many times at the junction of Abbey Lane and Ecclesall Rd South and todays journey made by train from base station was complemented with a trip on the 272 Castleton bound First Bus that meandered through the, even on a Sunday, busy suburbs of Sheffield climbing from Hunters Bar to Banner Cross and on with the climb finally arriving at the stop adjacent to Parkhead Cricket Club.  The ground is handily placed for the former Toby Inn, now a Miller and Carter Steakhouse, and a McColls over the road alongside a coffee house take out for any future hoppers considering a visit.  First point though is having arrived just under an hour before kick off the Miller & Carter dropped out of the equation at around £15 a main meal and so it was to be hoppers delight pastry, crisps and pop from McColls, sadly a brand that does not always impress.

UNDERWAY WITH A VIEW OF THE PAVILLION AND EATERY

The ground is accessed by the eateries, I'm reluctant to call it a pub because it clearly is no longer, car park and as you drop down to the entrance you view the ground from the side of the clubs unique pavilion.  The wooden structure is a double decker with changing rooms upstairs offering a balcony view of the ground and downstairs a club room alongside the umpires changing room.  On today's visit there was no food or refreshments for sale so it was a case of a tea interval back over to the previously mentioned mini store.  The ground sits below the rising Ecclesall Rd and Abbey lane which starts the drift the other way, it is now tree lined and well fenced off towards the brook and wooded area which I guess helps the retention of some cricket balls.  Its picturesque with the club premises and Miller and Carter ever over viewing offering eating visitors the chance come out to view proceedings below, but the buzz of the busy Ecclesall Rd remains constant throughout.

ANOTHER SIGHT SCREEN FOR THE SUB SECTION OF THE BLOG

It is a smart outfield that is well looked after and generally any circuit completed is done within the field of play due to its tightness to the banking.  Over recent visits to a variety of cricket grounds there have been a fascinating degree of sight screens on offer here at Parkhead the home built offer is no different a challenging effort by the club officials full of character.

PARKHEAD START THEIR INNINGS

Another hot afternoon but varying parts of the ground do offer a shade and of course generally a cooler viewing spot can be gained.

SOMEBODY FOLLOW THAT ONE

The game then an this will be a brief overview with me gaining names from a crafty look at the scorebooks so apologies to Parkhead if there are any errors.  Most of the Morton players are known to me due to covering them before at their Derbyshire base.

EYES ON THE BALL

The home side got away early on and with some generous bowling and a collection of mishap fielding Parkhead were well on their way to a challenging score.  When Morton took the pace of the bowling with Jack Maltby and Harry Wilmott working in tandem there was a brief respite in the onslaught.  But by the close two superb knocks from J Snelling [90 not out] and Harrison Vinall [74], the latter caught by Maltby off the bowling of Wilmott, saw the home side through to 277 in 40 overs.

A CRAFTED SHOT FOR PARKHEAD ITS NOT ALL BIG HITTING

During this impressive performance from the home side the close by Miller and Carter came under attack many times with balls on roof tiles and one through the upper patio area and down Ecclesall Rd at a pace.  The wickets placement at the extreme right certainly brought the building into line with most big hitters and this proved no different when Morton mounted their reply with a few more roof bound efforts, another couple onto Ecclesall Rd and one cracking the toughened glass by table 38 who very nearly got an additional side order to go with their onion rings!

ASHLEY CAUNT LEADS THE MORTON REPLY

In reply then the visitors were 1 for 1 in the 3rd and recorded two ducks out of the opening three batsman, opener Ashley Caunt offered a classy resistance with 52 before Wilmott and Blair Mathews gave hope, the former with 63 including some mighty hits and the latter 32.  But it wasn't enough and wickets continued to fall much of this had been set up for Parkhead by their quality opening bowling partnership.  At 192 for 5 Morton were in the game with 10 left if they could hold onto their wickets, this didn't happen and the challenge petered away under the Parkhead pressure when the visitors were bowled out for 215 in the 37th over well short of that big total.

TIME TO DEFEND TOM NICHOLSON MORTON CCC

A pleasant afternoon, again in Yorkshire, a nice little venue and on a sunny Sunday afternoon were better than to be watching some cricket.
The return journey thankfully found an immediate '81' to the city and the return to base station via a still loved East Midlands Trains 125 to arrive at just shy of 8pm.