As regular readers of this “column” will know my Saturday night is usually spent trying to recruit players as I get bombarded with last minute injuries and newly arranged trips to go see granny before they go on holiday! (& other assorted reasons for not been able to play the following day). This week was a bit different as the only received text’s were from 3 players wanting a game when I had already assembled a formidable starting XI. (If only every week was like this!!!!!!)
The venue for Sunday lunch was the Myrtle pub which overlooks the Meanwood ground; There it was discovered that not only was the skipper in the bad books of Ricky Halloran’s club, Otley (for playing when as theHon Sec of Otley he should have been helping out at the Bertwistle cup final which his club were hosting) but also with Mrs Ivill for letting her husband make a rare Jesters appearance when he should have been decorating!
I was informed by Meanwood skipper/groundsman (& Jester) Ben “bong-ead” Senior that we were not playing on the infamous “widowmaker” pitch but it’s next door neighbour “sterling” (so named because of the amount of moss on it!) & also that his team wanted to bat 1^st so we would have to toss up!
So having lost the toss the Jesters opened the bowling with Ricky & Dan Holah & with the pitch proving just as “flat” as it’s next door neighbour promptly had the home team in disarray at about 10 for 6. The skipper ensured some runs were scored by having a bowl himself! There was some misfortune for Dan when he split webbing on his hand dropping a tough catch (unlike the simple one that the skipper dropped later!) & had to get 6 stitches put in at the hospital!   Tour “leg-end” Jake Agar & quality off-spin from Mark Harrison soon ended proceedings.
With the early finish & tea not yet ready (I would have thought Jill would be used to the home clubs tendency for early teas by now!) we decided on a quick turnaround for the 2^nd innings.
Opening the batting was the returning (last played for us in 1996) Mel Wood (brother of Lancashire & England’s Barry), 61 years young & still the most enthusiastic cricketer this correspondent has ever had the privilege of meeting. His partner was Ives who was given his usual instructions – score at 8 per over & don’t take any risks! Ignoring his skipper he scored at 10 per over before getting out with 15 required. The returning from injury for his 1^stappearance of the season Alex Rose & Richie Barker (playing as a batter! Due to a shoulder injury) took to us to victory in 10 overs at 4pm.
When somebody suggested that Meanwood have another innings some “wag” in the home crowd said “ What, & waste another 20 minutes!”
After tea & some socialising we still had time to get back to Otley & catch all the 2^ndinnings of the cup final!
The Jesters 1^st ever game in 1961 was played at this ground & Scottie found a picture (see below) of the Jesters team that day hung up in the lavatory (best place for it). See Mel front right!