The long innings of my 2011 vintage Volkswagen Polo is over. With 146,222 miles (note the Double Nelson element!) on the clock, the reliable old campaigner expired last week – albeit only a month before I’d planned to scrap it. No way, without major expense, would it get through a mid-July full service and MOT. […]
Club cricket
Can cricket clubs be better at attracting more spectators?
In 2019, I retired and came back to Yorkshire after 40 years away. Throughout a lifetime of working too hard, I had promised myself that I would spend my sunset years reconnecting with my roots and watching cricket at beautiful grounds. Enjoying the contest, the view, the fluffy clouds, revelling in glorious idleness, all to […]
Foss Evening League: Stockton & Hopgrove host Rufforth
Stockton & Hopgrove Cricket Club field one of just six First XIs contesting the three-division York Vale Cricket League. The others, on the off chance this crops up as an obscure question at your pub quiz, are Ben Johnson, Hirst Courtney, Melbourne, South Cave & Brantingham, and Thorpe Willoughby. Stockton & Hopgrove’s ground, part of […]
Six of the Best: Leagues, cups and ambitions across Yorkshire
With the 2022 season about a third complete, the standings across Yorkshire’s recreational cricket leagues are taking shape and cup competitions approaching their climactic phase. We take a close look at six appealing matches over the June 11-12 weekend: three league fixtures on the Saturday and a trio of cup ties the following afternoon. Saturday, […]
Ryedale Beckett League: Midweek cricket at Duncombe Park
There is always a danger, with midweek cricket, one will arrive at a ground to discover a team – maybe both! – has scratched and the game been called off. Many clubs don’t seem to bother posting social media information about the activities of their midweek XIs, which adds an element of ‘wasted journey’ risk […]
Yorkshire clubs win Aston Lark 2022 Prize Draw
Cricket Yorkshire’s insurance partner, Aston Lark, has revealed the winning cricket clubs in their annual prize draw. 2022 is the third year running that clubs could win one of three cash prizes. The prize draw closed on 30 April 2022 and winners were drawn at random from those who requested a no-obligation insurance quote or […]
Upper Wharfedale: Village cricket from the Yorkshire Dales
The last time we visited Grassington, we’d stumbled upon their 1940s weekend. I thought something was a bit odd when an armoured car parked up; soldiers jumping down to queue for a 99 with a flake. Our return was all about cricket at Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club, whose 1st XI are moving up the divisions, […]
Bradford Premier League: Birstall beat Baildon at Leeds Road
I am not one for soaking up the sun, hour after hour – whilst watching cricket or doing anything else. Acquiring a tan? Two weeks comatose on a beach? No, thank you. It means cricket grounds lacking shade, to the south and/or the west, must wait for a cloudy day before I’ll visit. Digital satellite […]
How does your cricket club fund their FrogBox?
FrogBox live-streaming has taken club cricket in the UK by storm this summer. The ability to beam matches around the world in real-time, promote sponsors and offer a point of difference has not gone unnoticed. A professional broadcasting service for grassroots clubs means anyone who can’t get to the game, might live abroad or is […]
Yorkshire Disability Cricket aim for the top
Yorkshire Disability Cricket already has a lot to celebrate in 2022. There is a positive air of improvement, engagement and optimism for the season ahead. This is driven by players, who are hungry for success and have stepped up their expectations of each other and standards to earn the right to wear the White Rose […]