Woodlands on cup quest
By Andrew Hunt
WOODLANDS play their most important game of the season on Sunday when they entertain big spending Wrenthorpe in the semi-final of the Heavy Woollen Cup (start 1pm).
Woodlands are way back in ninth place in Bradford League Division One, while club officials felt aggrieved after overseas star Safraz Ahmed was prevented from playing in their Priestley Cup quarter-final defeat to East Bierley.
Ahmed’s delayed arrival in the UK meant he did not play in the first two rounds of the cup and despite an appeal from Woodlands secretary Brian Pearson, the league ruled him out of the match.
Mr Pearson said: “We were very disappointed. I pointed out that Saffy has played over 250 games for us in eight seasons and has appeared in five Priestley Cup finals, which is a remarkable achievement, but our appeal was turned down and the 10 overs we lost because he couldn’t bowl proved crucial.”
Woodlands expect be at full strength on Sunday, but they will have to reach top form if they are to topple Heavy Woollen Cup holders Wrenthorpe, who are likely to include former Yorkshire batsman Gary Fellows, all-rounder Dave Paynter, ex-England international Craig White and Tonitto Willet from the Leeward Islands.
“There have been signs that we are turning the corner but this is a big game,” added Mr Pearson, “If we can look after Fellows and Paynter, then maybe we have a chance.”
Woodlands Seconds travel to Hanging Heaton in the Crowther Cup semis on Sunday.
East Bierley will be aiming to close the gap on the top three sides in Bradford League Division One when they host local rivals Gomersal tomorrow.
Bierley slipped to fourth place when they sat out last week’s round of matches but they now have at least one game in hand on most sides and two in hand on some others.
Bierley have a clear run of games from now until the end of the season and they will be looking launch a serious title bid.
Victory will see Bierley move up at least one place as Baildon sit out tomorrow and they will be eager to close the 27-point gap on leaders Bradford and Bingley, although Gomersal have been playing some good cricket lately.
Cleckheaton will be out to record a quickfire Pudsey double and having defeated St Lawrence last Saturday, to move 19 points clear of the relegation zone, John Wood’s men will be aiming for success at home to Congs tomorrow.
Spen Victoria will be aiming to complete a derby double when Hartshead Moor visit in Division Two.
The sides met just a month ago when Spen took the honours with a 48-run success and they know victory tomorrow would see them close the gap on sixth placed Moor.
Scholes face a crucial day as they aim to pull out of the Central Yorkshire League Premier Division relegation zone.
Having recorded an emphatic win over bottom side East Ardsley last week, Craig Wood takes his side to New Farnley, knowing that success there could see them move out of the bottom three for the first time this season.
Liversedge are in the relatively safe position of eighth and they travel to Batley, who are level on 39 points with them.
SELECTED SIDES
BRADFORD LEAGUE (1.30pm)
CLECKHEATON 1stXI v Pudsey Congs, meet 12.30pm from: J Wood (capt), M Nicholson (wkt), N Nicholson, I Wood, I Nicholson, A Khan, T Pringle, R Jowett, M Cummings, I Wardlaw, A Gale, S Howe.
2ndXI at Keighley, meet at Cleckheaton noon from: R Noble, C Dyer (wkt), A Fearnley, S Howe, C Dobson, S Rehman, G Jowett, S Houlbrook, C Blackburn, J Bowman, M Masadiq, N Robinson, C Wilkinson.
CYL (1pm)
LIVERSEDGE 1st XI at Batley, meet at Liversedge 11.30am: S Purdy, J Cox, A Chunara, W STiff, I Dawood, D Broadbent, S Kay, H Patel, James Hardcastle, M Hydes, J Hermitage.
2ndXI v Batley, meet 12.15pm: J Newsome, G Harrison, P Gould, Jamie Hardcastle, Ewan Hardcastle, B Rowlands, B Richardson, B Cross, A Bentley, M Gibson, C Rowlands.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
