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.