A glorious luncheon

by Brian Sanderson

I set off from Headingley at 8.30 this morning for Hartlepool Cricket Club. Founded in May 1855, it was originally a member of the Durham Senior League, but in 1899 switched to the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, in which it still plays today. Its ground is Park Drive, where Durham took on the Australian Imperial Forces in 1919.

When I arrived at 10.30, the sun was shining, but it was a bit cooler than in Leeds. The match was Durham Cricket Under-18s v. Yorkshire Academy Under-18s. The latter won the toss and elected to bat, fielding the same eleven that played at Weetwood last week. The openers put together a steady partnership of 89 before Will Bennison fell lbw for 26. The next batter was Noel Kelly, who put on 82 with Tom Fraine. At lunch, after 28 overs, Yorkshire was 139 for one. Contributing to the poor over rate were a couple of big sixes which resulted in lost balls.

Lunch was always going to be the highlight of the day. It was produced by the excellent Mrs Mulholland, whom I have known for a number of years. I opted for two Yorkshire puddings, a beef stew and potatoes, and finished with an apple sponge. Great tasting!

Suitably nourished, Fraine went on to score a century, including nineteen fours. But Yorkshire then lost three quick wickets, and it was left to Thompson and Hen-Boisen to put on a stand of 129, including two poor overs by Charlie Scorer which cost 23.

They took tea at 273 for six after 63 overs, and Yorkshire finished the day 421 for eight—a great position. Between the sunny forecast and Mrs Mulholland’s cooking, there is a lot to look forward to tomorrow.

Brian Sanderson is an ACS member. He serves on the Yorkshire Cricket Archives Committee. If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please either respond to the email in which you received it, or leave a comment below.