2019 PL Challenge Cup Semi Finals - Tadcaster v Otley

Adjudicators: JK, AB, PL

Timing: 11:40 and 13:10

Prices: 1.20 and 1.50

The Adjudicators were not deterred by the adverse weather conditions, and showed an admirable resolution in dealing with the incessant rain, and the many flooded and/or closed roads.

However…….the delays they experienced may have had some impact on the game. By the time they reached Tadcaster………only three pies remained……and they were no longer warm. The Adjudicators agreed that they tasted better than they looked. The crust was still firm and tasty, and the meat content, surrounded by firm jelly, was reasonably seasoned, and nicely textured. Nevertheless, two of the Adjudicators fondly remembered previous Taddy Pies, and were disappointed with this semi-final performance.

Half-time drinks were taken at the flagship pub of the Sam Smiths Brewery, affectionately referred to by the Adjudicators as The Angel & Trumpet, where they spent a pleasant half-hour sat in front of the roaring fire…….later partly fuelled by the wood from used beer barrels.

The journey to Otley involved some flood related detours, and the crossing of the Wharfe on at least two occasions. The river was flowing swiftly, and the level was as high as the Adjudicators had seen this season.

But of greater irritation was the ignorance of common courtesy displayed by the drivers of Boston Spa, seemingly oblivious of the universally accepted rule that if cars are parked on your side of the road, you give way to oncoming traffic. Their breach of this rule was not accepted by the Adjudicators, who forced their way through the streets of this poxy town, without giving way to the bullies.

The Otley pies were at different temperatures, with this Adjudicator having the good fortune to draw the still warm one, with the jelly only just formed, and providing a nourishing juiciness with which to accompany the pleasantly seasoned meat content. This Adjudicator reached an immediate verdict……and the others quickly agreed, even though they had less warm pies to judge.

The post match drink was taken in The a Black Bull, where a few elderly gentlemen watched the Yorkshire Derby and groaned as Leeds missed chances against the Wendy’s.

On the return journey, the Adjudicators called into The Royalty, which serves the best Staropramen in Yorkshire, and possibly England. Pondering on the reasons for this excellence of taste, the Adjudicators concluded that they were at the altitude that Staropramen was designed to be served………those who question this judgement might care to compare the altitudes of Prague and The Royalty.

Tonight, Otley will be celebrating not only their reaching the final…….but also on becoming the 2019 Kings Of The Wharfe………

Next up…….2019 PLCC SF2………with Masham entertaining Skipton.