Amateur Cricket League
1958 saw the Ash 1st XI playing its first season in the second division of the Nidderdale League under the captaincy of Pat Jackson, who had led us to 1955 Harrogate and District League success.
This was a period of change in personnel, with many of the old guard moving on and youngsters like Arthur Astwood, Ted Crabtree and Eddie Greensword stepping up into
the 1st XI.The youthful nature of the side promising much for the future, but a cause of a mid-table finish.
The final table read as follows:
Railway Athletic Pateley Bridge Darley North Stainley Hampsthwaite Bilton 2nds Pannal Ash Bishop Thornton Glasshouses 2nds Burnt Yates Burton Leonard
The following season saw the 2nd XI joining the league and playing in Division 3 (south) under the captaincy of M Daniel, Pat Jackson again leading the 1st XI.
A mid-table finish for both sides.
1960 - 1961
The 1960 season saw George Bainbridge leading the 1st XI and, with the benefit of a couple of seasons under their belt, the team was sat at the top of the season vying for promotion with Scotton Banks, Staveley, Pateley Bridge and Ripley.
This was an all round effort with great contributions with the bat from George Bainbridge,
Les Watson, Bob Hope and Geoff Greensword. Contributions with the ball from Ted Crabtree, Les Watson and D Metcalfe.The final league table read as follows:
Pannal Ash Scotton Banks Staveley Pateley Bridge Ripley Knaresborough Forest II Blubberhouses Bishop Thornton Birstwith Darley
The Ash team which got us into the first division as follows:
Back Row
(l-r) Mr R H Ward Steve Wilkins David Astwood David Garbutt Geoff Greensword Eddie Ward
Billy Joy (umpire) Stan White (umpire)Front Row
(l-r) Ted Crabtree Alan Gardner George Bainbridge (c) Alan Hay Gerry GreenThe 2nd XI again finished in mid-table.
The first season in the top division was again under the captaincy of George Bainbridge and first up was a clash against local rivals Beckwithshaw.
An opening day 10 wicket defeat bringing everyone back down to earth. The batting letting us down as only Arthur Astwood (28) made much of a contribution to an overall total of 65 all out which was no match for the opposition batsmen.
The clash of the 2nd XI’s saw us crash to a 13 run defeat.
A difficult start to life in the top division saw us open with 3 successive defeats before opening our account in the first weekend of June with a comprehensive defeat of Markington.
Roland Buckton (35) top-scoring in a total of 155 all out and then Ted Crabtree (6 for 27) proving unplayable as Markington could only make their way to 76 all out.
A long unbeaten spell followed as the team eventually found its feet and only missed out in a top of the table clash with Knaresborough Forest who went on to seal their third consecutive title win as we finished runners- up – a fantastic effort!!
Top 5 of Division 1
Knaresborough Forest Pannal Ash Beckwithshaw Glasshouses Hampsthwaite The 2nd XI had a great season in Division 4, the batsmen regularly clocking up big scores and finished tied for second place with the Civil Service.
Top 5 of Division 4
Harrogate Amateurs Civil Service Pannal Ash II Killinghall II Pateley Bridge II
An end of season play-off was arranged at Killinghall CC. The Ash won the toss and quickly lost Pat Chapman (5), Peter Jackson (0), H Anderson (0) and Laurie Bentley (3) with 13 on the board. Maurice Pennock (68), Doug Anstis (21) and Phil Cartledge (15) rescued the situation as the innings closed on 165.In reply a 10 man Civil Service side only managed 118 all out with bowlers Charlie Brittain
(2 for 23), David Garbutt (3 for 35) and P Lynch (2 for 20) doing the damage.After such a successful season the year before, we were considered to be ‘again in the running’ for the league and a 33 run win over local rivals Beckwithshaw in the first game of the season suggested this was not a false hope.
The newly promoted 2nd XI began life in division three with a 4 wicket victory over old rivals Follifoot 2nds, who included ex-Ash player Steve Wilkins in their line up.
The 1st XI won their first 3 games but a loss at Glasshouses began a sequence of 6 defeats on the trot saw the papers talking more of relegation than a run at the championship. A victory against league leaders and current champions Knaresborough Forest put the season back on track, although a defeat against a Hampsthwaite side, inspired by ex-Ash player Ted Crabtree, was a setback.
A final 5th place finish was seen as an under-achievement.
The 2nd XI maintained their momentum in Division three, again some great batting performances from the likes of Maurice Pennock, Laurie Bentley, N Clark and Peter Jackson, who scored 105 against Knaresborough Forest 2nds helped. The team achieved a second place finish and a second consecutive promotion into Division two.
Top 5 of Division 3
Harrogate Amateurs Pannal Ash II Bishop Monkton Knaresborough Forest II Follifoot II
1962 - 1963
The 1962 season was the final season played at our old ground, the final game played at the ground was against old Harrogate and District League rivals Staveley, who achieved a one wicket victory.
The Ash team who played that day was Roland Buckton, Les Watson, Phil Cartledge,
George Bainbridge (c), Terry Bunce, Doug Anstis, Arthur Astwood, Bob Hope, Alan Gardener, Alan Garbutt and Barrie Spedding.
The roller and pavilion was then packed up and taken down to the new ground at Irongate playing fields. The old ground disappeared under the housing development of the
Beckwith Estate, with Beckwith Crescent going right over the ground.The new ground was christened with a victory over the previous year’s champions
Pateley Bridge. New captain Roland Buckton (41) and Terry Bunce (57) main contributors to 187 for 7. Alan Garbutt (3 for 6) and Barrie Spedding (3 for 19) doing the damage with the ball to see the opposition all out for 104.The 2nd XI struggled in the second division and at the halfway stage of the season lay bottom with only one win.
The second half of the season saw an improvement in fortunes as the 1st XI finished fifth and the 2nd XI, under the astute leadership of Charlie Brittain, managed to escape the drop zone.
1964 - 1965
The 1964 season saw a better start for the 2nd XI with both sides sat mid-table for most of the season. The 1st XI were establishing themselves now in the first division whilst the 2nd XI were able to keep their heads above water in a very competitive league.
This season is notable for the debut of John Littlewood, our current Club President.
The following season saw Roland Buckton and Charlie Brittain again in charge of the 1st and 2nd teams and we again performed admirably - a 4th place (out of 10 teams) in the 1st Division and a 6th place (out of ten teams) in the 2nd Division, saw us as one of the strongest clubs in the League.
We could also look the short distance down the road to League Champions Beckwithshaw, which included ex-Ash players Les Rigg, Jack Skerrow and Gerry Green as confirmation of our ability to produce quality players to flourish elsewhere. For example: Ted Crabtree (Hampsthwaite) D Nolan (Bilton), Steve Wilkins (Follifoot) and Alan Gardener (Goldsborough).
1966
The 1966 season saw debuts for Charlie Sproull and several people connected with
Harrogate Grammar School (pupils and teachers) who were colleagues of Arthur Astwood.
One player was Michael Thompson, father of 1999 and 2007 promotion winning captain James Thompson, whose debut against Markington was a low-scoring affair - he scored four runs with the bat, took four wickets for four runs and we lost by four wickets!Bad weather played havoc with the playing season, the 1st XI losing five games to the inclement weather.
1967
A change of leadership in the 1st XI for 1967 saw Roland Buckton return to the ranks and
Peter Jackson, son of Pat Jackson (see our 1953 and 1955 success stories), taking over.Again, both sides had their seasons ruined by the weather with both having seven games rained off.
1968
Arthur Astwood replaced long-serving Charlie Brittain, leading the 2nd XI in 1968 and a useful start saw us in the top half of the table, but a poor second half of the season saw a slip down the table and a disastrous eleventh placed finish to be relegated to Division 3.
1969
The shock of this unexpected turn of events carried over into the 1969 season as both sides had an unhappy season and we saw the 1st XI relegated to Division 2 and the 2nd XI dropping down into Division 4 without managing to win a single game all season!
A decade which had started so well ultimately finished on a low note.
1970 - 1971
After the traumas of the double relegation in 1969 we went back to basics with long serving Arthur Astwood and George Bainbridge appointed captain of the 1st ad 2nd XI respectively.
The 1st XI spent the whole season fighting it out at the top of Division 2 with Goldsborough, Burton Leonard and Staveley also in contention. Excellent contributions from the likes of
J Bean, Peter Jackson, R Buckton and Harvey Lambley saw us finish in the runners-up spot and secure an immediate return to Division 1.Top of Division 2
Goldsborough Pannal Ash Burton Leonard Staveley North Stainley The 2nd XI also had a good year, George Bainbridge getting the best out of his players as the 2nd XI also spent the season in the top half of the table and finished joint top with Birstwith.
Top of Division 4
Birstwith Pannal Ash II Pateley Bridge II Killinghall II Blubberhouses II Gas Sports
This meant a play-off for the championship was held at Hampsthwaite CC, the Ash team was named as follows:G Bainbridge (c), M Overend, B Spedding, R Wealthall, M Turner, M Hebden, T Ventress,
M Ramsden, H Anderson, J Pauley, M Bennison, (reserves) C Tebbs and K Marshall.Birstwith battled first and made 164, based around the innings of P Kirkbright (34) and
B Hardcastle (56) with best bowling by Barrie Spedding (3 for 50) and Malcolm Turner (3 for 52).The Ash response never really got going as only G Bainbridge (16) and M Hebden (56) did much with the bat in a total of 110.
Nevertheless, a double promotion season was just the boost needed after the disastrous previous year.
The return to Division 1 by the 1st XI was never going to be easy but with the addition of
Les Sheard to a squad already containing the likes of J Bean, J Davies, H Lambley, R Bucklin,
G Hopps and P Robinson, we at least expected to be competitive.The season was a struggle but a third from bottom finish was enough to stay up and mission accomplished.
The 2nd XI’s season back in Division 3 followed a similar pattern to the 1st XI with a fourth from bottom finish securing another season at a higher level.
1972
The 1972 season saw the return of Les Rigg and Gerry Green from local rivals Beckwithshaw and with Roger Hutton, another new face, a season of progress was expected.
Again the aim would have to be to retain top division status, it was a struggle with Burton Leonard, Masham and Harrogate Amateurs also down there.
A final game victory over champions Knaresborough Forest secured a fourth bottom finish, Harvey Lambley (9 for 63) the destroyer with the ball, Gerry Green (26) and Arthur Astwood (47) guiding us home with the bat.
The 2nd XI battled it out with South Stainley, Bishop Thornton and Railway Athletic, until another last day victory, this time over Civil Service saw Barrie Spedding (6 for 26) and
Les Rigg (4 for 25) work hard with the ball before George Bainbridge (21) and Tim Healey
(11 no) battled us to a five wicket victory and another fourth bottom finish.This was the final year that we saw South Stainley i the league, their problems with a lack of their own 'home' ground and a number of years of the fixture list stating 'South Stainley - away at Ripley' eventually catching up with them.
south Stainley were founder members of the Harrogate and District League and followed Harrogate Wesleyans into extinction.
1973
1973 saw the Ash advertising in the local papers for new players, anyone interested advised to contact the secretary, Mr Eddie Ward.
We again had Arthur Astwood in charge of the 1st XI and Chris Tebbs in charge of the 2nd XI.
The 1st XI had a very useful bowling attack with Harvey Lambley and Malcolm Turner taking the wickets with the likes of George Bainbridge, Terry Bunce and openers Astwood and Gerry Green scoring plenty of runs as we finished in fourth place.
The 2nd XI took until their 12th game before clocking up a victory and were bottom of Division 3 by some distance.
1974
1974 was the final year of Arthur Astwood’s four year spell as 1st XI skipper and again it was a successful year with a fifth place finish.
The 2nd XI maintained their Division 4 status.
1975
For 1975 Chris Tebbs stepped up to lead the 1st XI, unfortunately the loss of Roger Hutton (to Beckwithshaw) and Harvey Lambley meant it would be a real struggle and so it was to be, with only two wins and a point from a rained off fixture 1975 saw us relegated.
It was a double relegation season as the 2nd XI also only managed two wins and dropped into Division 5.
The end of the season saw 'the end of an era' with the resignation of Eddie Ward as Hon Secretary, he had taken on the position in 1947 and presided over some of the best years in the club's history.
Eddie was made a Life Member in recognition of his contribution to the club and continued an involvement with the club junior section for some years after.
1976
We entered 1976 hoping to bounce straight back up but the first half of the season saw only one victory and us propping up the division. Fortunately, a few wins saw us catch up with the pack and a critical victory over Ripley followed by a tie with a ten man Killinghall side meant survival by the skin of our teeth.
The 2nd XI lost their eight games to finish bottom of the whole league.
At the end of the season we inducted long serving George Bainbridge as a Life Member of the club.
George joined the club in 1938, captained the 1st and 2nd XI's, featured in many of our successful teams after the Second World War and played through to the late 1970's, serving on committee for some time afterwards.
Friday 3rd September 1976 was a notably dark day in our history, when the pavilion burned down, club secretary Dick Taylor noted ‘Nothing could be salvaged at all, the building and all our equipment were reduced to a charred mess’.
It was going to take some hard work to replace it and get us back on track.
1977Having spent most of the winter fund-raising, it was announced we had achieved our monetary goals for a new pavilion, the assistance from 'colleague clubs', individuals and fund raising meeting the target for a concrete building.
The small matter of machinery and tackle was still to be bought, but, in the meantime, we used the pitch at HMS Forest Moor.
An appeal was made for additional players for the 1st and 2nd XI, and for Juniors aged between 12 and 17.
The fixture list for the start of the season showed the 2nd XI away to Killinghall 2nds and the 1st XI at home to Killinghall 1sts.
Unfortunately the trauma of the past few months caused a player shortage and the 2nd XI withdrew from Division 5. The plan was to re-group and look to re-enter in the future ............ we're still waiting!! (as at 2008).
The 1st XI, in Division 2, struggled on with some heavy defeats including an eight wicket defeat to local rivals Pannal, whose captain, Phil Cartledge (6-44), and batsman, Stewart Cartledge (17 no), were ex-Ash players.
We reached the half-way mark with one win in the first eleven games, but the return to Irongates for a home fixture to Staveley on 24rd July saw an immediate up-turn in fortunes.
Batting first, George Bainbridge (68) and P Wilson (65) enjoyed the return to home surroundings as we reached 228 and then Malcolm Turner (7 for 54) helped restrict Staveley to 160 and a 66 run victory.
The following week, again at home, Ouseburn struggled to 113 in their 45 overs with Peter Wilkinson (3 for 36) and Malcolm Turner (3 for 12) doing the damage with the ball.
In reply, Malcolm Turner and Chris Wilkins had a four wicket stand of 78 for a 7 wicket victory and the opportunity to catch up with the pack above.
The great run continued and defeat of Burton Leonard at Irongate confirmed 'the great escape'.
1978 - 1979
The start of the season was unusual in that we started it well!!
Hampsthwaite's bowlers suffered as Peter Wilkinson (58) and Andy Clarke (86) putting on 137 for the first wicket and we finished on 231 for 5.
The Hampsthwaite response started well until the introduction of slow left-armer John Pepper who took 6 for 34 in 13 overs as the home side were bowled out for 104.
After 5 games we sat top of the division, it was a long time since we had been so high, unfortunately the good start didn't continue for very long and come the half-way point of the season, we had assumed our usual lower mid-table position.
An interesting match report for the home fixture against St George's was headed "OUCH!" as several players were hit on various parts of the body as we recorded our lowest score of the season - 94.
This was enough to secure a 26 run victory and with no broken bones!
The 1978 season ended with us surviving by a point, Scotton and Pateley Bridge suffering the dreaded drop.
The 1979 season continued as 1978 finished, with regular defeats. The bottom 3 stayed the same most of the season; ourselves, ICI and Goldsborough 2nds.
The up-turn in fortune of the ICI team in the last few weeks saw us slip into the bottom two and be relegated along with Goldsborough.
1980
A revamp of the divisions saw us retain our place in Division 2, although four straight losses was hardly the start we were looking for.
We got off the mark at Goldsborough, Malcolm Turner (5 for 41) keeping the Goldsborough score down at 119 all out in reply to a first innings score of 144 for 7, based on a first wicket partnership of 53 by the 'Two Peters' Bainbridge (27) and Wilkinson (54 no).
Martin Turner's hat trick against North Stainley an individual highlight, although a team season low 26 all out against St George's a definite low light.
1981 - 1982
The second division continued to be our home for these seasons and we maintained a mid-table position.
The batting saw good contributions from Ken Crawley, Peter Bainbridge, Andy Clarke,
Rod Bullock and long-serving Arthur Astwood. There were fine all-round contributions from Malcolm Turner, Martin Turner, Gavin Little and Fred Bowland.The 1981 table, reflecting our best finish in division 2 after the 1975 relegation from division 1.
Glasshouses Burton Leonard Harrogate Civil Service (Ariel ) St George's 'A' Harrogate 3rds Pannal Ash Birstwith ICI Bishop Monkton Knaresborough Forest 2nds Ripley Ouseburn
1983 - 1985
In 1983 we began our eighth consecutive season in Division 2, with high hopes but despite a good side on paper, the batting of Andrew Clarke; Ken Crawley and Rod Bullock, the bowling of Howard Walwyn and John Myers with all round contributions from Martin and Malcolm Turner, together with Gavin Little, we were only touching mid-table.
The potential of the side was probably best shown against north Stainley, when batting first, we racked up 289 for 6 with Rod Bullock (58), Peter Bainbridge (43), Andrew Clarke (27) and Malcolm Turner (72) contributing the majority of the runs. In reply, Colin Greenwood (4 for 24) and Martin Turner (4 for 32). In reply, Colin Greenwood (4 for 24) and Martin Turner (4 for 32) restricted north Stainley to 71 all out for a 218 run victory.
Progress through 1984 and another mid-table finish led us into 1985 and we had become an upper mid-table team, with pretty much the same personnel as previous years.
A notable early season performance saw Andy Clarke (152 not out) score the majority of 236 for 5 against Staveley, who then could only manage 84 all out in response with Martin Turner (5 for 32) and Malcolm Turner (3 for 17) causing the damage.
Another exciting game in this season was against Birstwith, whose first innings of 194 for 8 gave plenty of cause for optimism. However, a superb knock of 75 from Peter Bainbridge, supported by Andy Reid with 25 not out, led us to 195 for 7 and a remarkable 3 wicket victory.
This victory pushed us into fourth place at the half way stage, where we stayed for the rest of the season.
The 1985 end of season table read as follows:
Darley Burton Leonard Hampsthwaite Pannal Ash Harrogate CS (Ariel) Ouseburn Goldsborough 2nds Helperby Staveley Birstwith Knaresborough Forest 2nds Harrogate Amateurs
1986 - 1987
We started 1986 in the pack chasing Alne and Pateley Bridge, without ever really getting close to the leaders. A seventh place in this season was a disappointing team effort, but some individual performances reminded us of the potential in the side.
The game against Birstwith a game in point, when Rod Bullock scored 50 off 64 balls in
77 minutes for his tenth 50 for the club, whilst putting on 111 for the third wicket with
Gavin Little.The 1987 season began with a 2 wicket loss to Harrogate Strays, as only Ian Bullock (30) and John Myers (18) reached double figures in a total of 108 all out. In reply, Strays didn't have it all their own way as Howard Walwyn's 6 for 47 nearly pulled off an unlikely victory.
The next few games resulted in victories, although conceding 243 for 3 to staveley must have been a surprise. Rod Bullock (*3), Peter Bainbridge (52) and an unbeaten 46 from Andy Reid helped us to 243 for 6 for a hard earned win.
We hit the top of the table at the mid-point of the season, and held a three point lead on a number of occasions.
Second place Harrogate Strays were easily beaten by 4 wickets, fine bowling from Gary Irvine (4 for 26) and John Myers (4 for 42) saw off the strays batting for 88 all out.
We entered the last 2 games of the season with a 3 point advantage over Harrogate Strays. However, defeat to Civil Service and Hampsthwaite in the last game of the season saw us finish in second place and promoted back to Division 1.
The 1987 season final table read as follows:
Harrogate Strays Pannal Ash Civil Service Ripon 2nds Hampsthwaite Burton Leonard Galphay Glasshouses Lofthouse Helperby Goldsborough 2nds Staveley
