PLC Grand Final - Pateley Bridge v Cleckheaton

Adjudicators:  AB, PL, JK

Timing: 09:45 and 12:15

Prices: 1.40 and 1.30

After the impressive semi final performances from both teams, the Adjudicators had high hopes of witnessing a truly memorable Grand Final, and travelled to Pateley in high spirits, undismayed by the grey and drizzly conditions, and undeterred by the thick fog shrouding some parts of the dales.

The Bridge opened with a fresh, but only ever so slightly warm Pie. The crust was firm, without being hard, and was easily broken down, to mix tastily with the meat and juicy jelly. The meat itself was pleasantly spiced, and possessed the coarse texture, much admired by the more discerning pie eaters. Overall……a good Pie, appreciated by the Adjudicators, but one which had probably failed to reach the Adjudicators high expectations.

Over half-time drinks in The Shoulder Of Mutton, the feeling grew, that if Cleckheaton could reproduce their semi-final form, then the Grand Final was probably theirs for the taking.

As the Adjudicators drove into Cleckheaton, the day brightened and the sun finally emerged. The civic authorities provided free parking, and manipulated the pedestrian lights to ensure that the Adjudicators reached the venue without any stresses or anxieties. This only lasted as far as the shop, where to the consternation of the Adjudicators, the last visible pie was snapped up in front of their eyes. Fortunately a fresh new batch immediately emerged…….and put an end to Adjudicator worries about the possibility of having to find and field a reserve.

The Pie was very warm, but the jelly had not yet settled at all, and each Adjudicator suffered some spillage, though to varying degrees. The crust, though still exhibiting the much admired delicate flakiness of the top of the crust, proved to be excessively hard elsewhere. And whilst the meat content, mildly seasoned, was undoubtedly tasty, some concern was expressed that it did not fill the pastry as well as the opposition. To at least one Adjudicator, the texture was also slightly inferior. The expected performance had not materialised, and the Adjudicators retired to The Saw, to mull their final verdict over a well-earned post-match pint.

After some discussion, the Adjudicators were unanimous in awarding the game to The Bridge. All were agreed that had Cleckheaton matched their previous performance, they would have been worthy winners……..but on the day, whether as a result of the over eagerness in releasing the new batch of pies, or for other unknown reasons, they came off second-best.

So…….hats off to The Bridge, who emerge as the 2018 PLC GF winners, and PLN Champions……..remaining the one and only undefeated team throughout the long and arduous season. And spare a thought for Cleckheaton, 2018 PLS Champions, and themselves undefeated until the very last game of the season……and perhaps unfortunate to lose in a game that many believe had been theirs for the taking. For what it’s worth the Adjudicators considered their semi-final win over Ilkley, as being the finest display from any team, this season.

Finally, as a one-off, as it is Grand Final Day, the Official Match Report will end with the unabridged summary of the subsequent analysis performed on both pies, by the technicians at Grub Village Laboratories……….. The Bridge’s pastry was a clear winner.  Both pies had good, thin pastry but Cleck’s was a little crunchy, possibly a result of the very early delivery.  In fact the Cleck pie had to be prised out of the bag, where it was stuck. Both fillings were enjoyed.  The Bridge filling was adjudged more highly seasoned (“spicy”) and one technician commented on a slight grissly feel, but on testing of this comment, it was agreed that it was ‘texture’ rather than grissle.  The Cleck filling was slightly preferred with its smooth, creamy texture. In conclusion, the better overall eating experience was judged to come from the Bridge pie.