2019 PL Challenge Cup Final - Skipton v Otley

Adjudicators: JK, AB, PL

Timing: 10:25 and 12:05

Prices: 1.32 and 1.50

The Skipton pies were not of an even standard. All were on the cool side, but this Adjudicator was presented with one from which the jelly appeared to have leaked out, leaving a very soggy and disintegrating base, though the upper crust was of a satisfactory firmness. The other Adjudicators found that though the pies were cool, the jelly had not set at all, which struck them all as very odd, but at least the liquid jelly provided some taste to the product……a taste which this Adjudicator found was lacking.

Over half-time drinks in The Devonshire, two of the Adjudicators admitted that although they were puzzled by the combination of cold Pie and still liquid jelly, they were not unhappy with their offering. However, the third Adjudicator was more than a little disappointed.

The drive to Otley allowed the Adjudicators the opportunity to note that the sheep, which only a fortnight ago had been relentlessly munching their way through the lush but autumnal grass, now had a more relaxed attitude, and were mostly sprawled out in various stages of rest…….though one did appear to have passed out altogether.

Otley, on Cup Final Day, proved a difficult place in which to find a parking spot, and in the end the Adjudicators had to settle for a spot in the Waitrose Car Park, leaving them with a longer walk than usual, to reach the stadium.

The Otley pies were also well on their way to coolness, but this Adjudicator found that his Pie still nursed a full complement of soft but solidifying jelly, contained within a firm and tasty crust. And in these circumstances the meat content proved satisfactorily tasty, though perhaps slightly salty. He had no hesitation in judging Otley to have provided the better Pie. Unfortunately, the other two Adjudicators appeared to have developed a fondness for cold liquid jelly, in cold pies, and expressed their preference for Skipton…….admitting that though the crust, and probably meat, of the Otley Pie were better…….the taste of the Skipton Liquid Jelly was such, that it overcame all the other shortcomings of the Pie, and provided them with a more satisfactory eating experience.

In the view of this Adjudicator, things have come to a pretty pass, when a Cold Pie, with unset cold liquid jelly, can be judged the winner of a PLCC Final……..but there you have it………the 2019 PLCC Winners are Skipton, albeit on a split decision.

Post match drinks were taken in The Bay Horse, a pleasantly small and friendly pub, in which the lady who served the beer also brought the Senior Adjudicator his beer to the table, after it had been carelessly left behind on the bar by this Adjudicator.

And so another season ends. A season probably more memorable for its surprises than for its quality, and for some welcome new additions. All Adjudicators agreed that newcomers Tadcaster, Wetherby, Ripon and Knaresborough had not disgraced themselves, and were worthy members of the Pie League Association. We would add that during the course of the year, investigations were carried out into the qualities of pies available in the East Riding, but unfortunately the results were disappointing, and we can confirm that there are no plans to extend the PLA in that direction.

Finally, it is with some sadness that I have to inform you that Ruby, who became a Fully Qualified Adjudicator only this year, has announced her retirement from the game she loved so much, for health reasons. In her farewell, she quipped…….“It’s time to let younger Adjudicators come through and maybe see if I can reduce my golf handicap.” We all wish her a long and happy retirement…….and good luck with that handicap.