Adjudicators:  AB, PL, JK

Timing: 10:30 and 12:15

Prices: 1.30 and 1.30

The Adjudicators drove into Cleckheaton on a bright and sunny November morning, to find car parks full, roads blocked off, and the streets lined with stalls. Never had a PLC Semi-Final been so enthusiastically prepared for.

And the Cleckheaton Pie did full justice to the elaborate preparations. It was served at an almost perfect temperature……warm, but not hot, with the loosely formed …

Adjudicators: AB, PL, JK

Timing: 10:50 and 12:25

Prices: 1.30 and 1.40

After the traditional Pie League Summer Break, all three Adjudicators were keen to get back to their duties, (eating pies), and were very much expecting an exciting game, between two of the more highly regarded teams in the competition. And they were not disappointed.

Ilkley opened with a gently warm, very well seasoned and extremely tasty pie, but one which was slightly let down by the overdone, and …

Adjudicators: JK, PL

Timing: 12:00 and 12:30

Prices: 1.28 and 1.30

Due to unforeseen events, which resulted in the late arrival of the Adjudicators, and one Adjudicator’s requirement for a visit to the gents on arrival at Skipton, it was decided to take a pre-match drink at The Castle, and delay kick-off until noon.

As the Adjudicators sipped and appreciated their pints, in their usual discerning manner, appreciative of the warm sunshine, they also noticed that the …

Adjudicators: JK, PL

Timing: 11:05 and 12:55

Prices: 1.30 and 1.25

The last game before the Easter Break, this was the long awaited “Wharfedale Derby”, with Ilkley coming into the game as favourites, after an easy win at Baildon, and some impressive pre-season form.

And they maintained their consistency of form, with a nicely warm pie, containing a small amount of soft jelly, and a substantial, nicely textured, and pleasantly seasoned meat content. The pastry …

Adjudicators: JK, PL

Timing: 10:45, 12:00

Prices: 0.90, 1.30

Baildon were an unknown quantity, represented by an attractively priced cold pie. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very average offering, with little to criticise or praise, though one adjudicator did express some dissatisfaction with the thin layer of meat content.

Half-time drinks were intended to be taken in The Hermit…….but the ridiculously late opening time of 11:30 resulted in the venue …