Last of the Summer Ale

Underbank Rangers v Millom, Rugby League Conference 1

Original intentions of a 1300 kick off Crewe FC v Billinge, and then the Cheshire cup final of Market Drayton v AFC Telford, were thwarted by the former being moved to a college pitch nearer to the Cambrian coast than Crewe. So instead, a lie in until 1130, and then a listen to the cricket.

I had seen Underbank before. However, they were playing at Newsome’s ground at the time, due to foot and mouth.

So it was the 1321 off Sowerby, changing at Brighouse for Huddrsfield.

Here it was the 1357, 310 First bus off the bus station, heading for Hepworth.

Climbing out of Holmfirth….

…we encountered the intended Cross Grounds and £2.50 for entrance and a programme, and I was in.

Underbank Rangers 62 v Millom 0, Rugby League Conference 1.

Underbank have been going since 1884, before the codes split. They played in the Pennine league for almost a century, before the conference set up has seen them in the premier and division 1, currently mid table in the latter.

Millom is on the Cumbrian coast. Bizarely, it was considered a newtown when constructed in the late 19th century for the local. iron works. This saw its heyday and was the leading Cumbrian rugby club at the time. However, the decline of the works and its eventual closure in the 1960s, means there is absolutely fuck all to do in the place except work at Sellafield. Or maybe Vickers in Barrow. They are currently second from bottom of the league.

The ground is in an absolutely lovely setting….

….despite which end you view it from.

However, the changing room and clubhouse could maybe more picturesque….

…and one of the most primitive floodlight systems imaginable.

The dugouts are of a very unique design, making the best use of some 8 by 2 and corrugated iron.

Notice the prime position umpires chair giving access to the adjacent field.

The other spectator comforts weren’t great. I watched the first half leaning against a flatbed truck.

Though no less than an LDV Sherpa.

Yorkshire humour.

The pitch had a hell of a side to side slope.

Underbank soon raced into a 24-0 half time lead.

The ref was being assessed. Everyone knew this as the assessor stood there with a clipboard telling everyone.

The second half carried on in the same vein.

The ref had given up reffing normally, and was now just bollocking players at random in earshot of the assessor.

There were three groundhoppers in attendance, see if you can spot one of them in this shot.

The posh seats were behind one of the goals.

Including the WAGs enclosure.

The non-league area of discarded crap, included a disused scoreboard.

It had been superseded by the this, which was 6 points behind play throughout the second half.

The game ended, and after a couple of Merrie Cities in the clubhouse, I wandered down the hill into Holmfirth.

First stop was the Rose and Crown, which is the tap for the Nook Brewery.

These four were cleared for halves.

Then this five.

It was then back on the 310

Through Brock Holes…

….to the outskirts of Huddersfield.

Next stop was the fly ridden Star Inn.

Another half pint frenzy ensued. Of note was the Thornbridge on the left, which was alcoholic cucumber water.

Three more for good measure.

Next was the Rat and Ratchett, home of the less impressive Rat Brewery, for one of their Dubbels.

I made it back, after 14 pints in 4 hours, for a train back to Halifax…

…where it was a connection onto Sowerby, and Platinum Blonde and an Old Mill at the Jubilee.

I then went home for about 2000, and woke up 14 hours later.