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 […]
Nidderdale Cricket League
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 […]
Nidderdale Cricket League West Tanfield and Killinghall tussle for title
For several years, I put together, on behalf of a Skipton-based publisher, the editorial side of an annual (bi-annual, initially) visitor guide to Yorkshire. It meant spending a lot of time in the Dales (well, somebody had to do it). Quickest access to Wensleydale, for me, was via the eastern outskirts of Ripon and the […]
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, […]
Ben Rhydding joins Nidderdale Cricket League in 2021
Alex Miller, a committee member at Ben Rhydding Cricket Club, explains his club’s move to the Nidderdale Cricket League. Cricket clubs do change cricket leagues. It’s not revolutionary but there’s been two interesting examples with cricket clubs opting for something different in 2021. Ben Rhydding swapping Aire-Wharfe cricket for the Nidderdale Cricket League caught my […]