YG's welcome Brocklesby Park to Escrick

Sunday saw the YG’s welcome Brocklesby Park for the first time to Escrick.

On a breezy afternoon Brocklesby batted first but after a solid 36 run opening partnership struggled against some good bowling by the YG’s. They were eventually dismissed for 81 in just under 27 overs. Jana top scored with 23 before being run out by Phil Holland.

The wickets were shared between, A.J Clarke (1-11), Pradeep (3-25) , Richard Exley (2-5) and David O’Kelly (2-2). Tidy work all round.

In reply the YG’s knocked the runs off in the 23rd over for the loss of David O’Kelly - 24 and Jason Dale - 36.

A good win and an enjoyable afternoon of cricket for both teams. Everyone getting use to the Covid compliant rules.

The YG’s host Halifax Nomads this Sunday and the Forty Club the following Tuesday. We are promised the return of the Summer weather this coming weekend.

YG's are back playing - Sunday 19th July against Romany

We are delighted to announce following government guidelines the Yorkshire Gentlemen will play their first match of the 2020 season against Romany. The amended fixture card for the season has now been added to the website and any members wishing to play in a match should contact the match managers directly or via the availability to play option on the website.

The YG's like all clubs in England are following the ECB roadmap for return to recreational cricket which is currently in step 4 - Adapted Gameplay. All members have been asked to familiarise themselves with the player guidelines which can be found here Detailed Guidance from the ECB

A huge thank-you to all the club members who have been working so hard to make play possible.

Good luck to Jason Dale and his team this Sunday.

ECB - Covid 19 Updated Guidance for Cricket Clubs

The ECB recently issued a Covid -19 update for Cricket Clubs and leagues. The guidance now allows for some form of social cricket in small groups, coaching and net sessions and a partial re-opening of clubs. However competitive cricket is still not permitted either within or between clubs.

The Updated guidance in more detail can found here: ECB Covid -19 Update for Cricket Club and Leagues

The ECB also issued important information for the safe return to small group sporting activity and we recommend all club members read these information sheets.

Return to Activity in a Club Setting - Guidance

Using Outdoor Cricket facilities During Lockdown in England

We will of course update our club members as soon as we have news of any resumption to club cricket in the 2020 season. Our Fixture cards have been updated to reflect the current situation.

In the meantime we want to let you know the club are working hard to ensure that we are ready should there be prospect of any play. The ground and clubhouse are being well looked after, with regular cutting of the outfield and tending to all general maintenance required.

Important Club Message 2020 and Beyond

THE YORKSHIRE GENTLEMEN’S CRICKET CLUB
(Founded 1863)

MESSAGE FROM THE CLUB - 25 March 2020


The country is facing an unprecedented challenge in trying to deal with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rarely has the Club faced a cricket season with such uncertainty. Indeed we even face the possibility that there might be no season at all.

As we write, the UK, along with many other countries globally, has been placed in a situation whereby everyone (less key-workers) is required to stay at home. Unfortunately the definition of key-worker does not extend to those who wish to play cricket! The Club, however does take this situation very seriously and we will of course follow government advice, and that of the ECB, who have recently issued this statement:

ECB Statement on the Recreational Game

“Following the Government’s latest advice around social distancing, it is with sadness and reluctance that we recommend that all forms of recreational cricket are for now suspended. This extends to training, pre-season friendlies and any associated cricket activity.
Sport plays an absolutely vital role in the nation’s mental and physical wellbeing, and it helps people find meaning where there is fear and uncertainty, so one of our goals in the coming weeks will be to explore ways that we can support some levels of physical activity in communities - particularly at junior levels.
Using our cricket community to support others could be one of the most important services we can offer during the difficult next few months.
It will be critical that any decisions we do make are medically-led. And we will continue to work with Government and their advisors to ensure we are informed by science in our decision making.”

On 20th March, the ECB Board agreed that no professional cricket will be played in England and Wales until at least 28 May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Club will follow this example by cancelling all fixtures until that date, though it is difficult to see how soon thereafter we will be playing. Our fixture list is published and if we are able to salvage anything from it, we will let you know.

We are particularly saddened that the schools will be missing out on their cricket. The school season is already short and for those in their final year not to enjoy a final season is especially disappointing. We wish them all well and hope that things can return to normal as quickly as possible.

Historically of course, the Club has endured wholesale cancelled fixtures, notably during both World Wars. In WW1 the Club was struggling financially because of this. There was an attempt made in 1917 to rent the ground (at that time in York) to the Army Pay Department. Lord Hawke wrote to all members in 1917 about arrears of subscriptions and the difficulty and cost of keeping the Club going during the war. The question in 1919 was whether a club of amateurs could carry on after the war. At a Committee meeting held on 30 November 1939 the Club’s tenancy of the ground (now Escrick) was suspended. No AGM was held until April 1946 but the Club emerged with £250 in the bank.

It would seem that the message is that we can survive this current problem and still have something to build on, whenever we resume. Michael Atherton, writing in The Times, suggests there will be an upside:

“Membership of anything – political parties, county cricket clubs, local clubs and societies – has been declining in the increasingly atomised world we inhabit, but, post-coronavirus, as we realise that atomisation is not to be recommended, these community-based associations may see an uplift and become stronger again.” We sincerely hope so.

2020 will be difficult for many people, for things far more serious than Club cricket. To our oppositions, members and friends, I hope you and your families will all keep well in the coming weeks. As and when we have more (good) news to pass on, we will do so.

Stay safe.

John M E Skinner
Chairman


Click to Download Message from The Club

ECB Statement on the recreational Game

Dear Members - I am sure you will have all learnt the news from the ECB today in response to the developing COVID-19 situation. Please find the statement below:-

“Following the Government’s latest advice around social distancing, it is with sadness and reluctance that we recommend that all forms of recreational cricket are for now suspended.

“This extends to training, pre-season friendlies and any associated cricket activity.

“Sport plays an absolutely vital role in the nation’s mental and physical wellbeing, and it helps people find meaning where there is fear and uncertainty, so one of our goals in the coming weeks will be to explore ways that we can support some levels of physical activity in communities - particularly at junior levels.

“Using our cricket community to support others could be one of the most important services we can offer during the difficult next few months.

“It will be critical that any decisions we do make are medically-led. And we will continue to work with Government and their advisors to ensure we are informed by science in our decision making. 

“Over the coming weeks we will work with the game to understand what support is required across the cricket community, particularly local clubs and leagues - who will have such a huge role to play in our nation’s response to coming out of this situation.”

Further information will follow from the club in due course. We will be contacting our members directly and updating all our social media on a regular basis as and when we have further news.