Pateley Bridge v Skipton

Adjudicators: JK, AB, PL

Timing: 11:00 and 12:40

Prices: 1.30 and 1.20

A beautiful spring morning greeted this long awaited game between the two northernmost teams of the PLN……and the Adjudicators made an early start, fully aware of the journey ahead of them…….100 miles, covering three famous Yorkshire Dales.

The Bridge opened with an unexpectedly dark pie……but though the crust was overdone, the meat content was good, substantial and well textured, with still soft jelly nicely filling the small gaps between meat and pastry. There was a feeling that perhaps it had been over-salted……..but not enough to warrant serious criticism.

After a mosey down to the bridge, to take a look at the Nidd, the Adjudicators decided to drive on to Skipton, via Grassington……….and at least the first miles of this route will form part of the forthcoming Tour de Yorkshire.

As the Adjudicators passed Grassington, it was decided to stop for half-time drinks at The Old Hall in Threshfield…….and when they parked up at about 11:40….the door was invitingly open and welcoming. The welcome ended there……..with the Adjudicators being told that beer was not served until noon……….and the place was only open for breakfast……..for which, there appeared to be NO takers.

After passing the closed doors of The Devonshire Arms in Cracoe……..the Adjudicators decided to take a small detour to The Angel at Hetton, and they were rewarded with a welcome, a chat about pies, and good beer. The pints were enjoyed outside, where the calm and quiet of Hetton, were accompanied by pleasantly warm sunshine. It was a shame to leave this oasis after just one pint…….but duty called. Skipton was typically busy, but as the Adjudicators waited for their pies, they were struck by the care and thoughtfulness of one lady, who not only bought six pies, but demanded to know where she could find an off-licence selling cold cans of beer…..so that she could get one for her father…..who was working in the Saturday  Market. Unfortunately, the pies did not match the expectations. Rightly or wrongly, the Adjudicators opted for the pies being kept artificially warm, rather than the ones which had cooled naturally……..and this may have been the wrong decision. Artificially warm pies do not allow the jelly to form, and the liquid seeps into the pastry, making it too soft, and prone to disintegration when greedily bitten, and as one Adjudicator discovered (again), this can lead to serious liquid spillage. The meat content was generous, and generally approved……though it had some indeterminate herby taste, which at least one Adjudicator did not take a shine to.

The Final decision was deferred until the post-match discussion outside The Castle….. where the Adjudicators had to listen to the noise from a rowdy bunch of Scarborough fans taking a break on their way to Colne…….and the reciprocating noise from the local riff-raff. Despite that, the decision did not take long to reach……..and it was unanimous…..The Bridge were awarded the win……..and The Castle lose their first game of the season.

This concludes the second round of matches……and the runaway leaders of the PLN are The Bridge and Ilkley…..with two wins out of two games each.

Next up………Cleckheaton v Birkenshaw………both undefeated this season in the PLS.