HARLINGTON HITS FOUR FOR CALVER

GRASSMOOR SPORTS 3 CALVER 4

PSF AT BARNES PARK

11 AUGUST 2020 --- 6.30PM

CALVER MAN OF THE MATCH HARLINGTON RACES THROUGH

Dave Harlington hit an impressive four goals as Hope Valley League side Calver Fc secured their first win in the clubs pre-season campaign on a red hot evening in North Derbyshire.  A brace in each half was enough to give the visitors a comfortable lead before Grassmoor secured a late goal to narrow the final score line.

Grassmoor Sports as a club would welcome a second Hope Valley side after last weeks outing against neighbours New Tupton Ivanhoe who make up a small collection of sides who compete in the league but are out of the 'natural' Peak District area of the competition, indeed Calver start their campaign in a month away to Pilsley Community in Stonebroom to bring the club back into the suburbs again.  For the home side The Chesterfield Sunday League as of yet has no start scheduled with a meeting planned to decide this shortly.

On a humid and red hot night when moving your small finger was enough to bring you out in a sweat the twenty five minute walk to Barnes Park was undertaken with some trepidation but arrival was made fairly comfortably ten minutes before kick off.

During last season I found myself taking an increased interest in the grassroots levels below step seven and I have to say with local travel being the order of the day in pre-season and who knows for how long in the current climate the response from all the clubs to fixture questions has been fantastic and I include tonight's visitors in this comment.

Towards the end of last seasons there was a move by The Hope Valley League after a decimated season due to the wet weather to complete fixtures and clubs who had not played home or away would take on an emergency fixture by playing both games on a one hour basis with a small break in between.  To that unique effect I had planned to take in what turned out to be the final game at Calver before the season was curtailed but this didn't happen for me.

Calver as a village was always a journey towards the Peak District with my parents and my auntie and uncle as a youngster and going through the crossroads it always seemed like a start of the journey and when you came back through a return to nearly home territory, plus there was always the chance of calling back at The Eyre Arms for pop and crisps.  As an aside to that the garden centre and sweet shop outside serving Bradwells ice cream made the former more bearable.

MORE ACTION WITH A RIGHT WING CROSS IN THE FIRST HALF

So to tonight's game both sides I guess will make changes in personnel and positional play the visitors came to this game off the back of a 3-3 draw at home to Railway and as a club Sports from a home loss to Ivanhoes.  As ever its more or less impossible to trouble sides for teams with changes as well in pre-season games so apologies for any poor spellings etc.

Grassmoor started strongly and Calver looked out of sorts this may have been the warm travelling conditions that had made it difficult to start refreshed but just past the quarter of an hour mark it was the visitors who took the lead when the home keeper misplaced his clearing pass and Harlington nipped into to fire home his first of the game.  More or less immediately Sports were level a foul just inside the box allowed the ever youthful former Chesterfield player David Hoole the chance to convert from the spot.  A convincing finish from a player who clearly showed his pedigree tonight after his professional career at Saltergate in the eighties.

It would be the visitors who went into the break with a one goal advantage when Harlington was again alert on hesitancy in the home defence and he raced on to round the keeper before firing into the empty net.

As the heat continued to beat down Grassmoor were level within three minutes of the re-start with their second penalty converted this time by Toby Dawes.  As the goals flowed it was a move with an identical descriptor which was finished off by a text book header from Harlington to complete his hat trick following a lovely cross from Littlewood.  He made it four on 53 minutes when Owen set up the frontman to convert comfortably.  It looked a great move to show the Hundall cricketer a strikers role and having seen club at Ashover Barbarians a few weeks ago a bit of research found that it was the only game he had not tuned out for so far for this season.  

The game drifted away a little in the closing stages from the visitors point of view as Grassmoor continued to play some lovely football and their efforts were well rewarded by a lovely cross goal shot that flew in at the far corner by the number 5.

A morale boosting victory for Calver with the star of the night Harlington claiming the man of the match performance by virtue of his four goals.

FIRST HALF BALANCING ACT

With the light fading more sharply than lastThursday night the final whistle brought the chance for a take on of water for the players who had displayed fantastic resilience to the conditions in this pre-season game that had provided some entertaining football and a chance to catch up with another Hope Valley League side.

SECOND HALF ACTION WITH CALVER ON THE ATTACK

WARSOP TON GIVES PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS THE UPPER HAND

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 236 FOR 7 SHIPLEY HALL 2'S 150 FOR 4

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

8 AUGUST 2020 --- 1PM

JACK WARSOP ON HIS WAY TO A CENTURY FOR PILSLEY

Despite a century from Jack Warsop Pilsley and Clay Cross could not find that elusive first league victory of the season and had to settle for a winning draw against Shipley Hall 2's who held out at 150 for 4 and also remain in search of their first win.

The last visit to Barlow Hill a couple of weeks previous saw an umbrella almost permanently aloft and on the return journey I spotted the superb little memorial garden to the local pits further down on Rupert Street and made a note that on any return I would gather a picture of this fantastic effort.  So with warm weather forecast the 'brolly was firmly placed in its holder along side its fellow rain beaters.  The walk of approximately fifty minutes would see me arrive at the memorial pit tubs just a few minutes before the ground as was mentioned in the previous blog the former Pilsley Colliery was just over the road from the sports grounds and closed in 1957.  However Parkhouse Colliery was just a field or two away from the sight screen at the Clay Cross end of the ground closed later in 1962 but is always remembered for its disaster on 7 November 1882 when 45 men and boys died deep down in the pit.  Later years would see CMFL football side take on the name although not really with any pit reference more a colloquial reference before a change to its current title Clay Cross Town FC.

THE IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL TO PILSLEY AND PARKHOUSE COLLIERIES

Onto the cricket and with both sides seeking that first victory the home team must have been showing some confidence of finding that first maximum especially when the visitors were a little short of a full compliment.  However it was good to see a team representing Shipley Hall after a few years ago blogging the T20 county finals there and meeting the long term club man Francis Peter Young a fine servant to his club and the game.

With no weather problems today the major issue would be the heat on this exposed ground the views would be hazy rather than covered in constantly drifting rain showers as per the last encounter with Lower Pilsley.

THE SCENE IS SET

Pilsley rattled off to a confident start with the scoreboard regularly clicking over or in today's climate the buttons were pushed for the electronic display to change its numerical order.  The first five overs went for 39 runs and although there was a slight restriction in the flow in which Ian Knowles went for 38 the overall score was always on the plus side with Warsop taking his opportunities well.  At the half way stage the score had moved to 121 for 2 with Steve Wood [7] the other batsman sent back to the pavilion.  Captain Tristan Bowers came in for a quickfire 20, Sam Doy secured 5 while Will Green [14] was again dismissed by a boundary catch this time an excellent running effort.  Warsop fell on the last ball of over 31 shortly after securing three figures from 95 balls with a dozen 4's and three maximums a sterling effort on a energy sapping afternoon.

STEVE WOOD CONCENTRATES

John Worthy hit a valuable 25 from just over half the deliveries to his total and when his partner Pete Lacey was run out for 4 captain Bowers had seen enough and declared the home sides innings after 34.4 overs, a decision that would mean Shipley would face the additional five overs giving Pilsley the chance to close in on that first victory.

TRISTAN BOWERS FRONT FOOT FORWARD FOR THE SWEEP

The Shipley reply could have been seen to have been in trouble at 31 for 2 but a third wicket partnership of 68 was enough to steady the ship and with the loss of just one more wicket the visitors held on batting out their adjusted 45 overs to finish on 150 for 4.  In the process of trying to take the full set of wickets needed captain Bowers used eight bowlers but it wouldn't be enough to deny Shipley Hall a defensive display that would give them confidence going forward too.

BAT HELD HIGH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE APPLAUSE FOR HIS CENTURY JACK WARSOP

For Pilsley this was, although a winning draw, probably disappointing to not secure a victory against a side who had to bat out the additional overs but the confidence from a big total and the century from opener Warsop will probably outweigh that.  The visitors were batted out of the game with the total posted but would be pleased that they were not dismissed cheaply or within their allotted overs and more than survived for the draw.

SAM DOY PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS CC

A humid afternoon with a two and a half mile walk to base followed by a spell in the shade and a glass of refreshing council pop.  This Saturday coming Pilsley are at home again against Riddings and with the continuation of local sport during the current climate hopefully it wont be too long before a revisit is

scheduled in to Rupert Street.

HEAT MIST NOT RAIN THIS WEEK

IVANHOES IN CONFIDENT START

GRASSMOOR SPORTS 1 NEW TUPTON IVANHOE 6

PSF AT BARNES PARK

6 AUGUST 2020 --- 6.30PM    

A CONFIDENT START FOR THE TUPTON MANAGEMENT 

An encouraging start for Hope Valley League side New Tupton Ivanhoe with a comfortable victory over Chesterfield Sunday League neighbours Grassmoor Sports at Barnes Park on a sultry evening.

Almost exactly a year ago the local pre-season derby saw Iavnhoe travel to Clay Cross for a fixture against the 'United' of that town a game that the latter surprisingly won tonight though Tupton kicked off with confident start.  As per most of my recent sport it would appear that the order of the time would be more grassroots variety and the small walk to Grassmoor via the double incline of Hagg Hill was undertaken.. Approaching Barnes Park via the site of the former, in days of old, local cinema and the still current Boot and Shoe the park showed up looking fairly busy with footballers, practicing cricketers and skate park attendees.  

Grassmoor is a smaller village than Tupton but as of course many of the villages in these parts was built up around its pit and then when that close the adjacent carbonisation plant was the source of employment until that closed.  It is also the start of the previously blog mentioned Five Pits Trail and was the former home of Paul Burrell the butler to Diana Princess of Wales.

Barnes Park tonight's venue was now in sight and looking fairly busy with footballers, cricketers and skate park attendees.

Grassmoor is smaller than Tupton but as per many of the villages around these parts was built up around its pit when that closed subsequent employment was found at the adjacent carbonsiation plant until its also shut.  The village is the start of the previously mentioned Five Pits Trail and its famous former resident is Paul Burrell the butler to Diana Princess of Wales.

GRASSMOOR TEST OUT THE TUPTON WALL

Just for the record most bloggers seem to be recording how many days since their last football match well here goes its 152 for me and a journey back to the early days of March when departure from Langwith Road Shirebrook would see the end of the curtailed 19/20 season.  With some caution about re entering the football arena and with limitations my early decision was to go to proper 'grassroots' football and having taken in the Ivanhoe's pre season game last year tonight seemed as good an option as any.

Ivanhoe started strongly and had the upper hand for most of the opening 45 minutes something backed up by their two nil half time lead courtesy of a Lewis Bramwell brace.  An opening close range effort after just ten minutes was met by a sweet lofted strike from the edge of the box seven minutes later that drifted over the Grassmoor keeper.

With the copious amount of subs as in all pre-season friendlies there was a rest for the impressive Bramwell at the start of the second half but more than catching the eye now was the speedy Marc Bright who also seemed to be able to deliver a nice cross from out wide too.  It was Bright who added the third after the Grassmoor keeper had superbly pushed a Tupton effort onto the bar he fired home the lose ball within two minutes of the restart.  Five minutes later former Clay Cross Town keeper Charlie Clayton playing in a outfield role all keepers seem to desire fired home to make it four without reply, the celebration towards his touchline teammates may need a bit of practice though.  It was five when Joe Holmes nestled the ball in the back of the net before Clayton popped up again with a clinical cross goal strike that flew past the Grassmoor keeper with twenty minutes remaining.  

Grassmoor had the better of the closing stages a left hand corner form the 15 was played back in by the number 4 and a sharp finish from the red shirted number 7 provided a consolation goal.  In the final minutes Clayton found himself back between the sticks as the Ivanhoe's keeper retired injured from proceedings and he was grateful for the cross bar as the home side rattled it with an edge of the box shot.

IVANHOES CLAYTON WHEELS AWAY AFTER CELEBRATING HIS FIRST GOAL

First ninety minutes of the season and how was it.  Well I cannot say I was comfortable I made the assessment that park football would be best with plenty of movement allowed and of course the restrictions of steps 1-7 of no spectators currently would probably push hoppers into watching at venues similar to this.  Having made the decision to walk to sporting fixtures currently it would limit the options in footballing and cricket terms and I guess going forward many of these sides will have but a handful of spectators in attendance.   

Tonight I stood a good few yards behind one goal away from most of those attending and with both teams sensibly taking up opposite sides of the pitch it did limit gatherings well.  The park though was busy with the skate park well populated, dog walkers meandering around and the cricket club training added to this a warm evening bringing people out that will I guess not be walking through similar venues on a wet November afternoon.

Cricket seemed to be ready to start although I guess they were more or less in season and eager to get going and although there are many of the ECB guidelines that need re-reading it appears as with anything some clubs proceed well.  In relation to football I guess many including players will not have looked at the FA instructions which is a shame because like cricket some clubs some will follow them and others wont,  I would urge all clubs and players to read them.  From a conversation with an official at the local senior non league side I know they are looking at all possibilities to take on board a full raft of safety measures on match day and this is very encouraging because if this season is to start or even finish clubs must take on board the guidelines.

Here tonight I let the ball roll past me without retrieving it on a few occasions, as in cricket, I did mention to one passing spectator who gave me a strange look at my non retrieval the FA regulations to protect all parties involved, but who knows how many have read them.

Tight non league grounds I believe will possibly be uncomfortable whereas grounds with space around them and with officials who are well versed and organised will feel more comfortable added to this step 8 and below plus Sunday league will get probably more comfortable when the colder weather returns and it will be just the hardy characters frequenting the local park pitches. 

So a good start for New Tupton Ivanhoes with Grassmoor showing some encouraging signs in the second half too lets hope football will come good and see an entertaining 20/21 season for both of these sides who put on an entertaining encounter tonight. 

ROCHE SETS ASHOVER VICTORY UP FOR COOKE TO DELIVER

ASHOVER BARBARIANS 145 FOR 0 HOLMESFIELD 141 ALL OUT

DCCL DIV 3 N/N AT MILKEN LANE

1 AUGUST 2020 --- 1PM

JACOB ROCHE GAINS THE WICKET OF MATT DAFT ON HIS WAY TO A FIVE WICKET HAUL

Captain Russell Cooke once again starred in the home sides devastating win with nearly seventeen overs to spare they reached the target without losing a wicket and it was a century from Cooke which saw a winning maximum scored that allowed him to reach 100 not out and at the same time gather the 22 points for the home side who secure consecutive Milken Lane wins.  But today's victory was set up by a superb bowling display from Jacob Roche who claimed a 'fifer' for just 21 runs in his allotted ten overs.

DAN HOLMES HOLMESFIELD OPENER HOLDS THE POSE

So for the third time this season and the second week running the thoroughly enjoyable three mile walk to beautiful Ashover was embarked upon and with this week the additional memory awakened of a family member who purchased the former Ashover Zoo to re-tell an added stride was in my step, especially handy for those steeper climbs.  The journey is now attracting constant efforts to achieve it in sub one hour and its pretty close depending if there is any miss appropriation in timing points or comfort breaks.  The usual route found the alpacas in place and as the ground came into view it appeared Derby Caravan Club where in a nearby field.  With fine weather forecast the inevitable happened with the first hour seeing a constant dodge of light showers that threatened from the west but thankfully not sharp enough to take the sides off.

ENGLISH SUMMERTIME RETURNS WITH LITTLE SHOCKS FOR THE PREPARED

It would appear Ashover like to chase and that may appear the best option on this wicket but for Holmesfield who arrived undefeated it looked like being a stern challenge for an improving home side.

Indeed the visitors got off to a solid start before losing opener Mayank Sharma with the score on 42 caught by Roche [J] off opening bowler Jon Branson.

TAKE THAT

The innings then stumbled under the influence of Roche [J] he bowled fellow opener Dan Holmes and when he sent the stumps flying of Matt Daft and Joe Poste without scoring Holmesfield were reeling at 48 for 4. The fifteenth over had been a remarkable three wicket maiden with once again a bowler on a hat trick the third time this season and the third time it had not happened in a game attended.  Branson returned the favour to Roche by grabbing a catch offered by visiting captain Jimmy Pearson for a duck and when the efforts of Williams Helliwell were finally ended by a sharp caught and bowled from Jonathan Taylour the same player also bowled David Ward and it was damage limitation at 73 for 7.

JACON ROCHE SECURES HIS THIRD WICKET BOWLING JO POSTE

There was a sterling effort from Russel Parker [35] and Nick Crapper [25] which rescued Holmesfield towards the end of the innings the latter became Roche's fifth wicket.  As partners ran out for Parker he was bowled by John Green four ballS short of the forty overs which had seen the visitors achieve an in the end respectable 141 all out.

RUSSEL PARKER LOOKS TO ANGLE ONE AROUND THE CORNER

Ashover Zoo I know it sounds unbelievable but over the previous two visits I had taken the picture of the former house and gardens that housed this remarkable set up.  It was a property that I had been privileged to go into after a family friend bought it in the early 70's after the zoo had closed.  I well remember the families efforts to restore this property over the next two years something which meant them living in a large holiday type caravan in the grounds while trying to hold down jobs as well.  In the end in the owners words he 'just ran out of money'.  The tales he told fascinated a younger me about the property being a former zoo and although I have always known this surprisingly I had never done any further research until speaking to the family friend on the morning before this game and mentioning the property.  It sits superbly on top of the hill at Ashover with excellent views over the Matlock main road, village and surrounding area and is the most prominent property in sight from the cricket ground.

THE FORMER HOME OF ASHOVER ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS NOW A FANTASTIC RESIDENCE

Also known as Pan's Gardens the establishment was set up in 1955 and closed down in 1972 with its residents the Keeling family, Clinton and his wife Jill had a selection of exotic animals including I believe monkeys and I seem to remember our friend mentioning larger ferocious animals although that may have got lost in time translation.  There are certainly mentions of former visitors and employees of animals being in sections of the house although these were of birds in the kitchen and water based animals in the bath, as well of course within the grounds.  It would appear that groups and schools would visit and in later years Mr Keeling would go to educational establishments to give talks to impart his knowledge, he would it seems have been an interesting character.  The family interest clearly passed onto his son Jeremy who is the co founder and animal director of Dorset Monkey World.  An amazing little piece of history from a small rural village in a time when many of these creatures would only have been viewable for most people in books.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC COOKE SECURES VICTORY AND A CENTURY WITH A MAXIMUM

So after a wander around the village in the tea interval and some further views of the wonderful properties time was well judged as Ashover were just about to embark on what looked like a fair challenge.  However as per last week if Cooke gets away he will hit big and confidently with the able support of Jack Fletcher who holds up in a supporting role these two can be a danger to any opposition.

The second over of the innings saw Sharma concede seventeen runs and at 23 without loss the Barbarians were off to a great start.  Although Holmesfield did pull it back somewhat with three consecutive maidens one for Sharma and the others for Nick Crapper.   At the ten over stage Ashover were setting a pace at 4 an over and providing nothing untoward happened were well on target.  Slowly but surely Cooke increased his tempo even more with some mighty blows all around the Parish grounds and into the adjoining showgrounds requiring a few stone wall climbs to retrieve, indeed one straight maximum disturbed the grazing sheep by the pavilion end but Cooke didn't care he was enjoying this too much, as were most of the spectators,  

As partner Fletcher [33] came out of his supportive shell his strike rate was increasing and with a few wides thrown in to the equation Cooke was looking like he may be stranded in the nineties.  Thankfully he secured a single off the last ball of over 22 and with three required to win he was a maximum short of his century.  The second ball of over 23 was sent down by Archie Crapper a nice full toss but cometh the hour cometh the man as Cooke launched it for just about the straightest maximum you could achieve and the sheep were disturbed once again as the Barbarians captain held his bat aloft and victory was achieved.

MESSERS MARSHALL AND THOMPSON LOOKING SMART ON A BRIGHT AFTERNOON

This had been a wonderful display from Cooke and add to that the bowling of Roche [J] a dominant victory by an Ashover side who in this form are now looking like the side to stop in this mini season.

Return was achieved in sub one hour and just for the record the alpacas are still not talking to me.

COOKE SERVES UP ASHOVER VICTORY

ASHOVER BARBARIANS 116 FOR 5 CHESTERFIELD 2'S 112 FOR 8

DCCL DIV 3 NN @ MILKEN LANE

25 JULY 2020 --- 1PM

THE CLASSIC VILLAGE CRICKET SCENE WITH COVERS ON HAND JUST IN CASE

Ashover secured their first win of the truncated season when wicket keeper captain Russell Cooke hit an attacking 67 to lay the foundations for this success even allowing for a mid innings wobble the Barbaraians were seen over the line by Ben Roche [22].  Chesterfield had earlier set a low total that would require them to take all the home sides wickets for them to gain victory, with Marcus Hayes showing strongly with the bat and the ball.

MARCUS HAYES 31 FOR CHESTERFIELD 

Why change a good thing, well that was part the reason for a re visit to Ashover after the last trip to Milken Lane two weeks ago.  So setting off slightly later the attractive walk soon found the country lanes offering up what appeared like more full verges with an array of wildflowers before the strenuous climb to the top of Milken Lane which descends with gusto into the east side of the village and an immediate view of the cricket ground.  The family of alpacas were grazing away and showed little interest in communication even after a variety of animal noises were made in their direction still this is a beautiful approach to the village and on the latter stages I noticed a small post box nestling into a stone wall and gave myself a note to take a picture on the return leg.

JON BRANSON FLYING IN FOR ASHOVER

The players were just coming out and it would appear Chesterfield had been invited to set the total to chase and they set off well before losing their first wicket at 41 when Sam Fawcett was caught and bowled by Jon Branson.  The following overs provided a procession of wickets at regular intervals and when opener Marcus Hayes [31] fell caught by Jonathan Taylour of a little bit of magic from Paul Daniels you feared for a sub one hundred total.  But Kieran Garside put some momentum into the innings with 40 and allowed Chesterfield to get into three figures.  It would appear to be a 'slowies' wicket and with John Green returning 2 for 17 in ten overs the brakes were put on Ben Roche chipped in with 2 for 21 and there was a wicket apiece for Daniels, Branson and Taylor.

JOHN GREEN ECONOMICAL WITH A BRACE OF WICKETS

As the inning's had developed the parish grounds had got busier with a few spectators from Chesterfield, dog walkers and then just before the interval Ashover Fc and manager Don Carline came along to train pre season.  This took up one side of the ground and in current climate I moved around and then went off on a tour of the village during the break.  With rain having been threatened by the forecasters it was a pleasure to have seen non of the wet stuff and a small tour of the Ashover showed up the beauty of this place its buildings and lanes.

SOME FIRST INNINGS JUGGLING FROM THE UMPIRE

Arriving back at the ground I decided to take up a spectating boundary position at mid off, to the right handed batsman and fluctuate to the Parish Hall as a few darker clouds veered over the outfield.

KIERON GARSIDE GETS WELL FORWARD

Ashover would start their reply with real purpose with Cooke swatting the ball to all corners and fellow opener Jack Fletcher offering a supportive role the home reply a had reached 78 before the loss of the first wicket when the latter came down the wicket something Hayes and was stumped for half a dozen off of 40 balls.  A mini collapse occurred reducing the Barbarians to 88 for 5 when Cooke was out bowled by Joel Moore for 67 off 70 deliveries.  Just before Cooke was out we had seen a frustrating rain delay of about five minutes in which by the time the covers were in place the rain cloud had passed over something that would have seemed likely viewing by their movements, still its one of the quirks of cricket.

ASHOVER CAPTAIN AND TOP SCORER COOKE IN HIS OTHER ROLE TAKING A DELIVERY STOOD UP

Roche [B] came in and steadied the ship with a four to win it in 29.5 overs Ashover gained a failry comfortable victory after their mid innings wobble again all induced by some good slow bowling with Hayes adding to his batting contribution with 3 for 30 in 9 overs and a superb effort of 2 for 11 in seven overs from Joel Moore.

UMPIRES STEPHEN WILLISON AND KEVIN GODFREY DISCUSS THINGS NUMERICAL

Ashover had bagged the 22 points and now have a win, loss and a draw from their opening games and with the visit next week of table toppers Holmesfield to Milken Lane it should be a mouth watering encounter with the weather set fair.

COUNTRY POST BOX IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Milken Lane and its ascent awaited and with a sub hour return to base, 58 minutes to be precise, the now threatening rumbles of thunder held off long enough for a dry return and oh yes I did remember that post box.

RAIN NO PROBLEM WE PLAY ON AS CRICKET IS THE WINNER AT PILSLEY

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 146 FOR 9 NUTBROOK 2ND Xl 211 FOR 4

DERBYSHIRE CCL  DIV 6 N/E LEAGUE AT PARISH SPORTS GROUND

18 JULY 2020 --- 1PM

TRISTAN BOWERS BOWLED BY CAMERON COOKE IN THE REPLY BY PILSLEY

Jonathan Taylor carried his bat through the Nutrbook innings and in the process hit a career best of 84 and along with James Woods [63] put on 118 for the fifth wicket all this was enough to bat out Pilsley and Clay Cross from getting anywhere near a challenging total.  As per the DCCL the end result was a winning draw and 19 points for the visitors who did everything to win bar taking the final home wicket.

EARLY ATHLETICISM FROM THE HOME SIDES JASON CLAYTON 

After last weeks trip to the countryside this week it was time to remain in the suburbs and head south east from base on a walk of just over two miles armed with umbrella with the weather threatening a constant flow of the wet stuff.  Arrival at the Pilsley Sports Ground was just before the first ball and within two overs the protective shield was up as varying intensities of rain fell for the remainder of the Nutbrook innings.  In fairness to both sides there were never any moans or whinges as both sets of players played through the inconvenience while their professional colleagues spent the whole day in the pavilion at Old Trafford in the second test match, but here in the lower reaches of The DCCL they are made of hardier stuff.
The site has a brand new pavilion with an electric scoreboard as the ground develops its football pitches too, of course today even in the drizzle there are allocated areas outside for both sides and a collection of notices around the ground advising spectators not to touch the ball.  The home side had received a week longer than Ashover last week but had clearly put some good measures into place.  The ground is situated in Lower Pilsley, before the main village and with the now abandoned Miners Welfare fenced off it does though give up the evidence that the former colliery, closed 1957, was just over the road and now the railway lines that would access it forms the nearby Five Pits Trail.  The walkway links up the other four collieries of Williamthorpe, Grassmoor, Holmewood and Tibshelf and in the interval a brief journey to the edge of it would reveal a former colliery building.

JONATHAN TAYLOR ON HIS WAY TO BUILDING A  CAREER BEST FOR NUTBROOK

Nutbrook innings started in dry weather but with the rain threatening there was always a doubt that we would see through this fixture.  The handy signal here is that the ground sits on an exposed ridge which leaves it open to any inclement weather.  Although on the bonus side excellent views are offered to the south and Alfreton, the east gives up Crich Stand and to the north Clay Cross and the Crooked Spire of Chesterfield over five miles away so on a nice day plenty to observe.

THE NEW PAVILION OVERSEES THE EARLY ACTION

The visitors Nutbrook had elected to bat and even though they lost a couple of fairly quick wickets for 19 Joshua Newnham steadied the ship with 25 and even though captain Stuart Argyle fell quickly to see the visitors reduced to 93 for 4 it was the Woods and Taylor partnership of 118 that would see them through to the close of their 40 overs posting 211.   For the home sides bowlers it had been a slog but economical figures from Gareth Hatton with 2 for 21 in 10 overs did slow down the Nutbrook attack down for a short while.

With the rain having stopped just before the closure of the first innings a small tea time amble took me over to Back Lane and Slacks Lane narrow horse shoe shaped roads that led to the former lane that led to Pilsley Colliery and the chance to view a former pit building.  The old canteen a strange T shaped building was standing derelict a few years ago but has now been developed using its former structure into a residential premises now bearing the name of its previous usage.  A nice little bit of history which is apart front the derelict welfare the only reminder of the former colliery.

GARETH HATTON AN ECONOMICAL RETURN FOR PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS

Pilsley list their formation as 1886, a fine history and with the neighbouring town of Clay Cross joining them in a merger that is becoming all too familiar to allow the survival of local cricket.  Days gone by would have seen both of these but specifically the latter returning some good successes in todays current climate at least both clubs survive in this joint effort.  The former Clay Cross ground at High Flats or its current name of Sharley Park survives with a unique raised terrace pavilion but I believe today is only used by Cutthorpe 4th's.

STUART ARGLYE VISITING CAPTAIN FENDS ONE AWAY

The home sides response saw a quick fall of wickets and they were struggling at 28 for 3 with Tristan Bowers, Sean Fisher and Will Green all back in the metaphorical pavilion, the latter somewhat disappointingly as he had dispatched a superbly timed maximum the ball before his dismissal bowled by Newnham.  Steve Wood brought an air of stability to the reply with 36 and Pete Lacey added a creditable 48 before he frustratingly fell just short of his maiden half century caught and bowled by Argyle.   It was at this stage 125 for 5 and with just seven overs left the chase was up but with a resolute 24 from Stephen Eyre the home side looked confident of hanging on for the losing draw.

NORTH WINGFIELD CHURCH AND STAGECOACH GOLD SERVICE DESCENDING TOWARDS CLAY CROSS ALL IN VIEW FROM THE GROUND

There was a late scare though when Cooke bowled Pilsley captain John Worthy for three and then set up a hat trick by dismissing Jason Clayton in the same manner,  Anya Horsley fend off the bowlers chance the following ball which also delivered a no ball to deny the opening bowler his glory.  Having rained on and off in the second innings it was now turning quite chilly standing watching so the close of play was a welcome event minutes later.

NO TIME TO ADMIRE THE VIEW FOR OPENING BAT STEVE WOOD 

The final over was fended off by Eyre except for the last ball when he threw caution to the wind, knowing the game was safe, as Newnham sent all the stumps flying as the home batsman looked to plant the ball in nearby Clay Cross.  The Nutbrook bowling attack was a young team and it put on an impressive showing with Cooke returning 4 for 32, Newnham 3 for 22, Ben Gretton and Robbie Stanier chipped in with one apiece.

HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN

As per last week a credit to the home side for operating live scores online its always good to keep up with proceedings as they happen alongside this a credit to both sides who were just determined to get in a game of cricket.
The return journey would see the need to loft the umbrella high again but along the departing Rupert Street is hopefully a photo opportunity for next time with a garden adorned by two pit tubs and memorial plaques in memory of Pilsley and nearby Parkhouse Collieries something I look forward to featuring on a future visit. 

DELAYED START TO THE CRICKET

ASHOVER BARBARIANS 96 FOR 9 [40 OVERS] HUNDALL 98 FOR 8 [32.5 OVERS]
DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE 3 NORTH/NORTH @ MILKEN LANE
11 JULY 2020 --- 1PM

MILKEN LANE ASHOVER WELCOMES THE START OF THE 2020 CRICKET SEASON

Delayed start and cricket not an unfamiliar phrase associated with the sport but this one was after around three months.  Cricket got under way very quickly after lockdown restrictions were eased by the Government and both Ashover and Hundall served up a tight low scoring game that in the end saw Ashover unable to take the ten wickets of their visitors who walked away with the victory.  After a low total was set by the home side it became a game of tension for much of the reply but a resolute reply from David Revill with 38 from 72 balls steadied the ship and set up victory which James Weston grasped in over 33 with a four and a match winning six to send the visitors back to the north side of Chesterfield with 22 points.
With sport being part of the staple diet 52 weeks of the year the ending of the football season normally sees a mixture of cricket and rugby league come to the fore but during the current crisis all sport, including local competitions, had met a stall.  However just over a week ago with stringent guidelines to be published for hygiene and health and safety it was announced recreational cricket could begin its 2020 season.  So for me four sport free months had passes since an outing to Shirebrook v Teversal in The EMCL and with The Derbyshire County Cricket League one of the first off the mark to book in fixtures for this delayed start it seemed rude not to take a look at the wonderful game.
This would create some difficulties because as regular readers will know my travels are by public transport something I currently still do not fancy and the option of three grounds within a reasonable walking distance were selected with Ashover the favourite for ease and quietness of the roads to be trod.

DESCENDING DOWN MILKEN LANE HERE THE VIEWS TO EXPECT LOOKING TOWARDS MILLTOWN

It would prove difficult to get to much clarity about what would be expected but thankfully the leagues fixture secretary outlined it was a full side competition and over 40 overs throughout the league.  So when The ECB finally released their 5 pages of guidelines at 5pm on Thursday evening the opportunity was clearly in sight.
Ashover is a lovely little village full of stone houses, pubs, tea room and of course the famous Tuck Shop which has been mentioned on visits before to see the football side run by Mr Ashover Don Carline and of course blogged on here so I dont intend to repeat to much more about the village.  Setting off to walk the three and a half miles at around 11.45am my route would take me past the former home of Derbyshire and England cricketer Cliff Gladwin and set the tone for a day of cricket.  Within half a mile the fields that would accompany me on my North East Derbyshire journey would take over from the houses and gardens of the villages to the south of Chesterfield.  Farmers fields with inquisitive cows and relaxing sheep were the norm as the incline to clear the ridge that sits to the east side of Ashover as we approach the road running up to one of its tourist spots 'Ashover Rock' only to divert off down the single track road that is Milken Lane.  We are around a mile away from the ground as this lane develops the most beautiful views over the countryside around our destination there are already signs of the attractive cottages, Eastwood Hall and some very relaxed alpacas who didn't seem to interested in me although even after a few words towards them they showed the disdain of a relaxing animal.

JOE STENTON FROM THE MILKEN LANE END FOR HUNDALL

The steep drop into the village was welcome but of course the thoughts of climbing this after a day at

CRICKET IS BACK

the cricket were always at the back of my mind.  At the junction Milken Lane continues even after emerging onto the main approach road and within a minute the ground, tennis courts and Parish Rooms come into sight.  The far end of the ground has a small but attractive pavilion, something which due to current closure restrictions I cannot tell you anything about, the outfield laps over onto the adjacent football pitch the ad part about photographing for either sport here is the spire of the parish church of All Saints is now barely visible due to tree growth so although a pretty setting it is not as photogenic as it was a few years ago.

HOME CAPTAIN RUSSELL COOKE 

What about the restrictions then well they are many and although some were a strong challenge to change the habits of years of playing the players saw breaks in play at half a dozen over intervals to sanitize their hands many of the others can be complex for example getting the ball back to the bowler along the floor or the wicket keeper not replacing the bails and stumps and so the list goes on.
Ashover would be making their debut as Ashover Barbarians after a close season merger with Chesterfield Barbarians who played at Walton Dam in the town this venue will now stage second Xl fixtures.  The visitors Hundall carry a strong reputation locally and their pretty ground sitting on the hillside between Chesterfield and Sheffield sees them offer a tough opening fixture.  The league have been split up into varying sub groups to try to complete a season of sorts and create some cricket for which The DCCL must take great credit for their preparedness.

THE CLASSIC SCENE AT TEA TIME UMPIRES TAKE THEIR TEA BUT THIS TIME AT A SOCIAL DISTANCE

Part of enjoying cricket is the socialising but with social distancing in play it made for a frustrating afternoon dodging spectators, players, dog walkers and the general public who were meandering through the recreation grounds still of this meant getting the game it is something we must all do.
Hundall had succeeded in wining the toss and put Ashover into bat and it would prove the correct decision it was sow going for the home side with just four batsmen getting into double figure it would be left to Darren Parkin [33] to top score.  For Hundall Paul Revill took 3 for 12 in Ten overs in what was an innings of consistent wicket falling rather than a complete collapse at any stage.

JONATHAN TAYLOUR FOR ASHOVER 3 FOR 25

With teas all taken Al fresco the visitors reply started in a similar fashion with three wickets down for 25 but slowly David Revill pushed the ball around in a patient manner and collected 38 runs it would be the difference for the visitors.  Although the other turning point were overs 24 and 25 which both went for double figures the only ones in the whole of this economical encounter.  When Revill fell LBW to the returning Jonathan Taylour the score was 80 for 5 and victory was in sight, a cameo and aggressive 13 from Daniel Weston set up his brother James the opportunity to win the game in over 33 with a four off the opening delivery and a maximum off the penultimate one.

BEST TILL LAST MAN OF THE MATCH DAVID REVILL FOR HIS 38 FOR HUNDALL

Game over and oh yes I had almost forgot Milken Lane in reverse for a mile of steep climbing out of the village but by the top it would be a steady down hill nearly all they way home achieved just an hour later oh how different that sounds to a return to base station doesn't it.