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Harrogate's Twilight Years, 1970-1996

By Gary Watton
June 7 2013

The cricket ground at St George's Road, Harrogate had been an annual haunt for Yorkshire CCC, but it too received the axe in the mid-1990s. Here is a reminder of the first-class cricket from this first-class venue in its last quarter of a century as a playground for the county's first XI. During this era: Yorkshire won 13, there was 1 defeat, and 10 draws (one of which was a tie and one 'draw' was a match abandoned without a ball being bowled).

versus Northamptonshire; 11 and 13 September 1971

Northamptonshire first innings: 61 (Hutton 4-6, Wilson 3-19)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 266 for 2 declared (Boycott 124*, Sharpe 92)

Northamptonshire second innings: 106 (Cope 3-23, Nicholson 3-25)

Only three of the visiting batsmen reached double figures in each innings as Yorkshire trounced their woeful opponents.

YORKSHIRE won by an innings and 99 runs; YORKSHIRE 19 points, Northamptonshire 1 point

 

versus Gloucestershire; 17 and 18 July 1974; Gloucestershire won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 406 for 8 declared (Hampshire 158, Bairstow 68, Leadbeater 60; Dixon 3-97)

Gloucestershire first innings: 71 (Oldham 3-7, Robinson 3-23, Oldham 3-25)

Gloucestershire second innings: 170 (Knight 73; Wilson 4-36)

Only two of the visiting batsmen reached double figures in the first innings. This was a two-day stroll for the home team.

YORKSHIRE won by an innings and 165 runs; YORKSHIRE 18 points, Gloucestershire 3 points

 

versus Somerset; 28 and 30 June and 1 July 1975; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 387 (Hampshire 115, Stevenson 53; Jones 4-48, Burgess 3-93)

Somerset first innings: 423 for 7 declared (Richards 217*, Close 91; Cooper 3-57)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 335 for 7 declared (Old 86, Bairstow 72*, Lumb 52)

Somerset second innings: 116 for 9 (Cope 5-25)

The hosts narrowly failed to win after Somerset collapsed from 63 for 1 in the second innings.

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 7 points, Somerset 8 points

 

versus Kent; 19, 21 and 22 June 1976; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 322 for 7 (Hampshire 74, Athey 70*; Hills 3-62)

Kent first innings: 114 (Cope 5-41, Carrick 4-37)

Kent second innings: 181 (Cope 4-54, Carrick 4-64) 

Geoff Cope and Phil Carrick annihilated the visiting team as Yorkshire recorded yet another innings triumph at Harrogate.

YORKSHIRE won by an innings and 27 runs; YORKSHIRE 18 points, Kent 3 points

 

versus Somerset; 18, 20 and 21 June 1977; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

Somerset first innings: 280 for 9 (Richards 96, Dredge 56*, Taylor 51; Cope 5-77)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 275 for 7 declared (Boycott 139*, Love 89; Botham 4-112)

Somerset second innings: 143 (Cope 6-29)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 152 for 6 (Boycott 60, Love 50; Breakwell 4-44)

The home captain Geoff Boycott dominated this contest. Yorkshire managed to reach their target off only 29.5 overs.

YORKSHIRE won by four wickets; YORKSHIRE 19 points, Somerset 6 points

 

versus Northamptonshire; 17, 19 and 20 June 1978; Northamptonshire won the toss.

Northamptonshire first innings: 320 for 3 (Larkins 118, Steele 102*, Cook 57)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 310 (Hampshire 109, Johnson 53, Bairstow 50; Griffiths 4-65)

Northamptonshire second innings: 146 (Carrick 5-39, Cope 4-57)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 157 for 5 (Hampshire 76)

The reliable England batsman Jack Hampshire was largely responsible for a Yorkshire win in this well-contested match.

YORKSHIRE won by five wickets; YORKSHIRE 17 points, Northamptonshire 8 points

 

versus Somerset; 30 June, 1 and 2 July 1979; Somerset won the toss.

Somerset first innings: 313 (Denning 100, Garner 53, Breakwell 50*; Old 5-72)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 305 for 1 declared (Lumb 159, Boycott 130*)  

Somerset second innings: 308 for 6 declared (Richards 116, Slocombe 51; Whiteley 3-85)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 230 for 5 (Hampshire 96, Athey 50)

Boycott and Lumb added 288 for Yorkshire's opening wicket. A lack of time prevented a thrilling climax to this encounter.

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 8 points, Somerset 4 points

 

versus Nottinghamshire; 21, 23 and 24 June 1980; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 213 (Hemmings 5-61)

Nottinghamshire first innings: 340 for 3 declared (Randall 166, Rice 121*)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 317 (Lumb 97, Athey 52; Hemmings 6-127)

Nottinghamshire second innings: 163 (Hassan 55; Old 4-38, Carrick 3-30)

Eddie Hemmings took eleven wickets and still ended up on the losing team. There was a nailbiting finish to this skirmish. 

YORKSHIRE won by 27 runs; YORKSHIRE 14 points, Nottinghamshire 8 points

 

versus Surrey; 4, 6 and 7 July 1981; Surrey won the toss.

Surrey first innings: 192 (Roope 63; Old 3-34, Dennis 3-53, Ramage 3-63)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 157 (Jackman 5-47, Intikhab Alam 5-65)

Surrey second innings: 246 (Smith 84*, Jackman 51; Ramage 5-65, Old 3-92)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 283 for 5 (Hampshire 127, Hartley 63; Thomas 3-29)

The Tykes recovered from 21-3 in their second innings and were assisted by a fourth wicket stand of 179 runs.

YORKSHIRE won by five wickets; YORKSHIRE 21 points, Surrey 5 points

 

versus Nottinghamshire; 26, 28 and 29 June 1982; No toss took place.

This match against the reigning county champions was abandoned without a single ball being bowled!

Match 'drawn'; YORKSHIRE 0 points, Nottinghamshire 0 points

 

versus Leicestershire; 2, 4 and 5 July 1983; Leicestershire won the toss.

Leicestershire first innings: 352 for 7 declared (Briers 97, Davison 81, Butcher 66; Dennis 3-92)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 251 (Love 53, Bairstow 50; Clift 3-52, Taylor 3-59)

Leicestershire second innings: 194 for 5 declared (Briers 55*; Dennis 3-66)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 206 (Bairstow 57; Ferris 4-63, Clift 4-84)

Briers and Clift were the heroes as Leicestershire became the first county to win at Harrogate since the 1960s.

Leicestershire won by 89 runs; YORKSHIRE 4 points, Leicestershire 23 points

 

versus Derbyshire; 16, 18 and 19 June 1984; Derbyshire won the toss.

Derbyshire first innings: 439 (Wright 141, Morris 116, Barnett 50; Carrick 6-165, Swallow 3-103)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 352 for 4 declared (Boycott 153*, Sharp 104, Robinson 74*; Newman 3-51)

Derbyshire second innings: 175 for 7 declared (Morris 76; Carrick 5-60)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 204 for 6 (Moxon 74)

The veteran Geoff Boycott was still proving prolific with the bat and the veteran spinner Phil Carrick took eleven wickets.

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 6 points, Derbyshire 5 points

 

versus Worcestershire; 22-24 June 1985; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

Worcestershire first innings: 300 for 8 declared (Curtis 72, D'Oliveira 60; Sidebottom 4-70)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 215 for 7 declared (Boycott 105*; Kapil Dev 3-15)

Worcestershire second innings: 185 for 3 declared

YORKSHIRE second innings: 124 for 3 (Boycott 64*)

Neither team was bowled out, although Kapil Dev bowled 19 overs (12 maidens) for a loss of 15 runs in the first innings!

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 5 points, Worcestershire 7 points

 

versus Gloucestershire; 7, 9 and 10 June 1986; Gloucestershire won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 450 for 8 declared (Sharp 181, Boycott 81, Hartley 78; Walsh 3-80, Sainsbury 3-124)

Gloucestershire first innings: 257 for 6 (Bainbridge 75, Wright 59)

Kevin Sharp recorded his highest first-class total. No play was possible on the third and final day, resulting in stalemate.

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 6 points, Gloucestershire 4 points

 

versus Derbyshire; 6, 8 and 9 June 1987; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 393 for 7 declared (Moxon 130, Bairstow 104, Love 50*)

Derbyshire first innings: 131 (Carrick 3-5, Jarvis 3-40)

Derbyshire second innings: 93 (Fletcher 4-23)

Phil Carrick's bowling figures were astounding: 13.1 overs (9 maidens) 5 for 3 and then 13 overs (11 maidens) 2 for 5!  

YORKSHIRE won by an innings and 169 runs; YORKSHIRE 24 points, Derbyshire 2 points

 

versus Surrey; 4, 6 and 7 June 1988; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 142 (Robinson 58; Medlycott 4-19, Greig 3-28)

Surrey first innings: 342 for 4 declared (Clinton 101, Richards 60*, Medlycott 54*)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 310 for 6 declared (Love 93*, Metcalfe 87)

The hosts had been badly outplayed in the first half of this match, but were able to obtain a draw and one paltry point!

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 1 point, Surrey 8 points

 

versus Gloucestershire; 17, 19 and 20 June 1989; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 220 (Walsh 5-86)

Gloucestershire first innings: 279 (Athey 81; Swallow 3-49, Jarvis 3-84)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 312 for 6 declared (Moxon 95, Carrick 65*)

Gloucestershire second innings: 163 for 8 (Wright 52; Swallow 4-58)

Ian Swallow almost bowled the white rose to victory as Gloucestershire's second innings crumbled to 112 for 7.

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 6 points, Gloucestershire 7 points

 

versus Surrey; 9, 11 and 12 June 1990; Surrey won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 254 (Robinson 85, Carrick 64; Bicknell 3-40, Waqar Younis 3-56) 

Surrey first innings: forfeited

YORKSHIRE second innings: 26 for 1

Surrey second innings: 280 for 9 (Greig 72, Ward 71; White 5-74)

This match ended as a photo-finish, with both teams tied. Surrey had seemingly been cruising to victory at 270 for 6. 

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 3 points, Surrey 12 points

 

versus Kent; 14, 15 and 17 June 1991; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 196 for 5 (Moxon 90; Fleming 3-28)

Regrettably, no play was possible on the second and third days of this non-event. Instead the weather was the winner!

Match drawn; YORKSHIRE 1 point, Kent 2 points

 

versus Derbyshire; 12, 13 and 15 June 1992; Derbyshire won the toss.

Derbyshire first innings: 227 (Bowler 60; Carrick 4-58, Batty 4-84)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 305 (Tendulkar 89, Moxon 64, White 53; Bishop 5-37)

Derbyshire second innings: 74 (Batty 4-34, Carrick 3-15)

The spin bowling duo of Jeremy Batty and Phil Carrick tormented hapless Derbyshire in this one-sided encounter.

YORKSHIRE won by an innings and 4 runs; YORKSHIRE 22 points, Derbyshire 3 points

 

versus Northamptonshire; 15-17 and 19 July 1993; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

Northamptonshire first innings: 97 (Robinson 9-37)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 168 (Richardson 58, Byas 54; Curran 7-47)

Northamptonshire second innings: 305 (Bailey 68, Felton 66; Hartley 5-51, Robinson 3-87)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 238 for 6 (Blakey 74, Byas 71; Bowen 3-82)

Seam bowler Mark Robinson bowled himself into the county record books. All of his twelve wickets were catches.

YORKSHIRE won by four wickets; YORKSHIRE 20 points, Northamptonshire 4 points

 

versus Leicestershire; 14-16 and 18 July 1994; YORKSHIRE won the toss.

YORKSHIRE first innings: 331 (Byas 91, Grayson 60, Moxon 53; Parsons 4-67)

Leicestershire first innings: 373 (Whitaker 148, Wells 83, Boon 56; Hartley 4-110, White 3-28)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 319 (Richardson 63; Wells 3-35, Millns 3-65)

Leicestershire second innings: 163 (Stemp 3-22, Hartley 3-51)

Captain Martyn Moxon was the only Yorkshire player to fail to reach double figures in his team's second innings. 

YORKSHIRE won by 114 runs; YORKSHIRE 21 points, Leicestershire 7 points

 

*versus Durham; 20-22 and 24 July 1995 (See the section Durham versus Yorkshire)

 

versus Hampshire; 18-20 July 1996; Hampshire won the toss.

Hampshire first innings: 266 (James 71, Keech 63; Silverwood 3-62)

YORKSHIRE first innings: 427 (Byas 138, McGrath 137; Bovill 5-58, Connor 4-97)

Hampshire second innings: 249 (Keech 87; Hartley 5-57)

YORKSHIRE second innings: 89 for 0 (Vaughan 61*)

Keech hit 150 runs in this match and was run out twice! This win was Yorkshire's last match at this grand old venue.

YORKSHIRE won by ten wickets; YORKSHIRE 24 points, Hampshire 6 points

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Harrogate's Twilight Years, 1970-1996
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