DRIFFIELD TOWN C.C ISSUE 1
YL CUP FINAL PLUS THE SEMI FINAL WIN TOO
BEST GROUND 2012? Phil skelton tribute
Plus rich wild thing parties with 1sts The beginning of the driffield ultras with measy.
welcome to driffield town cricket club
contents FROM THE EDITOR Hello and welcome to Driffield Town Cricket Clubs monthly digital maga-
4 Aamer sajjad
zine. This, the first edition is just a little taster of what is to come next
The Pakistan ace breaking records
season. As a club we are hoping to produce a print version each month to coincide with the digital format. As well as this Driffield Town Cricket Club will hopefully have its own fully functional website up and running next season
6 groundstaff
The club has gone from strength to strength in 2012 with all teams per-
Phil, Chris and Boomer
forming on par with or well above the start of season objectives. The 5th team captain by Nick English have managed to field a team every week and concreted a strong mid table finish. They will no doubt be looking to
8 rotheram crumble Yorkshire League Cup Semi Final
push for promotion next season. The 4th team captained by Matthew Cole had their strongest season in years as they ran away at the top of table. They were crowned as champions a week early and capped off a fine season thrashing their nearest rivals on the last day. The 3rd team also gained promotion this year. Tod Richardson led them
10 Barnsley tered
bat-
Yorkshire League Cup Final
admirably all year and he got his reward on the final day of the season cementing 2nd place. They will now be competing in division 3 of the York and District Senior League.
Only a couple of weeks ago the 1st team won their first piece of silverware in the ECB Yorkshire League. They beat a strong Barnsley team to see their name on the honours board for the first time. They also finished in the top 6 of the league capping off their best ever performance in the league.
14 the ultras
driffield
meet the faces behind the nois
Contributing Writer Mick Drury
Contributing Writer James Richardson
to fight another day and stave off relegation.
Driffield Town Cricket Club
Jamie Kember, jamie.kember@northumbria.ac.uk
The 2nd XI are in Division 1 of the York and District Senior League. They had a scare on the final day of the season but managed to pull through
12 Best ground 2012
Editor In Chief
Driffield is an excellent club and one that is only improving. Membership is only cheap and our facilities are second to none. Welcome to Driffield Town Cricket Club
Contributing Writer Matthew Cole
Graphic Artist Jamie Kember
Circulation Officer Ollie Ezard
Sales Officer Alan Rex
Editor Jamie Kember
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AAMER sAJJAD wALKS OFF AFTER BREAKING THE LEAGUE RECORD
Aamer coming to the club has been a huge attraction with young and old alike.”
he came from pakistan to be a driffield man Aamer Sajjad is an ex Pakistan A batsman and proved his class in the Yorkshire League this season. Here is a little summary of his record breaking season.
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Despite being relatively unknown in the world of cricket, Aamer Sajjad has a number of records to his name already including a world record. He holds the highest second wicket partnership ever in first class cricket of 580 runs with his team in Pakistan, WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) team mate Rafatullah Mohmand.
However he was not satisfied with just that record. He has completed his first season in England since 2001 with Driffield Town Cricket Club and has smashed another record. The ECB Yorkshire Premier League run scoring record used to be 1542 runs, made by Australian Dan Wilson in the 2009 season.
Aamer Sajjad has broken the league record this year by 38 runs, totalling 1580. He also has another 280 cup match runs to add to that making his season tally 1860. That includes 7 centuries which equals a Driffield Club record set by local man Dave Beachall way back in 1958. Driffield fans were given the pleasure of seeing him break the record at home against Cleethorpes in
the penultimate league match of the season. Needing 74 runs before that match to break the record, he managed to surpass it in fine style making a faultless 96 runs in Driffield Town’s total of 214. Despite losing that game it was a wonderful day for the clubs fans who have been buoyed by the former Pakistan A man’s contributions to the 1st XI this year. Leader of Driffield’s fan club the
‘Blue Army’, Dave Measom spoke on behalf of the supporters: “This year has seen a gradual rise in membership and match day attendance. In previous years the team haven’t done so well and only the select few fans have come to cheer on the team. Aamer coming to the club has been a huge attraction with young and old alike at the ground each week supporting the team and club”.
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thankyou phil, boom and chris T
his year has been one of the worst summers on record. We’ve seen flash floods, record rainfall measurements and the odd day of sunshine in between. Overall this has resulted in a cricket season riddled with abandoned games.
Ground staff all over the country have had a nightmare season trying to get pitches and wickets up to standard. Phil Skelton, head grounds man at Driffield Town C.C is now sixty years old and has also had a tough year; however his hard work with son Chris has paid off. Only one game this year failed to get underway at the Kings Mill Road ground. The best record in Yorkshire by far. Even professional county team Yorkshire Carnegie have seen more games cancelled. “It’s been a tough season this year. In my 40 years as grounds man I can’t remember such a bad summer. Luckily our new drainage system that was put in last season has worked a treat and it’s a good job
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it has”.
On the 30th August, 19mm of rain fell in just one hour. The climate this year has been more like something from the tropics. The downpours have not just been prolonged, but extremely heavy too.
Phil made the point that “when our teams have been playing away from home their games have been called off sometimes two days early. The rain has been so heavy that grounds have been underwater in no time and a lot of clubs aren’t as lucky with their facilities as Driffield”. Depending on the amount of rain, after a shower the pitch at Driffield is usually ready about an hour later meaning the main pitch on the ground has an 87.5% completion rate.
The Wettest
summer on record didn’t stop
phil and his team
Everybody at Driffield Town Cricket would once again like to thank Phil Skelton and his son Chris. Along with Boomer they have once again had our ground in top condition for the season. -Phil Brumfield
Thanks to Phil and his team, Driffield’s reputation only gets better and the ground is regarded as the most beautiful and one of the best in Yorkshire.
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ROTHERAM CRUMBLE D riffield
YORKSHIRE LEAGUE
As the Rowdy Stand were becoming rest-
was feeling #prayforcockers.
less Pug Hardgrave entered the attack and
Then a stray thorn that Boomer Whitwell
CUP SEMI FINAL WIN
with immediate effect as he took the first
had failed to notice during the interval
wicket. Unfotunately Measom missed the
spike G Bangers paw, forcing him to retire
FOR DRIFFIELD
wicket as he was running from a wasp.
from the field of play. Luckily, Young Tod
The quietist spell of the day then came as
had arrived to the game in his whites and
Rotheram knocked the ball around nicely.
duly replaced G in the field.
Sexy Rexy got a warm round of applause
Simon Guy had been busy at the crease for
for carrying on the drinks as did G Banger
Rotheram but James ‘Tod’ Richardson was
when he rarely fielded a ball. The Norman/
busier in the field. Almost instantaneously
Kember partnership was once again thriv-
he tinkered with Brenty’s field. It paid divi-
ing in the grandstand as Jim and Will took
dends as a flurry of loose shots fell straight
a break from work to give the Cabbage
into the hands of the outfielders. Young
Crew and their lungs a rest.
Tod’s masterclass in captaincy swung the
The spinners bowled beautifully during
game in Driffields favour.
the middle overs to restrict Rotheram to
Jack ‘Amo’ Smith buckled under the
3 and 4 an over. Brenty, Pug, Dru and
heckling of the Rowdy Stand who had
Aamer worked together to bring #TOWN
been angered by the loss of Measom and
back into the game. With 20 overs to go
Smith’s earlier stare as he caught a regula-
Rotheram needed 150 with 8 wickets in
tion slip catch.
hand.
From then on it was a procession despite
Cue the most important 10 minutes of
Drury dropping 2 more catches. Although
the day. Shockingly, Measom was forced
he did catch one off his own bowling
to leave the crowd as he had to help Beth
#hecatcheshisown. Rotheram had been
with her homework for Mr. Rubber Addy’s
blown away 70 runs short of the Mighty
first class on Tuesday morning. It left a
Driff’s target.
bitter taste in the mouths of the crowd
Que Sera bellowed from the stands. WE’RE
as everyone experienced how DJ Cockers
OFF TO BARNSLEY!!
entertained
Aamer Sajjad must have felt right at home
brisk partnership and DJ Cockers brought
Rotheram in what was
as he strode out to bat. It was a fuck-
up last night’s kebab #prayforcockers
expected to be a feisty
ing stinking hot day and a sub continent
Driffield lost wickets at regular intervals
affair given the history of
type pitch just like Karachi. Rotheram’s
but nothing was stopping Overseas Pro
violence between players
Sanderson went up begging for LBW first
Sajjad from making a sublime century.
in previous encounters this year. Ched
ball but to no avail.
He crashed the ball to all parts and led
Evans was released on bail and Jack ‘Amo’
The Yorkshire Leagues leading run scorer
#TOWN to an excellent 247 all out in 49.1
Smith was ready to face a rowdy stand that
made serene progress with Drury putting
overs. ‘Pins’ Ezard made a telling contribu-
have never quite forgotten the head butt
on 100 before Sams guns got the bet-
tion with 2 Not Out.
that left Thomas Chippendale unavailable
ter of him and he timed one nicely into
Boomer Whitwell and Pepo Skelton tidied
for the game and having to undergo MRI
covers hands. Ched Evans picked up the
up the pitch the players had their tea and
scans.
wicket much to the displeasure of Kember,
Jeffers left unannounced to go and watch
Brenty won the toss and elected to bat on
Grayzie, Cockers and Young Tod in the
Man Utd come through a scare against
a pitch Will Norman described as “A dust-
rowdy stand.
The Saints.
bowl...the kind of pitch genuine quicks
News of Sajjad spanking the ball to all
Ollie Ezard opened up the bowling with
like me hate”. The 1st XI acquired a new
parts spread like wild fire and with Jack
some serious gas but as Will Norman pre-
sacrificial lamb for today’s game. Tom
‘Amo’ Smith into the attack the innings
dicted. It was tough going for the seam-
Norman did a good job in seeing off the
was perfectly poised for the arrival of Dave
ers. George Drury was unlucky not to pick
new ball but was dismissed for 2 after 8
Measom. Things livened up both on and
up a wicket when cousin Sam fucked up
overs at the crease with Sammy Dru.
off the field as Cadmore joined Sajjad in a
and spilled a dolly at cover.
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NATHAN SMITH HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF MUCH RIDICULE FROM THE DRIFFIELD ULTRAS THIS YEAR. WE STICK BY OUR PLAYERS AND YOUNG CHIPPY COULD’VE KNOCKED HIM OUT!” Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org • 9
YORKSHIRE LEAGUE CUP FINAL CLUB HISTORY IS MADE
T
his seasons Yorkshire League Cup final saw the
Chippendale then made a huge dent in Barnsley’s chances as he
battle of East Vs West as Driffield took on Barnsley
removed Widdup, caught by wicket keeper Mark Goddard for
at the latter’s home ground, Shaw Lane.
only 16. From then on the home sides’ innings never got going.
Earlier this year Barnsley had got the better of
Matthew Wilson played a gritty knock of 51 from 86 balls, but his
Driffield in both home and away league matches,
slow tempo and untimely dismissal cost his team another 20 or 30
narrowly winning by 6 runs at Shaw Lane and then trouncing
runs that may have proved the difference.
Driffield on their own patch bowling them out for 112 and easily
Barnsley finished on 205-8 wickets with Sam Drury picking up 3
knocking off the runs.
wickets for the Wolds men. His 15 year old cousin George bowled
Driffield were no doubt underdogs considering their record this
a tight spell of 6 overs for 12 runs picking up a wicket in the pro-
year and the fact they were travelling. As well as that Barnsley had
cess and once again proved he is one to look for in the future.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club professional Oliver Hannon-Dalby
In reply Driffield got off to a flying start. It was obvious Sam Drury
at their disposal as well as ex Yorkshire batsman Simon Widdup.
was still on a high after his efforts in the field as he came out and
Add the experience of overseas player, West Indian Ryan Hercules
crashed a quick fire 20 to propel the visitors to 40 inside 9 overs.
and there you find a quality team.
He was L.B.W shortly after but had set a platform for the incoming
But, for all their class and experience none of those players could
batsman Aamer Sajjad.
match the season records of Driffield Town’s overseas batsman
Mark Clarkson and the ex Pakistan A international set about their
Aamer Sajjad who broke the league run scoring record this year
target in a measured fashion. Neither player looked in any trouble.
and had another 214 cup runs to add to his tally. His talents are
Clarkson played a wonderful supporting knock of 38. He rotated
backed up well by leading wicket taker Ollie Ezard and two spin-
the strike with Sajjad and built a match winning partnership until
ners, Captain Dave Brent and Nick Hardgrave.
he was dismissed with the score on 134.
The Barnsley grounds man had prepared a very green wicket that
As Sajjad passed 50 it looked almost certain he would go on and
would be conducive to fast seam bowling. It was an obvious plan
end his season in style with another century. However, Oliver
to negate the threat of spin bowling that Driffield had used so
Hannon-Dalby had other ideas. He trapped the overseas star L.B.W
effectively in their semi final win against Rotheram. It would also
for 69 and gave the home team a glimmer of hope.
play into the hands of the Tykes fast bowlers, Hannon-Dalby and
Unfortunately for them that hope went as quick as it came. 15
Hercules.
year old George Drury came in and played an innings somebody
Driffield won the toss and elected to bowl first. The confidence
double his age would have been proud of. He scored 13 not out
shown by skipper Brent paid off immediately as the ever reli-
and made Hannon-Dalby look average at best, even in abysmal
able Ollie Ezard struck in his 3rd over to leave Barnsley 20-1. Tom
conditions.
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The rain, as it has so many times this year ruined the end of the
and now president of the Yorkshire League presented both sides
game. With only 20 runs needed and 10 overs left in the game,
with their trophies and commented on the game. “Today we saw
the teams had to come off. The darkness rolled in and play was
that you should never write off the underdogs. Many people came
abandoned.
here today expecting Barnsley to overhaul Driffield easily, but as
The match was then decided on the run rate of each innings.
we saw it was actually the other way around. It was great to see
Barnsley only just managed to scrape over 4 runs per over with
that this Yorkshire League is improving all the time and producing
their total of 205 in 50 overs. Driffield had amassed 183 in 40 overs
some extremely talented cricketers. Well done to Driffield Town
at a run rate of 4.575 therefore winning the match and the cup.
Cricket Club on winning, hopefully, their first of many trophies”.
Driffield joined the Yorkshire League in 1995 and had never made
Driffield Chairman Phil Brumfield was also extremely proud:
it onto the honours board in their 17 year history before this.
“We’ve had some excellent achievements at Driffield in our past,
Captain Dave Brent said: “I’ve been playing in this cup since 2001
but this is the crowning moment for me. Despite being written
and not once have I made past the first round so to go on and win
off by many critics before the start of the season, these young
it is just min blowing. In my mind we thoroughly deserved it and
lads have not only competed, but beaten some class opposition.
out played a really talented Barnsley team”.
It is a testament to the lads and the club and we are all extremely
David Byas, formerly the captain of Yorkshire County Cricket Club
proud of them”.
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best cricket ground 2012? Phil skelton works his magic As well as two beautiful cricket pitches, Driffield has bowls and tennis too.
Anybody who would like to join Driffield Town Cricket Club is more than welcome to come and have a look around. Meet the groundstaff who put in the hard yards, try your hand at a bit of tennis on either the grass courts or the hard courts. If bowls is your thing come and have a game on one of two greens that are always in impeccable condition. Once you have done all that sit down for a drink in the warm and welcoming clubhouse. Drinks prices are some of the best in Driffield. All in all it makes for one of the best sports facilities in the region. maybe even the best this year? 12 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
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the driffield ultras DRIFFIELD TOWN CRICKET CLUB HAs ATTRACTED A LOT OF ATTENTION OFF THE FIELD. mEET THE ULTRAS!
T
his season has been the most succesful in Driffield Town Cricket Clubs long history. All teams have performed well, expecially the 1st XI who won their first bit of Yorkshire League Silverware after securing the Yorkshire League Knockout Cup last sunday 16th September. The team and captain Dave Brent were quick to dedicate their win to the loyal fans who have come out in force this year. The Driffield Ultras are the newly formed fan group, who first team leading wicket taker Ollie Ezard has called the Driffield 1st XI 12th man. Measy explains how the Ultras came about. “Initially a group of us lads were hitting the town on a regular basis. I’d picked up a chant called the Driffield Ranger. It became our trademark and as a group we were the Driffield Rangers. Once we started coming to watch cricket our group started to expand. So, the Driffield Ultras are an improvement on the long standing Driffield Rangers. We have more fans now, so we have a better name. Welcome to HELL!”
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The ‘Welcome to Hell’ slogan is something visiting teams have come to realise is a very accurate motto. Notoriously this year, Nathan Smith of Rotheram became the figure of much ridicule after his violent incident with Driffield player Thomas Chippendale. During a beer fuelled day at Scarborough Town Cricket Club during T20 finals day, Smith was given the name ‘Jacamo’. Deservedly so too. The 2 match ban Chippendale received was so unjust and considering Jacamo received no punishment, the Ultras were furious. Although the Driffield fans are feared by opposition, they are really quite welcoming. All members are keen to have a laugh. This years annual trip to ‘Scarbados’ saw the Ultras gain their first honorary member. On the day Yorkshire were hosting the Unicorns side which is a relatively new team to enter the CB40 competition.
Jayden Levitt pictured above with the Ultras commented on how refreshing it was to see a set of lads warming to the opposition. “The lads were at the ground all day long and were a good laugh. It was nice to see them
dishing out the abuse but alos being friendly with the Unicorn team aswell. They are a credit to Driffield Town Cricket Club. Jayden Levitt recently posted on twitter that he would be interested in joining Driffield in the future.
The Driffield Ultras are an improvement on the long standing Driffield Rangers. We have more fans now, so we have a better name. Welcome to HELL!”
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