Rotary Cricket Match 2019

On the 25th August the Club’s first cricket tournament took place at Bolton Abbey Cricket Club.  The event was a family affair with everyone welcome.  The main matches were our Rotary Club playing Skipton Rotary Club and Skipton Craven Rotary Club.  The weather Gods were extremely kind and blue skies dominated the day.  Skipton Craven RC had been in the nets the day before to hone up their game which possibly became a deciding factor in the result.  Rtn Roger Yaxley provided a silver salver to be presented to the winners with the winning Captain getting the equivalent of golf’s green jacket.  Skipton Craven RC went away with the salver and most of Ilkley Wharfedale’s players went off to queue up at A&E.  The ladies put on an impressive show and the juniors reminded the oldies what is was like to have supple bodies and no fear.  Much appreciation was shown for Rtn Derek Richards who organised the event and his wife, Veronica who, shut away in the pavillion, organised the cricket tea ably assisted by Rtns Judith Dickinson and Helen Buswell.  District 1040’s Governor Manoj Joshi came and though not officially in any team showed his prowess as a bowler but he was blown into insignificance by his daughter who knocked him all over the park.  She can play for us any time!  Our most serious casualty was President Elect Marten Koopmans who has been sidelined until 2020 with a seriously damaged Achilles heel.  Alas, even Rtn Gary Williams ‘bodyliner’ bowling couldn’t save us and Skipton Craven RC left with all the spoils.  Aha!  But wait until next year.  Most of our team should have recovered physically by August 2020 and President Marilyn Ginns is organising a fitness regime for our team which apparently will strengthen other parts of the body other than the right elbow so - we could all be queuing at A&E before the day.  The event raised close to £450 for local charities.