Greatest Moment

Winning the Sykes Cup for the third time in four summers in 2003.

Local Hero

George Senior - the first homegrown Kirkburton player to sign on as the club's professional (1937).

Bizarre Fact

In 1960 a defunct Huddersfield Corporation trolleybus was used as a pavilion after a fire at the ground.

Hills and Hedges

Kirkburton's hilly ground, on Riley Lane, is surrounded on one side by luxury houses and bungalows, built in the 1960s and 1970s; most have grown tall hedges or covered their rear windows with iron covers or netting to save a large glazier's bill in the event of a middle-order batsman swinging to leg. (Some of the bungalows also boast verandas - perfect for cricket-loving residents).

On other sides, it is farmers' fields and greenery that border onto the turf. The village church looks on, as does Emley Mast in the far distance.

The playing surface at Riley Lane is undulating in certain regions (it falls away slightly at the far end from the pavilion). In places too, the field is slightly raised. The boundary's edge is littered with benches, bins, and animals (look out for cats and dogs).

A club member says: 'It's always been a good batting wicket here - a bowler's deathbed in many ways.' There is also an artificial wicket, just to the left as you look out from the pavilion. Club spokesmen describe Riley Park as an 'elevated site' and 'a superb piece of land in a delightful setting', with a 'commanding position above the village'.

'Enterprise' of Members

A pavilion was built in 1920 and a tea room purchased in 1932 (soon after, a Ladies Committee was formed). In 1951 one observer looked on admiringly at the club; he talked about the 'enterprise and sacrifice' of members, the 'happy manner' of Kirkburton cricketers, the 'charming' and 'entertaining' way they played the game, and the excellent wicket ('one of the finest…in the league').

Exactly 100 years on from the founding of the club, the original pavilion burnt down. The disaster occurred in April 1960 - the fire destroyed the dressing rooms and much equipment. For a short space of time, the club used an ex-Huddersfield Corporation bus as their pavilion.

A new pavilion arrived in 1962 - the one that still stands today. It is a converted bungalow, with a garage next door. It took two years to build, and was then extended only two years after it was opened.

Pretty Picture

By 1969 the powers-that-be at Riley Lane were pretty satisfied; in the Huddersfield League handbook, they described the new structure as 'attractive' and 'well built', and their ground as a 'modern and pleasing home for village cricket'. They went on: 'Enjoy a pleasant afternoon at our picturesque ground and a pleasant evening in the comfort of our modern clubhouse'.

Today, the building incorporates kitchen, bar area and lounge plus a small cricket library, which members and visiting spectators are free to borrow from. Adorning one of the inside walls is a superb watercolour painting of Riley Park - the work of Jean Sutcliffe.

Aussie in Town

The scorebox, built in the early-1970s and almost a 180-degree walk from the pavilion, is an interesting feature. A warning notice on its frontage says: SCORERS ONLY PLEASE (there's also a lock and padlock to scare off intruders).

There is a cute set of steps up to the top floor and there are five small advertising boards affixed to the bottom. And three bits of trivia: (1) Steve Waugh visited Kirkburton CC in July 1995 - and a photo in the pavilion commemorates this fact; (2) Riley Park has witnessed its fair share of women's cricket; and (3) In 2002 a full tea cost £2, a sandwich £1.20, and it was 40p for a mug of tea, a cup of coffee, or a slice of cake. Great value.

And when Kirkburton won the Sykes Cup at Elland in 2003, it appeared that the whole of the village was there. The travelling support was exceptional, and obviously spurred the team on to victory.