Wednesday 21 October 2009 - David Frith, 'Yorkshire Cricketers I Have Known: From Wilfred Rhodes to Fred Trueman'
David is a leading cricket writer and historian. He founded Wisden Cricket Monthly in 1979 and edited the magazine until 1996. He has written numerous books and specialises in Ashes history. Also, in association with the National Film and Television Archive, he has presented an annual Archive Cricket Film Evening at the National Film Theatre in London since 1981. In 2003 he became the first author to win the Cricket Society's Book of the Year award three times, and his Bodyline Autopsy won Wisden's book of the year.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Sunday, 11 October 2009
David Frith lecture - Wed 21 Oct
David Frith lecture - Wed 21 Oct
All welcome!
Parking should be available on campus
Light refreshments served 5.15; lecture starts 5.45
Room W2/43 - West Building
All welcome!
Parking should be available on campus
Light refreshments served 5.15; lecture starts 5.45
Room W2/43 - West Building
Sunday, 4 October 2009
David Frith Lecture - 21 Oct
Wed 21 Oct, 5.15pm - David Frith Cricket Lecture - Press Release
An acclaimed Ashes historian will deliver the inaugural lecture at the University of Huddersfield's Cricket Research Centre.
David Frith, who has written numerous books on cricket history, will be talking about Yorkshire cricket and cricketers over the decades.
His books include Bodyline Autopsy, The Fast Men and Caught England, Bowled Australia, and he has also produced cricket videos and hosted cricket film evenings at the
National Film Theatre in London.
His Huddersfield lecture will be entitled, 'Yorkshire Cricketers I Have Known: From Wilfred Rhodes to Fred Trueman'.
'It's a massive coup to get David to come to Huddersfield,' said Centre coordinator Dr Peter Davies.
'He is an acknowledged authority on cricket history and we are looking forward very much to welcoming him to Yorkshire.'
Frith is based in Guildford, Surrey, and has also lived and worked in Australia. He was the founding editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly in 1979 and is a regular contributor to its successor, The Wisden Cricketer.
Dr Davies explained: 'We have some big names lined up for our quarterly guest lectures and David is a major figure in cricket history circles.'
The Cricket Research Centre was established this year by Dr Davies and colleagues at the University of Huddersfield.
It holds monthly seminars and an annual conference in addition to the quarterly guest lectures.
Dr Davies and colleagues Dr Rob Light, Duncan Stone and Dennis O'Keefe have all published on cricket history.
Contact Dr Davies on 01484 472405 or via p.j.davies@hud.ac.uk. The Centre's website is at http://www2.hud.ac.uk/mhm/history/research/cricket.
An acclaimed Ashes historian will deliver the inaugural lecture at the University of Huddersfield's Cricket Research Centre.
David Frith, who has written numerous books on cricket history, will be talking about Yorkshire cricket and cricketers over the decades.
His books include Bodyline Autopsy, The Fast Men and Caught England, Bowled Australia, and he has also produced cricket videos and hosted cricket film evenings at the
National Film Theatre in London.
His Huddersfield lecture will be entitled, 'Yorkshire Cricketers I Have Known: From Wilfred Rhodes to Fred Trueman'.
'It's a massive coup to get David to come to Huddersfield,' said Centre coordinator Dr Peter Davies.
'He is an acknowledged authority on cricket history and we are looking forward very much to welcoming him to Yorkshire.'
Frith is based in Guildford, Surrey, and has also lived and worked in Australia. He was the founding editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly in 1979 and is a regular contributor to its successor, The Wisden Cricketer.
Dr Davies explained: 'We have some big names lined up for our quarterly guest lectures and David is a major figure in cricket history circles.'
The Cricket Research Centre was established this year by Dr Davies and colleagues at the University of Huddersfield.
It holds monthly seminars and an annual conference in addition to the quarterly guest lectures.
Dr Davies and colleagues Dr Rob Light, Duncan Stone and Dennis O'Keefe have all published on cricket history.
Contact Dr Davies on 01484 472405 or via p.j.davies@hud.ac.uk. The Centre's website is at http://www2.hud.ac.uk/mhm/history/research/cricket.
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Quarterly Guest Lectures 2009/10
University of Huddersfield Cricket Research Centre
Quarterly Guest Lectures 2009/10
All lectures 5.15-7.15, Room W2/43 (2nd Floor, West Building)
Including light refreshments, bookstall and exhibition displays (refreshments will be served on arrival, with the lecture starting at 5.45pm)
Admission free - no need to book in advance; just come along! ALL WELCOME
Wednesday 21 October 2009 - David Frith, 'Yorkshire Cricketers I Have Known: From Wilfred Rhodes to Fred Trueman'
David is a leading cricket writer and historian. He founded Wisden Cricket Monthly in 1979 and edited the magazine until 1996. He has written numerous books and specialises in Ashes history. Also, in association with the National Film and Television Archive, he has presented an annual Archive Cricket Film Evening at the National Film Theatre in London since 1981. In 2003 he became the first author to win the Cricket Society's Book of the Year award three times, and his Bodyline Autopsy won Wisden's book of the year.
Wednesday 9 December 2009 - Professor Jeff Hill, 'Joseph O'Neill's Netherland and Cricket in America'
Jeff has worked at Leicester De Montfort University since 2001. He has been a visiting researcher at the University of British Columbia (1994) and Visiting Professor in European Studies at Columbus State University, Georgia, USA (2006). His academic interests are in the areas of sport and recreation. His most recent publications are Sport and the Literary Imagination and Sport, Leisure and Culture in Twentieth-century Britain. He has written about many aspects of cricket history.
Wednesday 24 February 2010 - Dr Philippa Velija, 'Women's Cricket, the Women's Cricket Association and the ECB'
Philippa is Lecturer in Sociology of Sport at York St. John’s University. Her research interests include gender and sport, sport and social exclusion, and sport and social theory. Her publications include, ‘'Look it’s a Girl: Cricket and Gender Relations in the UK’ (Sport in Society) and ‘Female Incursions into Cricket’s “Male Preserve”’ in Tribal Play: Sport Subcultures and Countercultures. She has also given papers at the Commonwealth Cricket Conference in London and in Montreal, Buenos Aires and Thessaloniki.
Wednesday 19 May 2010 - Dr Dan Burdsey, 'From Ranji to Ravi: The Emergence of the British Asian Cricket Star'
Dan teaches on a wide range of undergraduate modules related to the sociology of sport, leisure and popular culture at the University of Brighton, and is supervising doctoral students in the area of sport, race and ethnicity. During the late 1990s he was an original member of the Leicester City FC Anti-Racist Task Force which initiated the Foxes Against Racism scheme and is currently undertaking consultancy work with the Premier League and Asian Football Network regarding British Asian football fans.
Confirmed for 2010/11:
Dr Jack Williams – Cricket and Broadcasting
Prof Hugh McLeod – Cricket and Religion
Quarterly Guest Lectures 2009/10
All lectures 5.15-7.15, Room W2/43 (2nd Floor, West Building)
Including light refreshments, bookstall and exhibition displays (refreshments will be served on arrival, with the lecture starting at 5.45pm)
Admission free - no need to book in advance; just come along! ALL WELCOME
Wednesday 21 October 2009 - David Frith, 'Yorkshire Cricketers I Have Known: From Wilfred Rhodes to Fred Trueman'
David is a leading cricket writer and historian. He founded Wisden Cricket Monthly in 1979 and edited the magazine until 1996. He has written numerous books and specialises in Ashes history. Also, in association with the National Film and Television Archive, he has presented an annual Archive Cricket Film Evening at the National Film Theatre in London since 1981. In 2003 he became the first author to win the Cricket Society's Book of the Year award three times, and his Bodyline Autopsy won Wisden's book of the year.
Wednesday 9 December 2009 - Professor Jeff Hill, 'Joseph O'Neill's Netherland and Cricket in America'
Jeff has worked at Leicester De Montfort University since 2001. He has been a visiting researcher at the University of British Columbia (1994) and Visiting Professor in European Studies at Columbus State University, Georgia, USA (2006). His academic interests are in the areas of sport and recreation. His most recent publications are Sport and the Literary Imagination and Sport, Leisure and Culture in Twentieth-century Britain. He has written about many aspects of cricket history.
Wednesday 24 February 2010 - Dr Philippa Velija, 'Women's Cricket, the Women's Cricket Association and the ECB'
Philippa is Lecturer in Sociology of Sport at York St. John’s University. Her research interests include gender and sport, sport and social exclusion, and sport and social theory. Her publications include, ‘'Look it’s a Girl: Cricket and Gender Relations in the UK’ (Sport in Society) and ‘Female Incursions into Cricket’s “Male Preserve”’ in Tribal Play: Sport Subcultures and Countercultures. She has also given papers at the Commonwealth Cricket Conference in London and in Montreal, Buenos Aires and Thessaloniki.
Wednesday 19 May 2010 - Dr Dan Burdsey, 'From Ranji to Ravi: The Emergence of the British Asian Cricket Star'
Dan teaches on a wide range of undergraduate modules related to the sociology of sport, leisure and popular culture at the University of Brighton, and is supervising doctoral students in the area of sport, race and ethnicity. During the late 1990s he was an original member of the Leicester City FC Anti-Racist Task Force which initiated the Foxes Against Racism scheme and is currently undertaking consultancy work with the Premier League and Asian Football Network regarding British Asian football fans.
Confirmed for 2010/11:
Dr Jack Williams – Cricket and Broadcasting
Prof Hugh McLeod – Cricket and Religion
Sunday, 20 September 2009
263 not out!
Posted by Peter Davies
A Huddersfield Central League tour in the company of some legendary Yorkshire- and Lancashire-based Professional Cricket Watchers, including Mick Bourne, Brian Senior, Brian Sanderson, Peter Dixon and David Thorpe. First up, Cawthorne, on the fringes of Barnsley. A picture-postcard village - really very beautiful. The cricket ground was also very lovely: tree-lined, spacious and boasting an attractive new pavilion. And they serve a nice cuppa! Almondbury Wesleyans were the visitors and were batting first. Andrew Crawshaw, Chris Jones and other Wes loyalists were circling the boundary. A good scattering of spectators too. The ground brought back some very bad memories for me. In 1997, I hurt my back and knee while fielding at Cawthorne and ended up on morphine in Barnsley General Hospital. A horrible experience.
Then to Denby Dale where Denby Grange were the visitors. The ground looked a picture in the sun and the warmth. But bad planning: the two teams were at tea and for the first quarter of an hour all we saw were the guys who do the wicket doing their stuff. The Dale tea ladies are always very friendly and the new pavilion always looks handsome and elegant. A very good viewing ground too, with the boundary edge littered with some fairly sturdy benches. Lots of spectators and also lots of bowlers on the adajacent green, so much so that parking was a major problem on the main road. I had a little bit of a lie on the patch of grass close to where we were all sitting - very nice indeed. My Dad came back with an ice lolly - from goodness know's where - and then enjoyed a stroll round the boundary. I befriended one of the tea ladies and was able to sample some of their cheddar cheese sandwiches and quiche.
At Cumberworth, another case of bad timing. The players had just gone in for tea. Again, more work on the wicket to admire and lots of players doing stretching exercises on the outfield. Cumberworth secretary and Central League official Phil Senior was chatting on the boundary with spectators and the two tea ladies were relaxing inside the pavilion after doing their stuff at the interval. Photos were taken of the Professional Cricket Watchers in their element, with Brian Senior estimating that his watching tally for the season was '263 matches or parts of matches'. A very good effort, and of course he was still going strong. Some ham sandwiches were consumed along with some lovely lettuce. But we had arrived too late for a full tea. Crigglestone were the visitors.
Finally, Cartworth Moor, where the visitors in a top-of-the-table tussle were Woolley. The winners would be crowned Section 'B' champions. An amazingly big crowd - and because of this there was a totally different atmosphere than usual. The sun was still shining and the panoramic views over and around Huddersfield were as crisp and awesome as ever. But it was also getting cold and my Dad had to borrow David Thorpe's old jumper - the one that he uses for painting! Lots of interesting people on the boundary edge, including club stalwart Stuart Clayton and current 2nd XI player Steve Spooner. One guy, also, had just returned from Chester-le-Street (in an England replica top), where Australia had at last been beaten. He said it was all over as a contest in early afternoon so he didn't want to hang about. We kept on looking out towards Upperthong's ground -on the other side of the valley - but when Moor finally came out on top (winning by 15 runs or so - and causing widespread celebrations) we called it a day - for the weekend and, as regards Huddersfield league cricket, for the season.
A Huddersfield Central League tour in the company of some legendary Yorkshire- and Lancashire-based Professional Cricket Watchers, including Mick Bourne, Brian Senior, Brian Sanderson, Peter Dixon and David Thorpe. First up, Cawthorne, on the fringes of Barnsley. A picture-postcard village - really very beautiful. The cricket ground was also very lovely: tree-lined, spacious and boasting an attractive new pavilion. And they serve a nice cuppa! Almondbury Wesleyans were the visitors and were batting first. Andrew Crawshaw, Chris Jones and other Wes loyalists were circling the boundary. A good scattering of spectators too. The ground brought back some very bad memories for me. In 1997, I hurt my back and knee while fielding at Cawthorne and ended up on morphine in Barnsley General Hospital. A horrible experience.
Then to Denby Dale where Denby Grange were the visitors. The ground looked a picture in the sun and the warmth. But bad planning: the two teams were at tea and for the first quarter of an hour all we saw were the guys who do the wicket doing their stuff. The Dale tea ladies are always very friendly and the new pavilion always looks handsome and elegant. A very good viewing ground too, with the boundary edge littered with some fairly sturdy benches. Lots of spectators and also lots of bowlers on the adajacent green, so much so that parking was a major problem on the main road. I had a little bit of a lie on the patch of grass close to where we were all sitting - very nice indeed. My Dad came back with an ice lolly - from goodness know's where - and then enjoyed a stroll round the boundary. I befriended one of the tea ladies and was able to sample some of their cheddar cheese sandwiches and quiche.
At Cumberworth, another case of bad timing. The players had just gone in for tea. Again, more work on the wicket to admire and lots of players doing stretching exercises on the outfield. Cumberworth secretary and Central League official Phil Senior was chatting on the boundary with spectators and the two tea ladies were relaxing inside the pavilion after doing their stuff at the interval. Photos were taken of the Professional Cricket Watchers in their element, with Brian Senior estimating that his watching tally for the season was '263 matches or parts of matches'. A very good effort, and of course he was still going strong. Some ham sandwiches were consumed along with some lovely lettuce. But we had arrived too late for a full tea. Crigglestone were the visitors.
Finally, Cartworth Moor, where the visitors in a top-of-the-table tussle were Woolley. The winners would be crowned Section 'B' champions. An amazingly big crowd - and because of this there was a totally different atmosphere than usual. The sun was still shining and the panoramic views over and around Huddersfield were as crisp and awesome as ever. But it was also getting cold and my Dad had to borrow David Thorpe's old jumper - the one that he uses for painting! Lots of interesting people on the boundary edge, including club stalwart Stuart Clayton and current 2nd XI player Steve Spooner. One guy, also, had just returned from Chester-le-Street (in an England replica top), where Australia had at last been beaten. He said it was all over as a contest in early afternoon so he didn't want to hang about. We kept on looking out towards Upperthong's ground -on the other side of the valley - but when Moor finally came out on top (winning by 15 runs or so - and causing widespread celebrations) we called it a day - for the weekend and, as regards Huddersfield league cricket, for the season.
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Solly and Scholes
Posted by Peter Davies
Amazing day at Wellhouse Lane, home of Mirfield Parish Cavaliers. Visitors Scholes needed to overhaul the home side's total of 222, but in so doing lose no more than six wickets. Otherwise they'd be relegated from the CYL Premier Division. And they did it - just! A seventh-wicket stand of 40-odd saved them, with nerves jangling aplenty on the boundary edge. The crowd was massive - around 150 - and this created a great atmosphere. The ground, anyway, is an atmopsheric one. You feel so close to the action - it's as if you're fielding at mid-wicket to every ball, even as a spectator.
As neutrals, we were pleased Scholes came out on top because we'd been sitting among the Scholes crew by the pavilion and the lookalike Jackson brothers were being very good companions. Two very nice guys. There were other VIPs in the crowd: Jack Carson, president of the HCCL, David Sykes of Moorlands, and Solly Adam, local sports goods tycoon. He sponsors the CYL so when he arrives at a game he can, frankly, do whatever he wants! He was doing a business deal on his mobile and then fielding a ball on the boundary edge that had been hit for four. As he quipped after throwing the ball back to the bowler: 'You never lose it!' My dad also fielded another ball that had been hit for four. Such a small ground - you're always in the game!
The food was sensational. Parish are will drilled when it comes to catering. They have good crowds and have a fine clubhouse, so the kitchen is a hive of activity. There always seems to be a very friendly couple, or some male-female combination, on duty. They take your order and then give you a shout 10 minutes later. Today was baguette day! I had cheese, my dad ham. And when the baguettes arrived they were gigantic - and took up almost all the space on my very large plate! Lots of salad accessories too. The ever-so-friendly tea lady also offered us three sweets each (ginger cake, cherry pie and toffee cake). Extraordinary.
Other interesting aspects of the afternoon? The fantastic electronic scoreboard that was glistening in the autumnal darkness; the number of Scholes fans cheering on their boys in this last-ditch away encounter; the Mirfield fielder on the boundary who (out loud to his mate watching the game) was bemoaning the fact that only a few of his teammates clapped when opposition batsmen reached their half-centuries; and the excellence of the Scholes pro's match-winning innings. At one point he was farming the bowling away from the no.8 batsman, and did this to great effect, with all fielders on the boundary for him - giving him a single - and the fielders up for the no.8. Can't remember the last time I saw this happening with only six wickets down. And finally, as a very kind last-match-of-the-season gesture, the hardworking Parish tea lady was offering free cookies and Twix-like chocolate fingers to all and sundry. A fine gesture.
NB. The final league tables showed that Scholes had, after all, been relegated! Very strange.
Amazing day at Wellhouse Lane, home of Mirfield Parish Cavaliers. Visitors Scholes needed to overhaul the home side's total of 222, but in so doing lose no more than six wickets. Otherwise they'd be relegated from the CYL Premier Division. And they did it - just! A seventh-wicket stand of 40-odd saved them, with nerves jangling aplenty on the boundary edge. The crowd was massive - around 150 - and this created a great atmosphere. The ground, anyway, is an atmopsheric one. You feel so close to the action - it's as if you're fielding at mid-wicket to every ball, even as a spectator.
As neutrals, we were pleased Scholes came out on top because we'd been sitting among the Scholes crew by the pavilion and the lookalike Jackson brothers were being very good companions. Two very nice guys. There were other VIPs in the crowd: Jack Carson, president of the HCCL, David Sykes of Moorlands, and Solly Adam, local sports goods tycoon. He sponsors the CYL so when he arrives at a game he can, frankly, do whatever he wants! He was doing a business deal on his mobile and then fielding a ball on the boundary edge that had been hit for four. As he quipped after throwing the ball back to the bowler: 'You never lose it!' My dad also fielded another ball that had been hit for four. Such a small ground - you're always in the game!
The food was sensational. Parish are will drilled when it comes to catering. They have good crowds and have a fine clubhouse, so the kitchen is a hive of activity. There always seems to be a very friendly couple, or some male-female combination, on duty. They take your order and then give you a shout 10 minutes later. Today was baguette day! I had cheese, my dad ham. And when the baguettes arrived they were gigantic - and took up almost all the space on my very large plate! Lots of salad accessories too. The ever-so-friendly tea lady also offered us three sweets each (ginger cake, cherry pie and toffee cake). Extraordinary.
Other interesting aspects of the afternoon? The fantastic electronic scoreboard that was glistening in the autumnal darkness; the number of Scholes fans cheering on their boys in this last-ditch away encounter; the Mirfield fielder on the boundary who (out loud to his mate watching the game) was bemoaning the fact that only a few of his teammates clapped when opposition batsmen reached their half-centuries; and the excellence of the Scholes pro's match-winning innings. At one point he was farming the bowling away from the no.8 batsman, and did this to great effect, with all fielders on the boundary for him - giving him a single - and the fielders up for the no.8. Can't remember the last time I saw this happening with only six wickets down. And finally, as a very kind last-match-of-the-season gesture, the hardworking Parish tea lady was offering free cookies and Twix-like chocolate fingers to all and sundry. A fine gesture.
NB. The final league tables showed that Scholes had, after all, been relegated! Very strange.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Cricket Diary 2009 - Celebrations at the end of the road.
Posted by Tony Hutton
Thursday 10th September - Lord's Taverners under 14s Yorkshire Final - Woodhouse Grove School v Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield at New Rover, Leeds
Yet another cup final at New Rover, the third this week and another pleasant occasion, although in the end a rather easy victory for Woodhouse Grove. A slightly late start, caused by traffic problems in the centre of Leeds which delayed not only the Wakefield team bus but many of the spectators too. However this gave us chance to read the excellent programme produced for the day.
The Wakefield team listed all the various club sides with which the players are affiliated whereas the Grove side's details looked as though they had been written by the players themselves, i.e. 'very talented, elegant left hander in the Gower mould' or 'steady batsman, wizard leg spin bowler'.
Woodhouse Grove's team of all the talents then proceeded to knock up 152-9 in 40 overs without anyone making a particularly big score and a close contest looked in prospect. However sadly QUEGS somewhat faded away and were all out for 84. Another pleasant presentation ceremony presided over by Dr Knowles and Schools secretary Harold Galley with prizes for everybody saw most people, apart from the losers, go home happy.
Friday 11th September - ECB/ESCA under 15s Twenty/20 finals day at Headingley.
Another schools final day this time on a grander scale with the four schools involved all pleased to be playing on a Test Match ground. This was Twenty/20 for the connoisseur, played in white clothing, with no music or distractions of any kind. The first semi-final was between Whitgift School from Surrey and Bradfield College, Berkshire.
Bradfield's 99-9 never seemed enough and so it proved when Whitgift got 100-6 with three overs to spare. Shrewsbury School then took on Manchester Grammar School, the only northern side, in the other semi-final. Shrewsbury looked a class act when they batted and raced to 163-5 with wicketkeeper Jack Bailey scoring a fine 50. In reply Manchester made 139-4, so plenty of wickets in hand but they just could not pierce the well set Shrewsbury field.
So onto the final which started on time, evidence of the satisfactory over rate throughout the day. Whitgift perhaps thought they had scored just over par with 132-5 but this proved no challenge at all to Shrewsbury, particularly Leach and Hudson Williams, who both scored half centuries and they strolled to a nine wicket victory with two and half overs to spare.
Another excellent day's cricket with well over 700 runs scored in 115 overs and to add to the all round satisfaction, one of the umpires asked if he could say a few words before the presentations and complimented all four teams on their sportsmanlike behaviour throughout the day. The perfect weather was the icing on the cake for all the spectators.
Saturday 12th September - Yorkshire Academy v Hull & YPI at Headingley and Kirkstall Educational v Adel
Last day of league cricket this season in most of the Yorkshire leagues. The Premier League clash between second club Yorkshire Academy and bottom side Hull, was all about whether the Academy could retain the runners up position by taking the maximum eight points, which meant they had to bowl Hull all out.
Sadly they were pipped on the post as Hull made 176-9 and despite an excellent bowling performance by left arm spinner Randhawa , with 7-61, they could not take the last wicket.
The victory came easily enough with Gary Ballance taking full advantage of some poor bowling to score a rapid 108 not out, partnered by Calum Geldart with 58 not out at the end. So a nine wicket victory with sixteen overs to spare, but only six points instead of eight and with Scarborough having obtained maximum points today, they finished in second place with the Academy third.
However a great effort by this very young side who have shown great consistency all season, despite the loss of Bairstow and Rafiq to first team cricket. Tomorrow sees them in action again with yet another confrontation with champions York in the league cup final.
Meanwhile just round the corner from Headingley, Kirkstall last season's Aire Wharfe champions were taking on Adel in their last match. It was fitting that two of Adel's longest serving players were the stars of the show. Adel, batting first, making 234 all out and left hander Dave Standring accelerating the scoring in the last few overs with 78. Then it was the turn of veteran spinner Jeff Shires who finished off Kirkstall with 6-50 despite Joss Siddall's 67.
A good end to the season for Adel but Kirkstall who have lost several leading players only a shadow of their championship side from last season. Again the sun shone almost to the end but a chill autumn breeze told us this was the end of the league season.
Sunday 13th September - Yorkshire Premier League cup final - Yorkshire Academy v York at Headingley.
This really was the end, certainly as far as my own cricket watching for the season was concerned. A larger than normal crowd to watch the Academy included good support from York hoping that their team would complete the league and cup double.
The Academy's only hope it seemed was to dismiss the York top three cheaply and they made an excllent start by getting rid of Aussie record breaker Wilson for only two thanks to a great catch behind the wicket by Jonathan Bairstow. The dangerous Snell made only 38, but then Simon Mason with 53 brought York back into the game.
Then it was the turn of Azeem Rafiq, who was so prominent for the Academy earlier in the season, to bowl a fine spell of 10-0-31-3 and turn the game. Even so York had made a competitive score of 207-7 in their 50 overs.
The Academy's opening pair of Ballance and Root, who have both done so well this season in their contrasting styles took no early chances and put on a splendid opening stand of 102 before Root was out for 38. Dan Wilson than put his imprint on the game - only a change bowler he took 3-21 in five overs. Bairstow though had played a valuable innings of 47 and Roebuck blasted a quick 40 to keep Yorkshire ahead of the rate and in the end it was a stroll when captain John Balain came out to join Jack Hargreaves, who made the winning hit for four with six overs left.
Great celebration in the Academy camp, the cup was their's and congratulations are due to all the players, to captain John Blain and coach Steve Oldham for providing such good cricket to watch all season, particularly for their most dedicated followers, home and away, John and Jennifer Ellison and Mollie Staines.
There is still cricket to be played but now it is time for me to depart to foreign parts to celebrate my two grandson's birthdays next week and leave you in the capable hands of Peter Davies and possibly Michael Bourne, to round up the end of season action.
Thursday 10th September - Lord's Taverners under 14s Yorkshire Final - Woodhouse Grove School v Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield at New Rover, Leeds
Yet another cup final at New Rover, the third this week and another pleasant occasion, although in the end a rather easy victory for Woodhouse Grove. A slightly late start, caused by traffic problems in the centre of Leeds which delayed not only the Wakefield team bus but many of the spectators too. However this gave us chance to read the excellent programme produced for the day.
The Wakefield team listed all the various club sides with which the players are affiliated whereas the Grove side's details looked as though they had been written by the players themselves, i.e. 'very talented, elegant left hander in the Gower mould' or 'steady batsman, wizard leg spin bowler'.
Woodhouse Grove's team of all the talents then proceeded to knock up 152-9 in 40 overs without anyone making a particularly big score and a close contest looked in prospect. However sadly QUEGS somewhat faded away and were all out for 84. Another pleasant presentation ceremony presided over by Dr Knowles and Schools secretary Harold Galley with prizes for everybody saw most people, apart from the losers, go home happy.
Friday 11th September - ECB/ESCA under 15s Twenty/20 finals day at Headingley.
Another schools final day this time on a grander scale with the four schools involved all pleased to be playing on a Test Match ground. This was Twenty/20 for the connoisseur, played in white clothing, with no music or distractions of any kind. The first semi-final was between Whitgift School from Surrey and Bradfield College, Berkshire.
Bradfield's 99-9 never seemed enough and so it proved when Whitgift got 100-6 with three overs to spare. Shrewsbury School then took on Manchester Grammar School, the only northern side, in the other semi-final. Shrewsbury looked a class act when they batted and raced to 163-5 with wicketkeeper Jack Bailey scoring a fine 50. In reply Manchester made 139-4, so plenty of wickets in hand but they just could not pierce the well set Shrewsbury field.
So onto the final which started on time, evidence of the satisfactory over rate throughout the day. Whitgift perhaps thought they had scored just over par with 132-5 but this proved no challenge at all to Shrewsbury, particularly Leach and Hudson Williams, who both scored half centuries and they strolled to a nine wicket victory with two and half overs to spare.
Another excellent day's cricket with well over 700 runs scored in 115 overs and to add to the all round satisfaction, one of the umpires asked if he could say a few words before the presentations and complimented all four teams on their sportsmanlike behaviour throughout the day. The perfect weather was the icing on the cake for all the spectators.
Saturday 12th September - Yorkshire Academy v Hull & YPI at Headingley and Kirkstall Educational v Adel
Last day of league cricket this season in most of the Yorkshire leagues. The Premier League clash between second club Yorkshire Academy and bottom side Hull, was all about whether the Academy could retain the runners up position by taking the maximum eight points, which meant they had to bowl Hull all out.
Sadly they were pipped on the post as Hull made 176-9 and despite an excellent bowling performance by left arm spinner Randhawa , with 7-61, they could not take the last wicket.
The victory came easily enough with Gary Ballance taking full advantage of some poor bowling to score a rapid 108 not out, partnered by Calum Geldart with 58 not out at the end. So a nine wicket victory with sixteen overs to spare, but only six points instead of eight and with Scarborough having obtained maximum points today, they finished in second place with the Academy third.
However a great effort by this very young side who have shown great consistency all season, despite the loss of Bairstow and Rafiq to first team cricket. Tomorrow sees them in action again with yet another confrontation with champions York in the league cup final.
Meanwhile just round the corner from Headingley, Kirkstall last season's Aire Wharfe champions were taking on Adel in their last match. It was fitting that two of Adel's longest serving players were the stars of the show. Adel, batting first, making 234 all out and left hander Dave Standring accelerating the scoring in the last few overs with 78. Then it was the turn of veteran spinner Jeff Shires who finished off Kirkstall with 6-50 despite Joss Siddall's 67.
A good end to the season for Adel but Kirkstall who have lost several leading players only a shadow of their championship side from last season. Again the sun shone almost to the end but a chill autumn breeze told us this was the end of the league season.
Sunday 13th September - Yorkshire Premier League cup final - Yorkshire Academy v York at Headingley.
This really was the end, certainly as far as my own cricket watching for the season was concerned. A larger than normal crowd to watch the Academy included good support from York hoping that their team would complete the league and cup double.
The Academy's only hope it seemed was to dismiss the York top three cheaply and they made an excllent start by getting rid of Aussie record breaker Wilson for only two thanks to a great catch behind the wicket by Jonathan Bairstow. The dangerous Snell made only 38, but then Simon Mason with 53 brought York back into the game.
Then it was the turn of Azeem Rafiq, who was so prominent for the Academy earlier in the season, to bowl a fine spell of 10-0-31-3 and turn the game. Even so York had made a competitive score of 207-7 in their 50 overs.
The Academy's opening pair of Ballance and Root, who have both done so well this season in their contrasting styles took no early chances and put on a splendid opening stand of 102 before Root was out for 38. Dan Wilson than put his imprint on the game - only a change bowler he took 3-21 in five overs. Bairstow though had played a valuable innings of 47 and Roebuck blasted a quick 40 to keep Yorkshire ahead of the rate and in the end it was a stroll when captain John Balain came out to join Jack Hargreaves, who made the winning hit for four with six overs left.
Great celebration in the Academy camp, the cup was their's and congratulations are due to all the players, to captain John Blain and coach Steve Oldham for providing such good cricket to watch all season, particularly for their most dedicated followers, home and away, John and Jennifer Ellison and Mollie Staines.
There is still cricket to be played but now it is time for me to depart to foreign parts to celebrate my two grandson's birthdays next week and leave you in the capable hands of Peter Davies and possibly Michael Bourne, to round up the end of season action.
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