HILL WIN TO EYE UP THE SUMMIT

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL 33 BEVERLEY 18
NCL2 @ THE NEIL HUNT MEMORIAL GROUND
15 JUNE 2019 --- 2.30PM

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL ARLFC

A fairly comfortable victory from Bradford Dudley Hill saw them keep their gaze on the top echelons of the National Conference League Two table and apart from two quick tries from Beverley early in the second half that threatened a comeback the home side remained resolute to secure the points.
The continuation of the train to Leeds saga would continue today with the option of a Northern service to Leeds allowing me a vestibule tip down seat after Sheffield, supplying the ultimate luxury because the gamble on a Cross Country return to base after the game back fired with the usual all standing chaos that the wonderful operator offers being on show again, see the last three blogs!
A comfortable change in Leeds would allow arrival in Bradford at 1pm and the one thing that is superb about the city is its excellent bus routes and adjacent interchange even though today would see a brief two minute walk out of the station to Bridge St to catch the 608 to Holme Wood and remarkably in one pulled for an immediate departure.

FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT MY WELFARE FISH AND CHIPS ARE STILL ON THE MENU

From recent visits you will have gleaned Bradford is probably not one of my favourite places but it has to be said that some of its historical buildings from its glory days are a joy to behold however they are often matched by a regular collection of dereliction and rubbish strewn Herras fencing, still Little Germany and the Leeds Road would see us arrive on Sticker Lane close to the Parry Lane junction within around five minutes.  Firstly I opted for a small meander to Laisterdyke Cricket Club which may have provided a bit of after match sport, sadly the whole set up looks to have gone by the wayside with ground fenced off and overgrown and club I guess the same.  Walking back towards Sticker Lane and with Bradford being in a bowl the far sides of the city are often the most visible and Bradford City FC was standing proudly on the north side of the city from the terrace houses of Buller Street.
Luncheon had been researched and the aforementioned would provide Parry Lane Fisheries and it would have been rude not to have sampled a fish and chips which was awaiting, once again good fayre but the Yorkshire reviews of their fish shops do seem very generous in their ratings.  Wobbling down Parry Lane with food in hand the first spots of rain appeared so I quickly grabbed a picture of an excellent view of the ground with north west Bradford in the background.

LOOKING BACK TO THE BUSINESS END FROM THE COVERED TERRACE

The ground is set in a strange area of industrial buildings and units some operating and others that have seen better days but snuggly adjacent to the ground on Lower Lane are a small selection of houses with an adjoining cul de sac appearing out of place in what looks a non residential area.

LEWIS STRAW KICK TO THE WIND TURBINE END FOR BEVERLEY

Entry to the ground was by a friendly Yorkshire lass with admission paid there was the old problem of no programme issued which is always disappointing, no reading material for the return journey.
The ground is like that good old comfy chair that you love but its got stuffing appearing out of the sides and back and one of the springs has sprung through its restraining material, you love it but you just don't want to touch it in case.  The club has a full section of covered standing behind the sticks to the left which is certainly creditable and not seen to much in The NCL, the business side has a collection of buildings from changing rooms to clubhouse which features an external hatch for a snack bar.  It is also unusual in having its dug outs on the same side of the pitch and these are separated by a massive scoreboard which was sadly not operated today.  With the grass growing long the far side and right hand side end did not look too welcoming and I reserved the visit to the business side and covered end.  With floodlights in situ, I couldn't tell you if they are working, Dudley Hill have what many clubs who are playing in parks would love a ground to call their own however I know its about money and volunteers but it did need some hugs and a bit of loving.

HILL STRUGGLE TO HOLD BEVERLEY BACK IN EARLY ACTION

The game looked an equally matched affair on paper and after the visitors had beaten the Hill earlier in the season they would look for a strong response and when they led at the break 22-6 they got just that.  After three minutes the response was there when Andy Walker went over for Simon Sewell to max it, adding three more conversions during the afternoon plus a late drop goal to his contribution.  Beverley levelled four minutes later thanks to Lewis Miller and Lewis Straw who converted for the first of his three.
After that though it was all the Bradford side with Jamie Brantley, Martin Southwell and Lewis Johnson crossing the whitewash to secure a comfortable half time lead thanks to conversions for the former and latter try.

FIRST HALF TRY FOR MARTIN SOUTHWELL

The second period started well for the home side within five minutes they had gone 28-6 thanks to Alisadir Firth who forced his way through under the mark.  However whether Dudley Hill relaxed or Beverley upped their game two tries in five minutes brought about thoughts of a comeback when Kingsley Okra Overton and Ben Naylor allowed Straw to go 100% on his conversions there was just teen points in it.
Normal service was resumed on 58 minutes with Rob Brown going over before the margin went to fifteen thank to a close range drop goal from Sewell with three minutes remaining.

ALISDAIR FIRTH BREAKS FREE TO HEAD FOR THE LINE

A fair outcome from the proceedings allows Dudley Hill to enjoy fifth place and sit in a very nice place to challenge Wigan St Judes, West Bowling and Barrow Island who sit just two points above them.

AND FIRTH MAKES THE LINE

Return via mini climb up Parry Lane was in now torrential rain after much of it had held off for the afternoon it was time to walk to the next stop to find a bus shelter with the smallest roof imaginable, for my big head, with additional umbrella doing little the streets of south Bradford were now mini streams.  Thankfully a '630' arrived quickly to whisk me back to the station and with no chance of much play at Farsley Cricket Club I opted to return straight back to base which after departing Leeds at 5.10pm saw arrival around an hour later at base station.