SPORTING WEEKEND IN PILSLEY

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS CC 189 FOR 6 BUTTERLEY UNITED CC DID NOT BAT

DCCL DIVISION 6 N/E AT BARLOW HILL PILSLEY SPORTS GROUND

29 AUGUST 2020 --- 1PM

PILSLEY COMMUNITY 0 NEWTON GEORGE AND DRAGON 6

PSF AT BARLOW HILL PILSLEY SPORTS GROUND

30 AUGUST 2020 --- 1045AM

ANDY ALDIS WITH THE WINDMILL AT SOUTH NORMANTON IN THE DISTANCE

Looking at some of my mates European sporting weekends away whereby a Friday arrival in a cosmopolitan city sees them take in a collection of games over the three days they also consume copious amount of beers, of which I can give a miss, and never having achieved anything like it I thought this weekend was the time for a reply to their efforts. 

So with a gusto and spirit not to be denied my own sporting weekend would take place in the metropolis that is Pilsley in North East Derbyshire.  The former mining village has been a regular on the calendar over the last few weeks as I've had the pleasure of making myself aware of the cricket club but this weekend I would be adding the Sunday league football side who utilise the sporting grounds too.  So much has this become a regular now I'm thinking of contacting Derbyshire County Council to see if I can take out a lease on one of the bus shelters in Lower Pilsley and I could plan an overnight stop into the planning.

STEVE WOOD HITS OUT ON HIS WAY TO TOP SCORING FOR PILSLEY

Saturday lunchtime would give a pretty poor outlook with the forecast for more of the wet stuff from mid afternoon and after all we have been through in the last few months don't you think we could just have some nice weather for the sport especially now with just three Saturdays left in this truncated cricket season.  Indeed the weather in the last week saw a fair few pre-season football games called off and added to that today was Clay Cross Town who were due to entertain Teversal.  So with umbrella in hand and top coat zipped up arrival at a windy Barlow Hill which past readers will know offers a commanding view of the surrounding area to three sides and although blustery there was a threat of some of the dampness to follow.

Last time out Pilsley and Clay Cross inflicted defeat on the league leaders for the first time and today's opponents Butterley United must have been well within their sights and to that effect they got off to a studious and cautious start to build a stable base .  It was 33 for 1 in the thirteenth over when Stephen Eyre was trapped lbw for seven.   As Wood [71] began to open up he was ably supported by the big hitting Andy Aldis [63*] who launched one mighty maximum in the thirty ninth over that's still rolling around in the village centre now I believe.  When Wood fell pushing the score along the home side lost three quick wickets with Tristan Bowers, Will Green always one who fancies taking on the big hits and Gareth Hatton falling cheaply it was left to Pete Lacey [10] to support Aldis who was successful in hitting out and taking the total close to 200.

STEVE WOOD EARLY ON AS HE MAKE HIS WAY TO A SCORE OF 71

It had started to show some sight of rain in the distance as I went on the fifteen minute sabbatical around by the old pit canteen as has become the regular amble during the tea interval but as the walk became an increasingly more damp affair I feared for the second innings.  True to form arrival back at the ground saw players sheltering in any spots they could get cover with all buildings currently closed.

ANDY ALDIS HITTING BIG FOR PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS

At around twenty past four with the rain still coming down, the wind blowing strongly and the light deteriorating the decision was taken to call a halt to proceedings.  A great shame only in cricket can we get near yet so far from a result but in fairness this was a very cold afternoon where you constantly wanted to ask for the heating to be turned on never mind up.

So an abandoned game which I guess in fairness was my first of the season but on the way home with umbrella up against the rain and fighting keeping the protector aloft against the wind it was to be observed that the travelling cars had their lights on so poor was visibility at just before 5pm.

SUMMER CRICKET IN ENGLAND AS OPENER WOOD WRAPS UP

Sunday came and with a bright start things looked more promising although it had to be said that their was still a strong breeze.  Thanks to Pilsley Community manager Phil Barksby the details of the venue and kick off for the extension of the sporting weekend away were gained and the walk that is now becoming a familiar one was undertaken to arrive at Barlow Hill just as the two teams kicked off.

To the far side of the cricket ground is the re conditioned site of the ground Pilsley Community Fc newly promoted from Division 3 of the Chesterfield and District Sunday Football League the side would now look up just one table to entertain Newton George and Dragon who have been performing strongly in recent times and today would visit their near neighbours for a pre-season outing. 

SUNDAY MORNING IF ONLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON HAD BEEN LIKE THIS
NEWTON ON THE ATTACK

As ever with pre-season no team sheets so I wont attempt to guess even though there were a few known regulars in action.  The bright morning made the tangerine of Pilsley and equally impressive kit of Newton who were in grey, white and tangerine further add to the glare of the morning, sadly though no number on the visitors kit.  The early shine though was from the visitors who were testing the Pilsley keeper who was often denying the onslaught single handedly the home sides cause was not helped when their number 12 had to go off after falling heavily while making a fantastic goal line clearance to deny Newton.  Three goals in eight minutes from the half hour mark would send the division one side into a comfortable lead that had really been a fair reflection on their touch and go fast flowing football.

NEWTON KEEPER CLIMBS HIGHEST TO DENY PILSLEY

The second period saw Pilsley gain a little more traction in the proceedings but it was still not enough to deny Newton who doubled their advantage by the final whistle from referee White with goals three minutes into the second half, the highlight a strike with twenty minutes remaining with the outside of the boot and a penalty for handball with three minutes remaining.

This was an impressive performance from newton who again if this side turns up week in week out will be challenging the top spot in division one.  Pilsley should not be too disappointed they came up against one of the stronger sides in the area and will be ok in their new experience in tier two.

So my own sporting weekend may not live up to a trip to some far flung European city but you know what I was home for tea, now where is that number for Derbyshire County Council Estates Department.