report by Mark Shaw

The advanced party met at 11am prompt at the Wharfedale anticipating the seasons opener with relish, food (Soup & Pate) and drink (Lemonade & Blackcurrent Cordial) were consumed before the first challenge of the day appeared - how to open the gates to enter the ground.

Everyone managed to negotiate this hurdle one way or another.  The square was somewhat lubricated, however the far end pitch was deemed playable by the Umpires, Keith Dibb (Dickie Bird's best mate) and Chris Parks (Mel Wood's best mate).

Skipper Bell promptly lost the toss and was inserted by a youthful looking Arthington side.  The skipper was quite pleased about this considering several of the team were yet to arrive and last minute backword meant a 10 man team.

Following Joel Morley's success with the bat (hitting brother Ben for a six) earlier in the sesaon he was promoted to open along with Joe Smith.  Joel struck a good looking four before smashing the ball back to the bowler who happily snaffled up the catch.

Joe took a while to get going and was ably supported by Jake Hodges as the ball was dispatched to all parts of the ground with some lusty blows.  Jake reached his half century only for his concentration to lapse.

Ben Morley was unable to replicate his form on this ground 12 months ago, being comprehensively bowled by Aire-Wharfe division 6 bowler Pothercary, and went for a kip.

Broughy played a good cameo and was unlucky to chop the ball into the ground and see it trickle onto the stumps with just enough pace to dislodge a bail.

Neil Britton, who's last innings on the ground was an unbeaten century was looking good for the same again, unfortunately the tail were unable to stay with him mustering 4 runs between Shaw, Wood & Bell to close the innings on 165 as the skipper perished attempted a far too ambitious shot to see the ball loop up and be easily caught.    


Arthington made their usual opening gambit of hoping Geoff Barker would bat throught the 40 overs, however blood rushed to his head early in the innings as he tried an extravagant shot of Broughy attempting to smash the ball over mid on only for Brits to catch it, which may have been a mistake this early in the innings for the Jesters.

Brough kept the wickets clattering, Joel Morley taking a great catch in the slips.  Unfortunately Joel was too busy celebrating (with his Birtwhistle Cup Raffle bottle of Pino Grigeo) when an easier catch came his way shortly afterwards, dropping the dangerous Vince.

Arthington were clearly out to win the game this year, having made sure that they had used all the sawdust in the first half to make it trickier for our bowlers.

Big Vince, complete with his bright yellow helmet, came hit some lusty blows to keep Arthington in the chase.  Hodges was introduced into the attack and had the hosts skipper trapped LBW for a fine 48.  Another brace of wickets followed before Andy Conboy provided some good support, adding 70 for the 7th wicket before he went for a risky quick single and was run out.

The skipper had clearly decided it wasn't a catching day as he allowed a ball to land at his feet instead of going for the catch.

Brits was brought back into the attack for a 1 over spell and snapped up two of the tail, seeing the Jesters to a hard fought victory in the gloom.

 

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