RAIN THE WINNER IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

MORTON CCC 184 FOR 5 SOUTH WINGFIELD [MATCH ABANDONED-RAIN]
DERBYSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 2 @ BACK LANE
28 JULY 2018 --- 1.30PM 
The return of the 'real' English summer saw this mouth-watering top of the table clash called off by the umpires with Morton still unable to complete their innings after the second lengthy interruption.  First placed South Wingfield had set a enthralling challenge for their third placed hosts and neighbours who had reached 184 for five before the outfield had taken a further deluge.

BEFORE THE RAINS AT MORTON ASHLEY CAUNT GETS A GOOD STRIDE IN ON HIS WAS TO A HALF CENTURY

Cards on the table and today was planned for a trip to see some Yorkshire Rugby League in Nottighamshire!  The Outlaws have found themselves a new home following the loss of the Midlands League however they have lost three recent league fixtures with clubs defaulting the night before games and with Bramley Buffalos the visitors this weekend all were confident of the challenge being on, that was until I noticed their social media had the game off on Friday afternoon with the visitors unable to raise a team.  Its a sad state of affairs for the Nottingham club who have a new ground and facilities that are being left vacant on many a weekend now when the vital revenue a first team fixture offers them falls by the wayside.
With the overnight weather relatively kind the forecast for Saturday around the East Midlands was for sunshine and showers and after an early morning downpour all looked good for a trip to the home of cricket MCCC, ok there is one to many 'C's' but it always feels like home as I'm sure I've mentioned before thanks to the friendly set up.

IT ALL LOOKED SO GOOD EARLY ON WITH THE SUN SHINING

More so supported by a warm welcome from all and a refreshing mug of tea, thanks Tony, while the excitement of the coin toss was awaited.

OPENER BLAIR MATHEWS AMASSES THE RUNS

With a strong breeze, ok near gale on the far side, the red hot summer days of the last two months had left us but we got away on time and Morton were asked to bat by the visitors.
The start envisaged was all that Morton made a reality as openers Ashley Caunt [56] and Blair Mathews [39] made a cautious and then increasingly positive impact on the scoreboard,  The former celebrated a confident half century which included a remarkable 10 fours and with his opening partner the pair put on 102 for the first wicket when Mathews was run out with both batsman finding themselves at the non strikers end.

ASHLEY CAUNT TAKES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS HALF CENTURY

The dismissal brought in Jordan Lemon [8] who we were not too witness in the middle too long today when he gloved Ahmed Bashir to Steven Shuttleworth the score was 113 for 2.
Wickets normally slow the run rate down and from 5 and a half an over Morton were drifting back down to 4 and over and when Caunt went seven runs later there was a moments doubt when John Aspinall [6] and Jack Stone [5] both fell lbw to Kyle Mitchell  the score was now 164 for 5, however the saving grace was Alexander Eyre [51*], including nine fours and when he was joined by big hitting captain Paul Holmes [5*].

ALEXANDER EYRE ALSO ENJOYS A HALF CENTURY FOR MORTON

Hopes of moving the score along briskly in the remaining overs were alive.   For the visitors Mitchell returned a creditable 3 for 53 from 14 overs.

THE LEAST FAVOURITE SIGHT AT A CRICKET GROUND

The first break in play at 3.45pm resulted in an early tea interval to try and placate the now angry and wet clouds with a complete loss of the breeze they were going nowhere except over Charlie Wrights outfield.  An hour later when play re started it was only for just under half an hour [5.15pm] with frustratingly 4 overs still to be bowled Morton were parked up on 184.

MORTON CAPTAIN PAUL HOLMES SPOTS THE CAMERA AGAIN

So to the joys of rainy days in cricket pavilions chats, sugar induced confectionery, tea and of course the all too regular popping outside in the pouring rain to convince yourself it was definitely getting brighter over our Bills Mothers.
All around there seemed to be lighter weather and blue sky but this little so and so would not move off from Morton and when Umpires Roper and Armishaw took at look an hour after coming off the game was abandoned.

CAPTAIN AND UMPIRES DISCUSS THE BENEFITS OF CHESSE SANDWICHES OVER CUCMBER

As all cricket lovers know the inevitable happened within five minutes the rain stopped the blue sky returned and delivered a beautiful summers evening good enough for a game of cricket, if of course the outfield had not been so wet.

DELPH AND DOBCROSS WRAP UP EARLY VICTORY

DELPH & DOBCROSS 207 ALL OUT CAWTHORNE 97 ALL OUT
HUDDERSFIELD CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIER @ HUDDERSFIELD RD
21 JULY 2018 --- 1PM

DELPH AND DOBCROSS CRICKET GROUND

Delph & Dobcross had wrapped up this win against Barnsley based Cawthorne by 5.30pm and 20 overs in thanks to a superb batting display from Mosun Hussain [79] and an excellent bowling performance by Umer Yaqoob who returned 5 for 36 as the visitors fell 110 runs short.
Having previously only visited this area of Lancashire for NCL Rugby League at nearby Saddleworth Rangers the visit to Delph about another 5 miles further north had been on the cards for a few seasons.  Forecasts of rain last season and then moor fires a few weeks ago had constantly seen a diversion somewhere else but the clubs positive contribution to its social media account and the lovely ground finally saw the day arrive when all things came together for a visit.
Departing from base at 1020 a comfortable change for the connection in Piccadilly saw a delay at Stalybridge which put the tight bus change at Greenfield station in jeopardy, however with three minutes to spare the Olympic sprint over the rail bridge saw the Saddleworth Rambler service awaiting me.

LOOKING TOWARDS DELPH VILLAGE

Travelling through the delightfully busy Uppermill this service veered off around the exquisitely named Diggle and back through the narrow streets of Dobcross before I even knew it and once it had negotiated the crossroads at Delph a departure one stop before the village saw arrival at the nearby ground having just missed the first three overs.
The Huddersfield League has certainly become my 'pet' league and once again the ground supports my theory that this league throughout its clubs has the prettiest grounds of any in the country.  As ever with the day long event that cricket is and the travelling involved it was only a shame that the area could not be explored a little more however tea break did allow for a dash for a look at Delph village centre.

THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT WHERE YOU ARE

Some grounds are hard to describe there is so much going on in around them and the Huddersfield Rd site is no different situated over the boundary in Lancashire the club sits by the main road back into Yorkshire.  Delph was once in the West Riding but it often amazes me how the 'Yorkies' try to claim everything I believe they could even make an excuse for Plymouth being historically in the West Riding too!
Down the slope leads to the clubhouse and upper deck changing rooms with to the side the tea room which offer on the slate roof a whitewashed notification that you are at Delph and Dobcross CC.  As we entered the ground to the right a sharp bank leads up from the pitch and the first plateau offers a selection of blue tip up seats, the next rise offers some bench seats with the area boundary being the obligatory white washed stone walls that are so often present in Yorkshire and Lancashire.  Coming down behind the bowlers arm a flat area backed by the grazing sheep and into the far corner a scoreboard and scorers box above the grounds mans office, again this area is back dropped by sheep and the rising fields lead to a row of semi detached houses beyond on Dale Fields.  Coming back towards the clubhouse this area again offers a selection of tip up seats, memorial benches and picnic tables all of which became nicely populated during the days play.  Additionally just adjacent to the ground is the local crown green bowling home with a few matches on today the whole site had a busy feel about it.

THE REVERSE LOOK BACK TO THE GROUND FROM DALE FIELDS TOWARDS HUDDERSFIELD RD

The back drop to the ground offered hills, mill chimneys, fields and a low cloud that threatened rain but one you felt you could almost touch this was a ground that just created that wow feel and one that hopefully I can get too again soon.

MOSUN HUSSAIN ON HIS WAY TO A TOP SCORE OF 79

To the action then and Delph won the toss an elected to bat and after a steady start the first wicket fell when Nathan Jones was run out and after a miss-field at the stumps had the home sides opener kept running he would have made his ground up but opener Hussain was joined by the experienced Graeme Simpson [49] and the score jollied along before the latter was caught with the score on 131.  A controlled performance from Hussain was looking all the way like a three figure contribution was coming but with the score on 153 he misjudged one and was caught by Iqbal Khan off the bowling of Jacob Deavin-Baker.  Although annoyed with himself Hussain had set up what would be a comfortable victory for Delph with his contribution which contained 11 fours and one maximum in 80 deliveries.

JONATHAN BENNETT PUTS HIS BACK INTO IT FOR CAWTHORNE

Frustratingly for the home side they fell away with Lancashire contracted player Arron Lilley was out first ball the last seven wickets would fall for just 54 runs and the total of 207 would look an mouth wateringly 'do-able' for the visitors.  With three Cawthorne bowlers taking three wickets the stand out bowler with economy taken into account was Jonathan Bennett 3 for 14.
The latter stages of the Delph innings had seen the clubs programme come around the ground and once again a creditable effort to welcome all for a small contribution was to be given many plaudits alongside Hoylandswaine this is the only paper work seen so a fantastic effort by the club.

A BRIEF INTERVAL IN DELPH VILLAGE

The mad dash interval break to take a brief look at Delph took me down Rumbles Lane and around to the High St and the view of The Swan Hotel, Coop, Library that dissects two roads and amazingly the fish and chip shop that doesn't open on a Saturday or Sunday!  The centre was a hive of activity and can be seen on the Good Friday band displays in the much acclaimed Brassed Of film featuring of course the excellent Pete Postlethwaite alongside Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor, it was also featured in The Parole Officer movie too.  Alongside this the amount of building that just make you go 'oohhh' and 'aaahhh' number many in reality this whole area is a definite trip or short stay break must.

UMER YAQOOB THE FIRST OF HIS FIVE BOWLS LEWIS SKELLY

But with the Cawthorne reply beckoning a sharp return with a picture opportunity from Dale Fields back to the ground saw an arrival just in time for the umpires return to the field.
During the first innings it had been a pleasure to speak to Johnny Barker from Cawthorne and we spoke many things cricket and local sport and once again I had the virtues of a visit to the ground at Cawthorne extolled on me plus apparently excellent teas.  Thanks for the chat I must make it and as the club next season align to the South Yorkshire League hopefully I can get along before they leave the Huddersfield League, thanks for the chat Johnny!

MORE DELPH CELEBRATIONS AS YAQOOB DISLODGES THE BAILS AGAIN

The visitors reply started with the experienced Khan joined alongside by Lewis Skelly who was first to go for 17 bowled by Yaqoob for his first of the day.   Ben Simpson [4] was out with the score on 40, once again to Yaqoob caught behind and with the patient Khan [14] out to Wasim Qasim at the opposite end the three early wickets were now making the chase look shaky.
Four more ducks followed for Cawthorne as Yaqoob just got better and at times unplayable non more so when Deavin-Baker got an unplayable delivery that sent the bails flying.  With Adam Wiles [31*] the only player offering resistance as wickets fell around him Yaqoob secured his 'fifer' when he bowled Michael Burgess the score had fallen away to 64 for 7.  The inevitable became reality with Yaqoob continuing to bowl his supportive strike partner Qasim, 2 for 34, was given a rest and spinner Xander Selby finished the innings off with 2 for 20.  The closing stages had also seen an excellent run out by Lilley with a direct hit to send Jonathan Bennett back to the pavilion.

THEY THINK ITS ALL OVER IT IS NOW AS KIMSON DALZELL IS TRAPPED LBW

The whole game rattled along at a pace and with a pint of Blackburn brewed Thwaites to enjoy it was all happening as play came to a close around 5.30pm.  In some ways this was a saving grace because had a late finish occurred like Kirkburton last week this would have entailed a return around midnight, however when you visit a ground like this you don't want the experience to end.  Again another recommendation to visit Delph and Dobcross check the weather but if its anything like conducive to cricket get along for a look.
There was a brief moment to disturb the home scorer and purveyor of a fine social media account, thanks for your updates always interesting to see them and a club using them well to inform.
A steady walk back into the village for the 350 First bus back to Greenfield were with half an hour to spare a brief look at Saddleworth RL clubs new clubhouse and the burnt moors above it was time to join real ale train revellers, Wigan St Jude fans, Manchester night time revellers and mad old hopper aboard the train that would see an arrival back in Piccadilly with half an hour to spare before being sped back through the Peak District to arrive at base station just before 9pm. 
A thoroughly enjoyable and unique experience I know its an over used modern day descriptor but this league 'just keeps on giving'!

KIRKBURTON SEE OFF SECOND PLACE HONLEY

KIRKBURTON 276 FOR 9 HONLEY 241 ALL OUT
HUDDERFSFIELD CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP AT RILEY PARK
14 JULY 2018 --- 1PM

KIRKBURTON ON THEIR WAY TO VICTORY

In an enthralling game Kirkburton secured an exciting victory over second placed Honley at just shy of 8pm on a beautifully hot summers day thanks in large to Luke Williamson [93], Alexander Scholefield [72] and William Reeves who took 7 for 84 when Honley fell just 35 runs short.  As ever visits to local sports grounds always present characters non more so today than Dennis Kaye, 82, more of which a little later.
On another warm summers day that required no weather forecast checking the departure at Shepley station, around 2 miles from todays destination, made it all worth while.  The picturesque Penistone rail line had dropped me at a station used last season for a visit to its own village team and the sight of the rolling hills towards Shepley with the towering Emley TV transmitter and its new sidekick offered up all that this part of Yorkshire is about.

YORKSHIRE ON A SUMMERS DAY

Having followed the footpath down by the old station masters house and onto Station Lane the end of this brought us to the Cask and Spindle and the bus stop for the Yorkshire Tiger 83 which I had discovered would take the strain into Kirkburton.  The village itself would be about a 45 minute walk according to the map people and involve a steep climb to the top of Shelley before dropping down to Kirkburton so I was greatful for some good timetable planning and hopped on the tangerine special.
Departure at the library thanks to some magnificent driving manoeuvres around these tight and narrow streets saw the discovery of a village typical of many around the immediate area.

CENTRE OF KIRKBURTON AND THE FORMER ROYAL HOTEL NOW COOP

Lots of stone houses with nooks and crannies and steep rising steps to footpaths and properties alike with buildings of interest all around holding the treasures of the past mill and coal glories of the village.  The wide variety of shops also thankfully contained what all good Yorkshire villages do a Coop, situated in the former Royal Hotel it would be the staple diet visit before the start and during the tea interval being just a five minute walk from the ground.
Climbing back out the tight Riley Lane the ground was reached at just after 1230 and the obligatory pre match circuit discovered to the right a stone walled boundary with a row of bench type seats, which are now planks on their former concrete legs with a large tree cover being offered mid wicket falling away down the slope to the high sited but somewhat basic scoreboard the rolling hills back towards Shelley created a sedate backdrop.

PREMIUM SEATS IN TODAYS SCORCHIO

The opposite side also saw a collection of bench sets and as the crisp outfield got us back to the business end the pavilion was soon upon us, opened in 1962 its very much like an extended bungalow of brick build and a little out of setting but inside is smart and offers a functional operation to todays proceedings.  The ground offers a contrast of views with fields and cattle to the Emley transmitter and All Hallows Church tower added to this the rising stone terraces of Hallas Rd offering a view behind the bowlers arm.  Strangely for a top level ground the club only have one sight screen at the pavilion end I'm not sure how this works for the batsmen but everybody seemed ok and got on with the game.

SO MANY VIEWS EMLEY MOOR AND ALL HALLOWS OH YES AND SOME CRICKET

So with the scene set in my mind there was time to reacquaint with Honley's overseas player Brett Randell from New Zealand, previous readers will remember catching up with him first at Denby and then more by surprise last season at his current club.

BRETT RANDELL STEAMING IN WITH THE HALLAS ROAD TERRACE IN THE BACKGROUND

Back for a second season in the Huddersfield League Brett had experienced an interesting season with his N.Z. side Northern Districts wining the Burger King Super Smash, which sounds somewhat like a 4 burger challenge but I'm assured is a cricket T20 competition.  As ever it was great to catch up with Brett before, during and after and thanks for your time mate much appreciated.
Waxing lyrical about Huddersfield League grounds is something I would like to do but hopefully consistent attempts to sing their praises will do once again this is a must visit, especially on a day like today, but this league must surely offer some of the prettiest grounds in the country.
With Honley winning the toss they asked the home side to bat and at 23 for 2 it looked a good call however they had gone without Williamson and Schofield who added 169 for the third wicket before Schofield fell on his 67th ball.  His partner went onto make 93 falling just short of three figures caught by Matthew Sykes of the bowling of Brett Randell.

WATCH OUT STRAIGHT FOR THE CAMERA KIRKBURTON PUSH ON TO 276

The innings slightly fell away when top side of 300 looked on the cards however a final total of 276 looked a good challenge for Honley with an extras column of 47 adding a vital contribution.
During the first half it was a pleasure to meet Dennis Kaye, where to start, as per most trips to sports grounds its unlikely that conversations will not be struck up through the medium of watching the game and many characters have been discovered at football, rugby and cricket but Dennis really grabbed my attention with his story.

DENNIS KAYE AND HIS HISTORICAL CUTTINGS BOOK

Known by nearly everybody at the ground Dennis, now 82 years young, was brought up in Huddersfield but upon playing his last cricket match at 60 and now living in Barnsley being a keen walker he set himself the challenge of walking to all the Huddersfield Cricket League grounds, bearing in mind that Cawthorne and Hoylandswaine are to the north of him and are the most southerly of Huddersfield League grounds this was some challenge.  One of longest journeys over the moors was to Delph and Dobcross just over the border in Lancashire and around 25 miles away setting off around 4am in the morning from his home it seems with a banana or two he made the start comfortably and thankfully he nearly always secured a lift back in advance.  Now in his 83rd year he had selected todays top of the table encounter and had caught the train to Denby Dale before calling for a pie at the local butchers shop for sustenance to complete the walk too Kirkburton.
As our paths crossed later Dennis had brought out his scrapbook which showed his routes and times plus much sporting history including his dad, Norman, who had scored a double century for Almondbury and the 1940's and a potted history of Huddersfield Rugby League club with team pictures and a further exciting look at their old Fartown ground was also included.  Squirrelled away was a copy of the 1949 Championship final at Maine Rd Manchester, which he attended aged 13, which Huddersfield won 13-12 against Warrington remarkably with an attendance of over 75,000 the gate receipts were a massive £11,073!  More time was needed to talk local sport with Dennis and explore a remarkable little piece of history and it was as ever a pleasure to meet another of the many interesting people that the blog comes across on its travels.

WILL FRAINE TOP SCORES FOR HONLEY

Having enjoyed the tea time offerings at the local Coop it was time to take a look at Honley and their response was going smoothly 99 without loss, save for quite a few edges that seemed to avoid nearby fielders, until that was Simon Kelly was caught for 42 and Timmy Taylor fell in the same over for a duck the scoreboard looked more interesting.  Nottinghamshire contracted player Will Fraine [73] continued to impress but with wickets falling around him he with the score on 131 to a superb sharp caught and bowled to William Reeves who had now taken the top four in the visitors batting line up.

WILLIAM REEVES ON HIS WAY FOR A SEVEN FOR

By the time the scoreboard registered the dismissal of Sam Denton at 182 for 8 and to secure Reeves his seventh wicket it looked a matter of time before the innings would close but a rear guard action by Danny Howard [50] and Tom Craddock [29] saw the score move along to 241 and it was all getting a little bit edgy.  The ask was down to a run a ball and it looked like a very close finish then an injury to Howard saw Sykes out as a runner after a lengthy delay all was going well until Craddock was caught and bowled by Andrew Smith.  The final two wickets fell without any runs being added and at 241 all out Honley had put up a sterling effort but Kirkburton had stuck at their task when it looked to be just drifting away from them to secure an exciting win in an engrossing finale.
Dennis had mentioned the walk back to Shelley was one mile up hill all the way, how right he was[!] and I knew that a 2 mile walk would be the order of the day at just short of 7.50 could Shepley station be made for the 8.30pm train?  You bet, up hill puffing and blowing to Shelley in just over ten minutes, fast descent through Shelley for the gentle climb back to the station arriving at 8.20 and in need of a jolly good wringing out and shower by now on this red hot day!
Highly recommend visit great ground to watch at, good match, views around the area, nice historical village and of course a few characters too, bring on the next Huddersfield League game.

SHEFFIELD WIN STEEL CITY DERBY THANKS TO AUSTRALIAN

HALLAM 198 ALL OUT SHEFFIELD COLLEGIATE 309 FOR 6
YORKSHIRE SOUTH PREMIER LEAGUE AT SANDYGATE
7 JULY 2018 --- 12 NOON

TOM ROWLEY 115 FOR COLLEGIATE MATCH WINNING PERFORMANCE

Its Yorkshire its the cricket season and the authorities made the clear decision that even with all the football distractions bat and ball would reign and thanks to Australian Tom Rowley with a century it was a successful afternoon for Collegiate in this city derby.

A CRISP OUTFIELD WITH HALLAM FC IN THE BACKGROUND

After all sorts of re arrangements in many leagues with games starting at 9am receiving a 2 hour tea interval, 30 over games etc. etc. the Yorkshire Premier League made the decision that basically said come on were cricketers its summer lets get on with it and both sides today put on a wonderful effort in the blisteringly hot conditions for any sport.

MORE LIGHT MACHINERY SETS THE SCENE

Having looked at all options I needed an option that as to run to normal time and having covered this same fixture last season the option of a short train journey to Sheffield before hopping a '51' to the ground appealed.
After a brief departure at the local 'T's' for a few pre match provisions it was off to the pretty Hallam CC ground that shares its outfield with Hallam FC, with The Plough still boarded up not too much had changed from last year needless to say I wont go through a full review of the set up again.  A welcoming chat with Robert Heyes mum was the start of the day with her son on duty for the firsts dad was away with the 4th team so some divided loyalties.  There was time to have a brief chat with Mr Hallam, Richard who was as ever busy with all things club wise so time was soon racing round to noon as the umpires were placing the bails the teams came out with second placed Collegiate opting to bat first.
Just a brief look at the game today follows but I did read about one of those amazing cricket stats the game is famous for on the way here Brian Langford of Somerset in the old 40 over John Player League the inly player in a first class game to return in their maximum allotment of overs to return figures of 8-8-0-0, I guess he may have been handy in todays modern game.

SOME DETERMINED EFFORT IN THE HEAT

The visitors slipped to 98 for 3 losing Daniel Priestley [10], Brian Sanders [21] and Simon Guy [3] but the consistent part was opener Tom Rowley who was still there and when Jamie Carrington [62] joined him at the crease the score moved on swiftly to 212 before the fourth wicket fell with Rowley [115] with the Australian lbw.  His innings from 114 balls included 13 fours and 2 maximums and at the end of the day would probably seen to have been the difference between the two sides.

MICHAEL SIMPSON LAUNCHES ANOTHER EFFORT

Big hitting Michael Simpson came in and bludgeoned 43 off of 22 balls a total which include 5 boundary clearing shots.
With 309 posted in their allotted overs Collegiate looked a good bet here after a tea interval that allowed brief footy watching for the players we were straight back out on time to witness Hallam's reply.

HALLAMS NICK DYMCOCK IS BOWLED BY HENRY ELDRED

With the sun belting down and the temperature rising this was always going to be a difficult ask and with a steady fall of wickets the lack of a decisive partnership saw Hallam constantly looking for stability in their reply.  From 105 for 5 they soon fell away to 198 all out the reason they got anywhere near a half decent score was thanks to Jack Unwin [61] and Roberts Basu [37] off of 38 balls but other than that Sheffield appeared to have left Hallam with just too much to do.  On the bowling front Henry Eldred returned 33 for 54 and Matthew Dixon 3 for 52.

ROBERT SHAW STEAMS IN FOR COLLEGIATE

Overall a comprehensive victory and there was no shock, like last season, with Collegiate maintaining their top of the table challenge.
England had won and progressed to the semi finals and Sheffield on return to the city centre was in a state of drunken stupor with many a visiting tourist looking quite daunted by the behaviour of the locals.  Train departure was at 7pm and with somebody deciding to sit on the line on the way back a 15 minute journey turned into just short of an hour with the added comfort of the heating being stuck on maximum on the warmest day of the year, there will be a clear need to eat more pastries to re gain some of the lost weight on this stifling return journey.
Enjoyable day at a well appointed ground and thanks to all for putting on a game at the normal times in the trying circumstances of the football world cup, its a sad statement on crickets decline that most leagues made major changes to a sporting calendar, a sport that in its bygone day challenged the superiority of football in everyway but is now resigned to a part player.

THONGSBRIDGE BREAK LEAGUE RECORD WITH BATTING ONSLAUGHT

MIRFIELD PARISH CAVALIERS 309 THONGSBRIDGE 466 FOR 3
HUDDERSFIELD CL PREMIERSHIP @ THE PIG PEN WHEELHOUSE LNE
30 JUNE 2018 --- 1PM

HAYDN SLODECKI GOES ON THE ATTACK FOR THONGSBRIDGE

Thongsbridge broke the HCL highest score record with a terrific batting performance that saw Ben Raven-Hill [191] and Haydn Slodecki [140] send the Cavaliers attack to all parts of the ground and surrounding areas in a stand of 306 for the third wicket.  By the time they entered the last ball they were tied with Hoylandswaine whose 460, remarkably achieved just five weeks ago against todays new holders, a single would have brought the record to the visitors but the ball was promptly despatched high over the ropes for a maximum.  Mirfield made a valiant effort to keep up with this run chase but sadly it was all too much to surmount and in the end fell well short at 309 all out in the 45th over.

MIRFIELD PARISH CAVALIERS FINE WEATHER FOR A GAME OF CRICKET

At last a return to the much adored Huddersfield Cricket League a set up that supports a good standard of cricket and some of the most exquisite grounds in the country, certainly those visited off the Penistone line, today would be a suburban trip to Mirfield midway between Dewsbury and Wakefield.

TRIPLE CENTURY PARTNERSHIP SLODECKI [L] AND RAVEN-HILL PLUS MIRFIELD CRICKETERS CHARITY POSTER IN THE BACKGROUND

As ever public transport was a nightmare and the stressor of the day all four trains were late and this was added to when the initial journey to base station saw the bus running 15 minutes late and in danger of missing the train.  Needless to say Northern were running late so an hour later a departure at the wondrous Kirkgate station, more of that later, allowed more time than envisaged because of course the same train companies service to Mirfield was also late.

BEN RAVEN-HILL GUIDES ONE AWAY FOR THONGSBRIDGE

Sadly with cricket there is little time to look around with a 1pm start I took in as much as was possible of a busy bustling little town, spotting the Coop for return provisions, while making haste along the busy Huddersfield Rd before starting the climb to todays venue The Pig Pen.  Along the narrow Wheelhouse Lane the netted exterior to the ground brought us too the entry and clubhouse/pavilion.  I still have no more clear idea why it was apparently given its title according to the clubs website by King Henry Vlll in 1534 but it is a unique title for a sports ground.  Trading as Mirfield Parish Church the club merged with Dewsbury Cavaliers in 1987 hence their current joined moniker.
To the ground and the clubhouse was opened in 1982 by Sir Geoffrey Boycott and although today it looks like a small sized welfare inside it is well appointed, very smart and modern a nice addition.  The ground is away from the country views of some of the clubs and although on the walk up to the ground Emley Moor TV transmitter can be seen from the ground it is not visible so that's a first for my league visits.

BEN RAVEN-HILL REACHES FOR ONE IN THE LATE STAGES

The ground itself is small but well appointed to the left a higher levelled terrace with a wide selection of seats behind the bowlers arm at the far end as per 3/4's of the ground a high level of mesh fencing for neighbouring properties protection and ball preservation is in place.  The far boundary slopes away towards the drop that is the superbly named Dunbottle Rd.  Back towards the pavilion is the high level electronic scoreboard which was vey well operated today and moving back towards the clubhouse more elevated seats and the backs of the neighbouring gardens are visible for any horticultural tips.  The only downside is the lack of a local shop for supplements other than pop and crisps from the bar on this blisteringly hot day that sees the outfield brown and devoid of moisture resembling the long dry summer of 1976 when the great West Indies teams visited these shores.
Let the action begin and with a fast outfield the runs were flowing and a batters paradise looked to be easily available the visitors won the toss and batted and it seemed a good decision getting to 91 before the first wicket fell that of Richard Marshall [54] who was kicking himself for missing an even bigger score.  His departure saw Slodecki join opener Raven-Hill at the crease and what followed was pretty harsh and those of a nervous disposition should look away now with the Mirfield attack sent all over the park and adjoining gardens, businesses and car windows.

HAYDN SLODECKI CELEBRATES HIS CENTURY

The ground is remarkably small so big scores are always a likelihood but you still have to achieve them and to put on over 300 for the second wicket was some performance.  Finally Raven-Hill fell stumped just nine short of a double century [24 x4's-10x6's off 138 balls] and twenty runs later there was a mini collapse[!] when Slodecki [14x4's-8x6's off 94 balls] fell for 140.  It was a pleasure to watch as a neutral I don't think I have seen too much like this probably ever with the closing pair of Jack Cassidy [34] and Alex Kemp [13] pushing the score along by another 49 runs that final ball maximum took the total beyond Hoylandswaine's and Thongsbridge could claim the bragging rights, added to this Raven-Hill had a personal top score too.

BEN RAVEN HILL RECEIVES THE APPLAUSE FOR HIS CAREER BEST 191

During the first innings it was great to catch up with John from Chester who was also making a first visit to the club and he was on a cricket and real ale tour and would finish his day at Golcar CC.  Great as ever to talk sport and his beloved Chester City all the best for your sporting activities a pleasure to chat.
How do you solve a problem like 467 to win?  Quite simply you get off to a good start and 131 for the first wicket was just what was required thanks to Timothy Orrell [79] who was first to go before his opening partner Aidan Hawkesworth [57] was next back in the pavilion with the score at 183.

TIMOTHY ORRELL 79 IN REPLY FOR MIRFIELD

The problem was keeping up with the required run rate of over 9 an over at the start and Muhammad Ali [53] came in and hit a smart half century but after this the innings could not hold together wickets while keeping the scoreboard ticking over at the fast rate needed.

AIDAN HAWKESWORTH A HALF CENTURY FOR CAVALIERS

So when Tom Frettwell [3] was caught in the 45th over Mirfield were still 157 run short and Thongsbridge had achieved a wonderful victory at just before 7.15pm.
Sharp dash back down the hill allowed 10 minutes in the previously eye spied Coop who were left with avocado and basil sandwiches at this time on a Saturday night so once again I went for some unhealthy options.  Arriving back at Mirfield station the Northern service was of course behind time, late and upon arrival at Kirkgate the service to base was also missing a few minutes!

SLODECKI CONTRIBUTES WITH THE BALL TOO RETURNING 2 FOR 50

Still time to enjoy the worst station if its size on the network after a multi million pound investment the facilities are still appalling no toilets, no shop although there is a café that opens very much peak hours now, filthy platforms, weeds through the middle sections of the lines added by on this warm day the pervading smell wafting over the three platforms from the nearby sewage treatment works it really sold Kirkgate to you.  Its on days like this you need your train on time but sadly my senses were tested for a few minutes more as the service ambled in packed to the rafters at just short of 8.30pm  With a departure at base station an hour later there was time to reflect on a frustrating travel day but a wonderful cricket day at a smart and well appointed little ground that is the home of Mirfield Parish Cavaliers and for the neutral today a record breaking achievement.