In a roundabout way, I can thank Bradford’s inner-city development for discovering the delights of Crakehall Cricket Club. An expectation of traffic congestion meant that Woodlands of the Bradford Premier League would have to wait. Instead, something very different indeed. A 100-mile round trip to Crakehall, a village in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, off […]
Nidderdale Cricket League
In search of cricket: Third time lucky at Glasshouses
It’s a strange state of affairs when you’re in the cricket season and it’s devilishly difficult to find any cricket. Having pored over weather apps, listened to forecasts and looked at who was playing where, the prospect of week two of league cricket looked a little brighter. After 20 April fixtures had been postponed by […]
Starbeck Cricket Club: Only just getting started
A new cricket club forming in Yorkshire is unusual, if not completely unheard of. There are already some 800 or so across the region – so why go to the effort of setting up your own? Starbeck Cricket Club, who finished their first season in Division Eight of the Nidderdale Cricket League as champions, have […]
Moles to Missing Balls: The winds of change at Ripley Cricket Club
After weeks of wet weather and uncertainty, there was more than a bit of relief about the prospect of play at Ripley Cricket Club. I had seen their pavilion in some images by Mark from Caught Light Photography and the prospect of ice cream, village cricket and views of the castle appealed. From Cricket Yorkshire […]
Mankad, cramps and six hitting a car at Pannal Ash
Photographer Mark Doherty shares his thoughts on a visit to Pannal Ash where their first team were playing Ben Rhydding seconds. A little time travel, back a few years to just before the pandemic… I stood at the side of the ground and looked shocked at how long the grass was and appalled at the […]
Pateley pancakes and a Ken cuppa at Glasshouses
“You must get along to Pateley…” said quite a few of you over the years. So, we finally did – back in May. Pateley Bridge Cricket Club has been on my radar and the deliberately convoluted drive over from our neck of the woods was a sensational one. We chose to head up from Skipton […]
Red kites and red hot as Goldsborough take on Helperby
Arriving at the village of Goldsborough, to catch their Division One match against Helperby, we saw not one but two red kites. Swooping down low above the car, wings outstretched, it was an extraordinary sight that never dulls. The second bird of prey was moments later as we parked up and stepped out. The clubhouse […]
Blubberhouses: Secluded village cricket by the River Washburn
Mark Doherty shares thoughts and match photos from a visit to Blubberhouses Cricket Club. Saturday and a last-minute change of plans. Cricket Yorkshire’s John Fuller was heading to Goldsborough for a top-of-the-table Theakston Nidderdale League Division One fixture and the Knaresborough Bed Race was taking place as well. Anyone who knows the area understands that […]
Harrogate Cricket Club: The next chapter
I wrote an article not so long ago about Glasshouses Cricket Club and their very real struggles to stay afloat for another season. One of the comments came from George Owram, joint chair at Harrogate Cricket Club, who shared his thoughts on loaning out juniors to Glasshouses, Pateley Bridge and others. It got the grey […]
Even having one of the best grounds in Yorkshire might not save Glasshouses
Recently, I spotted news on The Stray Ferret about the fact that Glasshouses Cricket Club in the Nidderdale Cricket League was in danger of folding. I was horrified. ‘No, this will not do!’ I said out loud to no-one in particular. Our cat looked up a little concerned. You see, Glasshouses Cricket Club is one […]