BUMPER HOLIDAY SPECIAL FROM WEST HULL-BATLEY-ECKINGTON

WEST HULL 16 SIDDAL 8
KINGSTONE PRESS PREMIER DIVISION @ WEST HULL COMMUNITY PARK
25 MAY 2019 --- 2.30PM
Like the good old holiday special comics of the 1970's, remember them the ones that kept you quiet for most of the holiday period never mind the journey to and from the seaside, this third bank holiday in close succession would take in a fine selection of sport.  The main feature would be a visit to Hull for the 'West' variety of the rugby league flavour and a debut appearance followed up by two old favourites in Batley Bulldogs and the T20 fixtures at Eckington for a bit of cricket.

WEST HULL IN CONTROL THROUGH BOBBY TYSON WILSON

The Saturday started with a departure from base station just after 1045 and with a comfortable change in Sheffield there was even time for a bit of 'semi' famous person spotting with the bard of Barnsley Ian McMillan platform bound.  The smart recently refurbished Bridlington bound train would see a journey of around an hour and a half deliver us into Paragon station in the former city of culture.  Most of the journey was interrupted by a fellow passengers mobile phone with an annoying text message tone at full volume going off every minute or so and a move further along the carriage was required, mind you this was surpassed by a selection of the younger generation playing pirates on the return journey to Doncaster-its not a crèche you know or maybe on second thoughts it is.
Hull has a superb bus station adjoined to the rail terminus and the Simplibus variety operated by our stripey boy friends had a number one service that would take me along the Hessle Road the couple of miles out of Hull to the west and our ultimate destination today.

RYAN WILSON CONVERTS AFTER THREE MINUTES FOR WEST

I had left this with about an hour to spare for kick off and should have allowed more time Hessle Road was very much the old business area for the adjacent docks however today it is a sadder area than its heyday.  There is a variety of shops from many countries of the world represented and a selection of pubs that look like bars but have the feel of London style establishments.  However the striking feature is the collection of murals on the side of prominent buildings that represent the cities former sea faring industry.  Featuring a fisherman at the wheel of his trawler, a net repair being undertaken and two displays to the Headscarf revolutionaries four ladies who after three trawlers were lost in three weeks in 1968 with the loss of 58 lives took on the challenge to make the job more safe including a radio man on board all vessels.  To this end the wife of one of the trawler men Lillian Billocca headed up this campaign to much ultimate success but also much sacrifice along the way she was blacklisted and never worked in the fishing industry again all for fighting for rights that ultimately became an accepted charter, a strong band of ladies who should be saluted.
Next time I need to walk along Hessle Road and pay due respect to these history makers but todays game was calling and walking along the tree lined North Road West Hull ARLFC would soon appear and a quick check out of the historical clubhouse revealed plenty of memorabilia having undertaken a look at the ground which is railed off on three parts with the far end open, the side pitch revealed floodlights I guess for training nights and the whole perimeter was fenced off giving the site some rescue from the local dog walkers.  By the side of the pitch the club have a café situated in a container and the most notable attraction seemed to be the size of the burgers coming out of the establishment you certainly didn't want to drop one on your foot.

RYAN STEEN LOOKS FOR A WAY THROUGH

Having paid in and secured the teams from the referee it was slightly disappointing to see the club follow the recent lead of match day programmes being on line in fairness that was the case and like a few other clubs it looked a nice effort too, its just a shame because for the traveller it takes a lot away from the day its always nice to a have something to save and browse on the return journey, progress eh.
West Hull are unbeaten in the season and with Wath Brow Hornets also level on points but with a game more played the early pressure is on and to that end a try after three minutes for the home side went down very well when Scott Spaven went over and Ryan Wilson converted.  Hey Arnold [Ethan Shore on team sheet so not sire of was a late change or a nickname?] went over in the corner to make it 10-0 at half time.  Siddall could count themselves unlucky but pulled four points back when Samuel Walsh took fancy to the whitewash in the right hand corner within seven minutes of the oranges.

ONLY RON SEAL STANDS IN YOUR WAY

West's took a maximum from a second from Arnold [see above re name] matched by a brace conversion from Wilson to widen the gap.  Siddal were in this game though and held some great possession that tested the resolute defence of West Hull but the game experienced very tense closing stages after the visitors Walsh also secured a brace of tries again breaking through in the much favoured right hand corner with the conversion missed the gap was eight points and proved a little too much.  Both sides had second half tries chalked off with the visitors Siddal probably feeling hardest done by with their four points denied that would have set up a roaring finish.
Both sides put on a tremendous show with Siddal making this hard going all the way for West Hull who slip to second after Wath Brow secured a 72 to nil win but with a game in hand for the Humberside team the ball is firmly in their court though.
A healthy crowd had watched this one with around 175 in attendance and a passionate following from Siddal that had expanded my vocabulary to new levels.
Comfortable connection for the 5.20pm departure allowed the train to sort of take the strain after the energetic younger generation had got off at Doncaster and with a comfortable connection at Sheffield base station was reached at a little after 7pm.
BATLEY BULLDOGS 24 HALIFAX 16
BET FRED CHAMPIONSHIP @ MOUNT PLEASANT
26 MAY 2019 --- 3PM

MOUNT PLEASANT IN ITS PRE MATCH GLORY

Cattle prodded up to get ready for a trip to what has to be one of my favourite sports venues Mount Pleasant the home of Batley Bulldogs and its famous unforgiving slope.  The town and ground has been covered in previous blogs but a quick overview of todays proceedings would only be fair to this beauty.
Off from base station at mid-day all standing on the X Country, really it should change its name to very X Country, by the time we left Wakefield the full length of the carriages were engrossed in passengers and of course no sign then of the train manager it really is appalling and a regular occurrence with this dreadful set up.  Closeness to your fellow passenger is not always welcome but today it was interesting that my travelling companion for the final fifteen minutes to Leeds was a Doctor who had been associated with many rugby league clubs as a match day doctor so the journey flew by with tales of the oval ball variety.
Connecting to a Dewsbury stopping service the option was taken for the mile or so walk to Batley rather that wait for a later train.  Not too much had changed at the ground since my last visit except for a selection of new executive boxes at the rear of the new seated stand and the electronic scoreboard had found a permanent terrace spot.  Sadly, as mentioned at West Hull, Batley now no longer issue a programme and although you can view them online its even more restrictive as you have to register first.  A sad shame that again there is nothing to take back home from your visit to this wonderful club and for the younger generation nothing to weigh down their future loft!
Battler Batleys mascot was late in appearance I guess he was in the doghouse over some issue but when he did show with the arrival of the teams the atmosphere was rising in temperature with a super following from Halifax in attendance.

WHAT A BIT OF SHIRT PULLING BETWEEN FRIENDS

Batley kicking up the slope took the lead after 9 minutes Keenan Tomlinson claiming a high ball from a collection of players went over and then Louis Jouffret took it to the maximum.  Will Sharp walked over on 24 minutes for Fax and Stephen Tyrer converted and the scores would remain level at the break.
Lewis Galbraith went over early in the second for Jouffret to add his second conversion and the down hill onslaught could begin when Tomlinson was alert to go over it was 16-6.  Halifax were not giving up and Scott Grix broke through to score and with Tryer converting the deficit was just four points.  Again Batley pulled away when Adam Gledhill forced the ball over from a seemingly impossible position and Jouffret made no mistake adding the extras.
The closing stages saw Jouffret add a penalty goal and with Sharp going over again for Fax the missed conversion made things relatively safe for the closing minutes at 24-16 but this had been one heck of a game and an enthralling second half as Halifax never gave up against a Batley side who showed some great defensive effort in the second half.
Return back from Batley station and change at Leeds, but not after one of those very reasonably priced station pasties[!], would see a direct service back to base station pull in around 7.20pm.
ECKINGTON CC V CHESTERFIELD CC V SANDIACRE TOWN CC
DCPL T20 @ STAVELEY LANE
27 MAY 2019 11AM

HARRY WILMOTT IN BIG HITTING MODE FOR CHESTERFIELD

In the words of a now defunct TV programme 'day 3' saw an early morning departure to base town with a bus connection to Eckington and refreshments from the local Coop were enough for a ten minute walk to the ground through the deserted streets.  A town that used to host the former Labour MP now bizarrely hosts the new Conservative MP in the same office a sign of the times ses many of the former businesses in the bouyant times gone to the wall in this town that probably pulls more on its nearby neighbour Sheffield even though it is firmly based in Derbyshire.
Eckington Cricket Club has featured on a few occasions so a brief overview sees the new pavilion now well developed with additional memorabilia, food hatch and bar all working well alongside a terraced barbecue all in operation for this bank holiday triple header.

CHESTERFIELDS OVERSEAS PLAYER JUSTIN DILL TAKING OFF

It was as ever good to catch up with a few players and spectators during todays games which commenced with Eckington v Chesterfield the visitors posting 186 for 6 with an opening partnership of 94 between Harry Wilmott, a magnificent 56 and Callum Hiron [40] after that it all fell away a little although Andrew Parkin Coates contributed 31.  The home side in reply were thankful to Joe Bullimore who added 47 bit the fell short on 137 for 6.
Game two turned in a war of attrition with Eckington struggling to 73 all out two over short of their 20, John Jordison taking 4 for 6 and in reply Sandiacre wobbled all over the place to make hard work of 75 for 6 admittedly with 8 overs to spare.
The final game which I had to depart before commencement looked the closest of the day Chesterfield posting 141 for 4 with Parkin Coates getting 61 and Justin Dill 39.  In reply Sandiacre fell ten runs short of victory at 132 for 8 with Wilmott taking 4 for 22.
Always good to catch up with some cricket at Eckington and it all rounded off a very interesting and sporting bank holiday weekend.