NEWS PAGE UPDATED 30/11/08
Todays update
Cricket: Barkisland recruit a new pace attack
THE last piece in the Barkisland team-building jigsaw for 2009 should fall into place in the next few days with confirmation of the capture of a South African fast bowler.
The Scammonden Road club have been forced into changes after taking the Huddersfield League's top flight by storm this summer, winning the Sykes Cup and going closer to winning the title than their fifth-place finish suggests. A planned return for Indian paceman Love Ablish has been dashed by stricter rules on overseas players while his new ball partner Tinashe Panyangara has moved out of the area.
But skipper Paul Winrow has moved quickly to find replacements with the as yet unnamed South African and this season's top Central Yorkshire League all-rounder Alex Scholefield recruited to lead the attack and Mytholmroyd's Tom Earle boosting an already powerful batting line-up. Winrow, whose 1,200 runs this year included a ton in the cup final win over Delph and Dobcross at Honley, said the South African fitted the entry criteria and he was just waiting for the agreed contract to be returned. "He is an opening bowler who bats at bit," said Winrow. "He plays for one of the top six team franchises and has represented South African Under 19s." Winrow believes Barkisland might have done the league and cup double this year had Ablish not missed key games at the end of the season due to a family bereavement. "We would have liked to have kept Love and he was desperate to come back but he no longer fits the criteria," said Winrow. Scholefield, a product of Halifax League club SBCI, has played for Todmorden and been a professional in the Lancashire League. He has played for Mirfield Parish Cavaliers in recent years and was the Central Yorkshire League's top all-rounder this summer, scoring 970 runs and taking 48 wickets in all matches while captaining his side. Winrow said: "We regard Alex as a replacement for Tinashe. He lives in Sowerby Bridge and will fit in well with us. "He is perhaps not as talented as Tinashe but he will do better because he is more experienced and is a better batter." Spinner Matthew Steers, who took getting on for 50 wickets last season, is the other main bowler while Earle supplements a batting line-up which also includes his ex-Royd teammate Simon Wheelwright, David Weston and Darren Robinson. Teenager Earle helped Mytholmroyd win the Halifax League title and Parish Cup in 2007 and scored 568 league runs this season in the Premier Division. Winrow said: "I see him as a top six batter. He netted with us quite a lot last winter and during the season. "We will have a lot of depth in our batting so there won't be any pressure on him." The 32-year-old Winrow, who rejoined Barkisland from Bradford League giants Woodlands three years ago, believes his side can at least match this year's exploits. "I am confident we are capable of knocking on the door and winning trophies again," he said.
Source. Halifax Courier 29/11/08
Junior Cricket
Coaching
At Hipperholme & Lightcliffe
High School & Sports College
SEE JUNIOR PAGE 4 DETAILS
Cricket coaching at North Bridge Leisure for 50p a session.
Starting (Thursday 6th Nov) at North Bridge Leisure Centre,
There is a chance for secondary school pupils (ages 11- 16 year old). to have some cricket coaching sessions, coached by a level 2 ECB coach, for only 50p!
There is a 10 week course which started Thursday 6th Nov at 4.00 - 5.30pm.
You can pay on the day or book at North Bridge for the 10 weeks for £5.
Please pass this infomation onto pupils or jounier players at your cricket club, this is a chance to have extra coaching through the winter time and carry in to the summer time.
Contact North Bridge on 01422 341527.
contact Matthew Brooks on 07796 664517 or email matthew.brooks@calderdale.gov.uk
contact Jamie Sykes on 07904865983 or email jamie_sykes_48@hotmail.com
Jamie Sykes J. S. Sports.
Paul Winrow lit up the evening gloom at Honley last night with the biggest smile in West Yorkshire.
And how the Barkisland skipper deserved to enjoy his moment of triumph, because he had just led his side to a historic Sykes Cup triumph on what was arguably the greatest day in the club's history.
Not only that, but Winrow had smashed a superb century which was the cornerstone of the victory over a game Delph & Dobcross side and which had earned him the man of the match award.
But as he acknowledged the roars from the hordes of Barkisland supporters after lifting the famous old trophy, Winrow insisted it was not so much a personal triumph but a triumph for the club as a whole.
"The feeling is absolutely out of this world," he said.
"It has been a win earned by all 11 players and we have batted, fielded and bowled superbly, but we have done it thanks to teamwork.
"It is a great day for everyone at the club and the supporters who gave us such great backing.
"We have beaten what are probably the three best cup sides in the competition in Honley, Elland and Delph so we have done it the hard way and I'm very proud of all the players."
And Winrow revealed that the return of overseas man Love Ablish just hours before the final had provided an important psychological boost which proved to be a telling factor.
The Indian had returned to his homeland a fortnight ago due to a family bereavement and after his efforts to return in time looked to have failed, Winrow had resigned himself to losing the hugely influential all rounder.
But a text message from Ablish to his skipper from the airport late on Saturday confirmed he had made it back in the nick of time.
"It was such a big boost to have Love back and to know that we had a full strength side really geed us up going into the final," said Winrow.
And though Ablish continued his golden season with a miserly spell of 12 overs which cost just 31 runs, it was irrepressible spin ace Matthew Steers who took the honours with the ball to almost match Winrow's efforts with the bat.
Steers plundered six wickets to strangle the life out of the Delph run chase, and after each one his unbridled joy was obvious as he wheeled away to acknowledge the cheers of the travelling fans.
When he shattered Tom Wood's stumps to complete the victory, he was submerged by his colleagues, and the champagne celebrations that would last long into the night could begin.
But they would not have been possible without the supreme efforts not only of Steers, but of every one of the side who pulled off that amazing semi final triumph over Elland and then completed the job by seeing off Delph at Honley.
And that was no easy task against opponents bristling with quality.
But good as they were, Delph simply could not live with Winrow, who cut, drove and carved his way to a wonderful ton, finding gaps in the field with consummate ease.
Dave Weston provided solid support with 39, and though the lower order fell away somewhat, the final total of 229 was still an imposing one.
Delph were determined in their reply, but Barkisland chipped away at their batting order, leaving opener Bruce Cruise marooned as the run rate gradually rose.
And when Cruise was superbly run out, the last real Delph hopes went with him, and a few minutes later, Steers wrapped it up and the day of joy for the Scammonden Road side was complete.
There were some who suspected Barkisland's name was on the trophy after that win over Elland.
Well, it's certainly emblazoned there now.
SCOREBOARD
Romida Sykes Cup Final (at Honley)
Barkisland v Delph & Dobcross
Barkisland won by 27 runs.
Report courtesy of Tony Dawber Halifax Courier.
Please see Cup Photo's Tab at top of page for all the days activities.Copies of these photo's can be obtain from the club Webmaster.
Dont forget our junior section
WELL DONE TO OUR UNDER 15'S ON WEDNESDAY.13TH AUGUST THEY ARE CHAMPIONS AGAIN FOR THE 2nd YEAR
Pictures on junior page.
The Under 9's win Silver ware. see report and pictures on junior section.