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 two teams, have seen their amazing growth come to fruition.

They now field sides at every junior age group, a Girls U15s side, a women’s team and four adult sides spread across first and second-team cricket on Saturdays, and first and second-team cricket on Sundays.

This particular game however, was somewhat of a rare occurrence – unlikely to happen again and one that the club recognises as the first in their history.

Club record: Families in the same XI

Taking the field on the day, three families dominated the Low Moor teamsheet. For the first time, father Jason Gelder was able to take the team with both his boys, Riley (15) and Taylor (13), Club Secretary and Head Coach, Martin Jenkins, also for the first time, was able to play in the same team as his two cricketing children, Ryan (15) and Maddie (12).

To top off the family affair, playing in his first-ever season, father Phil Talbot was inspired to play having seen his son enjoy the game through the junior programme.

He was able to take the field with Noah (13) in what has become an iconic day for the club. At the same time, in the club’s other Sunday team, father Nick Thompson took the field with two of his boys, Alistair (15) and Ben (13).

Team Captain, Rob Zabrocky said: “My aim at this level of cricket is to create memories that our players and their families can cherish forever. I want to give them something they can recall fondly 30 years from now.”

“Availability doesn’t always provide these opportunities, but when it does, our club’s ethos is to provide positive moments for our families. We’re pleased it was against a club like Bradshaw, who have a very similar approach to us.”

The game itself saw most of the Low Moor youngsters get the chance to spend time at the crease with their fathers or their siblings; a moment which didn’t go unnoticed by the Bradshaw crowd as the home spectators even cheered on the away team when the juniors scored runs.

The result became quite insignificant on the day, it was clear that the feeling and the emotion on the day was the overriding success.

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Thanks to Martin for sharing this and what a fantastic occasion for the club. Families are the bedrock of club cricket and I imagine there are quite a few parents and family members who have played the game alongside sons and daughters.

Maybe not quite this many in a team though!

If you have good news, controversy, landmarks or something unusual that happened this week in club cricket, let us know! We might share it on social media, write about it or ask for your perspective, as Martin did.

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