JUNE 2020 Darlington Building Society

NYSD NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM NEWSLETTER ECB PREMIER LEAGUE Founded 1892

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS No apologies for headlining our second lockdown newsletter with the magnificent Marske CC mural which was included in an ECB presentation to every county in the country in mid-May — the topic was ‘cricket connecting communities and improving lives’. In the following pages we devote some well-deserved space to a few of our clubs who have inspiring stories to tell, and we also include a story about a local cricket fanatic who has been involved on the NHS frontline. Our first newsletter was issued on what would have been the opening day of the 2020 season — since then the May Bank Holidays have come and gone with the ECB suspension of all recre- ational cricket still in place and uncertainty as to when, if at all, we might get a start, although as we write small steps are being taken out of lockdown, offering a glimmer of hope. The League provided clarity to their clubs from the outset of the crisis via contingency plans that have proved remarkably prescient — they remain as relevant as the day they were issued, and provide some guidance about what NYSD cricket may look like if and when the green light is eventually given. Inside this issue: Through This Test Together 2 SUMMER’S HERE !!

Around the World 3 Oh the irony! Going the extra mile 3 Of course there are vastly more important things at this time, but cricket lovers aching for the game to re-start can- Cummings and goings 3 not help but reflect on the glorious weather in April and May — better than the vast majority of us can ever remember.

On the front line 4 We are told this is the sunniest and driest spring since rec- ‘Cricket has never been more of a ords began. By this point in time we would have completed metaphor for life. one third of our league programme and the Kerridge, in its National Glory Days 5 centenary year, would have already reached the semi-final If you find the rules utterly baf- stage. fling, just try to stay in and hope Grounds for optimism 7 for the best’ Let’s hope that if we do get a start at some point the weath- er remains on our side — it would be the cruellest of twists Paul Sinha 2020 if the rains arrived at the same time as the cricket!

TEST YOUR NYSD CRICKET KNOWLEDGE IN OUR QUIZ ON PAGE 8 — AND WIN AN AUTOGRPAHED BAT FOR YOUR CLUB PagePage 2 2 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE Founded 1892

TOGETHER THROUGH THIS TEST The ECB has launched a nationwide campaign shining a light on the work undertaken by the game in response to COVID- 19. Its aim is to highlight the many incredible initiatives undertaken during lockdown - showcasing the power of cricket to connect communities and improve lives. As ever, NYSD clubs have been right at the forefront of helping their communities, and on this page we are proud to pro- vide just some examples of what our clubs have been up to.

Marske C.C.— ‘Bowled over by key workers’. This magnificent mural appeared on the car park wall at Windy Hill Lane in early April … a tremendously evocative piece of work portraying the part played by many key workers in helping us fight the virus . The mural was highlighted by the ECB and went around the world— the artist was Drew Allen of Drew’s Wonder Walls.

Darlington C.C.—not to be outdone Feethams got in on the artistic act with an impressive outfield display. DCC members have also been busy helping the local community— a virtu- al Grand National saw the winnings donated to the local food bank, a bingo evening produced more funds for the food bank and a local chil- dren’s football club, while a Race Night produced a donation to Alz- heimers

Redcar C.C. were flying the flag for the NHS and secretary Karl Buckton produce a brilliant activity booklet based on his work as a Prima- ry Schools coach. Designed around the game of cricket to pro- vide a couple of activities per day for two weeks it has proved highly popular after being shared with the wider cricket community. If you haven’t seen it yet you can access a copy in the documents section of Redcar’s Play- cricket site.

Whitby C.C. - yet another of Marton C.C.— under agree- our coastal clubs—it must be ment with Milton Coors something in the sea air! Marton kindly donated Keeping their young All Stars their stocks of snacks from involved by making rainbow the bar to the two closest posters for display at the en- primary schools. Here’s trance to the ground for eve- first team bowler Mattie ryone going past to see. Connolly delivering to Mar- ton Manor.

READ ABOUT NORTON’S ROUND THE WORLD CHALLENGE ON PAGE 3 PagePage 3 3 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE Founded 1892 TOGETHER THROUGH THIS TEST AROUND THE WORLD IN 65 MILLION STEPS Norton Cricket Club is in the middle of challenging members to walk around the world—virtually! Nigel Smith, a parent and organiser of Norton’s All Stars programme, came up with the novel way of keeping members of the cricket club in contact with one another during the lockdown period, the challenge helping everyone to keep in touch and also con- tributing to their physical fitness and mental wellbeing through recording their steps taken during daily exercise rou- tines. The added bonus was that a small donation was made to the Club by all those participating to help in these uncertain times. 47 people signed up to the challenge with the age range taking part from 7 years old to 70+. Once the participation was confirmed the best format was determined: Recording individuals’ daily steps. Encouraging photographs of locations of daily exercise. The following categories were then established to add interest: Walker of the day. Adventurer of the day. Walker of the week. Adventurer of the week. Plotting the total steps around the world to the nearest cricket club led to Chris Thomas then contacting each of the clubs to let them know what Norton were doing and thank them for virtu- ally hosting them. By day 38, at the beginning of June, 23m steps (almost 11,000 miles!) had been completed, the leading walker being Sarah Gresham with over 1m of those steps — Kenny is trying his best to catch up! There has been lots of healthy rivalry so far and lots of banter between everyone including Neil Tait (left) umpiring in Germany, Sarah Gresham walking her cows, a virtual pub crawl from Sha- ron Finnigan and Victoria Watson spying on the opposition. The aim is to return to Norton Cricket Club after taking approximately 65 million steps around the world – some time this !

GOING THE EXTRA MILE Mark Eland, North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League Umpire, has been nomi- nated under the ECB’s #raise the bat initiative for his work as an NHS driver. With no cricket being played Mark has agreed to do more hours assisting Doctors on their shifts within the Whitby area. Mark is originally contracted to 12 hours per week but has stepped up during the pandemic and is now supporting the NHS with around 100 hours.

CUMMINGS AND GOINGS

Someone else going a few extra miles recently is the new head of Barnard Castle’s tour- ism board—Dominic Cummings. He actually had good reason to enjoy some time in the town as his grandfather used to play cricket for Barney. BC President Stephen Brenkley tells us ‘’Forget all that cover story nonsense about com- ing to Barney to check that his eyesight was up to snuff. Dominic Cummings was proba- bly in Barney (or Castle Barnard, as it is now known) to pay homage to his grandfather.

‘’Until last year, Laurie Cummings’ partnership with Lt Col A.F.T White, who had played for Warwickshire and Worcester- shire, was Barney’s first record. The pair put on 206 against Darlington RA in August 1941. White was stationed at one of the six military camps in town, Cummings was a 17-year-old pupil at Barney School.

‘’White was the senior partner and finished with 158, Cummings made 65, including five fours. Bernard Donald, who was to become a legendary NYSD bowler, for Barney, Bishop and Darlington but was only 20 at the time, then took 5-30 as the RA fell well short. Laurie, who became a war hero, played for Durham at rugby, ran a sports shop in Durham for decades, and no doubt used to bounce young Dom up and down on his knee telling him the tale of his record stand’’ PagePage 4 4 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE Founded 1892

NYSD PEOPLE — ON THE FRONT LINE

Middlesbrough’s young star, Yash Vagadia, has more reason than most NYSD cricketers to be frustrated at the suspen- sion of recreational cricket due to COVID-19….but there again he has more reason than most to understand why cricket has had to take second place to the nation’s health. The 16-year-old seems bound for cricketing success after two out- standing seasons that have seen him earn a Yorkshire Academy con- tract for 2020, this accolade rounding off a period of almost unre- mitting success for the youngster. Two years ago, at the tender age of 14, he was a key performer in the Yorkshire side that won the Under-15 , and in 2019 he starred at the famous Bunbury Festival, earning selection for the ‘Best of Bunbury’ side to take on the South of England, a game in which he scored 52. He wasn’t doing too badly at the Boro either in 2019, scoring his maiden Premier Division century at the age of just 15 years and 3 months against local rivals Thornaby, and ending the season with al- most 500 runs at the top level. Overall, with more than 1400 runs and 36 in all games, it was no surprise when he was voted the NYSD’s U17 player of the year. At least Yash has had some cricket in 2020, joining the Yorkshire Academy tour to Cape Town in February, following which he was in- vited to play for the ECB U17 Super 4 North of England team selection trials. And that’s where the story is on hold for the time being due to the virus. But no one understands better than Yash the need for the restrictions to normal life as his Mum and Dad, Archana and Vipul, both work in the NHS we all owe so much to. Vipul has worked for the NHS for 18 years and is based at the North Tees and Har- tlepool NHS Trust where he has been a consultant Rheumatologist since 2010. As a Clinical Lead in Rheumatology Vipul and his team have had to identify high risk groups of patients who need to be shielding for 12 weeks, using virtual technology and telephonic consultations to deal with patients problems in the comfort of their own home and arranging blood tests and of medications to patients homes where needed. Archana has also spent 18 years in the NHS where she is a GP. Tragically one of the family’s closest friends, a fellow GP in Archana’s practice who had been to South Africa with the Vagadia family just a few months ago, lost her life recently while fighting Covid-19, while quite a few of Vipul’s other colleagues have also become infected, highlighting the constant dangers they face. In these most testing of circumstances Yash’s parents reflect the integrity and dedi- cation that we have all come to appreciate much more over the last few months – as Vipul says: ‘My aim in the current situation is to keep my sanity and keep doing my job to the best of my ability for my patients’. It does at least help that Vipul can find some release through cricket – he is the most ardent of supporters and much of his spare time over the last few years has been devoted to helping Yash pursue his burgeoning cricket career. During lock- down he has spent many an hour in the garden giving hundreds of throw downs to his son – it’s probably just as well he’s an expert in rheumatology! PagePage 5 5 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE Founded 1892

NATIONAL GLORY DAYS

Over the last few unprecedented months there has been the chance to wallow in some nostalgia so no apologies for revis- iting league representative cricket – a high level area of the game that the NYSD have every reason to be proud of as their record is, quite simply, second to none. Consider the NYSD’s achievements –  LCC National Inter-League champions on 12 occasions….a record no other league in the country can match.  The only non-ECB Premier League to win the Presidents Trophy following the formation of Premier Leagues 20 years ago.  The best performing non-ECB Premier League for the six consecutive years prior to the NYSD becoming an ECBPL themselves in 2011. The great disappointment is that national inter-league cricket is no longer being run for a variety of reasons, however it does mean the NYSD record will never be matched or beaten, and it was a great honour for the League to be granted the oppor- tunity to hold the President’s Trophy in perpetuity. That gold-plated beauty is shown above – the inscription reads: The Presidents Trophy, presented to The North Yorkshire & South Durham Premier Cricket League by League Cricket Confer- ence in recognition of the N.Y.S.D. being the most successful team in the history of L.C.C. National Inter-League Cricket. There have been many great games in a competition variously known over the years as the Rothman Trophy, the LCC Trophy, the Steiner Cup and, finally, the President’s Trophy. The first win is often the sweetest and that came in 1975 with the NYSD defeating the Lincoln- shire County League in the final at Stockton by 7 wickets, Neil Riddell’s unbeaten 59 ensuring a comfortable success. The NYSD then took a 10-year break from the competition, but when they re-entered in 1988 they rewrote the record books. With Clayton Lambert skipper the team swept to an impres- sive success, defeating the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League in the ‘88 final at Great Chell, and then followed it up with six more consecutive trophies. When listing some of the players to feature in a 36 game winning streak stretching to 1994 the success was hardly surprising – as well as the effervescent Lambert the team often fea- tured players such as Ijaz Ahmed, Umer Rashid, Ken McLeod, and Ajay Jadeja as well as one or two local unknowns such as Graham Shaw, John Glendenen, Tony Bell and Jon- ny Barnes! Notwithstanding that halcyon 7-year period, and all the notable successes, perhaps the most impressive victory of all came in 2008 when the team took up the challenge of playing the Premier League sides after another spell on the sidelines – and once again they swept all be- fore them before an unbeaten 63 from skipper James Lowe clinched a 7-wicket victory over the Nottinghamshire ECB Premier League in the final at Caythorpe. Clayton Lambert receives the (original) Presidents Trophy from LCC chairman Bob Cherry after the 1990 final win over the Derby County League at Acklam Park. PagePage 6 6 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE Founded 1892

NATIONAL GLORY DAYS—continued

As might be expected of such a successful side, the NYSD hold a number of records in the national, a couple coming in that remarkable game at Marske in 2010 against the North East Premier League when the NYSD won by 72 runs after amassing the highest ever total of any side in the competition – 425-6 in 45 overs, and that against a team that included Aussie international Andrew Tye. Chris Batchelor’s 185 from 119 balls in the onslaught stands alone as the highest individual score in Presidents Trophy history. Of course beyond the national competition the NYSD also found time to create other records – for a short spell in the Eighties when they didn’t enter the national, they competed in the John Smith’s Yorkshire Leagues Cup, making three final appearanc- es, winning twice – pretty impressive in a county of 100 leagues — whilst they also ventured into the North East Inter-League Championships on six occasions, featuring in four finals, and winning three, once again racking up the records, including anoth- er thumping score of 341-7 against the NEPL in the 2015 final victory at Marske. Representative cricket has always been seen as of great value to players’ development and success at senior level has been complemented by significant successes at age group level. Seven titles in the famous White Rose Trophy, and five appearances in the NE u21 competition saw us in 5 finals, four of which ended in victory. Once again record-breaking was the order of the day – the highest ever total of 342-3 v NEPL at Eppleton in 2015 which included the highest individual score the competition has witnessed…143no by Lewis Harper with the solar panels on the housing surrounding the ground taking a fearful pounding. And the NYSD representative team legend lives on to this day despite the demise of inter-league competition in recent years as the team have continued to enjoy considerable success – this time in the short format with annual T20 challenge matches against Yorkshire Vikings and Durham Jets. The NYSD teams have won all of these games against the counties in the last five years – matches which have witnessed some outstanding cricket played against opposition sides that have included such star players as Keaton Jennings, Tom Latham, , Peter Handscomb, Ben Coad, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Chris Rushworth.

The NYSD and Yorkshire teams line up before their epic 2017 encounter at Marton which saw the NYSD triumph with a boundary from the very last ball of the game. Page 7 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE Founded 1892

GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM

Each newsletter we try to feature a couple of clubs and the work they are doing to improve their facilities for the benefit of all who play cricket on their grounds — this month we feature two clubs who haven’t been idle during lockdown.

RAILWAYMEN ON THE RIGHT TRACK — PUTTING THE BUZZ BACK IN ‘BR’ Shildon Railway have been going full steam ahead over the last 18 months to transform their ground and facilities. Over £60,000 has been spent to date in erecting 170m of new border fencing, a changing room revamp, a brand new Compact tractor and a new viewing terrace over- looking the ground. But the work isn’t finished yet — further plans include a new LED score- board, 50m of protective boundary netting, levelling of sunken drains, roll on dug outs for 100 cricket, and modernisation of the showering fa- cilities and tea room. So a busy few months still to come, but this train’s bang on time with sights firmly set on new destinations.

D.I.Y. JUST THE JOB FOR MARTON — IS THIS THE LONGEST CRICKETFORCE EVER?

Just before the lockdown Marton’s bar was upgraded but the room wasn't decorated/refurbished, leaving them with a room not fit for purpose. Unpaid volunteers have been giving up there time to carry out essential workscopes whilst obeying strict social distancing, to make the room ready for when they can open again.

Secretary Jimmy Peacock says: ‘’It is taking much longer than normal due to the situation but the money saved is essential to the Club’s recovery following the Covid out- break. Every penny will count! As well as that, more volun- teers have helped make the balcony safe with jetwashing and repairs, and also sprucing up the outside seating ar- rangements and fencing, with paint from club players and a certain unnamed local decorating firm with the initials GV. A great effort in these hard and worrying times for clubs.’’ No truth in the rumour that a couple of the players put the paint on upside down!

A GLASS RAISED IN MEMORY OF NYSD HALL OF FAMER

Very sadly Whitby Cricket Club legend Sid Thompson passed away recently at the age of 96. Sid was a big part of the Club for many years. As player, captain, groundsman, and latterly presi- dent he made a massive contribution until ill health meant he had to take a step back. Sid left a legacy including many happy memories and cricket stories and liked nothing better than to ‘talk cricket’. Instead of attending Sid’s cremation due to current regulations, players and members of the Club paid their respects in a different way, raising a glass, sharing a story or just taking a moment to reflect on how Sid made a impact on them. As the Whitby post said ‘The bails are off, the innings has come to an end but Sid will never be forgotten’ Sid is pictured with Anthony McGrath Page 8 Darlington Building Society NORTH YORKSHIRE AND SOUTH DURHAM ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE

WIN THIS AUTOGRAPHED DURHAM BAT FOR YOUR CLUB

Autographs include Ben Stokes and

PART ONE — TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE MCC LAWS

1. At 1.10pm a fielder at short leg is struck on the arm by a shot from the batsman and his injury causes him to have to leave the field for treatment. He returns to the field at 3.00pm. What is the earliest he can bowl? (2pts) 2. The striker hits a no ball into the outfield and they have run two but not crossed on the third when the throw in from the field hits a fielder’s helmet parked on the ground behind the wicketkeeper. The ball ricochets from the helmet and goes on to cross the boundary. How many runs are scored and how are they recorded in the score book? (1pt each)

3. Team A have scored 189 in their 50 overs. Team B are 189 -9 with one ball remaining when the bowler bowls a ball which is called and signalled wide. The wicketkeeper breaks the wicket with the striker out of his ground. What is Team B’s final score and what is the result of the match? (1pt each)

4. Team A score 202 in their 50 overs. With one ball left team B are 202-2 with the opening batsman on 98 . He hits the ball into the outfield and the batsmen complete one run before the ball crosses the boundary. What is Team B’s final score and what is the opening batsman’s score? (1pt each) PART TWO — PICTURE QUIZ

5. A picture from the NYSD presentation evening in 1974 — but can you name any of the 9 prizewinners (1 point for each) and also the gentleman presenting (5 points)?

PART THREE - NYSD CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 6. Since the NYSD League was restructured in 1998 to involve promotion and relegation who have been the five most suc- cessful Premier teams? The ‘champions league’ table has been based on the following: Points are awarded for finishing in the top three in the Premier Division (20, 14, 8); for being winner or runner-up in the Kerridge Cup (12, 8); Macmillan and Fifteens (10, 6) Three of the top ten are not at present in the Premier Division, which merely shows the cyclical nature of sport. Four of the top ten have gained promotion since the system changed, which merely shows the democratic nature of sport.

Points to be awarded as follows—1 point for each correct team named, an extra point for each one in the correct position in the ‘table’, and an extra 5 points if you get all five in the correct order. ANYONE CAN ENTER AND THEIR CLUB WILL BE CREDITED IN THE BAT WINNING STAKES ANSWERS BY E MAIL TO GRAEME SMITH - [email protected] IF YOU WANT YOUR CLUB TO FEATURE IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS SEND YOUR ARTICLES — PREFERABLY WITH PICTURES — to [email protected]