From its earliest days the pit village probably had a cricket club as well as a football team. In the early 1900's a wooden cricket pavilion stood on a  field on Wardley Lane near Gallon's Farm. It was brought over to the Miners Welfare ground about 1929 and its concrete foundations can still be seen today on the left as you enter the West Crescent Gate. In later years, the field was used by both Wardley and Bill Quay School's for sports activities.
Click on the thumbnail pics to view.

Wardley Cricket Club played Portmulgreen (a Yorkshire team) at Wardley in 1884. The team members were, R. Clark, G. Young, R. Douglass, G. Lovelly, S. H. Hedley, W. Clark, J. West, W. Wilkinson, G. Bell, J. Grundy and J. Dyson. 
In August 1907 the club played "The rest of the Primitive Methodist Circuit" and then in June 1911 they played the "Gentlemen of the District".  Mr. John George Guy was umpire for the colliery and Mr. G. Greenwell for the Gentlemen.  Mr. John Clough, who's cricketing days went back to the early 1870's, was the top scorer with 29 runs. 
President of the Wardley Welfare Cricket Club in 1933 was Dr. A. B. Stich.  His surgery was in Croxdale Terrace, Pelaw, and he would visit his patients in the area on his bicycle.
At the 1938 annual dinner held in the Railway Hotel Mr. Elliot, the colliery manager, performed the duties of chairman.  The "J. H. Smith" Cup was presented to Mr. Fred Gustard the late Captain of the Club.  First team prizes were won by Mr. L. Green (batting) and Tom Cave (bowling) while Mr.. B. Mansell received prizes for both.  Sep Ludkin gave an exceptional performance with the ball this season, having an average of 6.25 runs per wicket. 
After a lapse of 9 years, in 1948 the cricket club resumed playing in the Tyne and District League.  The club's chairman was Bob West and it's captain was Ned Carr.  His son Eddie played for the team and later became team captain.  The club had formerly been members of the League and had been the winners of the Southern Section 1921, and 1926 and the 1st division in 1927. 
At the end of August 1951 it was reported that the Welfare Ground was rapidly regaining its pre-war standard and good crowds appreciated and enjoyed the cricket.  The first team were top of the Tyne and District League Division 1 while the 2nd team were top of the reserve division.  Over the August Bank Holiday the memebers of the club and their friends had an enjoyable outing to Scotland, playing Rossyth on the Sunday and calling to play Belford on the return journey on Monday. 
In 1959 the captain was Bill Taylor who was succeeded by Eddie Carr and then Jim Liddle.  Later, George Hunter became captain and today the team is lead out by Derek Liddle.  One of the old standards of the team was Billy Gage who for may years played for the team and, for long time after that, until he was stopped by old age, he looked after the cricket club and its grounds.  At the annual dinner dance held in Newcastle in February 1958, Mr. Johnson, the clubs vice-president, presented Billy and Benny Wells with inscribed traveling clocks for over 30 years service to the team.  Mr. J. Hunter, chairman, said "that much work had to be carried out behind the scenes before a game of cricket could be played.  This work was never ending and as long as it was done without any fuss or complaint it was apt to be taken for granted.  However, the players and friends of the club did not take this attitude and wanted to show their appreciation to the two men".  Presentation trophies were also awarded to E. Irving, G. Hunter, I. Dixon and N. Mitchell for the best bowling and batting averages during the season. 
After defeating Heworth at the end of August 1960, Wardley made sure of winning Division One of the Tyne and District Cricket League.  The score was Wardley 83 (K. Wells 30 runs and R. Bruce 5 for 16) Heworth 51 runs. Wardley beat Bill Quay by five wickets in a local derby match in 1979.  Taylor was the most successful Wardley bowler with 3 for 35 and McKie scored 32 runs and Wells 64 not out.  Bill Quays innings closed at the end of their allotted 40 overs at a 145 for 6. 
The team now play in the North East Durham League and team members in 1996 were Messrs M. Douglas, R. Taylor, G. Morrison, A. Kirkley, E. Wilson, M. Scott, D. Liddle (captain), K. McGuire, S. Chisholm, R. Rowell and P. Jefferson.