RHUBARB AND CRICKET

WRENTHORPE CC 143 ALL OUT UNDERCLIFFE CC 144 FOR 0
BRADFORD CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION @ BRAGG LANE END
6 JULY 2019 --- 1PM

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL AS WRENTHORPE CC BAT FIRST

Wrenthorpe struggled to get a foothold in this Premier League encounter and in the end their visitors from the east of Bradford secured a more than comfortable victory after they had bowled tightly with a regular fall of wickets.  The visitors openers knocked off the target without putting their wicket at threat and the battle towards the foot of the table saw Undercliffe secure the vital points.
Much like any Saturday the travel mirrored previous blogs all standing to Wakefield Westgate and ten minutes late, however after a brief walk to the bus station a seat was secured on the Leeds bound bus that would divert through Wrenthorpe village before departing me 2 miles north west of Wakefield adjacent to todays ground.

GREAT DAY FOR CRICKET AND THE HOMELY WRENTHORPE C C

Wrenthorpe is a functional village with its history in pottery, mines and rope production and during the last century became part of the famous rhubarb triangle which became prolific in this part of West Yorkshire.  So much like tennis with strawberries and cream you could recognise Wrenthorpe Cricket with a bowl of rhubarb and custard, luckily there was non available to sample because much like Marmite you either love it or hate it.

DID SOMEBODY SAY THERE IS A BALL TO CHASE

The entrance to the cricket ground was via a narrow lane parallel to the Bradford Road and after entering through a small gate the ground opens up to you.  It is somewhat stereotypical of a suburban village cricket ground while there is nothing to scenic for a backdrop its is smart little set up with a well appointed homely pavilion serving drinks of the alcoholic and non alcoholic variety plus of course cricket teas.  To the left beyond the grounds mans containers a boundary with a selection of bench seats and to the scoreboard end a selection of bench stand type seats as the ground provides a bit of cover.  The scoreboard is of the old variety that has now been upgraded with an electronic front which today was giving the scorers problems but they ably stuck to the task and kept it operating after a few re-sets.  This top side is the most quirky with all sorts of cut ins to the walkway containing wooden patio structures offering seating and cover from the strong Yorkshire sun on this lovely afternoon.  Coming around to the pavilion and the scorers box is set up high in the form of a small wooden shed like structure and then the pavilion and an additional cabin for the away dressing room which completed the circuit.  The whole ground is surrounded by houses some of which have an excellent view of proceedings and the white panelled fencing supported is by the sight screens being on their own roller frames which is definitely the way forward for most clubs it makes things so much easier.

BAILS DISTURBED EARLY AND AMJAD GOES WITHOUT SCORING

Wrenthorpe fresh from promotion last season had secured an encouraging start to this campaign appearing at the top of the premier league but as the season has developed they have dropped away towards the wrong end and with Undercliffe just below them in second from bottom spot today was a must win for both sides.
After last summers lovely weather today, apart from Morton CCC, would be the first full day at a cricket match and after a couple years around the Huddersfield Cricket League my recent visits for a few hours to Pudsey St Lawrence and Farsley had whetted my appetite for a trip to the most southerly of the Bradford Leagues Premier clubs.
It was an uncomfortable start for the home side when Irfan Amjad had the bails removed after 8 balls by Zeeshan Qasim.  When Luke Patel was out for 13 the score had moved along to 41 and with a stand of some nature required captain Jordan Sleightholme  [43] and Khalil Khan [30] added 45 for the third wicket.  From there on in, especially after Sleightholme was bowled by visiting captain Scott Etherington for that third wicket, it was struggle Sam Storr hit three boundaries in his dozen and Sam Wigglesworth hit a quick fire fifteen but in an innings that had struggled to remain close to three an over they were dismissed for 143 with 21 balls still to come.

QASIM RETURNING GOOD FIGURES FOR UNDERCLIFFE

Undercliffe had only used four bowlers who had found the spot consistently the excellently economical bowling of captain Etherington saw 15 overs go for just 43 alongside Qasim who conceded just 25 in his 10.3 and Khalid Usman 14 overs went for 38 all three were in the wickets and they only used four bowlers with Craig Wiseman completing the set.

FORMER YORKSHIRE NUM VP KEN CAPSTICK ENJOYING THE CRICKET

Tea break allowed for a small amble around the village unfortunately the chip shop I had spotted closed at 1.30pm and didn't re open to Wednesday so it turned out to be a day of confectionery eating.  During the afternoon it was good to see the former Yorkshire NUM VP Ken Capstick watching the match and again reminded you of the mining past of this area.

EARLY SHOT FROM JACK HOLLAND FOR UNDERCLIFFE

Walking back through the gates as Undercliffe started their reply I had envisaged a tight low scoring game but quickly it appeared this would not be the case as the home side struggled to match the visitors economy with the ball.  Wrenthorpe in desperation tried eight bowlers but non could tame the runs of the opening pair of Simon Lambert [87*] and Jack Holland [42*] who secured the target with over twenty overs to spare.  It was disappointing not to see Lambert get around to his century for a forceful innings which was ably supported by his partners industrious knock but just after 5 hours from an arrival all was over and Wrenthorpe would have been desperately disappointed but for Undercliffe a vital win that should see them pull away from the wrong end of the table on this evidence.

HOLLAND HELPS UNDERCLIFFE TO VICTORY

Reverse journey back to Wakefield allowed for a departure from Kirkgate station at 7pm,which has to be the most flattering to deceive station if its front facade is anything to go by.  Following a change in Sheffield which was longer than should have been after a ex London train was decamped to near the centre of the platform allowing the arriving Norwich train a further delay before it could manoeuvre onto platform 2.  The vagaries of public transport always keep you on your toes and base station was settled for at around 8.15 from an enjoyable first full match of the season in The Bradford Cricket League.