2018 PL - Baildon v Skipton 9 June 2018

Adjudicators: AB, PL, (accompanied by JK, present but not adjudicating)

Timing: 10:45 and 12:20

Prices: 1.25 and 1.28

Even before the game started, there was plenty to keep the eager crowd buzzing with excitement. Adjudicator JK, who thus far had a 100% adjudication record, failed a late pre-match fitness check. Suffering from some horrible throat disease, which caused immense pain and difficulty when swallowing, JK judged himself unable to perform his Adjudicator duties to the high standards expected. Fortunately, the other two Adjudicators were more than willing to step in, and both proved more than capable of carrying out their duties.

Baildon had performed poorly in their first two games, but had managed to secure the On-Loan services of Tony Woods, (from Guiseley), and the two Adjudicators immediately approved of their new Pie. It had by now cooled down, but the size and texture of the meat content was particularly praised……there might have been some comment about the lack of jelly, but the crust received no negative comments, and both Adjudicators came away appearing satisfied with this much improved performance.

Half time drinks were taken in The Busfeild Arms, just after 11am. The Adjudicators saw the open door, and marched boldly in……..and they were met by smiling welcomes from two young ladies, and immediate service. The Adjudicators soon found out, that they were not actually open, but as most of the girls are there by 11am, thirsty travellers will be happily served……..a welcome change of attitude to that displayed by the staff at The Old Hall at Threshield, where the Adjudicators, (not ones to bear grudges), were refused a drink at 11:45, by staff who though present, and with time to gossip amongst themselves, could not actually pour a drink before noon.

Skipton fielded what seemed a smaller pie, but was described as nicely warm, with an excellent crisp and flaky light pastry, and a pleasantly succulent meat content…….though one adjudicator, (the usual one), commented on the lower height of the meat content, and the other, (the usual one), lost most of his still fluid jelly, on his first hungry chomp. Nevertheless, as post-match drinks were taken in the back yard of The Red Lion, it soon became apparent that the winner was Skipton. Though both Adjudicators were positive about the new-look Baildon, the fresh warmth of the Skipton Pie, combined with the excellent pastry and succulent meat content…..swung the decision. Once again……the point was reinforced that in a game of two good pies….the warm one usually has a decisive advantage over the cold one.

For those of you interested in such matters, samples of both pies were returned to the lab at 12th Avenue, where pie technician DK preferred the Skipton, but her assistant PM, favoured the Baildon version. By this time…..both pies were equally cold…..and the result might be considered by some, to more fairly represent the even qualities of the two pies. And for those of you interested in sore throats……..this Adjudicators self-diagnosis with the help of Google, immediately narrowed possibilities down to one……Throat Cancer……..but Pie Technician DK dismissed this, and identified a case of Strep Throat. If any of you out there, are ever so unfortunate as to suffer from this nasty ailment, this adjudicator can vouch for the medicinal properties of John Powers 12YO Irish Whiskey, which at 46%, will sting the infected throat at first………but after about 7 shots, will produce a pleasant numbness……..allowing the patient to swallow beer without wincing.