For this feature, I’ve talked to cricket clubs this season about switching leagues; something that happens every year. It’s a little like moving chess pieces around a board. Thinking several moves ahead, reacting to scenarios unfolding and a game of strategy behind the scenes. I remember talking to Ben Rhydding about swapping the Aire-Wharfe Cricket […]
Cricket leagues
Should First XIs be allowed to play Second XIs in club cricket?
Bill Marshall explores the conundrum of first XIs and second XIs Watching Hoylandswaine’s second team win the Solly Sports Crowther Cup in rapid time on Sunday at Sandal, defeating Farsley seconds by seven wickets, reminded me of a long-forgotten conversation I had with Matthew Anderson. He was then captain of East Bierley’s second team, and […]
Aire-Wharfe Cricket: Beckwithshaw vs Bolton Villas
Visiting Beckwithshaw Cricket Club has been on my radar for years. Those of us who hop around cricket club grounds tend to rub shoulders and recommendations get passed on. On a scorching Saturday, it was time to put that right with their Second Eleven at home to Bolton Villas in Inter-Division 5-6 of the Aire-Wharfe […]
Half Way in 2022: Yorkshire League Cricket RoundUp
Heading into the second half of 2022, the standings in Yorkshire’s club 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 League, New Farnley, Priestley Cup winners last year and […]
Craven Cricket League: Time to shake things up?
Bill Marshall talks to Craven League secretary, Peter Foster, about the challenge of losing clubs and the committee’s plans to give the league a new lease of life. Just how does a grassroots cricket league stop the haemorrhaging of clubs from within their membership? Of course, some leagues react too late to the bleeding, while […]
Yorkshire Premier Leagues Roundup: Who will be crowned Champion Club?
We now know the four champions of Premier League cricket leagues in Yorkshire after a final weekend of drama. Bradford Premier League Woodlands 356 ptsTownville 345 ptsNew Farnley 307 pts Woodlands claimed the Bradford Premier League with 112 from Brad Schmulian in their away win at New Farnley. The New Zealander had meant to fly […]
Who should be in this year’s Cricket Yorkshire 50?
The Cricket Yorkshire 50 shortlist is back for 2021 – and you’re invited to share who you think should be included!It’s been going a few years now but the Cricket Yorkshire 50 is this website’s annual shortlist of 50 names across Yorkshire recreational cricket. It’s a chance to celebrate the achievements of players, officials, coaches, […]
Titles, promotion and relegation in Yorkshire’s cricket leagues
Andrew Gallon shares the ups and downs across a selection of cricket leagues in Yorkshire. Championship, promotion and relegation issues are about to reach their thrilling conclusion in Yorkshire’s four ECB Premier Divisions and the county’s other cricket leagues. Owing to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in some clubs having played fewer […]
Bankfoot and Burythorpe illustrate the breadth and bounty in Yorkshire
Andrew Gallon watches cricket at Burythorpe and Bankfoot; two clubs reflecting the diversity across Yorkshire. B is for… Well, in terms of my recent cricketing travels, Burythorpe and Bankfoot. Two very different cricket clubs in hugely contrasting settings. Burythorpe Cricket Club haven’t, I learned, played weekend cricket for a couple of decades. Their village sports […]
A thousand wickets: 45 years of Sheffield league cricket
Richard Wells looks back at 45 years of league cricket in Sheffield and beyond. Cricket has been in my life from my earliest memories, on the beach at Filey with Grandad or in Hollinsend Park with brothers, cousins and school pals. We had old kit from Intake Methodist CC and it was expected we would […]