2019 PL Challenge Cup Round 1 - Tadcaster v Wetherby

Adjudicators: JK, AB, PL

Timing: 11:45 and 13:20

Prices: 1.15 and 1.40

This long delayed and long awaited final tie of Round 1, was graced with the presence of two aspiring young candidates, fresh-faced and enthusiastic, eager to pass their Part 1 PL Adjudication Exams……a necessary first step, on the long journey towards eventually achieving the coveted Fully Qualified & PL Accredited Adjudicator Status.

PL Regulations prevent us from disclosing the names of the candidates, but we can confirm that one was a selfish from the Humber, and the other a canine from Brough.

The Adjudicators met the candidates in the Tadcaster central car parking area, formerly called Malt Kiln Square, which was once the medieval core of the town, within a maze of tiny alleys, lanes and courts, cottages and a brewery……or so the tourist board claimed.

The Tadcaster Pie was a revelation…….still almost oven fresh, of above average size, with a wonderfully thin, crispy and flaky pastry. The meat content was substantial, lightly seasoned, but of a satisfying crumbly, fresh texture. All Adjudicators, and candidates, were more than satisfied with this offering.

Half time drinks were taken in The Angel and White Horse, (affectionately known by the Adjudicators, as The Angel & Trumpet), where the two non driving Adjudicators were pleased to take a second pint, trying out the India Ale, which proved to be a tasty brew, weighing in at a respectable 5%. For those interested, the two striking white dray horses, stabled in the courtyard, go by the names of Sovereign and Jim, with Sovereign being the elder of the two, close to 17 years old.

The Wetherby Pie was a smaller contender, still nicely warm, but with a softer, (almost soggier?), crumbly pastry. The meat content was tasty…..probably slightly more seasoned than that of the opposition, though this Adjudicator found the texture not as satisfying. But there were no complaints, and the decision was deferred to the taking of post-match drinks in The Crown. On the way to the pub, the Adjudicators were accosted by two Hedgehog Ladies, who whilst clearly quite knowledgeable on the subject of pies, seemed to find it odd that superficially normal people would drive miles around Yorkshire, to eat pork pies.

Over yet more Sam Smith brews in The Crown, it became clear that a unanimous decision would not be forthcoming……..and for the first time in PL history……the result was by a 2-1 split decision…..in favour of Tadcaster. The Adjudicator who favoured Wetherby, though accepting the decision……continued to point out it was the wrong decision, well into the afternoon……….even after being taken to the Oldest Pub In England, on the journey home……

The candidates showed widely different approaches to their Pie Assessment….one tried to impress the Examiners with a thoughtful and restrained approach……offering comments as he progressed through the Pie. The other wolfed down whatever was on offer…..and displayed an immediate and enthusiastic appreciation of the subtle qualities of the competing pies.

There is currently a grey area in the candidate assessment process……..with the purists requiring that the candidate both reaches the correct verdict, and is able to justify his decision with cogent and sensible argument. Whereas the new school believe that a visible appreciation, and a considered and accurate assessment of the Pie, should suffice.

In the view of the latter, Candidate Selfish deserved to pass…….even though he did not answer correctly.

However, rather than arguing over how examinations should be conducted……I would simply point out that as PL Adjudicator Examinations adhere to the traditional Highlander Rule, (There Can Only be One), whereby only one candidate can pass the examination, on any one given day, and Candidate Canine did not answer anything incorrectly, the Adjudicators should have no hesitation in awarding the four-legged candidate her PLA Part 1 and confirming her status as a Part-Qualified Adjudicator, with the right to adjudicate any official PL event, in the presence of two fully qualified Adjudicators. And let it be clear, that the other candidate, did not disgrace himself, and showed enough promise, to suggest that in the fullness of time he might well acquire full Adjudicator status.

And finally……..for those still reading……the draw for the 2019 PLCC Quarter Finals is as follows:-

Skipton v Pateley Bridge

Masham v Birkenshaw

Tadcaster v Ripon

Otley v Bedale

These games will take place after the traditional Summer Break……which will last at least until July.