- a trip to Lords!
A wonderful NatWest OSCAs ceremony at Lords on the 9th October saw one overall winner and three runners-up accolades won by Yorkshire's representatives.
The Yorkshire OSCAS, presented at Headingley in July, produced seven nominees for national awards, and with citations submitted from 39 counties it proved to be a pretty impressive outcome for the White Rose County.
All seven Yorkshire nominees were invited to Lords for what turned out to be a very special occasion which began with a midday tour of the ground, including visits to the famous Long Room and the home players dressing room.
It was then back to the Nursery Ground function suite where, to the accompaniment of a small string orchestra - not something you necessarily see in Halifax on a Monday lunchtime'' - a liberal supply of hors d'oeuvres and pre-luncheon drinks, mixed with some baffling performances from a young table magician, put everyone in relaxed mood for the afternoon presentations which were spaced across a three-course lunch.
Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon was Alison Mitchell, award winning sports journalist and broadcaster, but perhaps best known in cricketing circles as a commentator on BBC Test Match Special.
Alison proved to be an excellent host as the official stuff began with an opening salvo of four award categories, and in amongst them came Yorkshire's first successes of the afternoon as the Halifax Cricket League, immaculately represented by Anthony Briggs and Bob Airey who were once again resplendent in HCL shirt and ties, took a runners-up placing in the Leagues and Boards category. Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club claimed a similar placing in the Get The Game On category.
Interviews on stage with England's ODI skipper, Eoin Morgan, and Test player Stuart Broad proved excellent preludes to more awards with Abdul Ravat of Mount Cricket Club gaining deserved recognition, although once more as runner-up, in the Heartbeat of the Club category.
By now the main course had come and gone, the dessert had been served and scoffed and the coffee was in the cups. The Yorkshire table, which included Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford and YCB chairman Chris West, was getting a little edgy about whether a winner would emerge from what had been acknowledged as an exceptional set of nominations made by the County.
But just as the buglers who preceded each announcement were beginning to grate a little, Albert Pagan (pictured with Alison) was announced as the winner of the Officiating OSCA, a fitting accolade for a man who has only just retired from umpiring at the grand old age of 88 - someone who dedicated much of his life to tutoring, and was the original mentor of Michael Gough, the six-times PCA umpire of the year.
So the Yorkshire party departed in great spirits after enjoying a tremendous day - credit to the ECB for their organisation and delivery of a memorable occasion. As Abdul Ravat remarked at the close, ''An outstanding event, nearly as outstanding as the Yorkshire OSCAs at Headingley!''
And so to the last part of the day - getting home. Albert, who confessed he had not slept the night before, and had caught the 7am train from Teesside, was accompanied by his son Mark. He had only been to London twice before in his life, and he has never been on the Underground. With the evening rush hour in full swing, his face when the St Johns Wood train arrived was a picture of amazement and trepidation - the carriages rammed full with people and seeming to rock as the train rushed towards King's Cross. A young lady offered Albert her seat - the perfect ending to possibly the longest day in an Octogenarian's life.
Alison Mitchell subsequently wrote in The Cricket Paper: ''The years of dedication offered by some people is truly astounding. The camaraderie in the room was remarkable that day at Lords. Cricket is never more so a family than when people from all parts of the country and from all different clubs, come together. Whatever age or background, the game is always the common denominator.''
Alison went on to make special mention of Albert, and suggested he had asked for a selfie with her. That was the only foot she put wrong - at 88 Albert hasn't got a clue what a selfie is!!