Johnny Barnett is the winner of June’s Yorkshire Tea Community Cricket Award and we had a natter by phone to talk about his journey in the game. Volunteering at Stainland Cricket Club began in 2021 with Johnny coaching the juniors while he has since turned his efforts to supporting the women and girls’ teams too. […]
Halifax Cricket League
Halifax Cricket League articles and interviews of clubs, players, umpires and officials.
The Cricket Asylum make semi-final of indoor cricket’s British Open
The Cricket Asylum, an indoor cricket facility in Sowerby Bridge, are celebrating after their men’s team reached the semi-finals of the British Open. The two-event at Willows Sports Centre in Derby on 2 & 3 November was organised by Action Indoor Cricket and brought together indoor cricket talent from across the country. The eight-a-side format […]
King Cross Juniors: A cricket club without a home
The story of King Cross Cricket Club in Halifax is both inspiring and concerning. It is a long-term battle for facilities, amid soaring interest that should be celebrated. Despite numerous hurdles, this is one plucky cricket club where more and more juniors want to play. Over an hour, a chat with Chairman Mohammed Yousaf teased […]
Celebrating league and cup doubles (and going undefeated)
After a season of LBWs, run outs, unplayable deliveries, huge sixes, drama and tension, many of Yorkshire’s cricket leagues have now been decided. Commiserations if your team is destined for a lower division in 2025. With luck and a fair wind, you’ll bounce back next year. But there are those who have not only won […]
Clayton close on Halifax League Premier Division
Having earmarked a fixture with ‘meaning’ for each team, the final Saturday of my 2024 season found me at Clayton Cricket Club, west of – and high above – central Bradford. Clayton were hosting Halifax League rivals Upper Hopton; a crunch instalment – “huge”, according to Clayton’s social media – in the Division One (i.e. […]
Going for the title: State of play in Yorkshire’s leagues
My interview with Richmondshire Cricket Club who wrapped up the NYSD with plenty of time to spare got me thinking. What’s the situation in the top divisions elsewhere? I keep an eye out across Yorkshire’s cricket leagues but now we’re getting to the last few weeks, there are trophies there for the taking. So here […]
Three families (and eight players) in Low Moor Holy Trinity XI
Martin Jenkins of Low Moor Holy Trinity Cricket Club shares news of an unusual club record and one they’re very proud of. Sunday 28th July saw a rather unique event occur for Halifax League side, Low Moor Holy Trinity in their match away at Bradshaw Cricket Club. Low Moor, who only seven years ago had just […]
No small beer: Lights, CAMRA, action at Barkisland
I don’t drink beer so an email dropping in about award-winning real ales initially didn’t set the pulse racing. Sorry, Dave at Barkisland Cricket Club, you’d have reeled me in with a press release about Irn-Bru. And yet… I got to thinking about how cricket clubs become a point of difference, particularly in the many […]
Hutchinson fireworks light up Thornton’s title defence
When it came to choosing Saturday’s fixture, several components slotted into place like Tetris. I figured my first ENCO Halifax Cricket League game this season was overdue. (Subsequent apologies to Stainland, I have a memory like a sieve). The prospect of Thornton 1st XI, last year’s treble-winning Premier Division champions and currently in second, up […]
From pitch to pinnacle: Upper Hopton progress in Parish Cup
“It’s a long walk for a duck!” The words of Luddendenfoot opener Harry Denham after his first over dismissal at Upper Hopton Cricket Club’s Sutcliffe Memorial Ground. Playing in a Halifax League Parish Cup second-round tie, Denham had almost scaled the summit of a taxing, 45-step climb from pitch to clubhouse at what must be […]