Bears on Tour: York

The magnificent city of York seldom plays host to first class cricket fixtures - in fact, the last County Championship match staged there took place in 1890 during the reign of Queen Victoria. History was in the making then as - with Headingley being used as a World Cup venue - York Cricket Club was chosen to host the game versus Warwickshire. Stephen and I were there to see the action unfold...

- Getting our bearings -

Our tale begins on Sunday 16th June as Mr B and I drive up to Yorkshire the day before the game. The journey goes very smoothly as we negotiate the A38, M18 and A1(M) without incident and then spot the John Smith's Brewery (one for Mr B Senior) as the A64 passes Tadcaster. Having checked into our Premier Inn, we get our bearings regarding the location of the cricket ground on Shipton Road. A couple of pints help us preview the Bears chances of victory so we sample the Old Grey Mare near Clifton Green followed by the Ainsty on Boroughbridge Road - it's fair to say we are hopeful of a win rather than expectant!

- Poised for the sound of leather on willow -

Monday 17th June is a drizzly affair but an enjoyable breakfast stands us in good stead ready for taking our seats in the temporary stand York CC have installed especially for the occasion. Warwickshire elect to field and keep Yorkshire in check with some tidy bowling, Craig Miles and Oliver Hannon-Dalby (a.k.a. OHD) being among the wickets. The home side's batting is led by Gary Ballance's battling 54 and a swashbuckling if streaky 46 from David Willey as they compile 208 for 8 by the time more rain forces an early close. 

- Bootham Crescent -

Cricket isn't the only sport on our minds. Stephen has long had a soft spot for York City FC (nicknamed the Minstermen) and is keen to find their Bootham Crescent home. We thus have a little wander there on Monday evening, taking a few snaps of the turnstiles and main entrance - the club is actually due to move to a new stadium at Monks Cross which will hopefully be in use in the not-too-distant future. Sightseeing of the more general kind is also on the agenda as we seek out the Shambles and admire the famous York Minster. 

- Clifford's Tower -

York is a place that just so happens to be blessed with some excellent boozers. The Golden Ball at the junction of Cromwell Road and Victor Street is listed on CAMRA's National Inventory of Historic Interiors so we gravitate there to ponder Tadcaster tiled lettering and sit in the smoke room - the Dark Masquerade Mild goes down very well indeed. Elsewhere, Clifford's Tower looks imposing as a surviving remnant of York Castle bathed in some overdue sunlight while the York Tap at the railway station has me spoiled for choice of ale; in the end I plump for Timothy Taylor's Golden Best as a rare example of the light mild style.

- Poppleton Level Crossing -

Tuesday morning presents some glorious sunshine as I target Poppleton for some pre-match photography. The station here has a quaint level crossing while the neighbouring villages of Upper Poppleton and Nether Poppleton keep me busy with pictures of war memorials, a local library and a preserved tithe barn. As for the cricket, Yorkshire are bowled out for 259, OHD claiming an impressive haul of 5/76. The Warwickshire reply is solid rather than spectacular thanks to contributions from Dom Sibley (67) and Rob Yates (49 - his highest Championship score to date). Additional entertainment is provided by a charity auction in the corporate marquee. 

- Boltmaker in the White Horse -

Tuesday evening is marked by a return to Poppleton in order to sample a trio of pubs. Nether Poppleton offers the Lord Nelson, a musty old John Smith's place serving a decent pint of Landlord, whereas Upper Poppleton boasts the twin appeal of the Lord Collingwood (a Marston's establishment near All Saints Church) and the White Horse (setting for more Timothy Taylor's ale, this time bringing forth a Boltmaker). Of the three perhaps the Lord Collingwood stood out most, mainly due to the presence of an excitable dog called Bertie who (like the pub) is named after Cuthbert Collingwood the naval admiral who served with Nelson.

- Meeting Mallard -

Skipping merrily into Wednesday 19th June now whereby some initial wet weather means we employ our contingency option of visiting the National Railway Museum. Among the exhibits are a Japanese bullet train, some luxurious royal carriages and the likes of the 'Duchess of Hamilton' and 'Henry Oakley'. The most renowned resident however has to be 'Mallard', holder of the world speed record for a steam locomotive having set a mark of 126 mph back in July 1938. Even all these years later, Mallard is still an iconic engine in tones of LNER garter blue.

- Delicately poised -

Any dampness soon dries off and the cricket commences at midday, the Bears progressing to 254 all out trailing by a mere five runs. Of the Yorkshire attack, Steven Patterson impresses most with a miserly 3 for 33 off 23 overs, the home side then set about building their slim advantage. Opener Lyth makes 37 but a lot hinges on the not out Jack Leaning when stumps are drawn on 178/7. Low scoring encounters often make for the most fascinating matches and this particular game can go either way heading into the fourth and final day. There is much to contemplate as we seek out the House of Trembling Madness, surely one of the most memorable pub names I've ever come across, and squeeze into the upstairs bar to partake of Lucid Dream Cookie Cream Stout (or lemonade and blackcurrant in Mr B's case). There's just time for us to gatecrash the Swan's pub quiz over a pint of Cask Tetley's, recognising Tom Jones as an answer to one of the teasers.

- Jeetan hits the winning runs -

Thursday arrives with all results very much still possible, and Warwickshire have to work hard to prise out the remaining Yorkshire wickets - Leaning is last man out for a stoic 65 while Jeetan Patel snaffles 4/48 and OHD 4/61 (making that 9 wickets in the match, his best ever figures). The Bears chase gets off to the best possible start courtesy of an ultimately decisive opening stand of 132 between Sibley (81) and Will Rhodes (83). Despite a bit of a wobble as our 217 run target comes into sight, the game is settled when captain Jeetan launches the victorious blow - Warwickshire have won by three wickets, excellent! It's been a closely-fought game throughout and credit must go to York Cricket Club for putting on such a show. Hopefully it won't be another 129 years before York next hosts a championship fixture!

- York Minster (the typical tourist shot) -

With glorious sunshine smiling down on us, Stephen and I set about celebrating that result by doing a little more of the York tourist trail. The Minster looks especially monumental against the bright blue skies, and the curiously-named Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate has to be seen too. There are of course pub stops along the way, starting with the Eagle & Child on High Petergate. This is owned by the Leeds Brewery and one of their ales immediately stands out, Boycott's Best having been brewed in collaboration with a certain legendary batsman/broadcaster. 

- Classic Pub Alert! -

Having emerged unscathed from that brush with Geoffrey, we proceed to the Blue Bell on Fossgate, a compact gem where we make sure to abide by the house rules. From a week of stellar pub discoveries this is probably my favourite, combining dark wood and cosy conversation with brilliant beer (Rudgate Ruby Mild). A word too for the Phoenix on George Street, tucked just inside the city walls at Fishergate Bar not far from the grave of the notorious felon Dick Turpin. Ainsty's Moloko Mild goes down a treat as a jazz/blues band tune up for an appreciative audience.

- Acomb Green -

Friday 19th June brings with it the sorrow of heading home at the end of our holiday, although I do manage to eke out some closing nuggets of exploration care of a brief Acomb adventure. A sprawling suburb east of the city centre, Acomb has some intriguing features including a village green, Front Street shopping parade, a branch library and an old-fashioned working mens club. The journey back to the West Midlands goes just as smoothly as our initial drive last Sunday, and that's all for the time being other than to sign off with Come On You Bears!