GRASSMOOR SHOW HEART, HILL TO BIG TO CLIMB

GRASSMOOR WORKS 214 ALL OUT HARTHILL 273 FOR 3

THE BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

13 AUGUST 2022  --- 1PM

ITS A FREQUENT DRINKS AFTERNOON IN GRASSMOOR WORKS V HARTHILL

Despite a defiant attacking innings from John Donaldson [72] Grassmoor came up 59 runs short of a daunting total by Harthill CC who return to the top of the Division One table to share the lead on points with Welbeck 2's

IAN WOOLVEN ACCOMPANIES MALC JELLY BACK TO HIS MARK

This weekend saw another red hot forecast and the day did not disappoint on the weather front with the watching spectators heading for the shielding of the tall trees within Barnes Park which were offering some much appreciated protection, it would certainly prove to be an afternoon requiring the ten over drinks breaks.  Overall there were quite a few incidents from this game more of which later as I had aimed to have a little waffle around the state of some of the professional popular sports currently that have backed up my enjoyment of grass roots cricket and football over the last couple of years.  Its probably a good idea because I have opted to include quite a few more pictures from this weekends encounter to extend the coverage. 

BRADLEY DELIVERS WITH CAPTAIN ADAM BEDFORD ATTENTIVE

On the morning before the game I had a brief opportunity to read an article about how the T20 format was now to be franchised in South Africa and the UAE as well so taking out many players from the, shall we say, more traditional game and making some players potentially unavailable from the national sides.  It would appear a shame that of course the franchisees that are taking over many sports, look at LIV in golf and the battle that is creating, are offering players more riches than the 'real game' can and I guess you cannot blame a player taking this security when injury could end their career at any time.  Its all very interesting when, if you are old enough, you look back to the early franchisee proponent Kerry Packer coloured clothing etc 'it'll never take off' hahaa.

IAN BRADLEY BOWLS WATCHED OVER BY THE NEARBY CROOKED SPIRE

Where this is a shame is that it is divisive there is some bad feeling in golf over their splits and like cricket these franchised tournaments do tend to attract the better experienced and often nearly retired players it is true to say it will pull out current international players too.  As mentioned at the start of this meandering it has made me move away from the top level of my favourite two sports hence the non league football angle to this blog for most of the year and or sports that have a closer connection to their supporters and here I give the example of rugby league which is so community based its almost untrue.

I have watched it at NCL level which is like the non league level and at pro level and their is just a different feel to their connection with the fans.  Its often spoke about in football etc but generally its just not true young fans and old ones find it difficult to get near the stats never mind feel any affinity.  I well remember attending an Everton U18 game a few years ago versus Manchester City at the training ground of the former and you couldn't move and when the players, no top players at the time, came out a row of security guards shielded them onto the pitch and then walked up and down behind the pitch side crowd during the game before escorting them off.  So the families and young fans wanted to maybe even meet their future stars but it was not going to happen.

OPENER PHIL HIGGINSON BUILT A GOOD BASE FOR HARTHILL

As this threatens to go even further off track I have watched the women's game in football develop to what are know extraordinary levels from its infancy I have admired players after games and international games too come straight over at the final whistle to the fans not just to applaud them but chat, sign autographs and take photos.  This has been much admired by new converts to the game especially during the wonderful Euro's win but I foresee the women's game going down the same route as the men's as more money, fairly and sponsors get more heavily involved I desperately hope the real connection with the fans is not lost and it doesn't become one of so many other sports where the clubs and medias belief of connection with supporters is far from the reality.  

So I suppose what I'm trying to saying 'loving my grassroots sport', see I could have said it in one sentence.

UMPIRE DENHAM AWAITS THE NEXT DELIVERY

So having returned to Barnes Park for some more grassroots stuff it would be a visit from Harthill who play within the lovely village sitting on the South Yorkshire Derbyshire border and while talking about sitting are in second spot after being top for much of the season at the start of play.

DOM CUMMING HAVING A MOMENT

The visitors made a cautious start as it proved difficult to get the ball away after good opening bowling from Malcolm Jelly and Ian Bradley the latter who dismissed Andrew Collinson [2] leg before.  A watching approach from Phil Higginson [27] set up a very good base for the visitors to move on from, however after ten over they had just 32 on the board.  

DANIEL WHITEHOUSE 71 NOT OUT FOR HARTHILL

The two left handers of Don Cumming [68] and captain Daniel Whitehouse [71*] did the damage for Harthill with as ever a sensible start but then an explosive spell as the early restrictive bowling of the home side was waved good bye too.  With regular drinks break on this red hot afternoon it must have been pretty hot out their so it was a great effort from all.  

TAMMIE WOOLVEN BRINGS OUT THE DRINKS

When Cumming was out caught Jelly off John Kenward Nash the pair had added 139 for the third wicket and even then Grassmoor could not rest.  Batting at five Bradie Shaw came in and performed the ultimate cameo with 59 off 34 balls to get Harthill to 273/3 off their 40 overs.

TWO BALLS LEFT SIGNAL

The first innings had seen Pete Bedford fielding for the work delayed Sam Smith and more concerning the loss of wicket keeper Mark Crain to A and E.  Standing up to Kenward Nash an edge flew through to connect directly just above his eye and after some first aid while prostrate on the floor the bandaged stumper went off to get the impact checked out.

FOUR MORE SIGNALLED BY UMPIRE DENHAM

Sports is a small world and a nice blast back to my very much younger watching days was umpire Paul Denham recognising me from our Derbyshire County Cricket Club watching days as he walked back to square leg.  He has now taken up standing in Bassetlaw games and along with his fellow official Ron Firth they both looked very well turned out in what was on a few occasions a challenging game.

The usual tea interval walked followed just for those who are concerned.

DOM CUMMING AND DANIEL WHITEHOUSE CENTURY PARTNERSHIP

Nicely back in time for the umpires to return the players to the pitch and what a start Grassmoor made racing away to just over seven an over off the first ten the only problem was the wickets were also falling and they needed them in hand for the final push.  Carl Bowling was out to the first proper ball for a duck after the first ball was signalled a wide down the leg side.

CHRISTOPHER PAGE LOOKING THE BUSINESS 2 FOR 34

But Andy Woolven [33] was in sparkling form when he fell with the score on 74 caught behind by Jack Mason off Christopher Page.  This created somewhat of a fracas as a visiting fielder seemed to take offence at the situation and a small coming together occurred maybe the football season has started here.  It was a hot afternoon and hopefully a cold drink afterwards sorted out any unnecessariness..  As wickets fell away David Spendlove [16] and Smith [20] tried to assist Donaldson 72 from as many balls as he took the fight to Harthill.

BACK IN MY DAY T SHIRT MODELLED BY PETE BEDFORD

The return of Crain [2*] from A and E just in time to return at a lowly number eleven gave some hope but it was now a massive ask at around ten an over.  The inevitable happened with Donaldson having to hit big he holed and Grassmoor despite a spirited effort had come up 59 runs short to Harthill who would know reclaim a joint top spot with Welbeck.

ONCE AGAIN ANDY WOOLVEN FEATURE IN CLASSIC POSE

Its been said in previous blogs that some of the pedigree sides, like Harthill and Welbeck, are always going to be a challenge for a community village side like Grassmoor but its too their credit that they keep on going.

For Harthill they will be happy to back to top spot even though it is shared and try to reclaim its exclusivity for themsleves over the coming weeks. 

A HEAVILY BANDAGED MARK CRAIN RETURNS TO BAT

A further nice touch today was the purchasing of a rather smart looking T shirt with an alleged Geoff Boycott quote for one of the more experienced members of the club Pete Bedford who had a session in the field as sub fielder today.  Thankfully the parading of it later in the afternoon allowed for a photo and it was a nice gesture that was carried off well by its model.

JOHN DONALDSON BIG HITTING FOR GRASSMOOR