v Northamptonshire 301 all out
Yorkshire 246 for 6 declared
Northamptonshire 250 for 8
Match Drawn
County Championship Division Two
Saturday/Sunday/Monday 25/26/27 May 2024
Played at Wantage Road, Northampton
The fucking trains, man.
Interruptions by the weather meant it was difficult to know where the game was going at different times. You'd struggle to explain it to a Civilian. With the game starting on time at 11am on Friday. It all came to life at five past 4 on the Monday. At that stage there were 34 Overs left, Yorkshire had to take nine wickets to win it, Northants had to make 224 runs to win it.
Just before half six, Northants finished eight down, Yorkshire were two wickets short of the win, Northants knowing they had to, shut down the run chase and were 76 runs short.
“You Blogged about train ticket nonsense after a cancellation on the way to Northampton didn't you Phil? Any shenanigans on the way back Pal?”
“Fuck me. Where to start?”
Northampton is not too far from Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough on the St Pancras to Sheffield East Midlands train route. But Northampton itself is not on that line. It's on the West Coast line out of Euston, up through Birmingham to the North West.
“But you can catch a Bus to help you out. The X7. From Northampton to Leicester. Where you can pick up a direct train to Sheffield.”
“Jeez Phil. That's a long bus journey. How long does it take? How much does it cost?”
“It's about an hour and a half. But, we're good. The Carrier Bag Firm are time rich. Everyone has got to be somewhere. We were on that fucking bus.”
“Two Quid mate. Two Quid. Bus fares are capped at Two Quid. Northampton to Leicester. Two Quid.”
In the advance briefing pack for this trip, the CBF had committed to flexibility and comfort. Particularly if the first leg of our return had to be on that bus. So, the intention was a fully flexible, any train, no hassle, walk up First Class fare - Leicester to Sheffield.
“Bet that weren't two fucking quid Phil.”
“Obvs. The First Class Single flexible any train walk up fare with a Senior Railcard from Leicester to Sheffield is £56.75. We needed flexibility and comfort. We were happy to do that.”
“Except. The Carrier Bag Firm know the Blag. The First Class DAY RETURN flexible any train walk up fare with a Senior Railcard from Leicester to Sheffield is £34.70 RETURN. Yep. That's right. You save over a Score by buying a return ticket. And not using the return, Sheffield to Leicester, part. Throwing it away imperiously.”
“So, is that what you paid Phil? £34.70.”
“No. No. No. There's a Blag on that Blag. If you split that First Class Day Return ticket at Derby. So, Leicester to Derby Return and Derby to Sheffield Return. That's £28.85. And you get to throw TWO return portions away imperiously.”
“I've done the sums Phil. That return fare is half the actual Single Fare. The fucking trains, man”
Long time readers of this Blog (both of you) will recall I am careful not to call places Shitholes. Firstly, because demonising a place often ends up demonising the people who live there. And, they're not demons. They're just trying to fucking get by as best they can. The second reason I don't shithole demonise places is because I'm from Sheffield!!!
I often say;
“Give me your shithole. And I'll find you one belting old style real ale Pub. One - it's everyone's local - MicroPub. And one trying to breakthrough Craft Beer Bar. The Carrier Bag Firm are low maintenance. Not so much of a shithole now is it?”
But I will go down the shithole motif with Northampton for a bit. It's odd. But lovely. Yes. Conventionally, parts of Northampton score high on the ShitHoleOMeter. But there are more than a few lovely Pubs n Bars.
I Blogged about Maule Collective on Day One. Let's move on.
The Lamplighter
66 Overstone Rd, Northampton NN1 3JS
The Lamp had a conventional three Cask, five pukka Craft Keg line up. And, it's Bank Holiday. So, there's a Beer Festival. Yay. Six on the Gravity Racks. Looks like three on at any one time.
Electric Bear Brewing Co, Gizmo, Pale Ale on Gravity at 4%
Lots of Citrus. Although it looked rather unappealing out of the cask. Mosaic and Talus.
Beer Guerilla
227 Wellingborough Rd, Northampton NN1 4EF
Very convenient for the cricket ground. Helpful and welcoming. Paulaner Hells, Brugse Blond, and five pukka craft Keg. Although, I couldn't help but think - that list is a bit uninspiring.
Siren Craft Brew, Suspended In Strata, Hazy Pale Ale on Keg at 4%
The thirteenth beer of the Siren “Suspended In” series I've sank. Basically each one showcasing a different single “thing”. Usually Hops. This one Strata obvs.
Princess Alexandra
Alexandra Rd, Northampton NN1 5QP
Another Northampton Gaff. Another Bank Holiday. Another Beer Festival. This one billed as - North vs South Tap Takeover.
Floc. (Canterbury), Whisper, Hazy Pale Ale on Keg at 5%
South…
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