League cricketers face Yorkshire in T20 clash

The match will be played at Pudsey Congs on Thursday May 26 and will be Yorkshire’s final warm up match before they start their NatWest Blast campaign.

The match will also form part of Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale’s benefit year as he began his senior cricketing career in the Bradford League, with home town club Cleckheaton.

The 2015 encounter attracted around 1,000 spectators, who were treated to a batting master class from England’s Jonny Bairstow.

Bairstow produced a stunning innings of 141 not out off just 59 balls as he hammered 14 sixes and nine fours, with one of his sixes being measured at 123 metres.

Yorkshire Vikings eventually won by 46 runs as they posted 236-5, while the Bradford League replied with a creditable 190-8, led by Suleman Khan (47), Pudsey St Lawrence’s James Smith (36) and Hanging Heaton captain Gary Fellows (36).

Bradford League chairman David Young said: “We are delighted to be asked to play Yorkshire Vikings again.

“Last year’s match was enjoyed by all those who saw it and we hope the 2016 version will be every bit as good.

“We will be looking to get the match sponsored and we will be striving to keep admission prices at a level that will encourage a family audience.

“Many youngsters watched last year’s game and were thrilled to see the Yorkshire stars close up.

“It is tremendous that Yorkshire have developed such a strong relationship with grass roots cricket.”

There is added incentive for clubs competing in the inaugural Bradford Premier League this season with the champions having chance to qualify to play a floodlight game in Abu Dhabi and become the top club side in Yorkshire.

ECB Chairman Colin Graves and Yorkshire head coach Jason Gillespie were the star guests at the Yorkshire Premier League launch dinner in York, where they made the draw for the semi-finals for the end-of-season play offs.

The Bradford Premier League champions will play the North Yorkshire/ South Durham League’s top Yorkshire team at Headingley on September 17.

Yorkshire League North will play Yorkshire League South — which includes former Central Yorkshire League side Wakefield Thornes — in the other semi-final to be held at Scarborough.

The winners of the two semi-finals will qualify for the day/night final which is to be held in Abu Dhabi on October 27.

n Thornhill C&BC are hosting two bowls competitions to be held at the club.

A ladies competition will be held on Saturday March 19, from 10am, with an entry fee of £5 and prize money of £200 paid out to the last eight bowlers.

A gents competition will be held on Sunday March 27, from 10am, with an entry fee £10 and £400 prize money to be paid out to last eight bowlers

Anyone wanting to enter either competition should contact Andy on 01924 498695.