- Andrew’s ground-hopping: 11 cricket grounds in Yorkshire - September 9, 2024
- Clayton close on Halifax League Premier Division - September 4, 2024
- 125 Not Out – Wath Cricket Club claim crucial relegation win - August 29, 2024
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 fourth consecutive (excluding 2020, the ‘COVID season’) Premier Division title.
Photo by Ray Spencer – @rayspencer182
After 12 rounds, the Oakenshaw team are 33 points clear of Townville, second, and a further 10 ahead of New Farnley, third, although the latter have in hand a fixture away to Methley, sixth, on July 9.
Woodlands host New Farnley, on July 22, at Albert Terrace then travel to Townsville’s Poplar Avenue on August 26.
In another big game, New Farnley have a July 16 semi-final at Woodlands as they aim to become only the second club – after East Bierley’s 1998, 1999, 2000 treble – to lift the Priestley Cup in three consecutive seasons.
In the ECB National Club Championship, Woodlands have reached the last 16. Their next opponents, on July 9, at Albert Terrace, are Richmondshire, of the North Yorkshire & South Durham Premier Cricket League’s Premier Division.
Despite their progress in the blue riband cup competition, Richmondshire, by their high standards, aren’t having the greatest of seasons. They lie sixth in their league.
Chasing success this year in six competitions, Woodlands are through also to the Heavy Woollen Cup final, at Methley Cricket Club on August 20. Opposition to be confirmed. Woodlands trounced Beckwithshaw, of the Airedale & Wharfedale Senior Cricket League, by 237 runs, in their July 2 last-four tie at Albert Terrace.
Reading up from the bottom of the Bradford Premier Cricket League’s Premier Division, Hanging Heaton (77 points) and Pudsey Congs (87) occupy the relegation positions. Bankfoot, 10th, on 106 points, and possibly Ossett (115), are also in peril.
Key fixtures: July 8, Ossett versus Pudsey Congs; July 22, Bankfoot versus Pudsey Congs; July 29, Ossett versus Bankfoot; August 5, Hanging Heaton versus Pudsey Congs; August 12, Ossett versus Hanging Heaton; August 26, Bankfoot versus Hanging Heaton.
After 11 rounds, the promotion race in Division One offers several possibilities.
Cleckheaton, looking to book a return ticket to a top-flight they left as recently as 2022, set the pace, with 183 points. Hard on their heels are Undercliffe (174), Morley (155), Batley (149), who were relegated alongside Cleckheaton last season, and Yeadon (145).
In an important July 1 showdown at Mount Pleasant, Undercliffe beat Batley by 56 runs.
Games to look for include Batley versus Cleckheaton (July 15), Yeadon versus Undercliffe (July 29), Undercliffe versus Morley (August 5), Yeadon versus Cleckheaton (August 12), Cleckheaton versus Morley (August 19), Undercliffe versus Cleckheaton (August 26), Batley versus Morley (September 3) and Cleckheaton versus Yeadon (September 9).
With Saltburn and Middlesbrough slugging it out at the top of the Premier Division, it’s looking good for a White Rose champion in the North Yorkshire & South Durham Premier Cricket League.
Saltburn, who have a game in hand on their nearest rival, set the pace with 244 points from 12 games. Middlesbrough are 27 points in arrears, with Hartlepool (202) third.
On August 28, a Bank Holiday, Middlesbrough visit Saltburn, eyeing a first title since 2005, for what is likely to be a crunch game. Interestingly, Middlesbrough won, by five wickets, a Kerridge Cup quarter-final at Saltburn on June 25. Hartlepool versus Saltburn is on July 22.
Unfortunately, from a Yorkshire point of view, Great Ayton (73) and Thornaby (99), the bottom two, look destined for the drop. Great Ayton entertain Thornaby on August 12.
Each has work to do to get on terms with fellow stragglers Bishop Auckland (129), Darlington Railway Athletic (137) and Darlington (148).
Marton are Yorkshire’s only realistic hope of winning promotion from Division One. The men from south Middlesbrough are second, with 189 points and a game in hand on leaders Norton (207), third-placed Sedgefield (187) and Billingham Synthonia (173), fourth.
On July 15, Marton visit Norton and are at Sedgefield on August 12.
It is tight at the top of the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League’s Premier Division.
Twelve games in, Tickhill (98 points, photo above) have a slender lead over Doncaster Town (96) and Sheffield Collegiate (94), with defending champions Appleby Frodingham (80), Wakefield Thornes (76) and Barnsley Woolley Miners (74) in the chasing pack.
Tickhill were 2022 runners-up, 18 points adrift of Scunthorpe-based App-Frod.
Important fixtures include Wakefield Thornes versus Doncaster Town (July 8), Doncaster Town versus App-Frod (July 15), Doncaster Town versus Sheffield Collegiate and Tickhill versus App-Frod (both July 29), Sheffield Collegiate versus Tickhill (August 12), Sheffield Collegiate versus App-Frod (August 28) and Tickhill versus Doncaster Town (September 2).
Hallam (42) and Aston Hall (44), the two clubs promoted in 2022, occupy the relegation places, although Whitley Hall (54) and Elsecar (60) are within striking range.
Upcoming games include Aston Hall versus Elsecar (July 8), Hallam versus Whitley Hall (July 15), Elsecar versus Whitley Hall (July 29), Hallam versus Elsecar (August 12) and Hallam versus Aston Hall (August 28).
The battle at the top of the Championship division is similarly intense, after 12 games, with Cawthorne (110 points), relegated last season from the top-flight, setting the pace from Doncaster Town Seconds (108), who cannot be promoted, Wickersley Old Village (102) and Houghton Main (102).
On July 15, Houghton Main entertain Wickersley Old Village, who host Doncaster Town Seconds on August 5.
Cawthorne host Shiregreen, on July 9, in a semi-final of the league’s Whitworth Cup. Wickersley Old Village are at Cawthorne on August 19.
York have found a little daylight at the summit of the Premier Division, 12 games into the Yorkshire Premier Cricket League North season.
The Clifton Parkers (100 points) are clear of challengers Castleford (86), the 2021 champions, Driffield Town (80), Woodhouse Grange (80) and neighbours Clifton Alliance (76).
Last season, Driffield Town pipped York to the championship, by 12 points. The teams meet, at Driffield, on August 26. The Castleford-York fixture is on August 5.
2022 second tier runners-up Malton & Old Malton, on 18 points and showing just one win, prop up the standings and look destined to make a quick return to the Championship. Sessay (44), Beverley Town (46) and Scarborough (46) aim to avoid joining them.
Key fixtures in that four-strong ‘mini-league’ are Malton & Old Malton (above) versus Beverley Town (August 5), Sessay versus Malton & Old Malton (August 19), Beverley Town versus Scarborough (August 26), Scarborough versus Malton & Old Malton (August 28) and Sessay versus Scarborough (September 2).
Woodhouse Grange Seconds (110 points), who cannot be promoted, head Championship East, from Welton (82), Folkton & Flixton (79), Hull Zingari (78) and Bridlington (74).
Welton versus Folkton & Flixton is on July 8 while Hull Zingari host Bridlington (July 15) and Welton (July 29) in the space of a fortnight.
In Championship West, Easingwold (86 points) are ahead of Whitkirk (84), York Seconds (74), Knaresborough (68), Studley Royal (67) and Acomb (63).
Easingwold host Whitkirk on August 12.
Dealing with Yorkshire’s other main leagues, in alphabetical order.
Unbeaten Collingham & Linton hold the whip hand in Division One of the Airedale & Wharfedale Senior Cricket League.
After 11 games, Collingham & Linton have a 46-point advantage over Otley, 2022 runners-up, with North Leeds (146), Waddilove Cup semi-finalists Pool (137) and Saltaire (133) further adrift.
On August 12, Collingham & Linton entertain Otley.
Photo: David Major
Addingham (97 points, photo above), Burley-in-Wharfedale (107), Tong Park Esholt (110), Bilton (117), New Rover (120) and Horsforth Hall Park (120) are battling to avoid the bottom two.
Addingham go to Burley-in-Wharfedale on July 29.
Undefeated Riddlesden lead the Craven Cricket League’s First Division. They have 112 points from six games – one fewer than their title rivals.
The chasing pack contains Haworth (112 points, photo above) and Cowling (110). The latter were mid-table finishers last season. Hepworth & Idle (95) and Gargrave (94) could be too far back.
Riddlesden host Haworth on July 8 while Cowling visit Haworth on August 5. Riddlesden go to Haworth on August 26. Cowling are at Riddlesden on September 9.
Reigning champions Thornbury are again the team to beat in Division A of the Dales Cricket Council.
With 11 rounds completed, the east Bradfordians have a 14-point cushion over Dewsbury-based Savile Stars (171), with Leeds Sikh (165) and Woodhouse (153) further back.
Thornbury receive Leeds Sikh on August 12 then Savile Stars on August 26. Savile Stars versus Leeds Sikh is on July 29.
As they finished 2022, Illingworth St Mary’s (112 points) and Bradshaw (88, photo above) are second and third respectively in the Halifax Cricket League Premier Division.
Thornton (121), rather than defending champions Copley, stand above them this year. Booth (86) and Copley (84) probably have too much to do.
On July 1, Thornton beat Bradshaw, by three wickets, at Hill Top.
In the league, on July 8, Illingworth St Mary’s are visited by Thornton, who travel to Bradshaw on September 16, the season’s final day.
Through to the July 16 semi-finals of the league’s Parish Cup are Thornton, Illingworth St Mary’s and Bradshaw. Thornton host Bradshaw and Illingworth entertain either Queensbury or Cullingworth.
At the bottom of the table, Blackley (35), Mytholmroyd (47), 2022 Division One runners-up Oxenhope (55), Sowerby Bridge (59) and Luddendenfoot (63) are sweating on demotion to the second tier.
In a crunch game at The Flatt, on July 1, Oxenhope beat Blackley by 159 runs.
Photo: David Major
Moorlands (59 points) and Skelmanthorpe (56, photo above) look favourites to land the Premiership title in the Huddersfield Cricket League, working hard to secure ECB Premier League status.
In what has the look of a crucial fixture, on July 29, at Mirfield, Moorlands and ‘Shat’ go head-to-head.
Barkisland (44), Broad Oak (44), defending champions Hoylandswaine (42) and Kirkburton (42) are looking to push the top two all the way.
Moorlands, Skelmanthorpe and Broad Oak have reached the July 9 semi-finals of the league’s Sykes Cup. Skelmanthorpe receive Moorlands while Broad Oak travel to Armitage Bridge.
Thongsbridge (16) and Mirfield Parish Cavaliers (18), winners in 2022 of the second tier Championship, are adrift in the bottom two places. Immediately above them are Honley (28), Almondbury Wesleyan (32) and Scholes (33).
Mirfield Parish Cavaliers versus Thongsbridge is on September 2.
The Langbaurgh Cricket League Division One title race is nip and tuck.
Danby (30 points) are fractionally ahead of East Harlsey (28, photo above), Thornaby-based Stafford Place (28) and Hutton Rudby (24), with defending champions Kirby Sigston (22) and Loftus (22) also in the reckoning.
East Harlsey, third-bottom last season, will be eyeing silverware to crown a campaign in which they officially opened an impressively refurbished clubhouse.
Hutton Rudby have a game in hand, against a Castleton team in the bottom two.
East Harlsey entertain Stafford Place on July 8. Stafford Place versus Danby is on July 22, with East Harlsey at Danby on August 19.
Ouseburn, 18 points ahead after 11 rounds, are the team to catch in Division One of the Nidderdale & District Amateur Cricket League.
Their nearest challengers are Goldsborough (160, photo above), 2022 title recipients Killinghall (153) and West Tanfield (146).
Goldsborough versus Killinghall is on July 15, Ouseburn versus Killinghall on July 29 and Ouseburn versus Goldsborough on August 5.
In a July 16 semi-final of the league’s Atkinson-Swires Knockout Cup, Ouseburn will have home advantage when they play Arthington.
You could throw a blanket (or a pitch cover, maybe) over the championship challengers in the Premier Division of the Pontefract & District Cricket League.
Garforth Parish Church and Streethouse (both 119 points) have their noses in front of defending champions Askern Welfare (114), West Bretton (114), Hemsworth Miners Welfare (112) and Oulton (111). West Bretton have a game in hand, against Kippax, seventh.
On July 1, Garforth Parish Church replaced West Bretton at the summit after recording a six wicket away win over the leaders.
Standout remaining fixtures include Garforth Parish Church versus Askern Welfare (July 8), Streethouse versus Hemsworth Miners Welfare (July 15), Streethouse versus West Bretton (July 29), West Bretton versus Oulton (August 5), Askern Welfare versus West Bretton (August 12), Streethouse versus Garforth Parish Church (August 26), Askern Welfare versus Streethouse (September 9) and Oulton versus Askern Welfare (September 16).
I imagine Streethouse, to join the Bradford Premier Cricket League in 2024, would love to bid farewell in style to the Ponte comp. They finished runners-up last season.
In the Scarborough Beckett Cricket League Premier Division, Lythe-based Mulgrave have every chance of retaining the crown they carried off last season.
Second-placed Mulgrave (188 points) are breathing right down the neck of leaders Ebberston (191), whom they host on August 19. Cayton (185) and Staxton (167) are also in the running.
Other important matches include Staxton versus Mulgrave (July 22), Staxton versus Cayton (July 29), Staxton versus Ebberston (August 5) and Cayton versus Mulgrave (August 26)
Totley Bent-based Waverley are setting a scorching pace in Division One of the Yorkshire & Derbyshire Cricket League.
After 10 games, Waverley (193 points) are a very useful 45 points clear of Sheffield Centralians (148), with Sheffield Transport (145) and Sheffield Medics (142) also in the frame.
It is turning into a season to remember for Waverley, who in 2022 were promoted from Division Two as runners-up. They pride themselves on playing an entertaining brand of cricket. Clearly, winning has become a habit!
Sheffield Centralians visit Waverley on July 15.
The York Vale Cricket League Division One championship race appears to be a three-horse affair.
Stockton & Hopgrove (156 points from six games), Melbourne (155 from six) and Clifton Alliance Thirds (150 from five) are jostling for supremacy.
Melbourne travel to Stockton & Hopgrove on July 8 then entertain Clifton Alliance Thirds on August 5. Stockton & Hopgrove are at Clifton Alliance Thirds on August 13 then at Melbourne on September 9.
Want more club cricket?
Thanks to Andrew for that very comprehensive round-up of men’s league cricket in Yorkshire – if you want to read more of his club visits, his Cricket Yorkshire column is called Miles Per Gallon.
Informative as usual Andrew