Frizzell County Championship

Gloucestershire versus Yorkshire

at The College Ground, Cheltenham

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
30, 31 July, 1 and 2 August 2025

By Roy D Wilkinson


Yorkshire have not won at Cheltenham since 1908. But, as with Southampton and Derby, there was a long gap in their appearances at the ground. After that 1908 win, by an innings and 182 runs, Yorkshire were not invited to play again at the College Ground until 1957 and there was a further gap until 1979. Yorkshire were last there in 1994. A moment’s thought will bring to mind a long list of Yorkshire ‘greats’ who never trod the first-class turf at this enchanting ground.

In that 1994 match Yorkshire were beaten by 324 runs - their worst ever defeat by a runs margin.

A first innings deficit of 44 did not seem too great, but Gloucestershire amassed 484 in their second innings leaving Yorkshire needing 529 to win - a task quite beyond them. They were bowled out in 58 overs for 204 with only Richard Blakey putting up any real resistance with 82. Courtney Walsh took 6 for 85 to go with his four first innings wickets to give him match figures of 10 for 160. Richie Richardson made his last appearance for Yorkshire in this match.

A performance in Yorkshire’s first match at Cheltenham, in 1876, still has a place firmly in the Yorkshire record (against!) book. W G Grace made 318* and this remains the highest individual score ever made against the county. After Yorkshire had struggled to 127 for 7, in reply to 528, the match was left drawn.

An eighteen-year-old, Charles Townsend, bowled Gloucestershire to a remarkable victory in 1895. Opening the bowling, his leg-breaks took eight first innings wickets for 130 in Yorkshire’s all out 221. Gloucestershire were dismissed for 219 - and then came Townsend again. With Yorkshire comfortably placed at 93 for one Townsend weaved his spell to leave Yorkshire all out for 143 - nine wickets having fallen for just 50 runs. Townsend took seven for 54 to give him match figures of 15 for 184, which remains the best bowling performance for Gloucestershire versus Yorkshire at Cheltenham. Gloucestershire won by 7 wickets.

The Yorkshire victory in 1908, their last on this ground, was due, in the main, to John Newstead who, like Townsend before him, was in his first full season in first-class cricket. There the similarity ends. Newstead was over thirty and bowled mainly off-breaks. With 4 for 38 and 7 for 66 (11 for 104 in the match,) Newstead hustled Gloucestershire out for 82 and 176 leaving Yorkshire winners by 182 runs. This win ensured Yorkshire won the Championship. Newstead took 140 wickets for 16.50 in the season, but was never the same force again and disappeared from first-class cricket after the 1913 season. In the 1909 edition of ‘Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanack’ Newstead was one of the five cricketers of the year - headed ‘Lord Hawke and Four Cricketers of the Year’. The others were Jack Hobbs, Walter Brearley (the Lancashire amateur) and Alan Marshall (the Australian who played for Surrey).

Yorkshire’s only score of over 400 at Cheltenham came in 1990 when Martyn Moxon (66) and Ashley Metcalfe (162) got the Yorkshire innings off to a rousing start by adding 204 for the first wicket. David Byas made 63* in Yorkshire’s eventual 451 for 6 declared. Gloucestershire replied with 574 and the match finally stuttered to a draw.

In 1992 Martyn Moxon scored 183 (the highest individual score for Yorkshire on the ground) in Yorkshire’s all out 364. Gloucestershire were soon reduced to 103 for 8 and the follow-on seemed odds-on. But Courtney Walsh joined Justin Vaughan in a 9th wicket partnership of 64 and then Mark Davies kept Vaughan company in a 10th wicket stand of 90 - a Gloucestershire record versus Yorkshire. Vaughan made 80, the follow-on was saved and with it the match.

From 1876 to 1994 Yorkshire have played 18 matches at Cheltenham, won 4, lost 5, leaving 9 drawn.

In the 196 Championship matches versus Gloucestershire from 1872 to 1999 Yorkshire have won 100, lost 43 and 53 have been drawn.

Yorkshire have not won in Gloucestershire since winning by an innings and 122 runs at Bristol in 1975.

Highest totals:
By Yorkshire 504 for 7 dec at Bradford in 1905
By Gloucestershire 574 at Cheltenham in 1990

Lowest totals:
By Yorkshire 35 at Bristol in 1959
By Gloucestershire 36 at Sheffield in 1903

Highest individual score:
For Yorkshire 204* by R J Blakey at Leeds in 1987
For Gloucestershire 318* by W G Grace at Cheltenham in 1876

Best bowling in an innings:
For Yorkshire 9 for 25 by S Haigh at Leeds in 1912
For Gloucestershire 9 for 36 by C W L Parker at Bristol in 1922

Best bowling in a match:
For Yorkshire 14 for 64 by R Illingworth at Harrogate in 1967
For Gloucestershire 15 for 79 by W G Grace at Sheffield in 1872