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 is our leagues snapshot to keep you all updated.

Comprehensive and unique to this website, please share it with other clubs and anyone who might be interested.

💥 A little like a Mission Impossible mission, it goes out of date (but doesn’t ignite) in a short period of time!

Photo: Ray Spencer – See Picture galleries on Bradford League Website

Bradford Premier League

New Farnley (337) need just three points from their final league match at home against second-placed Woodlands (319) on Saturday 7 September.

Woodlands may come to rue a startling collapse of seven wickets for 17 runs at Jer Lane in a defeat that widened New Farnley’s lead. It’s been a fascinating Premier League season that has seen Jer Lane, Woodlands and New Farnley all reach the summit at different stages.

Yorkshire Premier League North

Castleford’s defeat of leaders Clifton Alliance cut the deficit to 10pts, but with two rounds to go, it’s still the York side’s to lose. York can do their neighbours a favour on Saturday as they host Castleford.

It may go down to the last day of the league season with Castleford facing Hull Zingari at home and a tricky away game at Woodhouse Grange to cross the line for Clifton Alliance.

Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League

Cleethorpes (190) have a 12pt lead over Wakefield Thornes (178) and with matches on 7 & 14 September, it’s another Premier League likely to down to the wire.

Saturday 14 September sees Cleethorpes face Tickhill at home and Wakefield Thornes are away at Doncaster Town. Those are the top four sides in the Premier Division so unless bonus points have clinched it for Cleethorpes by then, there might be a final-day twist.

Aire-Wharfe Cricket League

In the 1st XI Premier Division, Otley (316) have had a phenomenal season and are deserved winners of the Aire-Wharfe League’s top division with weeks to go. They hold a mighty lead over last year’s champions Collingham & Linton (247).

There are three games left and the conclusion is on Saturday 21 September with Otley at home to Rawdon at Cross Green.

Quaid e Azam Premier League

In the Premier Section, AK Eagles (254) lead White Rose (247) and Karmand (213) with two Sunday fixtures left. With 40pts still up for grabs, it could go to the final weekend where AK Eagles and White Rose are both away.

Huddersfield Cricket League

The Premiership of the Huddersfield Cricket League saw a key fixture on Sunday as Moorlands (87) beat Scholes (81) at home by 40 runs to scoop a vital 6pts.

It means they lead by six points (with a higher average) but points win prizes (24 up for grabs with two games left). Though they’re not in contention themselves, Honley could decide the destination of the Premiership as they play both Moorlands and Scholes.

Halifax Cricket League

In the Premier Division for First XIs, Thornton (211) are so close to wrapping up a successful defence of their title. They play second-placed Booth (184) at home on Saturday 7 September which is a huge game in the context of the season – they can seal the deal then.

There are 12pts for a win and three fixtures left. Thornton have one hand on the trophy but a defeat against Booth might just flutter a few nerves although they have only lost once all season so two defeats in three games is unlikely.

Craven Cricket League

Gargrave are the Timothy Taylor’s Craven League Division One champions with a fortnight left. Their unassailable 45-point lead came courtesy of a three-wicket victory at Haworth Road Methodists last weekend.

Matthew Simpson scored 58 not out for the visitors after six wickets had been shared between Joe Wood (3-34) and George Gregson (3-34), with the home side scoring 153.

Nidderdale Cricket League

In Division One, Arthington (331) have been the team to beat with West Tanfield (284) and Killinghall (279) in second and third.

There are a maximum of 60 points over the next three weeks to be claimed so Arthington aren’t quite over the finishing line just yet.

Scarborough Beckett Cricket League

Staxton (250) have won the Premier Division of the Scarborough Beckett Cricket League ahead of a chasing pack of Seamer & Irton (247), Mulgrave (246) and Wykeham (236).

On the final day of the season on 31 August, Seamer & Irton could only claim 15pts from their home game with Wykeham in a dramatic tied game. A win would have been an incredible crowning glory for the Division 1 side, newly promoted for 2024.

Dales Council Cricket League

Division A sees Thornbury (307) locked in a three-way battle with Leeds Sikh (297) and Interlink (295). With two rounds to play, Thornbury’s final game of the season at home to Leeds Sikh on 14 September looks set to be the decider.

Bradford Mutual Sunday Cricket League

In Group A, Omars (290) are in first ahead of Bradford Phoenix (274) and Salem Athletic (265). This is a league that goes deep into September with three Saturdays left and a max of 75pts to claim.

Time for a few upsets and teams to swap places. On 21 September, Omars are away at Apperley Bridge, Bradford Phoenix head to Bradford Indians and Salem Athletic are at home to Hallfield.

Pontefract Cricket League

The Premier Division has three weeks to play with Oulton (279), Frickley Colliery (244) and Hemsworth Miners Welfare (214) the top three, at the time of writing.

With 16pts for a maximum-point win, it’s a two-horse race though Frickley Colliery must navigate a tricky away game against Hemsworth Miners Welfare on 7 September.

Quaid e Azam Sunday Cricket League

Earl Marshall are celebrating having won the Premiership convincingly; another team to do so in this list with weeks to go. The Sheffield-based side defeated nearest challengers Azeems by 46 runs on Sunday to end a 20-year wait.

With two weeks left, the 2024 champions close out their season with home games against Kashmir (Bradford) and Attock.

Yorkshire & Derbyshire Cricket League

Division One is the battle of two Sheffields with Centralians (352) enjoying a comfortable lead over Super Kings (318) and 2023 champions Waverley (293) back in third.

Sheffield Super Kings defeated Sheffield Centralians by one wicket at home on 24 August but there are 50pts still there for the taking so Centralians will probably need to snaffle a win at Olive Grove Sports Club on Saturday 14 September against Transport to seal the title.

WOMEN & GIRLS CRICKET

Yorkshire Women & Girls Cricket League

The Premier League sees Sessay Emeralds top (21.08) from Doncaster Town (16.61) and Wrenthorpe (16.56).

The Emeralds have a final game at home against Wrenthorpe on Sunday 8 September to conclude the season and to be officially crowned Premier League Champions. If Wrenthorpe win, I don’t think they can overhaul Sessay (not entirely sure!). The Emeralds have a healthy lead on net run rate and average points.

West Yorkshire Women & Girls Cricket League

Bradford Park Avenue Ladies (135) head Division 1 from Crossflatts (117), St Chad’s Broomfield (116) and North Leeds (109). With 20pts for a victory, nothing is settled yet and BPA Ladies head to Harrogate on Sunday 21 September.

South Yorkshire Women & Girls Cricket League

Division 1 for hardball cricket (there are multiple softball divisions too) saw Tickhill (76) top the table from Aston (64) and Wickersley Old Village (46).

Meanwhile, in the Super Eights hardball competition, Whiston Parish Church topped the eleven-team league from Eckington of Derbyshire. The Yorkshire side claiming top spot, courtesy of a higher net run rate as both finished equal on points.

East Yorkshire Women & Girls Cricket League

In Division 1, Yapham (23pts) have the title in their grasp from Driffield Town (21) with a game to play. There are 3pts for a win and so Yapham’s away game at Goole Town will be watched closely by Driffield Town who are at home to Clifton Park Cobras on the same day (Sunday 15 September).

Thanks for reading….

Apologies if I didn’t get to your league in this round-up, I am recovering from seasonal lurgy and so fuzzy of head. Pleased to say though that this is a comprehensive overview of both mixed and women and girls’ leagues you won’t read anywhere else.

By all means get in touch with any news during September. Equally, I know there are many divisions across many leagues still playing deep into September so best of luck for remaining fixtures!