2019 PL Challenge Cup Round Quater Finals - Masham v Birkenshaw

Adjudicators: JK, AB

Timing: 10:15 and 11:55

Prices: 1.30 and 1.25

After the extended summer break, the acute shortage of fully qualified Pie League Adjudicators was once again highlighted, when a still convalescing post-inguinal right groin hernia operation Adjudicator was forced to overcome the continuing discomfort, to both drive and adjudicate because one perfectly healthy Adjudicator preferred to give his adult daughter a lift into Leeds……

We would encourage ALL Pie Eaters to take the trouble to undergo the admittedly rigorous PL Examinations and become fully qualified and accredited Adjudicators, to ease the load, and allow the extension of the area of competition.

However……not being one to complain, or bear a grudge, this Adjudicator just gritted his teeth….and got on with the task at hand.

Both Adjudicators were surprised that Masham had chosen to field their reserve team, at such a crucial stage in the competition, but they had clearly taken note of the poor away form shown by the opposition, and felt relaxed about giving some new blood a run out.

Initial impressions supported the view that a mistake had been made. The Pie, though freshly made, was already cool, and came in a tin foil container type thing…….which was not something the Adjudicators were accustomed to….and the more elderly of them made a bit of a meal extracting his pie. The crust was hard, too hard in the view of one Adjudicator, though both agreed it was tasty. In fact, it is possible that the crust also dominated the taste of the meat content. This was deemed fairly bland, or perhaps dominated by the crust. The more elderly of the Adjudicators also banged on about a lack of jelly……but in retrospect, it is likely that he lost his jelly in his battle to extract the Pie from the tin foil thing.

The Adjudicators took half time drinks in the White Bear, at a very civilised hour for a first drink of the day, and admired the gigantic Polar Bear from Alaska, who had, apparently, volunteered to be stuffed, back in 1901.

The drive back to Birkenshaw would have proved traumatic for less intrepid adventurers……but the Adjudicators reconnoitred their way back with the assistance of two different SatNav Ladies, avoiding any major traumas resulting from the M62 closures.

The Birkenshaw Pie was still ever so slightly warm……..and initial reactions supported the view that Masham had fielded the wrong team. The Birkenshaw crust was hard, but to one Adjudicator, had a “vaguely almost oily deep fried taste”, which was considered a good thing. The content was immediately accepted as being more tasty. The elderly Adjudicator was pleased to find some jelly in his pie.

BUT…….doubts began to creep in….. One Adjudicator was adamant that the Masham crust was superior. Both began to agree, that though the Birkenshaw Pie had more taste on the initial bite…….the additional taste was probably salt…….and by the end, was deemed to be over-salted. Unwilling to make any hasty decisions, the Adjudicators decided to retire to The Greyhound at Tong, to reach their final conclusions over a refreshing and relaxing pint.

Though occasionally distracted by the fall of English Wickets on the TV………the Adjudicators continued to strive and reach a united verdict. Both agreed that in a League game, this would have been declared a draw, but as PLCC Rules do not allow such an outcome, a winner had to be declared before the last slurp of the pint.

In the end, the decision went to Masham.

It was a difficult game to come back to, after a long and eventful summer break…..but both Adjudicators drew upon all their experience and the principles of uncompromising impartiality instilled at BGS, to reach what they felt was a fair and just decision.

Next up……..The Castle v The Bridge…………

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