Cricket returns to legendary Spout House pitch in Bilsdale

An Ingleby Cross XII took on a "Rest of the World" XIII – well, the local part of the globe as players from Chop Gate, Hutton Rudby, Ingleby Greenhow and Thimbleby came together to bowl and bat on the legendary sloping pitch by the Sun Inn.

Cricket had not been played at the Spout since 2019, after the local team resigned from the Feversham league and then Covid lockdowns left the ground deserted.

But rain could not stop play on the recent weekend, which encompassed all four seasons but gave way to summer sunshine and the vista of hills, dale and moors opened up in all directions to mark the occasion of the game’s return.

Cricket returned to the historic Spout House pitch in Bilsdale Picture: KATHERINE DODDS

Richard Wilson of the Sun Inn had rolled and cleared off the field, where sheep graze when no cricket is being played, and Kev Brown cut the wicket.

Richard and wife Audrey opened the Sun for the afternoon, dispensing drinks for thirsty players and spectators and providing a post-match, home cooked feast.

The Rest of the World side – aged 11 to 64 and captained by Katherine Dodds – were invited to bat first and compiled 106 from their allotment of 30 overs. Tom Grimston top scored with a suitably agricultural 21 not out. Mike Sharman’s slow lobs claimed 2-14.

Cricket returned to the historic Spout House pitch in Bilsdale Picture: KATHERINE DODDS

The Cross reply was led by Jack Cooper (23) and Jonny Staves (31) which included an all run six that was hit under the washing line and had to be relayed by several fielders back to the keeper. David Smith with 3-9, some exceptional glove work by Kevin Thompson (two catches and two stumpings) and Grimston with 2-15 kept the Rest of the World in the game.

The Cross, whose innings were accompanied by musical interludes from James Muir on the saxophone, stumbled home with one ball remaining.

However all the players and spectators dotted around the ground on deck chairs, stone walls and miscellaneous farm machinery agreed that the result would go down as a tie, and cricket was the real winner on its return to the Spout.

Cricket returned to the historic Spout House pitch in Bilsdale Picture: KATHERINE DODDS

Organiser and Ingleby Cross captain Richard Appleton said: “Players and umpires dealt with the gradient, sheep droppings and beer consumption with aplomb.”

The intention is to make the match an annual fixture and help keep cricket alive at one of England’s most unique grounds.

The old Sun Inn was also open, allowing players and spectators to explore the thatched hostelry which served dale folk and travellers along the road between Helmsley and Stokesley until 1914.