Heading into the second half of 2023, the standings in Yorkshire’s recreational cricket leagues are starting to indicate who the season’s winners and losers might be. Let’s start at the top of the pyramid, with the four ECB Premier League, Premier Divisions. In the Bradford Premier Cricket League, Woodlands appear on course to secure a […]
Which league cricketers are good enough to play for Yorkshire?
The news that Cameron Fletcher, New Farnley’s wicketkeeper-batter, had swapped the Bradford Premier League for a county stint with Glamorgan got me thinking. In the case of Fletcher, he’s a first-class cricketer already, plays for Canterbury back home and was twice named in New Zealand’s Test squads in 2022. Photo: Ray Spencer – see more […]
Club cricket’s Ashes: Norton Oakes and North Ryde RSL
There’s always been a strong connection between cricket clubs in Yorkshire and those over in Australia. Whether it’s social tours or players getting opportunities overseas in leagues. Stephen Cook explains how a club cricket Ashes came about between Sheffield & New South Wales – and the enduring friendship ever since. The history of friendly rivalry […]
Stillington put to the sword at Rufforth & Marston
Mark Doherty finds drama in the Yorkshire Premier League North on a visit to Rufforth & Marston Cricket Club at this picturesque village (Rufforth) to the West of York. It promised to be a tricky day for me, as I had a couple of photo commitments early Saturday morning and then had to get across […]
Total Play: Outdoor cricket nets and non-turf pitches across Yorkshire
In this content collaboration with Total Play, we’ll look at three upgrades at cricket clubs in Yorkshire. They now have six ECB-approved system designs, offering a choice of artificial cricket pitches and synthetic cricket practice facilities. This stamp of approval from the England & Wales Cricket Board is important to clubs as a sign of […]
Patrington: Record-breaking run in the Village Cup
Patrington Cricket Club’s captain Ashley McKinley shares his thoughts about entering unchartered territory as his team progress in the National Village Cup. With a bit of time to reflect after the latest win over Woodhouse Grange, what were his thoughts on defeating one of the clubs tipped to go far in the competition? “It was […]
Pateley pancakes and a Ken cuppa at Glasshouses
“You must get along to Pateley…” said quite a few of you over the years. So, we finally did – back in May. Pateley Bridge Cricket Club has been on my radar and the deliberately convoluted drive over from our neck of the woods was a sensational one. We chose to head up from Skipton […]
Red kites and red hot as Goldsborough take on Helperby
Arriving at the village of Goldsborough, to catch their Division One match against Helperby, we saw not one but two red kites. Swooping down low above the car, wings outstretched, it was an extraordinary sight that never dulls. The second bird of prey was moments later as we parked up and stepped out. The clubhouse […]
Blubberhouses: Secluded village cricket by the River Washburn
Mark Doherty shares thoughts and match photos from a visit to Blubberhouses Cricket Club. Saturday and a last-minute change of plans. Cricket Yorkshire’s John Fuller was heading to Goldsborough for a top-of-the-table Theakston Nidderdale League Division One fixture and the Knaresborough Bed Race was taking place as well. Anyone who knows the area understands that […]
National Village Cup: Woodhouse Grange, Patrington & Ackworth still in
The largest knockout cricket competition in the UK has reached the National Rounds. The Voneus Village Cup, organised by The Cricketer, has witnessed 35 villages lift the trophy since 1972 – will a Yorkshire side do it in 2023? There’s still some way to go. The NVC final is played each September at Lord’s and […]