Harrogate captain George Ross urged his table topping squad to use Saturday’s horror collapse against Yorkshire Academy as a “kick up the backside” for the final three matches of their title bid.;
Harrogate surrendered a clear winning position at the interval as the pace of Yorkshire youngster Matthew Fisher ripped through the usually reliable top order.
Having bowled Yorkshire’s top prospects out for a meager 85, Ross’ men crashed to 7/3 before losing their last seven wickets for just 23 runs.
Harrogate were all out for just 73 in reply, leaving the Yorkshire League North title race in the balance.
“It was a surreal day, really strange,” said Ross.
“Hopefully it will be the kick up the back side that we will be after and show the lads that you can’t take anything for granted.”
The Academy had elected to bat on their home pitch at Leeds University but they were soon cursing the decision as Tom Geeson-Brown removed top order batsmen Harry Brook, Richard Brown and Mosun Hussain.
Geeson-Brown’s control and pace continued to cause problems alongside Nick Taylor (2/17) and the quick finished with figures of 4/33 in 12 overs.
The Academy battled their way up from 49/8 to 85 all out courtesy of a stoic performance from last pair Jack Shutt (16no) and James Logan (15) – two innings which proved decisive
In Gate’ reply, Fisher bowled Dion Sanson and Jonny Tattersall for ducks before Matt Taylor poleaxed Matthew Good at the other end.
Ross stabilised the innings with 31 – the game’s highest score – alongside David Foster (17) but both received controversial umpiring decisions off Jack Shutt’s bowling to leave ‘Gate 57-6.
At that point, Harrogate were still favourites to wrap up a win that would have put them 17 points clear of York in the table.
But the lower order collapsed and Harrogate came up 13 runs short of victory.
“It wasn’t acceptable from our batsman, we just collapsed,” Ross added.
“For 70 per cent of the game we played some really good cricket. We bowled and fielded brilliantly to keep them to just 85.
“It wasn’t that we thought the job was done because we knew it was going to be thought with the bat. But Matt Fisher came on for his opening spell and before no time at all we were 5/2 and then 7/3.
“Me and Dave gritted in and got us to 50-5 and we thought the job was near enough done but then we collapsed again.
“It’s happened before this season when we have chased things down by the skin of our teeth.
“Perhaps we were due that one where it didn’t go our way.”
Harrogate remain in pole position to reach the end of season Yorkshire League play-offs and can guarantee the title with three wins in their final three matches.
The dangerous Sheriff Hutton Bridge visit St George’s Road on Saturday, but Harrogate are at full-strength including the return of Yorkshire seam bowler Ben Coad.

Surreal Harrogate defeat throws Yorkshire League North title race open


Visit now for the latest local cricket news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


JASON GILLESPIE has resigned as Yorkshire’s first team coach.
The former Australia fast bowler is to leave the club at the end of the season.
Jason Gillespie with Martyn Moxon at Headingley back in 2012.
The news is a body blow to the county champions, whom Gillespie has led to back-to-back Championships.
READ/WATCH MORE - Timeline and slideshow of Jason Gillespie’s time at Yorkshire
READ MORE - Royal London Cup: Semi-final misery continues for Yorkshire as they come up short against Surrey
However, it is not entirely unexpected, with Gillespie’s wife and four children having recently returned to Australia, and with his future having been a regular source of speculation.
Martyn Moxon will not begin the search for a new head coach until the end of the current season Yorkshire CCC statement
Gillespie has been linked with a number of international coaching jobs during his five seasons in charge, and he already doubles up as coach of the Big Bash franchise Adelaide Strikers.
Yorkshire had hoped that he would stay for at least another year, but after the club lost to Surrey in the Royal London Cup semi-final yesterday, Gillespie communicated his decision to the Yorkshire board.
Yorkshire say they will start the search for a new head coach at the end of the season, who will work under director of cricket Martyn Moxon.
In a statement issued today, the club said: “Yorkshire County Cricket Club can confirm that Jason Gillespie will leave his position as head coach at the end of the 2016 season.
Yorkshire's head coach, Jason Gillespie, pictured with Jonny Bairstow during Sunday's Royal London Cup semi-final defeat at Headingley. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Jason, who led Yorkshire from the Second Division to consecutive Championship titles, along the way suffering just five defeats in 76 Championship fixtures since his appointment in November 2011.
“His wife Anna and their four children have recently returned to Australia and, with the 41-year-old’s existing commitments to coaching the Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash, Jason feels the close season is an appropriate time to part company.
“Martyn Moxon will not begin the search for a new head coach until the end of the current season, and the club will provide further updates when the time is appropriate.”
Gillespie has the chance to go out on a high, with the club well-placed to secure a hat-trick of Championships.
Yorkshire go into Wednesday’s match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in second place in Division One, five points behind leaders Middlesex with four games to play.

Jason Gillespie to stand down as Yorkshire CCC coach at end of 2016 season


Visit now for the latest Yorkshire cricket news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
THOUSANDS of revellers descended on Bramham Park as Leeds Festival started its big birthday bash weekend.
The festival’s 18th instalment started with a bang as sunshine and shorts was the order of the day - and not a brolly or pair of wellies in sight unlike Thursday evening.
Most 18th birthday parties sees the recipient come of age, but for a long time now Leeds festival has proved to be the hottest ticket in town.
This weekend, over 90,000 music fans are expected to pour through the gates at the Wetherby venue.
The weather is always a talking point but Met Office forecasters haven’t predicted rain until Saturday at the earliest.
In terms of the musical offerings, Biffy Clyro were headlining the maiden night and among those anticipating the first night’s offerings was Sarah, 19, from York.
A muddy start to the festival. Image: Mark Bickerdike.
The first-time visitor was excited at seeing the Scottish band perform on the main stage.
“I’ve seen them a couple of times before but can’t wait until they play here,” she said.
“I’ve never been here before so for them to play here too, is pretty special.”
Robert Kessen has been coming to Leeds for the past decade and says the eclectic mix of artists keeps him coming back for more.
The 49-year-old said: “There’s something for everybody.
“The three days offer a good range of bands and it’s something to look forward to each year.”
This year’s line-up also includes sets from Disclosure, Foals, Chvrches, The 1975 and will be finished with a set from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Comedians Russell Kane, Russell Howard and Bill Bailey will also take to the Alternative Stage to deliver stand-up sets offering something for everyone this bank holiday weekend.
* Fetty Wap is one of the early artists to pull out of this year’s festival.
The Trap Queen rapper has withdrawn from the weekend on medical grounds.
However, there was brighter news for fans with grime duo Wiley and Stormzy both booked as welcome replacements.

In pictures: Revellers soak up atmosphere on sun-kissed Friday at Leeds Festival


Visit now for the latest music news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


When Yorkshire decided to decorate for Le Grand Depart, it went all out with bunting, bikes and yarn bombing in a spectacular and as yet unrivalled bid to welcome the Tour de France to God’s own county.
The effect was sensational but one property stood out from the rest after owners Tony and Lori Handley decided to cover their house in giant red spots in honour of the King of the Mountain jersey.
The Spotty House. Picture: Charlotte Gale Photography
The Royal Oak on Bond End, Knaresborough, best known as “The Spotty House”, achieved international fame after the BBC beamed pictures of it to 160 countries on the morning of the big race
Now there’s a chance to own the landmark property as the four-bedroom home and its two holiday cottages are up for sale for £850,000 with Dacre, Son and Hartley.
Mr and Mrs Handley are hoping that would-be buyers will continue to decorate the building and put a smile on the faces of passers-by.
Since the red spots in 2014, the Royal Oak has been dotted with red noses, which raised almost £2,000 for Comic Relief. On Valentine’s Day, it was covered with hearts to help Visit Harrogate promote romantic breaks. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race, it was decorated with balloons and it sported Christmas trees to promote the 2015 Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival. It was back to spots again in April this year when Le Tour de Yorkshire rode through Knaresborough.
Tony Handley decroating his house with hearts for Valentine Day. Picture: Adrian Murray.
The trimming up tradition started when the Tour de France route was announced. Mrs Handley, an artist, came up with the idea of decorating the house for the event. She wanted to turn it into a Yorkshire Tea tin but Le Tour organisers saw it as advertising so she settled on the spots. She also encouraged local schoolchildren to decorate T-shirts that were then strung up as 2.5km of bunting.
“We realised the race would come right past our front door and we just knew we needed to get behind the event and raise the profile of our very special town,” said Mr Handley, a retired marketing expert and former mayor, also known as “Mr Knaresborough”.
“At 6.30am on the morning of race, a chant went up ‘we want the mayor’. I stuck my head out of the bedroom window and a microphone came up and a presenter said, ‘Hello, I’m from the BBC’. I asked the crowd how long we should keep the spots and they shouted back ‘forever’. That footage went worldwide and we have since had guests from as far afield as China, Canada and America in our cottages who have all seen our house on their local television stations.”
While the TV coverage was PR gold, the Handley’s were even more thrilled when their efforts helped Knaresborough win the “Best Dressed Town” prize awarded by Welcome to Yorkshire and The Yorkshire Post,
Welcome to Yorkshire has used the house to showcase and promote the region and the Handleys also won a Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism award last year in recognition of the property’s outstanding contribution to tourism. The Spotty House also boasts several more awards from Knaresborough in Bloom.
The couple were worried about objections to their treatment of a grade two listed building but local people were thrilled with the attention-grabbing façade and planners were sympathetic as the decoration is not permanent. Although the spots appear to be painted on, they are stick-on vinyl discs, which cost £90, and are easily removed.
The Handleys bought the property 10 years ago. They have since refurbished the main house, converted an old stable and tack room into holiday lets and have been instrumental in boosting the town’s profile.
They are selling up to move to Northumberland so that Lori, who specialises in seascapes, will have more time to paint her favourite subject.
They have just had the house re-rendered and painted so it is spot-free at the moment but Mr Handley said: “We hope that whoever buys it will carry on the tradition. The house is a landmark, especially for children who think Mr Tumble lives here. It has made so many people smile and it has been great publicity for Knaresborough, which is a wonderful town.”
Estate agent Simon Davies, manager of Dacre, Son and Hartley’s Knaresborough branch, added: “The whole offering really is very attractive and unique, and we are expecting plenty of interest in ‘The Spotty House’, which will no doubt continue to play its part in the fabric of Knaresborough.”
For more pictures and details on the Royal Oak, see Page 2 of today’s Property Post supplement. www.dacres.co.uk
History of ‘the Spotty House’
The first written records of a property on the site are from 1726 in the will of Thomas Atkinson, who bequeathed his estate to his three children.
It is not until 1781 that records show it being used as the Hare and Hounds Inn. The first reference to the Royal Oak is in 1826.
It was sold to John Smith’s Brewery of Tadcaster in 1925. Knaresborough Folk Club was founded at the Royal Oak in 1974 and in 1986 it was registered by Harrogate Borough Council as a Building of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. It was delicensed in 1997 and was sold as a private dwelling. The Handleys bought it in 2006 and it shot to fame in 2014 after being decorated for the Tour de France.

For sale: House we all went dotty over during Tour de France


Visit now for the latest homes news and features - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


England seamer Liam Plunkett, signed by Jason Gillespie for Yorkshire three years ago, has voiced his own personal thanks for the impact the Australian has had on his fortunes.
Plunkett had endured an especially unpromising phase of his career before his move south to Headingley from Durham in 2013 at the age of 28.
Gillespie’s man-management helped him return to his best, however, and Plunkett has since added more international caps in all formats.
Reacting to the announcement of Gillespie’s departure yesterday, he said: “I’m obviously gutted – because he was good for me, and good for the team. It’s a tough decision that he’s made. But I want to thank him – he’s been great for me.
“They took a chance at the club to bring me there, and he’s been nothing but positive to me.
“He’s brought me back to playing for England. So I wish him the best, and look forward to catching up when I get back to Yorkshire.”
Gillespie quickly and rightly judged that Plunkett did not need any more technical tips, but moral support. “At that time, he was what I needed,” he said. “I was a bit raw, and struggling with my action.
“I thought it was all about technical.
“But it wasn’t – it was just about backing myself.
“When I went there, that was what he picked up straight away.”

Yorkshire’s Liam Plunkett thankful for help given to him by departing coach Jason Gillespie


Visit now for the latest cricket news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


THE decision not to press charges in the abuse case against Sir Cliff Richard is being reviewed.
The singer was the subject of a long-running South Yorkshire Police investigation which centred on sexual assault accusations dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men.
Officers investigating allegations of historical sex offences were filmed searching his apartment in Berkshire in 2014, leading to him being publicly named as the subject of the probe.
The 75-year-old was never arrested or charged and his case was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in June on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
But at the beginning of August an application under the victims’ right to review scheme was lodged by an accuser - challenging the decision by the CPS not to pursue a case against Sir Cliff.
The process allows an alleged victim, within three months of the original decision, to call for it to be reviewed.
It is understood a lawyer will look at the evidence before deciding to uphold or overturn the original decision made by the CPS.
A spokesman for the CPS confirmed they have received an application under the victims’ right to review scheme over the decision made in relation to the star.
He added: “It is ongoing.”
After the investigation was brought to a close in June, Sir Cliff said he was “thrilled”.
“I have always maintained my innocence, co-operated fully with the investigation, and cannot understand why it has taken so long to get to this point,” he said.
“Nevertheless, I am obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close.”
The singer, actor and TV star has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning 57 years.
Britain’s greatest solo hit-maker, his output of hundreds of singles and albums is unlikely to be equalled, let alone surpassed.
Sir Cliff’s greatest hits include chart-toppers such as The Young Ones, Living Doll, Summer Holiday, We Don’t Talk Anymore and 1988 Christmas number one Mistletoe And Wine.
Click here to download the Apple version of the Yorkshire Post’s free app
Click here to download the Android version of the Yorkshire Post’s free app
Click here to download the YEP’s free app to your iPhone or iPad
Click here to download the YEP’s free app to your Android device

Decision not to prosecute Sir Cliff Richard is to be reviewed


Get the latest breaking news from the Yorkshire Post - politics, education, health, crime, showbiz, environment and more. Visit now.


Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
JASON GILLESPIE’s departure as Yorkshire’s first-team coach, after five years in charge of the county champions, had been on the cards for some time.
Earlier this summer, Gillespie’s wife, Anna, and their four children moved back to Adelaide in Australia.
HEADING OUT: Yorkshire first-team coach, pictured at Headingley in November last year. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
It would be a strange marriage that could survive for several months apart on opposite sides of the world, although, on second thoughts, some couples would probably relish that thought.
Flippancy aside, Yorkshire had hoped to get at least one more year out of Gillespie, whose future had been the subject of regular speculation since he took the job in 2011.
Since then, the former Australia fast bowler has helped the club to one County Championship promotion and to back-to-back Championship titles, with the prospect of a hat-trick to follow next month.
Under Gillespie, Yorkshire have also twice reached NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day and successive Royal London Cup semi-finals, although, after 14 years without a one-day trophy, they have yet to crack limited-overs cricket in quite the same way.
IT'S OURS: Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale and coach Jason Gillespie celebrate with the County Championship trophy at Trent Bridge back in 2014. Pictures: SWpix.
Gillespie’s track record, however, speaks for itself (Yorkshire have lost only five of 76 Championship games since his arrival), and he has been linked with practically more international coaching positions than there are jobs vacant.
There are many observers –this correspondent included –who thought that he should have got the England job last year, an opinion that has not been altered by progress under Trevor Bayliss.
Gillespie has also been linked with international positions back home, where his great friend and former team-mate Darren Lehmann is in charge of the Australia side.
Gillespie already doubles up as coach of the Big Bash franchise Adelaide Strikers, and potential moves for him now could include international cricket/the Indian Premier League.
CHEERS, I'LL BE OFF THEN: Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie will leave the club after five years at the end of this season.
Although Yorkshire will be sad to see him go, it was a case of ‘when’, not ‘if’, Gillespie left.
The time would seem right for him not only from a family perspective, but also, one suspects, from a cricketing point of view.
Gillespie has probably taken Yorkshire as far as he can; their performances in the Championship this summer have actually tailed off a touch, although they have been more affected by injuries than in recent seasons, and they go into the final four matches just five points behind leaders Middlesex.
But it has not been the dominant campaign that many had hoped, although the end result is all that counts, and the players will be doubly determined to give Gillespie a successful send-off.
THRILLED: Jason Gillespie watches from the Lords balcony as the County Championship title is retained, despite the triumph being accompanied by defeat against hosts Middlesex.
Yorkshire’s magnificent pace attack is not getting any younger, and although there is no reason to suspect that the current side cannot aim to stretch their run of titles to at least four or five in a row, Yorkshire must soon face such unpalatable questions as: “Exactly how do you replace Ryan Sidebottom?”
Sport moves in cycles, and Gillespie has been part of a golden cycle at Yorkshire. He will leave with the thanks of the club’s supporters, who already respected him for what he achieved as a player.
As a key member of the great Australia side of the Nineties and Noughties, Gillespie took 402 international wickets. As a coach, it is noticeable that he never speaks about that success, or indeed seeks credit for Yorkshire’s recent triumphs.
He appreciates that it is players who win silverware first and foremost, and that support staff, in a nutshell, are exactly what that term would imply.
Gillespie’s coaching methods would seem quite simple: he does not over-complicate the game, but encourages his players to perform with freedom and to try to take the positive option.
He recognises the importance of making sure that the players believe that the coach believes in them, and his style is more arm-around-the-shoulder than ranter-and-raver.
Like all in sport, however, he hides a tough streak, although never quite to the extent that it masks a cheerful personality for too long.
At heart, he is a thoroughly decent chap: friendly, personable, and with time for all.
Even his infamous comments about the dairy industry, which he suggested earlier this summer should be closed down as it does not tie in with his vegan views, betrayed that decency and caring disposition, even if they were not shared by everyone – not least the Yorkshire sponsors, Wensleydale Cheese.
Yorkshire will not replace him easily, but a team of talented cricketers will cope.
Gillespie himself has seen to it, by helping to create a culture that will not be broken just because the time has come for him to say goodbye.

Video - Chris Waters: Time is right for Jason Gillespie to bid farewell to Yorkshire CCC


JASON GILLESPIE believes there has been clear progress in Yorkshire’s one-day cricket this year, regardless of the result of tomorrow’s semi-final.
Yorkshire are aiming to reach their first Lord’s final since 2002 when they take on Surrey at Headingley (11am start).
THREAT: Surrey's Kumar Sangakkara
It is the second successive season that Yorkshire have reached the Royal London semis, with the club going down by eight wickets to eventual champions Gloucestershire at Headingley last year.
Surrey, last season’s runners-up, will pose another stiff test, but Gillespie has been encouraged by Yorkshire’s white-ball performances, with the club having also reached the semi-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast before losing to Durham.
“We’ve seen clear progress in white-ball cricket this year,” said Gillespie. “We’re not the finished article, but we’ve definitely seen improvements overall in both of the comps.
“We should have chased down the runs against Durham in the T20 semi, even though Mark Wood bowled very well against us.
“But that’s gone now, and I’m pleased overall with how the lads have gone about their work in one-day cricket.”
To get past Surrey, Yorkshire must overcome a semi-final hoodoo in List A cricket. Their defeat to Gloucestershire last season was their 16th in 19 one-day cup semis.
“That stat isn’t in our minds,” said Gillespie. “It hasn’t even been discussed. Sunday is a new day, and the fact is that we’ve played some good cricket in the 50-over comp.
“We know Surrey are a quality team and that people will see them as favourites, which is okay with us.
“We just need to go out there and play the best cricket we can and focus on that.”
On paper, the biggest danger to Yorkshire is Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka batsman/wicketkeeper. Sangakkara, 38, scored an unbeaten 130 to help Surrey to a dramatic one-wicket win off the last ball of their quarter-final at Northants.
“Sangakkara is clearly an extremely dangerous player,” said Gillespie, whose side booked their semi-final place with an 11-run win over Kent at Canterbury.
“He has a proven track record, and he is capable of winning games single-handed.
“At the same time, we will do our homework against him and encourage our bowlers and everyone to do their research.
“Phil Dicks (the Yorkshire analyst) puts a lot of stuff together, and the players have iPads where they can look at all the relevant footage – ie, where Sangakkara scores his runs, his wagon wheels, and potentially where he could be vulnerable, which is what we do with all our opponents.”
Yorkshire’s attention to detail in this regard has increased markedly in recent times.
Dicks is an important member of the backroom operation, equipping players with all the necessary stats and info.
“Phil has been brilliant,” said Gillespie. “He’s an important cog in the support staff at Yorkshire.
Yorkshire (from): Ballance, Bresnan, Brooks, Carver, Coad, Hodd, Leaning, Lees (capt), Lyth, Patterson, Rafiq, Rhodes, Waite.

Yorkshire v Surrey: White-ball progress gives Jason Gillespie grounds for optimism as prize of Lord’s final awaits


Chris Waters: Time is right for Jason Gillespie to bid farewell to Yorkshire CCC


A 17-year-old has died after taking drugs at Leeds Festival.
The teenager, who was from the Greater Manchester area, underwent emergency treatment in hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Police were first alerted by staff from Leeds Festival shortly after 4.45pm.
The boy had been taken to St James’ Hospital by ambulance in a critical condition.
As two teenagers remain in custody on suspicion of drugs offences, the police have warned other festivalgoers against taking drugs.
Leeds Festival’s Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Keith Gilert, said: “Our thoughts are naturally with the family of the young man at this time. They were made aware of the incident by officers as soon as possible and were assisted to attend the hospital as quickly as possible. We will continue to support them through this difficult time.
“I would though like to take this opportunity to remind anyone attending the Festival that there is no safe way to take drugs. Taking any illegal drug carries a risk to health and we would always advise people against it, but I would ask that people are particularly conscious of the risks following this young man’s death.”
Investigations into his death and how he got the drugs are ongoing.
Early enquiries have indicated that he took the drugs immediately before collapsing.
Two 17-year-olds, also from the Greater Manchester area have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and are currently in custody.
A report will be sent to the Coroner in due course.
Chf Supt Gilert added: “In partnership with the organisers, Festival Republic, we will continue to take action against those who risk the lives of others by supplying drugs.”
“Anyone who has any concerns for either themselves or others at the Festival should contact Festival site or security staff or seek medical assistance.”

Teenager dies after taking drugs at Leeds Festival


Visit now for the latest crime news and features - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


Three wickets in nine balls at a cost of two runs for Stuart Meaker tore the heart out of Yorkshire’s batting at Headingley and sent Surrey through to the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup at Lord’s.
A century for man-of-the-match Steven Davies and 90 from Ben Foakes left Yorkshire Vikings chasing a 256 target and although they recovered well after Meaker’s dramatic intervention, thanks to a brave 68 from Tim Bresnan, the task was just beyond them and they were bowled out for 236 to lose by 19 runs with seven balls remaining.
Yorkshire captain Alex Lees is bowled out by Surrey's Gareth Batty for 26. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA.
Surrey now have the chance to avenge last season’s final defeat by Gloucestershire but for Yorkshire it was the second consecutive year that they have stumbled at the last-four stage.
It also continued a depressing run of semi-final reverses in List A cricket for Yorkshire, who have now lost 17 times out of 20 on such occasions since 1979.
Captain Alex Lees admitted - combined with defeat in last week’s T20 Blast semi-final to Durham Jets - Yorkshire hadn’t been good enough to progress in either game.
“I think we are all gutted to lose because we have played some great white ball cricket this season,” said Lees. “But when it has mattered in two semi-finals over the past week we have not been good enough.
Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan (second left) is congratulated by Jack Brooks (second right) and Jonny Bairstow (right) after taking the wicket of Surrey's Kumar Sangakkara. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
“I thought it was a reachable target and we needed some contributions from the top five and this didn’t happen. All credit to the Surrey bowlers who kept going.”
Lees was also quick to praise the efforts of Bresnan, adding: “He has won three or four games single-handed for us and has been exceptional both with the bat and ball. His big contribution almost got us there. When we look back it will have been a positive season but you still don’t want to lose two semi-finals.”
Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth to Jade Dernbach in their third over and after skipper, Alex Lees, had played some solid strokes in reaching 26 he was bowled driving at his opposite number, Gareth Batty.
At 74-2 in 19 overs, however, Yorkshire were still handily placed until Meaker, bowling from the football end, began his lethal burst.
Jonny Bairstow, released by England for the match, drove gently to Dominic Sibley at mid-wicket; Gary Ballance was caught behind trying to flick over the top of the slips and Jack Leaning dragged into his leg-stump.
The slide to 81-5 was halted by Bresnan and 20-year-old all-rounder, Matthew Waite, who enjoyed a fine match in which he earlier captured three wickets and then scored 38 in an enterprising stand of 80 in 16 overs with his senior partner.
Waite survived a confident appeal for a catch off Batty’s bowling but in the next over from Sam Curran he drove into Batty’s hands at mid-on. Bresnan and Will Rhodes kept the hopes of the 4,836 crowd alive with a busy stand of 46 which ended at 207 in the 45th over when Rhodes played to backward point and set off for a single but was beaten by Tom Curran’s direct hit on the stumps at the bowler’s end.
Bresnan and Azeem Rafiq continued to battle hard, but when Tom Curran sent back both Rafiq and Steven Patterson in the 48th over to make it 236-9 the task was just beyond Yorkshire and the match ended when Bresnan drove Dernbach to Sibley at long-off, his 68 coming off 82 balls with two fours and a six.
Put in to bat, Surrey found themselves on eight for two by the third over, with Kumar Sangakkara one of the wickets to fall, but the early setbacks did not unsettle Davies whose 104 followed consecutive Championship scores of 117, 52 and 56 against Yorkshire this season.
Jack Brooks, in his first List A match of the summer, struck in the day’s second over as Dibley shaped to play to leg but missed and was lbw. Sangakkara was quick of the mark, cutting Bresnan for four, but in the same over the Sri Lankan drove loosely to Rafiq in the covers.
Davies, however, made smooth progress with some splendidly timed shots through the covers, taking boundaries off consecutive balls from Brooks, and he hit 34 of the first 48 runs scored.
But at 61-2 in 14 overs, Waite joined the attack and his first delivery was flicked casually to long leg by Burns for Patterson to hold a good catch dropping to his knees.
It should have been an even more memorable over for Waite but three balls later Davies, on 43, drove back past the bowler’s hands and the chance went begging.
Had Davies gone then, Surrey would have been in big trouble but they were rescued by Davies’ and Foakes’ partnership of 130, the visitors’ highest for the fourth wicket in List A cricket against Yorkshire and beating the 110 by Monty Lynch and Andrew Needham at Bradford in 1985.
Davies, having reached his half-century from 57 deliveries, continued to time the ball to perfection, hooking Bresnan for four and on-driving Rafiq for six while Foakes moved smartly to his own 50 from 51 balls, the stand entering three figures in 21 overs.
A single to Davies off Patterson took him to his century off 112 balls with ten fours and a six, but four runs later he hit a low full toss from Waite straight to Rhodes on the mid-wicket boundary.
Surrey were 191-4 in the 39th over and they lost much of their momentum in the last dozen overs or so, Sam Curran going for 16 when he was bowled by Waite in a futile and ungainly attempt to scoop the ball round the corner.
Waite’s figures of three for 48 were Yorkshire’s best of the day and at the end of his stint he received warm and prolonged applause from the appreciative crowd.
Foakes struck Bresnan high over long on for six but was denied a century when a ramp shot went wrong and he was caught by Brooks for 90 from 100 balls with seven fours to go alongside his big hit.
Surrey debutant, Ollie Pope, was run out for 20 off the last ball of an innings which never quite blossomed as much as it might of done, although it may never have bloomed at all but for Davies and Foakes.
As it happened (the last 10 overs) ...
49.5 overs - WICKET - GAME OVER - Bresnan hits high full tos down the throat of Sibley at long-off from the bowling of Jake Dernbach - Bresnan dismissed for 68. Surrey win by 19 runs
48 overs: WICKET - Yorkshire 234-9 - Steve Patterson goes first ball, ball stopped on him and he just looped a catch up to Sangakarra at mid on.
47. 3 overs: WICKET - Yorkshire 231-8 - Rafiq hits full toss down to long on where he is caught by Burns off Tom Curran - Steven Patterson joins Bresnan who is 64 no
47 overs: Yorkshire 229-7 - Another good over Yorkshire, good running once again - Bresnan 64 no; Rafiq 5 no. 27 needed off 18 balls
46 overs: Yorkshire 222 -7 - Good over for Yorkshire, 143 runs including big six over long on from Bresnan and some cracking running between the wickets; Bresnan 62 no; Rafiq 2 no
45 overs: Yorkshire 209- 7 - Two runs off the last ball brings up 50 for Bresnan, who is joined at the crease by Azeem Rafiq - Bresnan, 51 no; Rafiq 0 no 44.5 overs: WICKET Yorkshire 207-7 - Rhodes run out from direct hit by ???? at backward point. Rhodes hesitated slightly before setting off and it proved costly
44 overs: Yorkshire 202-6 - Bresnan 47 no; Rhodes 21 no - 54 needed off 36 balls. Surrey bowling nice and tight, making it difficult for both Bresnan and Rhodes to get them away.
43 overs: Yorkshire 193-6 - Bresnan 44 no; Rhodes 15 no - 63 off 41 needed
42 overs: Yorkshire 188-6 - Bresnan 42 no; Rhodes 12 no- 68 needed off 48 balls
41 overs: Yorkshire 179-6 - Bresnan 37 no; Rhodes 10 no - 77 needed
40 overs: Yorkshire 173-6 - Bresnan 36 no; Rhodes 4no - 83 runs needed

Royal London Cup: Yorkshire v Surrey - Misery for Yorkshire as they miss out on Lord’s final yet again in Headingley defeat


IT was not so much North Marine Road as Submarine Road at Scarborough cricket ground on Thursday night.
Yorkshire were sufficiently concerned that rain would run their hopes of a final day victory against Nottinghamshire – after they had passed up the chance to enforce the follow-on on day two - that they arranged for their “Blotter” to be brought over at 5.00 yesterday morning from their Headingley headquarters some 70 miles away.
MAGIC MOMENT: Yorkshire's Alex Lees takes a great catch to dismiss Nottinghamshire's Imran Tahir and give them victory at Scarborough. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
After two hours of blotting the saturated outfield, play was able to start on time and Yorkshire romped to a 305-run win after Notts resumed on 61-3.
Had there been an official man-of-the match, the “Blotter” would have been a strong contender, with Yorkshire’s 21-point triumph closing the gap to five points on leaders Middlesex.
If Yorkshire had not prevailed, they might have been tempted to get “blottoed” hours after calling for the “Blotter”, following their decision to bat again with a first innings lead of 188.
That decision, unanimous in the dressing room according to first team coach Jason Gillespie, was not quite so unanimous among the Yorkshire supporters, who could be heard debating it in and outside the ground for two days with all the gravitas of whether a nation should go to war.
Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan is congratulated by Ryan Sidebottom and team mates on dismissing Nottinghamshire's Tom Moores. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
But, as William Shakespeare once scribbled, ‘all’s well that ends well”, and history will remember the result first and foremost.
For Gillespie, it was vindication of Yorkshire’s approach as they made suitably light work of the division’s bottom club after recovering from a perilous 51-6 on the opening day.
“It was the right call (to bat again),” said Gillespie.
“People had a pop at us for not enforcing the follow-on, but we stick by what we believe is the best opportunity to win the game of cricket, and we were vindicated there.
“The bottom line is, it was a very important result against a very good side.
“Having been 51-6 on the first day, to win by over 300 runs, this team never ceases to amaze me.
“I can’t be any more proud of them. There are no words to describe it.”
After the torrential rain of the previous night, the “Blotter” went about its business beneath sunny skies as summer returned to North Marine Road. Technically, it did its work so well that Notts even lost a wicket before the official start time of 11, with the clock showing 10.59 when Tom Moores fell to the day’s fourth ball.
Moores, the 19-year-old son of former England head coach Peter, had played with great maturity to make 41 on the third evening.
He had not added to his overnight score – and neither had Notts – when Tim Bresnan located his edge from the Trafalgar Square end, Adam Lyth doing the rest at second slip.
Notts fell to 77-5 when Samit Patel perished after half-an-hour, adjudged caught behind off Bresnan by umpire Neil Mallender.
Patel stood his ground in echoes of Michael Lumb’s dismissal the previous evening, when he, too, felt that Mallender had wrongly given him out caught behind, and the visitors’ cause became utterly hopeless when Bresnan claimed his fifth wicket, Chris Read edging to Jake Lehmann at fourth slip.
Bresnan has never had a six-wicket haul in his distinguished career, and this was only his eighth “five-fer” in first-class cricket.
He had to content himself with career-best figures of 5-36, and his best match haul of 8-51 too, his spell of 3-9 in 31 balls during an eight-over burst yesterday morning ensuring that there would be no unexpected resistance from the visiting team.
That is not to say that they put up the white flag, however, on a day when it would probably have blown away in any case such was the strength of the south-westerly wind. As the red-and-white pin-striped deckchairs flapped in front of the Festival marquee, and as the washing hanging outside the houses at the Trafalgar Square End enjoyed a late-summer airing, Notts showed fight through Brendan Taylor and Brett Hutton.
The pair negotiated the 80 minutes remaining until lunch before Hutton fell to the third ball after the break, drawn forward by a tantalising delivery from Ryan Sidebottom from the Peasholm Park End and caught behind by wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd.
Taylor fell to the third delivery of the next over when he lobbed a short ball from Jack Brooks to cover, having resisted gamely for over two-and-a-half hours, and Brooks bowled Luke Fletcher with the next delivery to leave Notts 130-9.
Brooks wrapped it up at 2pm in his next over, Imran Tahir turning to short-leg as the pace bowler ended with 4-35, Notts all out for 146. Yorkshire left the field to a standing ovation from the 2,676 crowd, which lifted the match attendance to 15,283, a ringing endorsement for England’s finest outground.

Tim Bresnan and ‘Blotter’ combine to vindicate Yorkshire’s Scarborough tactics


Visit now for the latest Yorkshire cricket news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
Royal Mail worker Phil Chapman couldn’t believe his eyes when he spotted this cat like creature roaming around the countryside near Wakefield.
Mr Chapman, 48, was staying at the Redbeck Motel in Crofton when he captured the animal, believed to be a big cat, on camera, as it was prowling through nearby fields.
He said it emerged from the bushes at around 8pm on Wednesday.
Mr Chapman, from North Yorkshire, said: “I was on the phone to a friend looking out of the window at the fields, watching the rabbits, and this big cat just came through the hedgerow.
“It was just casually walking across the field.
“It’s clearly not a domestic cat.”
He added: “Whereas normally these things are a case of blink and it’s gone, this was in no rush to get across the field.”
Mr Chapman said the animal looked similar to a a panther.
But he hopes an expert will be able to shed more light, based on its characteristics.
He said: “It will be interesting to know what it was. I know there are big domestic cats but it certainly didn’t look like one.”
It is not the first time a “big cat” has been spotted in the district.
There have been several reported sightings of the ‘Beast Of Ossett’, which hit national headlines in 2000. Observers likened it to a big black Irish wolfhound.
Three years later there was a report of a large black cat stalking the village of Wintersett.
There were also sightings of a panther or puma like beast roaming between Alverthorpe and Ossett in 2006.
An animal, smaller than a Labrador but bigger than a cat, was spotted along a disused railway track between Wintersett and Newmillerdam in 2009.
And a “panther-like beast” was spotted roaming farmland in Notton in 2011.
Last year, there were also reports of a big cat on farmland near Kirkthorpe.
Mr Chapman quickly ended his phone call to catch this latest creature on camera.
He said: “I was surprised. I was trying to get a bit of actual proof of what it was on video. It was so clear to the visual eye.”

Big cat captured on video? Panther like beast spotted in countryside


Yorkshire take on Surrey in the semi-final of the Royal London One Day Cup at Headingley.
Follow our live updates here ....
Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan (second left) is congratulated by Jack Brooks (second right) and Jonny Bairstow (right) after taking the wicket of Surrey's Kumar Sangakkara. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
44 overs: Yorkshire 202-6 - Bresnan 47 no; Rhodes 21 no - 54 needed off 36 balls
43 overs: Yorkshire 193-6 - Bresnan 44 no; Rhodes 15 no - 63 off 41 needed
42 overs: Yorkshire 188-6 - Bresnan 42 no; Rhodes 12 no- 68 needed off 48 balls
41 overs: Yorkshire 179-6 - Bresnan 37 no; Rhodes 10 no - 77 needed
40 overs: Yorkshire 173-6 - Bresnan 36 no; Rhodes 4no - 83 runs needed
37.1 overs: Waite out for an 38 off 60 balls - caught by Gareth Batty off the bowling of Sam Curran. Yorkshire up against it now.
THE loss of three quick wickets saw Yorkshire up against it as they took on Surrey at Headingley in the semi-final of the Royal London One Day Cup.
After restricting the visitors to 255-7 from their 50 overs – Matthew Waite leading the way with 3-48 – Yorkshire found themselves in a decent position at 75-2.
But, in the 19th over, Jonny Bairstow - cleared to play in the game by England - was caught by Dominic Sibley for 13 off the bowling of Stuart Meaker.
Just ten balls later, Bairstow’s England colleague, Gary Ballance, followed him back to the pavillion when he was caught behind by Ben Foakes for 32, handing Meaker his second victim.
Four balls later, the hosts were reeling when Jack Leaning chopped onto his stumps having scored just three.
Tim Bresnan was then joined by 20-year-old Waite with the score at 81.
The pair then batted sensibly to take their team’s score to 150-5 with 15 overs remaining.
Earlier, Steven Davies was the star of the show for the visitors, scoring a well-paced 104 off 143 balls with 10 fours and a six before becoming one of Waites’s three victims when he was caught by Will Rhodes.
Most of the damage was done in a fourth-wicket partnership between Davies and Foakes (90), the par putting on 130 before Davies exited in the 38th over.
Kumar Sangakkara, often seen as Surrey’s biggest threat, was sent on his way for just 4 when Azeem Rafiq took a catch off the bowling of Bresnan.
At the start of Yorkshire’s reply, Adam Lyth was dismissed at the start of the third overwhen caught by Sibley off the bowling of J\ake Dernbach.
Alex Lees put on 44 with Gary Ballance before shouldering arms to one off former Yorkshire player Gareth Batty that clean bowled him for 26.

LIVE - Royal London Cup: Yorkshire v Surrey - Middle order collapse leaves Yorkshire facing uphill battle in bid for Lord’s final


Visit now for the latest cricket news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


International garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith has been chosen to design what will be one of the UK’s largest free public gardens.
The eight-time Gold Medal winner at the Chelsea Flower Show was selected to create a riverside garden by a panel at the Hepworth Wakefield.
The design will be modern, romantic, and “embued with overriding naturalism”, reflecting sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s “deep connection to the landscape.”
One of the highlights of the garden, which is around the size of two-and-a-half football pitches, will be a meadow sown with purple moor grass - found in Yorkshire marshes - as well as other more colourful and exotic species.
Mr Stuart-Smith said he was delighted to be chosen: “Public commissions like these are scarce in the UK.
“I am looking forward to working with the gallery to create a beautiful public space in this riverside setting that will be treasured by residents and visitors alike.”
Four shortlisted designs went on display in garden sheds outside the gallery last October.
Chair of The Hepworth Wakefield Trust David Liddiment said they’d had a “wonderful” response from the public and had taken their views into account, including leaving sculptures on display in the garden.
He added: ““We are absolutely thrilled to be working on this project with Tom Stuart-Smith, one of Britain’s top garden designers, to create a new public space for Wakefield which we believe will enhance the experience of visiting The Hepworth and crucially, attract tourism to the city, further boosting the local economy.
“I feel confident that Tom’s designs for the site will create a cohesive and inspiring landscape that will provide a free, year-round attraction for Wakefield.”
It comes as fundraisers announced a £250,000 gift from the Garfield Weston Foundation, one of the world’s largest charitable foundations, towards the £2.2m project.
The Hepworth’s director Simon Wallis said: “Our fundraising campaign for The Hepworth Riverside Gallery Garden is already underway and I’d like to warmly thank the Garfield Weston Foundation for their major gift. Their significant support has got the project off to a really positive start.”
He added: “Gardens and the Yorkshire landscape were a hugely important part of Barbara Hepworth’s creative life and they influenced her sculpture and its settings.
“It’s fitting, therefore, that we create a natural environment that would have inspired her, and that will have a rewarding all year round dialogue with our superb building and art collection.”
There will be beech hedges in the garden, to protect sensitive plants, and large and small trees scattered throughout.
Others on the shortlist for the garden design included Christopher Bradley Hole and Brita von Schoenaich, Cleve West, and Peter Wirtz.
More details about the garden will be released early next year.

Romantic garden design chosen for Hepworth Wakefield


Get the latest breaking news from the Yorkshire Post - politics, education, health, crime, showbiz, environment and more. Visit now.


A YORKSHIRE bus route which takes in some of our region’s finest views is to star in a BBC programme this Bank Holiday Monday.
Special cameras fitted to the Northern Dalesman will present its route - stretching from Richmond to Ingleton - in real time, capturing the road ahead, the passing scenery and the occasional chatter of the regular passengers.
The BBC Four show, All Aboard! The Country Bus, is the latest in a series of ‘slow’ programmes, following the success of The Sleigh Ride and Slow Week.
The ‘Dalesman’s 40-mile route includes a blossoming river valley, ancient meadows, agricultural pastures and ancient mining villages, and passes over high open heathland, before a final stretch across the hilly Dales past Ribbleshead viaduct.
The programme will feature captions integrated into the landscape to provide details about the dramatic countryside through which the bus is passing - from aspects of the geographical or geological environment, to specific highlights of Britain’s agricultural or industrial heritage, from the ancient stone hay barns that dot the landscape to the scars left behind by the lead mining of previous centuries.
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four says: “I’m delighted that Slow television has struck such a chord with BBC Four viewers. This programme promises to be another very special treat; an opportunity to sit back and appreciate the sights and sounds of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in a rich and absorbing antidote to the frenetic pace of modern life.”
All Aboard! The Country Bus will air on BBC Four at 8pm on Monday, August 29.

Yorkshire Dales bus route to star in TV special


AFTER five successful years at the helm, Yorkshire’s first-team coach, Jason Gillespie, this week revealed he would be leaving the club at the end of this season.
During his time at Headingley, he has overseen a period of tremendous success for the club, inheriting a team that had been relegated to Division Two of the County Championship before transforming them into an outfit capable of earning promotion back to the top tier at the first time of asking.
HHEADING HOME: Yorkshire first-team coach, Jason Gillespie. Picture: Simon Hulme
After finishing second in their first year back in Division One - pipped to the title they hadn’t won since in 2001 by Durham – they returned to the top of the tree two years in succession.
• Play now on your PC
• Listen or subscribe free in iTunes
• Download to any device
• SportsTalk podcast feed
Now, with four games remaining Yorkshire are still well-placed to make it three titles in a row and send Gillespie back home to South Australia on a perfect high.
The YP’s Chris Waters joins host Phil Harrison to discuss Gillespie’s departure, as well as reflecting on his time at the club and how his exit on Yorkshire CCC will impact on the club going forward.

CricketTalk: End of an era as Jason Gillespie prepares to exit Yorkshire CCC


Low-cost airline Jet2.com has announced a major recruitment drive to hire 1,000 new pilots, cabin crew and engineers, with 135 of these to be created at Leeds Bradford Airport.
To support this drive, the company is hosting a recruitment roadshow at Jet2.com’s head office in the Mint, Ingram Street in Leeds on Friday September 9.
The roadshow has been designed to support the recruitment of pilot, cabin crew and engineering positions at Leeds Bradford Airport as the company continues to grow.
Following the recent addition of an 8th UK base in Birmingham with flights launching in 2017, alongside the acquisition of 30 new B737-800 aircraft commencing in September 2016 over a two-year period, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays are looking to invest in their next phase of growth and development. As such, Jet2.com is recruiting around 1,000 roles nationwide.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We have exciting plans to expand the number of destinations we fly to, as well as the number of UK bases we fly from, and this means that our team is growing all the time too. If you’re a pilot, engineer or aspiring cabin crew, and want to join the team of the UK’s favourite airline, then we’d be delighted to see you at our Leeds roadshow.”


WORKERS on lower wages with poorer skills were the key to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, a new analysis reveals.
Voters were far more likely to back Brexit if they earned less money, had poorer qualifications and lived in low skilled areas.
The research, for the York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), provides detailed evidence to support the view held by many since the June referendum that those ‘left behind’ helped tip the balance in favour of the Leave campaign.
JRF chief executive Julia Unwin said: “With energy focussed on the process of leaving the EU, there’s a danger the concerns of people at home are ignored. This analysis should act as beacon for politicians who often talk about representing the concerns of ordinary people.
“The rapid pace of change in the economy has left too many people without the skills and opportunity to get on in life. We must act to ensure prosperity reaches all corners of the country, and provide everyone the chance to earn a good wage in a secure job.
“Theresa May has made the right noises to overcome this and heal the divisions with a promise to make Britain work for all.
“The priority is making good on this promise.”
The research by the highly respected professor Matthew Goodwin, from the University of Kent, found average support for Leave among those earning more than £60,000 was 35 per cent compared to 58 per cent among those earning less than £20,000.
More than 70 per cent of people with no qualifications backed Brexit, those with postgraduate degrees voted Remain by the same margin.
The research also found that voters with all levels of qualification were more likely to have backed Brexit if they lived in an area that overall had low skills levels.
Yorkshire voted by 58 per cent to 42 per cent to leave the EU in the referendum.
Prof Goodwin said: “This research reveals how the referendum was not simply about our relationship with the European Union, but also shed light on the deep divides that exist in our society.”
The Remain campaign has been criticised for failing to reassure those on lower wages and with worries on issues such as EU migration that their concerns would be addressed if Britain voted to stay.
But Remain supporters have argued the Leave campaign played on those concerns.
Yorkshire MEP Richard Corbett said: “The Leave campaign deliberately and ruthlessly took advantage of the issues identified in this research, peddling lies about issues from immigration to Turkey to target precisely those people who will be most disadvantaged by Brexit.”
In a speech in Manchester later today, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron will claim that “malevolent forces” are using the referendum result to fuel racism and hate and call for protection for EU citizens in the UK.
He will argue the anger of those who feel left behind is “justified” and the political class has “abandoned people disastrously to their fate”.
Mr Farron will say: “We have those who worked as pillars of their community all their lives, running small businesses, managing farms, making a difference, only to see themselves gazumped by salaries ten or a hundred times as much by cash-hungry bankers in their twenties.
“In short, we have an underlying, aching discomfort which goes to the heart of the reasons for the immediate crisis.”


TWO OF the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats players injured in a traffic accident last week have been released from hospital, but winger Richard Owen has been detained following surgery.
Owen was injured, along with forward Chris Annakin and captain Danny Kirmond, when the car they were travelling in hit a tree on Heath Common, near the club’s Belle Vue ground, on Friday afternoon.
Club chairman Michael Carter said: “Richie is still in hospital.
“He has had an operation on an arm, but he should be out of hospital in the next two or three days.”
Carter added: “I think Chris was in line to make his comeback [from a knee injury suffered last month] against Castleford on Friday, but it has blown that one.
“He is out of hospital and he has not had an operation as such, but he has had his hip put back into place and he’s had some work done on his ankle as well.
“There’s no prognosis at the moment how long any of them will be out of action for.
“Kirmo is out of hospital as well. He has got a deep cut to his ankle and it looks like it may have caused some damage to a tendon, but they’re not sure how severe.”
Carter is away from the club until Wednesday, but has been in touch with police investigating the accident, as well as Trinity coach Chris Chester.
“I’m liaising with the police and trying to find out exactly what happened,” he said. “By the end of the week we should have an exact idea of what went on.
“I have spoken to Chezzy and all the other boys have returned to training. Training has gone as well as can be expected. Chezzy is hopeful we’ll have two or three players back and we will have 17 players on Friday, one way or another.”

Wakefield Trinity: Winger Richard Owen remains in hospital after operation on his arm


Visit now for the latest Wakefield Trinity rugby news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


YORKSHIRE chief Martyn Moxon believes the announcement that first-team coach Jason Gillespie is to leave the club at the end of the season will only inspire the players to send him on his way with a hat-trick of titles.
Yorkshire confirmed yesterday that Gillespie is going at the end of the summer, citing family reasons after his wife and children recently returned to Australia.
Gillespie will join them at home in Adelaide in October after five seasons in charge of Yorkshire, whom he has led to back-to-back County Championships.
Director of cricket Moxon believes the timing of the announcement – with second-placed Yorkshire five points behind leaders Middlesex with four games left – will only motivate the side to give Gillespie a fairytale send-off.
“I don’t see it (the timing) being a problem,” said Moxon.
“If anything, I think it’s going to inspire everybody to finish the season strongly.
WELCOME: Jason Gillespie with Martyn Moxon at Headingley after his appointment as first-team coach in 2011. Picture: Steve Riding
“It’s not going to negatively affect the dressing room, and it’s just a little bit more inspiration, if we ever needed it, to try and get a treble of County Championships.
“The reaction among the players when we told them was, ‘let’s finish on a high and send Dizzy out on a high’. That’s the message.”
The players were told in the aftermath of Yorkshire’s Royal London Cup semi-final defeat to Surrey on Sunday.
Moxon said the announcement was also designed to head off ongoing speculation surrounding Gillespie’s future, with the fact that he would probably leave during the close season having been an open secret in-and-around Headingley due to his family situation.
Dizzy has headed it up and put his stamp on the team. Martyn Moxon talking about the contribution of departing coach Jason Gillespie.
“Clearly, there’s been a lot of speculation,” said Moxon.
“Dizzy’s been asked quite a bit about the future, hence why we’ve made the announcement now to squash all the speculation, because that does create doubt in the dressing room when people hear rumours.
“We took a balanced view on it and felt it was probably best to end all the speculation now, and get it out there so everybody knows exactly what’s happening.
“Ideally, it would have been nice to have done it after winning the semi-final rather than losing one, so it had nothing to do with the result of that match.”
MAGIC MEMORY: Yorkshire director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, and first team coach Jason Gillespie celebrate with the County Championship trophy at Trent Bridge in 2014.
Moxon admitted he had known for some time that Yorkshire would have to start searching for a new head coach.
He has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Gillespie, overseeing all cricketing affairs while Gillespie has focused on the day-to-day running of the first XI.
“We’ve known for some time within the management group, and it’s no surprise to us that are close to him,” said Moxon. “With Anna and the children going back after the school term, and the fact that the family over there were missing the grandkids, etcetera, it’s not a surprise that it was going to be difficult for Diz to be here for several months of the year while his family were in Australia.
“From my point of view, I can only thank him for what he’s done and say that it’s been a pleasure to work with him. We’ve worked really well and closely together, and we get on as friends as well, so it’s been something really special these last five years.”
What Gillespie has done is best highlighted by Yorkshire’s Championship record in the past five seasons.
Going into tomorrow’s game against Hampshire at Southampton, Yorkshire have lost just five of 76 Championship fixtures under his leadership, becoming the standout force in four-day cricket.
“Dizzy has headed up the first team for five years and done a fantastic job,” said Moxon.
“He’s created an environment whereby some good players can go out and play and express themselves.
“All of the support staff have played their part within the group, and it’s been a real team effort, but Dizzy has headed it up and he’s put his stamp on the team.
“Particularly in four-day cricket, it’s a remarkable record, and we’re starting to improve in one-day cricket as well, so he’s done a great job for Yorkshire overall.”
Gillespie, 41, was unavailable for comment yesterday pending a press conference at Headingley this morning when he will clarify his reasons for going.
Moxon will begin the search for his successor after ruling himself out of the running to combine both roles.
“I’ve moved on from that now,” he said. “I think it’s impossible to combine the overseeing and the day-to-day running of the first team because there’s too much involved.
“I’m keen to stay where I am doing what I’m doing, and we’ll appoint somebody in time to carry on the work and oversee the next few years.
“I’ve got a couple of things I want to explore (possible successors to Gillespie), but, if nothing comes of those, then it will be the end of the season before we look at it more closely.”
Among potential candidates could be England assistant coach Paul Farbrace and the Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson, both of whom have recently coached the Yorkshire second team.
But whoever takes over will have some mighty shoes to fill.
Comment: Page 19.

Jason Gillespie’s exit set to inspire Yorkshire towards title hat-trick, says Martyn Moxon


IT was, prophetically, the late Jo Cox MP who first exposed the unforgivable length of time that it now takes to diagnose youngsters suffering from traits of autism.
“Here is a crisis now so acute that some desperate parents are paying for help that by right they should be able to access on the NHS,” she told Parliament in March.
Then Mrs Cox was aghast that it was taking more than three years for children to receive specific support to help them, and their families, with behavioural challenges. Nearly six months later, it gives us no pleasure to reveal how local families are still waiting up to 1,053 days – the best part of three years – for a basic assessment, never mind a programme of care.
To put this in context, official guidelines suggest the wait should be no more than three months. As the number of people on the waiting list grows by the week, no wonder families are in despair over an apparent lack of urgency; for example health chiefs in Leeds say they will be “working more efficiently” in a bid to meet national targets by next March.
Try telling that to people like Vicki Reedman who has already been waiting since June 2015 for her six-year-old son Lucas, who has awareness issues, to be properly assessed. Such families are enduring a living nightmare because the NHS is not only bereft of the resources, but basic empathy and humanity towards those requiring its support and expertise.
Perhaps those concerned should re-acquaint themselves with Mrs Cox’s heart-rending speech when she disclosed how the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, and subsequent support, had changed the life of a young man in her Batley & Spen constituency: “He said he wished he had been diagnosed sooner because, in his words “I always knew I was different, now I know why’.” Let’s hope that there are MPs prepared to take up the cudgels on behalf of their much missed colleague – and stand up for some of the most vulnerable members of society.
A64 upgrade is a national priority
IT WOULD be churlish not to welcome the extra £20m being made available for new train stations – it is official recognition that Britain’s railways do have untapped potential.
However it’s also important that this announcement does not fall into the category of Bank Holiday gimmick. On one of the busiest weekends of the year, £20m would not cover the cost of a feasibility study into dualling the A64 from York to Scarborough.
This is important – anecdotal evidence points to a surge in ‘staycation’ bookings in Scarborough, and nearby resorts, thanks – in no small part – to those forward-looking councils who have worked with hoteliers and tourism leaders to improve accommodation, visitor attractions and so on.
Yet there will still be people deterred from venturing to the coast because the A64 simply can’t cope with the volume of traffic. This is not new – there have been calls to widen the whole stretch of road since Malton’s bypass opened 38 years ago.
It’s also not straightforward – the route comes under the auspices of a multitude of local authorities and agencies. And then there’s the cost – Yorkshire’s councils, with the best will in the world, simply don’t have the brass to commit to a scheme on this scale. For this reason, local leaders need to start convincing Ministers that this project is now a national priority.
Olympic legacies: Join Team GB for the day
AS SPORTING success stories go, they don’t come any bigger than Britain’s unprecedented medal haul at the Rio Olympics when this country’s competitors exceeded all expectations.
Yet, while Team GB’s champions were quick to credit the National Lottery for providing support and world class coaches, this legacy will only fulfil its potential if more families follow the Olympic creed and strive to be ‘faster, higher, stronger’ when it comes to their own lifestyles.
This is why today’s pioneering I Am Team GB programme of events is so important. Even ITV is briefly going off the air in order to encourage people to visit their local sports club and try out some of the Olympic sports which so captivated the country. The potential benefits to the nation’s health and wellbeing were best summed up by Alistair Brownlee after the Leeds triathlete successfully defended his Olympic title. Imploring others to start running, cycling or swimming, he said: “You never know where it might take you.” Now that Team GB is open to allcomers, there’s no reason why others can’t pick up the baton.

YP Comment: Autism delays are a betrayl of Jo Cox


Visit now for the latest opinion news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


PARENTS IN the North face a bill of more than £125,000 to have their children privately educated - but this was lower than anywhere else in the country amid the soaring cost of fees in recent years.
And nationally the average cost of an independent education for a day pupil who started reception in 2003 and left after sixth form in 2016 was £156,653, research by Lloyds Bank Private Banking has found.
Annual fees have almost doubled in that time, with the average cost of sending a child to private school for a year rocketing from £7,308 in 2003 to £13,341 today, a rise of 83 per cent.
Figures published today show that parents in the North however paid the least, at £126,609 for 13 years of fees.
And in London parents have seen fees rise by 25 per cent in the last five years alone.
But costs have risen far more than average earnings, putting an enormous strain on families who want to choose private education for their children.
School fees rocketed by an average of 21 per cent over the last five years, up from £10,983 in 2011 - an increase that is eight per cent above inflation.
The steep hike means that the £13,341 school fee accounts for almost 40 per cent of the average full time earnings of £34,545, a marked change from in 2003 when fees amounted for 28 per cent of earnings.
Despite the increasing financial burden on families, pupil numbers at private schools remain largely unchanged over the last five years.
Those going to senior school - between the ages of 11 and 16 - have fallen by three per cent, but numbers going to private sixth forms have grown by ten per cent, and those at junior schools have gone up by six per cent.
Sarah Deaves, private banking director at Lloyds Bank, said: “All parents want the best for their children and a good education is no exception.
“A place at a private school is a huge financial commitment, almost an eye-watering £157,000 for just one child, from reception to finishing the sixth form as a day pupil.
“With average annual fees at £13,341 per child and the compulsory school leaving age now 18 years, many families may well feel some strain.
“It has, therefore, become increasingly important that parents, and sometimes grandparents, plan their finances as early as possible if they want a private school education for their children.”
The research, based on data from the Independent Schools Council and the Office for National Statistics, showed that private schooling in London was the most expensive in Britain, costing £179,145 to educate children from the age of five until they are 18.
Parents in the North paid the least, at £126,609 for 13 years of fees.
In London, school fees have almost doubled since 2003, rising 97 per cent from £8,016 to £15,828 today, compared to the lowest increase over the same period in the West Midlands, a rise of 66 per cent from £6,984 to £11,580.
But there is help for parents, with around 160,000 children getting assistance for their fees - almost a third of all pupils at fee-paying schools, not just day pupils - that is worth more than £850 million a year.
The vast majority of this assistance, 85 per cent, comes from schools themselves.

Private education can leave parents in the North with £125,000 bill but its more expensive down South


Visit now for the latest education news, analysis and opinion - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


You're almost there.We've just sent a confirmation email to . Check it out to confirm your registration.
We are unable to send your welcome email at this time.
Please try again later by clicking the resend welcome email link from your profile page.

Victoria: Top five TV shows filmed in Yorkshire


Visit now for the latest news and features on North Yorkshire, Moors & Coast - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


IF things had been just a little different, Lee Crooks could have won three times at Wembley with Hull FC and spared everyone the same number of decades misery.
If only he had been selected from the start in 1982, if only they had not worn those embarrassing suits the following year, if only he had not missed those four goals against Wigan in 1985...
Unfortunately, life, and sport, does not work like that and so it stands his beloved club journey south once more today looking to win there for the first time at the ninth attempt.
Crooks, the ball-handling forward who would later become the world’s most expensive player, avoided their most famous Challenge Cup final defeat against city rivals Hull KR as he was just taking his first steps in the professional game.
“Even if we beat Warrington on Saturday, they’ll still keep going on about 1980 across the road so you can’t win can you?” he joked, when asked if it would be nice to finally silence Rovers’ persistent ‘You’ll never win at Wembley’ chant.
“But I do think we just need to get this monkey off our back for the club, more than anything.
“We’ve been going over 150 years now, are a great club but have still never won at Wembley. It needs to be sorted. And I think this is the team to sort it.”
Lee Radford’s side are not massive favourites – far from it – like Hull were in 1983 when shocked by comparative minnows Featherstone Rovers but you see Crooks’ point; they are a superb team, top of Super League, seemingly reaching the peak of their powers with an improved mentality, too.
“I watch this side every week and come to games filled with confidence – that hasn’t always been the case before,” said former Great Britain international Crooks, who now commentates for the club radio station and speaks to hospitality guests on match nights.
“It’s just about whether they turn up. That’s all I’m bothered about.
“If they turn up with the right attitude at Wembley I can see them going into the club’s folklore.”
Hull have won the Challenge Cup three times but, instead of at its traditional home, did so in Halifax near the start of last century, Elland Road in 1982 and Cardiff in 2005.
The ‘82 game was, of course, a replay at Leeds United’s ground after Sammy Lloyd’s missed kick left their Wembley date with Widnes level 14-14.
Hull-born Crooks, a fine kicker himself, had started on the bench and wasn’t considered for the task by coach Arthur Bunting.
“There’s so many ifs and buts,” recalled the 52-year-old.
“Sammy’s adamant that kick went over; to this day, he still says it did.
“Would we have won there if I’d have started the game? I don’t know.
“Arthur was honest with me. He purely thought Sammy had more experience and would probably handle the kicking better.
“And I was cacking myself on the bench. When I ran on the pitch just felt like sponge. But I got into the game really quickly, put Dane (O’Hara) over for a try and played well in the Premiership final the week after to get my place in the replay where I scored and, this time, we did win.
“Probably the most disappointing was ‘83.
“The way we approached the game was not what it should have been. We deserved what we got.
“It was a little to do with the players but more the club itself.
“I’m not being disrespectful to anyone but we went there in lime green suits and white shoes. Now...that tells its own story.
“It put us in the wrong frame of mind as I think everyone, apart from Featherstone’s players, thought we were going to win.
“To be fair, they came straight out and got stuck into us and before we could get a grip on the match it was over.
“We should have won comfortably – if we’d have approached in the right frame of mind.”
Which is where he feels this Hull side, with inspirational captain Gareth Ellis, homegrown prop Scott Taylor – currently drawing comparisons with Crooks – and prolific half-back Marc Sneyd, will be different.
“The games we’ve got beaten in at Wembley have all been about psychological issues not tactical or technical,” he said.
“We’ve not had the right attitude or we’ve been naive but I’ve more confidence in this side.
“Radders drives these players; they have a unity and bond now, a self-belief they are a good team, and the fans love seeing it all especially when Scott Taylor does something great or one of the other local lads.
“Ask any of the players, Radders is a hard taskmaster; he can be in your face and horrible.
“I’d have thrived on that as I’d always want to prove him wrong but that’s how Radders played the game and that’s how he coaches.
“The one team in the competition as good as us is Warrington but I still think we’re better. What frightens me more than anything else is the occasion as I’ve seen that just totally ruin people so many times.
“I don’t know what it is. Honestly, I don’t. But people who are great players can go out there and freeze.”
His own son Ben suffered that nightmare for Peter Gentle’s Hull in their last Wembley outing, the abysmal 16-0 defeat to Wigan three years ago.
Admittedly, it was his first game back after a foot injury and Crooks senior recalled: “He was fully fit but wasn’t match fit.
“He’d not played for six weeks. The tactics on the day didn’t help that situation either.
“They had him defending at centre but running back for kicks.
“He switched with the winger Jason Crookes as they didn’t think Crookes could handle the high ball.
“Then (Wigan coach) Shaun Wane just peppered him. I thought Liam Farrell was ‘our Ben’s’ love child. He kept running on him and he was knackered.
“It was a gamble to play him but Radders shouldn’t have any such problems on Saturday. He’s picking from strength, a great position to be in.
“This team is a lot better than ‘13 and from one to 17 are all playing very, very well.
“You’ve people like Jamie Shaul, Sneyd, Liam Watts, Danny Houghton and Taylor all in England contention and Hull have not had that for a long time.
“Then there’s Ellis and Mark Minichiello who are absolutely phenomenal every week, upping the ante when we need it.
“Daz Clark gets Warrington going. Hull need to tie him down at dummy-half.
“I think it’ll be one hell of a game and Hull must come up with their best performance yet. If they don’t they won’t win.”
And there will be more ifs, buts and maybes, the only thing certain being that song will be sung again.
The Lee Crooks story...
1963: Born Sept 18, Hull.
1980: Makes Hull debut, first of 220 games for the club.
1982: Plays in 14-14 Challenge Cup final draw with Widnes, scoring in replay win at Elland Road. At just 19, becomes youngest ever Great Britain Test forward, first of 19 caps. On losing side at Wembley as Hull stunned 14-12 defeat by Featherstone Rovers.
1983: Part of the Hull side that wins the league – the last to do so – but suffers a third successive final defeat.
1985: Heartache again as Hull lose epic Challenge Cup final 28-24 against Brett Kenny-inspired Wigan.
1987: Joins Leeds for world record fee of £150,000.
1988: Wins Yorkshire Cup against Castleford, only silverware with Leeds.
1990: Signs for Castleford, losing 1992 Challenge Cup final to Wigan.
1997: Retires from playing.

Weekend Interview: Ifs, buts and maybes that haunt Lee Crooks


Visit now for the latest Hull FC rugby league news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


IT WAS just fantastic for us to win at Scarborough this week and I thought our bowling display was as good as I have seen.
Personally, it was obviously frustrating not being involved after the good work I had done at Old Trafford, I had started to feel like my old self back at the crease. But I was proud as punch for the lads at Scarborough, they put in a real performance against Nottinghamshire after being 60-6 on the first morning and to turn it around on a similar fashion that we did, it followed a similar path to the Durham game at Scarborough last year.
We actually mentioned it on the first morning and last year, we were 90-9 on the first morning and ended up winning in three days and we came through again.
We have played some good cricket at Scarborough over the years and I can only remember losing a couple of games in seven or eight years. We were outstanding again and are getting to the business end of the season and it is very tight at the top of the league.
Middlesex are playing some good cricket. But we have the experience of coming through what we have done for the last few years and if we keep the pressure on and keep doing what we do, we can get over the line and make it three in a row. I am confident that we can do it.
Azeem Rafiq and Andrew Hodd came good with the bat for us when we were in trouble. Hoddy has had a bit of stick throughout the season about his batting from a number of supporters and he came in and showed what he is about and rolled his sleeves up and stuck his chest out.
It is not always about stats; it is about making that match-winning contribution and that is exactly what he did. To get 95, in the circumstances, helps keep the pressure on, given how close the league table is.
Rafiq also showed his prowess. He has got a first-class hundred and I think he made that on debut and I also remember playing a game at Worcester around 2008 and he got a hundred there, but probably never kicked on from that.
It is his way to be aggressive and the situation suited him and probably the best thing to do was attack and that is what he did and it came off.
The bowlers finished it off and it was pleasing to see how ruthless we were. I have previously spoken in this column about missed opportunities in games and not being able to clean the tail up. But our bowlers were outstanding throughout and bowled the right lines and lengths which you need to do at Scarborough.
To be fair, the ‘blotter’ that came from Headingley did its job on the ground. I think it set off a few days ago and it was really slow on the A64, but we managed to get it to Scarborough!
Obviously, it was frustrating to miss out with a back injury. It happened last Saturday when I was in the gym in the morning and just twinged it when I was squatting. I was okay, but then I came and had a bit of treatment from the physio and he treated to loosen it off and it actually made it worse and it locked up and I couldn’t move on Monday.
I had a fitness test on Tuesday morning. I probably could have got through the game if it was just about batting, but I couldn’t have really moved in the field and would have been letting the lads down if I had tried to get through. It has improved a lot since and had we started the game yesterday, then I would have been good to go, really. But unless there is a blip over the weekend, I will be ready for the game at Hampshire next week.
There was at least good news with David Willey’s injury. Looking at it on Saturday night after the Twenty20, I thought he had bust his hand with the size of it and everything. It added up to him breaking his hand and being out for the rest of the season.
It is added bonus that he isn’t and fingers crossed that we can get him back to tomorrow’s semi-final.

Andrew Gale: Outstanding display against Notts left me as proud as punch


Get the latest breaking news from the Yorkshire Post - politics, education, health, crime, showbiz, environment and more. Visit now.


Three Wakefield Trinity Wildcats players were detained in hospital overnight following a road accident on Friday.
The accident happened in the Heath Common area, which is close to Trinity’s Belle Vue ground.
Wakefield have no game this weekend, but visit Castleford Tigers on Friday, September 2.
A club statement said: “The Club are aware of a road traffic accident that occurred at approximately 4pm in the Heath Common area yesterday.
“Three players, Chris Annakin, Danny Kirmond, and Richard Owen were involved in the accident, and all remained overnight in hospital with various injuries, although none are life threatening.
“Police and Ambulance staff attended the scene, and the Club are liaising with them to ascertain exactly what occurred. We hope everyone will wish the players a speedy recovery and respect their privacy at this time.
“There will be further information released as and when appropriate.”

Wakefield Trinity RL players hurt in road accident


Visit now for the latest Wakefield Trinity rugby news - direct from the Yorkshire Post and updated throughout the day.


The next concert at Ickworth Church will feature the Edmund Octet and takes place at 4pm on Sunday, September 4.
It is the fourth visit to the church by the octet, which is very popular and has a repertoire ranging from Mozart and Palestrina to well known barber shop and light music.
All proceeds from the concert will go to the continued restoration/upkeep of Ickworth Church.
Tickets are £5 per person.
Pay on entry, but emailing john@ickworthchurch.org.uk is advisable in order to control numbers.

Popular octet set for Ickworth Church concert


The next concert at Ickworth Church will feature the Edmund Octet and takes place at 4pm on Sunday, September 4.


Email verification
Thank you for verifying your email address.
Verification link has expired, please sign in and click on resend verification email from your profile page.
Verification link has expired, please click on resend verification email from your profile page.


Julie Felix is to perform in Gestingthorpe to support The Friends of Ebenezer Children’s Home (FOECH), an orphanage in Uganda, on Saturday, September 3.


The types of cookies we, our ad network and technology partners use are listed below:
Revenue Science ► A tool used by some of our advertisers to target adverts to you based on pages you have visited in the past. To opt out of this type of targeting you can visit the 'Your Online Choices' website by clicking here.
Google Ads ► Our sites contain advertising from Google; these use cookies to ensure you get adverts relevant to you. You can tailor the type of ads you receive by visiting here or to opt out of this type of targeting you can visit the 'Your Online Choices' website by clicking here.
Digital Analytics ► This is used to help us identify unique visitors to our websites. This data is anonymous and we cannot use this to uniquely identify individuals and their usage of the sites.
Dart for Publishers ► This comes from our ad serving technology and is used to track how many times you have seen a particular ad on our sites, so that you don't just see one advert but an even spread. This information is not used by us for any other type of audience recording or monitoring.
ComScore ► ComScore monitor and externally verify our site traffic data for use within the advertising industry. Any data collected is anonymous statistical data and cannot be traced back to an individual.
Local Targeting ► Our Classified websites (Photos, Motors, Jobs and Property Today) use cookies to ensure you get the correct local newspaper branding and content when you visit them. These cookies store no personally identifiable information.
Grapeshot ► We use Grapeshot as a contextual targeting technology, allowing us to create custom groups of stories outside out of our usual site navigation. Grapeshot stores the categories of story you have been exposed to. Their privacy policy and opt out option can be accessed here.
Subscriptions Online ► Our partner for Newspaper subscriptions online stores data from the forms you complete in these to increase the usability of the site and enhance user experience.
Add This ► Add This provides the social networking widget found in many of our pages. This widget gives you the tools to bookmark our websites, blog, share, tweet and email our content to a friend.


Sudbury Community First Responder group held an awareness event and bucket collection outside Sudbury Town Hall on August 13, sharing some of their first aid knowledge.


Suffolk Plant Heritage stages its Autumn fair at Helming Hall Gardens


Calling garden lovers everywhere as this year’s annual Autumn Plant Fair opens at Helmingham Hall Gardens on Sunday September 18.


Its fun all the way as the “Purveyors of Cool” swing into The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds on Thursday, August 25 with a sensational show featuring the greatest music of the 20th century.
Wonderful memories of three incredible performers - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior in a fabulous production that continues to be successful all over the world.
Now in their 15th year the show goes from strength to strength and its all totally live both musically and vocally.
The Rat Pack Orchestra are more than just great musicians as they are a show band who also join in the fun as do The Fabulous Vegas Showgirls who also add a touch of glamour to proceedings.
Every song is an absolute classic - Come Fly With Me, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Lady Is A Tramp, That’s Amore, Mack The Knife plus many more of your favourites.
With an abundance of class and style they take you on a trip back in time to vintage Las Vegas hip with their timeless soiree that still remains the coolest party around.
For tickets please call the box office on 01284 758 000 or book online at www.theapex.co.uk
To see, hear and get more information about the Rat Pack, visit their website at www.ratpack.biz

Come fly with the Rat Pack iin Bury St Edmunds


Its fun all the way as the “Purveyors of Cool” swing into The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds on Thursday, August 25 with a sensational show featuring the greatest music of the 20th century.


The Suffolk Spectacular, celebrating the heritage and history of the endangered Suffolk Punch horse, takes place on Sunday at Kentwell Hall in Long Melford.


Puppy buyers are being warned by Suffolk Trading Standards to take care not to buy illegally imported animals
The warning comes today, National Dog Day, after Suffolk County Council’s Trading Standards team quarantined a bichon frise puppy when a vet discovered it had been brought into the UK illegally, unbeknown to her owners from Stowmarket.
The puppy has come from Romania and was found to have been given vaccination too early to be effective so it has been quarantined and will be re-vaccinated before it can be released.
An imported dog must be a minimum of 12 weeks old when vaccinated or it may be ineffective. A vaccine also takes at least 21 days before an animal is fully protected.
The regulations on animal imports protect the UK’s rabies free status.
Trading Standards is now advising people to make sure they know where their new puppy has come from and has had a health check by a vet.
Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for environment and public protection said: “The main issue around illegally imported puppies is that we cannot guarantee that the dogs are properly vaccinated and rabies-free.
“These puppies are usually sold via adverts on the internet and in newspaper small ads. The dogs are often accompanied by incomplete, false, and forged documentation which lead buyers to believe they have been imported legally or bred in the UK.”
Trading Standards advise getting as much information as possible about where the puppy has come from and be suspicious if the seller cannot show you the puppy with its mother and litter mates.
If the puppy has been vaccinated, ask to see the documentation, which must clearly state the veterinary practice that did it.
A puppy brought in from another country, should have a pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination recorded in it, which must be at least 21 days before it travelled and the dog must have been at least 12 weeks old.
Full details of the Pet Passport system can be found at www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview
Anyone concerned about a puppy they have bought should contact their vet. If you suspect your puppy has been illegally imported, report it to Trading Standards on 03454 040506

Dog Day warning on illegally imported puppies


Puppy buyers are being warned by Suffolk Trading Standards to take care not to buy illegally imported animals


Mildenhall have opened up a 30 point gap at the top of Division One after their nearest rivals Wivenhoe were comprehensively beaten by Witham. With just three games to go, surely it is theirs to lose now.
Mildenhall beat Frinton II’s by 35 runs thanks to another good knock from Steve Taylor, Mildenhall 255-7, Taylor 82, Frinton 220-7, Joe Reed 3-28.
Their remaining fixtures are Witham away this Saturday then home to Hadleigh, before finishing off with an away trip to Haverhill.
After last week’s unexpected victory, Worlington must have had high hopes of another win when they posted 314-4 against Hadleigh, thanks to Jimmy Watson 113 and Chris Baugh 108, but they were well beaten in the end by five wickets. Hadleigh made 317-5 with Tom Piddington staying undefeated on 153 not out, ably backed by Marlon Dias 69.
This Saturday, Worlington travel to Haverhill while Hadleigh entertain Wivenhoe.
Halstead beat Braintree by five wickets, Braintree 253-6, Halstead 254-5, Charlie Douglas-Hughes 73. Coggeshall are the visitors this Saturday.
Haverhill won a close encounter with Coggeshall by just 10 runs. Haverhill 237-5, Chris Palmer 67, Coggeshall 227, Palmer 3-25.
It will take a miracle now for Exning to avoid relegation as they were well beaten by local rivals Mildenhall II by eight wickets.
Exning 129, Dominic Nelson 33, Jon Allen 3-27, Mildenhall 130-2, Steve Graham 66. Exning travel to East Bergholt on Saturday.
Long Melford were well beaten by 86 runs by Dunmow, who scored 309-6 and then restricted Melford to 223-6, Cameron Stace 115 no. Melford visit Mildenhall II next.
Lakenheath earned themselves a much needed victory over Easton thanks to a century by opener Rob Horrex.
Lakenheath 223-9, Horrex 120, Easton 151-9, Adam Horrex 3-46, Paul Pallant 3-6, Tim Milner 2-11.
It’s good to see these aging bowlers turning in some good performances with the ball. It’s a trip to Dunmow next for Lakenheath on Saturday.
In Division Six, Stowmarket have won the league after beating Kelvedon and Feering by 133 runs.
Stowmarket 241-5, Michael Ives 147no, Kelvedon 108, George Tillbrook 3-20, Dale Whatling 3-13.
Their final game of the season is away at Long Melford II.
For our clubs in the top two divisions there is still a lot to play for as we head into the final three games.
Some of our sides are dangerously close to the relegation places in both divisions.
They all have tough games this weekend, but if they play to the best of their abilities then there is no reason why they shouldn’t come away with victories.
I shall be umpiring in the game at Witham, where Mildenhall are the visitors which promises to be the match of the day.
I strongly recommend a visit to the Worlington Beer Festival over the weekend, with 11 beers, five ciders and Jimmy Watson and Graham Ford the burger kings you can’t go wrong. I’ll be there on Sunday, hope to see some of you there.

Caught in the middle with Ron Raisey: Match of the Day will be on the cricket field


Mildenhall have opened up a 30 point gap at the top of Division One after their nearest rivals Wivenhoe were comprehensively beaten by Witham. With just three games to go, surely it is theirs to lose now.


The high standards of care which breastfeeding mothers receive from West Suffolk Hospital have been recognised after the trust was awarded an upgrade to its “baby friendly” status.
The hospital has been awarded stage two baby friendly status by UNICEF (United Nation’s Children’s Fund) for the support it offers parents to help them make informed decisions about feeding their babies.
To achieve the status, the hospital had to demonstrate that the right training and education is in place to give staff the necessary practical skills and knowledge to successfully support breastfeeding mothers.
The hospital hopes to achieve stage three – the final milestone – by August next year. To gain the status, parents using the hospital’s maternity and neonatal services will be asked their opinions about the care they have received.
Bernadine Bramble, general manager for women and children at the hospital said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have achieved this important status, which shows that parents who have their babies at the hospital are receiving the right help to make sure their children get the best possible start in life.
“Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as allergies and diabetes in childhood. It can also help protect mum too, by reducing the risk of some cancers.
“But breastfeeding isn’t always easy and lots of new mothers need support. We’re committed to making sure they get the help they need and are pleased that has been recognised by UNICEF.”
For more information about the Baby Friendly initiative, visit www.babyfriendly.org.uk

National recognition of West Suffolk Hospital’s parent and baby scheme


The high standards of care which breastfeeding mothers receive from West Suffolk Hospital have been recognised after the trust was awarded an upgrade to its “baby friendly” status.


Email verification
Thank you for verifying your email address.
Verification link has expired, please sign in and click on resend verification email from your profile page.
Verification link has expired, please click on resend verification email from your profile page.

A party was recently held at a Sudbury surgery in honour of a dental nurse who has worked there for 40 years.


More parents of children attending Stoke College near Clare can now take advantage of an extension to the school’s transport network.


There is still time to join the army of more than 2,000 women who have signed up for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Girls Night Out.
The walk on Saturday, September 10 sees women come together in their pyjamas and flashing bunny ears while walking either six or 11.2 miles around Bury St Edmunds.
Jenny Baskett, events and challenges fund-raiser for the hospice, said she is ‘astounded’ by the popularity of this year’s fund-raiser.
“Each year I think the event can’t get any bigger, but each year I am happily proven wrong,” she said.
“The money raised from this event really does help the hospice continue to support and care for those in the final chapters of their lives from across the community.
“Last year we raised an incredible £190,000 and it would be great to beat that total this year – but we can only do that with the help of our brilliant fund-raisers.”
One group of women taking part for the very first time will be the 365Motivate Team, who decided they would give it a go after seeing the event advertised online.
Leader Lucy Cronin said: “I haven’t done the walk before, so I am so excited to see all the ladies, the light up bunny ears, and to get going.”
This year’s Girls Night Out sees the return of the memory boards so walkers can write messages about the loved ones they have lost.
Other highlights include ‘water boys’ handing out refreshments and medals for participants.
To sign up visit www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk

Still time to join the growing fund-raising army of Girls Night Out


There is still time to join the army of more than 2,000 women who have signed up for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Girls Night Out.