pre_season_newsletter_2013

Welcome to the 2013 season!! 

A New Look to the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier 

League 

In a bid to remain Yorkshires Premier County Cricket League, Clubs have introduced some big 

changes for the 2013 season. 

In the League, a bowler will not be allowed to bowl more than 17 overs in a 55 over innings (which will 

be pro-rated if a side has to ball more or less overs in the innings). Teams also must bowl their 55 

overs at a rate of 16 overs an hour, or face conceding 5 penalty runs per over not bowled by the cut 

off time. 

There is also the introduction of leg side deliveries now been called a wide, and a fielding circle of 30 

yards will exist, in which teams must have four fielders plus bowler and wicket keeper in that circle at 

all times in the innings. 

In the League Cup, we see a complete revamp with all matches starting at 1pm, and consisting of 45 

overs per side. The players will sport coloured clothing, and play matches with pink cricket balls. 

No balls will now be penalised with 2 runs, and front foot no balls will result in the next delivery been a 

‘free hit’. Each Innings will consist of 3 power plays (in the first 9 overs, then 5 overs each from the 

batting side and the bowling side). As with League matches, clubs will be expected to bowl their overs 

at 16 overs per hour or face penalty runs if fail, and rain interrupted matches will be decided by 

‘Duckworth/Lewis’ method, the first time a local league in Yorkshire has used this method to settle 

matches. The first round gets underway on Sunday 19 May, Driffield Town begin their defence of the 

trophy with a home tie against Sheffield Collegiate, but the tie of the round is a repeat of last seasons 

controversial semi final between Scarborough and Barnsley, again to be played at North Marine 

Road. 

The Leagues T20 competition will be run in the same format, with four groups competing on Sunday 9 

June at Hull. Harrogate, Doncaster and Cleethorpes. The 4 group winners go on to the final day at 

Scarborough CC on Sunday 21 July, with the overall winner of the Competition representing the 

League in the National stages, held this year at York CC in August. 

A Message from our President 

David Byas 

The honour of being your President for a second year has not diminished in anyway and I thank you 

all for this wonderful opportunity. 

My thanks go out to all the League and club officials that have given me and this great League 

tremendous support through the last year 

Much work has been carried out through the winter, new rules and regulations have been made and 

there is a real emphasis on involving more players having opportunities through the season, I wish 

www.yorkshire-league.com

you all good luck. 

Finally I sincerely hope this season leaves us all with warm memories of wonderful weather, lots of 

entertainment and some hard fought cricket. 

Thanks to our sponsor Solly Adam 

Solly Sports proprietor Solly Adam is a well-known figure in West Yorkshire cricket. After a successful 

42 year playing career he launched Solly Sports, creating his own line of cricketing clothing, bats and 

Products available in his Dewsbury store. 

Since his retirement from playing he has become a major supporter of and supplier to local cricket, 

supporting leagues, teams and even rising stars in the local game. 

Regarding the sponsorship deal, Solly says “I am delighted to support the 

Yorkshire County Premier League, the local game means a lot to me and it is important to ensure 

Yorkshire’s cricket players are supported at every level, both now and in the future.” 

Solly has a variety of T20 cricket equipment available for sale to all players and clubs, so why not call 

him for a chat today. He would welcome all enquiries and discuss your personal cricketing equipment 

for all your League and cup needs on 0788 5628280 This will be Solly’s third year as sponsor of the 

Yorkshire ECB County Premier League so please support him as much as you can. 

News from the Umpires 

The nucleus of the 2013 umpires list will be as last season, but there will be a number of fresh faces 

appearing during the season. We have lost Donovan Koch, who has emigrated, whilst Martin Sayles 

will only be available for Sunday and Bank Holiday games this season due to work commitments. For 

health-related reasons, David Barnes will no longer be available on a full time basis, and long-serving 

umpire Trevor Cottam is no longer able to commit to standing on a regular basis. Steve Malone, a 

very experienced umpire who has served on the first class reserve list, has joined the league after 

coming to live in Yorkshire, and Ian Broumpton has joined us from the York Senior League on a parttime 

basis. In addition, former Yorkshire League player Jason Pitcher from the Central Yorkshire 

League, Barry Oliver from the Bradford League, and Stuart Trentham and Shaun Beer from the South 

Yorkshire League, will stand with us on Sundays and Bank Holidays. On Saturdays, we are probably 

one full-time umpire short of an ideal quota, and whilst David Barnes and Roger Pugh will act as our 

regular reserves, they will be supplemented as necessary by officials from the South Yorkshire 

League, by kind agreement of that league. From the new faces that will be appearing with us this 

season, we are hoping to recruit at least a couple of new full time umpires for 2014. The umpires' 

officers remain as last season, with Stuart Roberts continuing his long spell as Chairman, and Roger 

Pugh continuing to serve as Umpires' Secretary. 


Appleby Froddingham CC 

This season Duncan Heath replaces Matt Morland as the first team skipper. After several seasons in 

the post, Matt felt it was time for a change especially as he is getting married in April. Duncan will 

bring a positive approach to the job and continue to utilise the young local talent he has at his 

disposal. New players include wicket keeper Tom Brookes, who represents Lincolnshire under 19,s 

and is highly rated. This will enable young Alex Grimes, who at the age of only 12 made such a great 

start to his Yorkshire league career, to play in the seconds and develop his batting skills. 

Quick bowler Carl Taylor returns to the club but his appearances will be limited due to work and family 

commitments. We must be doing something right because no players have left the club. 

The club has managed to recruit all-rounder Justin Dill (19) from South Africa as our overseas player. 

Justin is highly regarded in South Africa and is a member of their Under 19 squad. This will be Justin's 

first trip abroad and he is thoroughly looking forward to his stay in the UK. 

Off the field of play our toilets and shower areas have been completed refurbished and visitors I think 

will be pleased with the results. A new artificial wicket is to be laid before the start of the season along 

with a new 2 bay practise wicket area. It is also hoped that our scoreboard will be completely 

modernised, with a new electronic scoreboard ready for the new season. 

All in all the club has been very busy over the winter period and is looking forward to the 2013 season 

with the hope that our promising young local players will start to fulfil their potential and prove App- 

Frod a competitive team for the months ahead. 

Barnsley CC 

It’s definitely all change for Barnsley Cricket club this season after a winter of many coming and 

goings at Shaw Lane. They’ve lost last season’s captain Richard Wilkinson, who has moved onto 

Hoylandswaine in the Huddersfield League, whilst opening batsmen Simon Widdup, after 7 seasons 

and 7842 runs for the Griffins, has returned back to his home club Doncaster Town to see out the end 

of his career. Oliver Hannon-Dalby has started a new County career after signing for Warwickshire 

County Cricket Club, Graeme Whiles has signed for his home club (that had rejected him last season) 

and, with also losing West Indian Ryan Hercules, the Shaw Laners will have a different look to their 

line ups in 2013. 

Steve Nuttall takes over the reins and in his first season as captain, he has swooped to strengthen 

his squad and has signed Somerset 2nd XI all-rounder Harry Rouse while the Shaw Laners are also 

on the verge of completing the signing of Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Adeel. 

Adeel, 18, plays for Lahore in his home country and is currently applying for his visa. He is expected 

to land in Barnsley shortly after the start of the season. 


Nuttall said: “Adeel is a young lad, just 18, but we’ve heard great things about him. He plays for the 

same team in Pakistan as Driffield’s overseas player who was the Yorkshire League’s leading scorer 

last season. Adeel’s brother has played for Pudsey Congs (in the Bradford League) for the last couple 

of seasons and we’ve heard he’s pretty sharp. He’ll be opening the bowling for us, probably along 

with Harry Rouse. 

We met up with Harry at Headingley and he’s been very impressed with the club and he’s excited to 

get going. He’s an all-rounder who can bat in the top four and he’ll be one of our main bowling threats. 

“We are promoting Ali Jahangir from the second team and then we’ve also got Callum Bethel, so our 

spinning options are looking good too.” 

Nuttall, who will be assisted by his father, Gary, as first team coach, knows it won’t be an easy season 

but he’s confident the Shaw Laners can pull off a few shocks. 

“We’ve obviously lost some key players and we know it will be difficult. “But we’ve set a five-year plan 

during which we want to develop players and then hopefully we can challenge with the likes of York 

again. 

“This is a long-term project but we’re excited and confident of a good season. It’ll be interesting 

working alongside my dad. We had Steve Oldham last season but he and the club have parted 

company so my dad has stepped in to the first team coach role. 

“A lot of people have left the club in the last few months but the likes of my dad, Mark Beardshall, 

David Clayton and members of the committee have all stepped up when the club needed them the 

most.” 

Nuttall has arranged a pre-season friendly before their first league game on April 20, away at Driffield. 

He said: “It’s very surreal seeing snow this week knowing that our first game is less than a month 

away so we’ll have to see what happens with the weather. 

“We’re stepping up our fitness work in the next week or so as we aim to get ready for the season and 

also build up our team spirit.” 

Off the field, one regular face missing at Shaw Lane will be former player and long term member 

Trelford Mills, who has retired, but the committee have moved forward by arranging various fund 

raising evenings at the club. A Prostar decision to stop manufacturing cricketing whites means that 

the new shirts will go back to old suppliers Stuart Surridge. The committee have decided not to have 

the squad numbers on the backs of shirts, instead having each individual’s numbers under the badge, 

which will be the red Griffin, along with the logo of official club sponsors CK Beckett. Players will also 

receive a polo shirt and training shirt and shorts and will wear Barnsley CC kit ALL day on match 

days. 

Castleford CC 

The Castleford club are pleased to announce that Dominic Sharp will, once again, be leading from the 

front in the coming season. Dominic did a tremendous job last season with a very young team, and he 

must be doing something right as he has retained all the squad from 2012. In addition, Cas continues 

to look in the local leagues for promising players, and have secured the services of Darren and 

Connor Hyde from Pledwick (father and son). Nathan Smith has joined from Fairburn, and also Ben 

Shelton, a promising wicket keeper, has joined from Drax. Off the field, the Club have just secured a 


£10k grant to improve facilities at Savile Park. New sightscreens, covers and an electronic scoreboard 

fascia will all hopefully be in place for the start of the season. 

Cleethorpes CC 

Cleethorpes' 2013 preparations were dealt a double blow with the departure of two of their most 

influential players over the close season. Destructive Batsman Charlie Tomlinson has decided to take 

a rest owing to work commitments while Off-spinner Harry Clewett has surprisingly opted to play 

in the Lincolnshire ECB Premier Division with local rivals Grimsby Town. The side will be lead this 

season by all-rounder Alex Osmond who will seek to bring out the best in some emerging youngsters. 

Andy Ellis has taken on the role of 1st X1 Coach and will oversee the side while continuing his role as 

veteran seamer. The acquisition of young wicketkeeper Tom Keast from Market Rasen could be an 

inspired one with the youngster already forging an excellent reputation and is currently involved in the 

Worcestershire setup. 

Cleethorpes will look once again to established opening pair Bill Kirby and Rory Osmond to get off to 

a solid start while the club has once again signed overseas Graham Hume from South Africa after 

another good season in their domestic first class league's with Johannesburg side Geutang. Hume 

showed plenty of pace last season taking some 37 league wickets and also averaging nearly 34 with 

the bat. They complete their preparation for the 2013 season with a trip to Hull next Saturday before 

starting their campaign with a home encounter with Sheffield United on Saturday April 20th. 

Doncaster Town CC 

Doncaster Town will be retaining Alex Gosney again as their captain for the 2013 season, and have 

signed a host of new players to strengthen their ranks at Town Fields this season. These new players 

include 

* Oliver Jackson (SLA/LHB) - Doncaster born Oliver has made the short trip down the M18 from 

Rotherham. His slow left-arm orthodox spin bowling will add a further dimension to the Doncaster 

attack as they hope to use his consistent approach to bowling to strengthen their team. Oliver's 

energy and enthusiastic personality is sure to keep the changing room a very lively place over the fore 

coming season. 

* Stuart Guy (RHB) - Along with Oliver, Stuart has also made the move from Rotherham during the 

winter months. Doncaster will hope to use Stuart's vast experience in the Yorkshire league to 

strengthen their top order. Having spent the last five seasons with Rotherham, Doncaster hope the 

new challenge set to him will set his form alight over the 2013 season. 

* Simon Widdup (RHB/OB) - Doncaster born Simon was part of the successful team of the 90s which 

saw Doncaster win the National Cup in '98 and Yorkshire league and Yorkshire League Cup double in 

'99. Simon made eleven first-class appearances for his county, Yorkshire, in 2000 and 2001 and was 

part of their County Championship side. After leaving the club in 2006 to join fellow South Yorkshire 


side Barnsley, Simon scored 5816 league runs at an average of 41.84 with fifty 50's and six 100's. 

Simon has re-joined the club during the winter and will take up the player/coach role for the 1st XI and 

will hope to pass his vast experience and knowledge onto the rest of the team. 

With these three players joining the club over the winter months, Doncaster hopes that their 

experience and talent will bolster the batting and bowling of the squad. Doncaster will therefore be 

looking to improve on their 11th place finish of last season and move into the top half of the table. It is 

sure to be an exciting season for all that follows the South Yorkshire club. 

Driffield Town CC 

Driffield look to further improve on last season which saw the club gain its first piece of silverware, 

The Yorkshire League Knock Out Cup, since its inception way back in the mid 90's. Dave Brent will 

again skipper the side. He has lost the services of record breaker Aamer Sajjad who leaves the club 

to join Barnard Castle in the North Yorkshire & South Durham League. The club would like to thank 

him and wish him well at his new club. In terms of an overseas player the club will welcome Abid Ali 

who also resides in Pakistan. He comes with a high pedigree, in which he has averaged over 40 in 

this year’s first class competition back home. The club would also like to welcome back Jamie 

Hopper. Due to university commitments he has been playing in the York Senior Premier League for 

Sheriff Hutton Bridge where he was very successful. We hope he can make the step up and perform 

for the first eleven this year. George Drury will look to improve on a fantastic first season in the 

Yorkshire league while three of Driffields’ players have returned from a winter in Australia looking a lot 

stronger for the experience. Away from the pitch a new Pavillion has been erected on the back pitch 

with further improvements planned for the main Pavillion and net facilities. It's exciting times for the 

club both on and off the field, and we hope it will be another successful season. 

Harrogate CC 

Harrogate CC is quite determined to make sure the 2012 campaign was not a one off by being busy 

in the transfer market. They welcome George Ross, who joins the club from the Yorkshire Academy, 

and Andrew Laws who joins from Middlesex CCC. George and Andrew are both top order batsman 

but, most importantly, they both bowl spin which was lacking during 2012. This year’s overseas will be 

Calum How (nephew of Ex-York fast bowler Gregg How). Graeme While also joins from Barnsley to 

add to the completion of the new ball along with Vic Craven, Ben Biker, Sam Dave's and Ollie Driver. 

The club also retain the services of stalwarts of Bradshaw, Hawkswell and Twigg. 

Harrogate CC looks forward to welcoming all Yorkshire League clubs to St. George's Rd this year and 

is already indebted to the hard work of the YCL committee. 


Hull CC 

For once it has been a quiet off-season at Hull. After a promising end to last season the majority of 

the squad stay together with only Chris Grey departing to Scarborough, after being wooed by former 

Hull CC player Andy Simpson. The club are hoping to make a couple of additions in the next few 

weeks but both Pete Shally and Tom Dimaline, who returned only part way through last season and 

became two of the teams highest run scorers, will both be available from the very first game, and the 

side will hope to carry last season’s second half form into the early part of this season. Matt Wilkinson 

again captains the club, with Tim Appleyard stepping into the vice captaincy role. Alongside this the 

club will be relying on some of the talented younger players who have had a few years of Yorkshire 

League experience now to continue to raise their games. The club are also looking to have some 

positive news in the next week or so, on the availability of a young 15 year old Indian prodigy, 

Sarfaraz Khan. Unfortunately when coming over for a 6 week period last year Sarfaraz saw more rain 

than cricket, but this season we hope the weather improves and he will be arriving towards the end of 

May for the rest of the season. Off the field the club achieved Clubmark re-accreditation during the 

close season and are looking to make further improvements to the ground at Chanterlands Avenue 

with some new covers and sightscreens on the agenda. 

Rotherham Town CC 

All change at Clifton Lane this season with Nathan Smith taking over as captain. “Probably since I 

have got a brilliant behaviour record on the field” he joked. “On a serious note though I am looking 

forward to captaining a club that means a lot to me and also leading a set of lads that are not just 

fellow players but, more importantly, friends who will stand side by side together when push comes to 

shove, and to me this is more important than anything. We have lost a few players who have left for 

differing reasons, Firstly our keeper Jordan Lowe has moved to the South Yorkshire league with 

Wickersley, as he wants to play on a more local level due to travelling, etc. However he will be greatly 

missed by all of the lads both on and off the field, but we wish him all the best at his new club and 

hope to see him back in a town shirt next season! Gurman Randhawa has also left the club as he 

seeks new challenges in a different environment and League, but I’m sure he will do fantastic as he is 

a great player and a great lad. Simon Guy has moved onto a new role at Sheffield Collegiate to obtain 

more of a coaching role that he will love, as he has a lot of time for trying to improve club mates 

games and attitudes to the game, once again I’m sure he will do a fantastic job in this role. Finally 

Stuart Guy and Oli Jackson have both moved to Doncaster Town, and so we are looking forward to 

playing them more than ever this season as they setup to be a good couple of games. Our additions 

this year have been brought in to add both quality and the future of Rotherham, which has been 

overlooked for too many years now. Dan Waldren is a young player who we have had our eye on 

since last season after hearing and seeing good things about him. After a few chats Dan decided he 

was going to sign and we are glad to have such a promising young all rounder on board who can, and 

will, upset a few teams this season. Secondly Gaz Purshouse has rejoined the club after a short 

absence playing in the Notts league, Gaz is a brilliant batsmen, keeper and bloke and all the team are 


looking forward to seeing him and with Moorhouse opening up for us this season it has to be one of 

the strongest opening pairs in the league. Finally Will Street joins us from Sheff Coll. Streety has been 

regarded by many teams as one of the top spinners in the league for a while now and as spin bowlers 

are now getting harder to stumble across we are grateful to have such a great bowler in our ranks and 

now looking forward to see him bowl in a town shirt. I’d also like to mention the lads and coach who 

have stuck with the club, but most importantly stuck with their team mates even though lures from 

other clubs could have been of much more of a reward to them personally. Moory , Sando, Archie and 

our coach Arnie, I would just like to personally thank you for sticking by your team mates even though 

reward else wear would have been much greater for each of you individually. I think this shows to the 

club and the lads that you have great loyalty and perseverance to a club that means a lot to all of us. I 

finally would like to thank Moors for captaining the side for the past few seasons and also wish the 

best of luck to both Dave Mace our 2nd team captain and Adam Bashford our 3rd team captain who 

have all been of great help to me in taking over as first team captain” 

Scarborough CC 

Andy Simpson continues as Scarborough captain for a second season at North Marine Road, looking 

no doubt to finish higher than the 7 th place in the table last season. His batting line up looks strong to 

score plenty of runs with Darren Harland, Mark Tennant, both Ashley & Adam Lyth and Kunwar Bansil 

all still at the club, plus the addition of Chris Grey signed during the winter from Hull CC. 

Overseas player Samrat Sharma returns to the East Coast for another season, and the only player to 

leave Scarborough in the winter was opening bowler Danny Evans. 

Sheffield Collegiate CC 

The evergreen Matt Dixon will once again be leading from the front this coming season. He asked me 

to mention that Mr Nick Gaywood will be 50 years young later this month! 

The Club have secured the services of ex Yorkshire star Simon Guy as Head Coach, and he will be 

playing Yorkshire League cricket in 2013. Joining him will be new signings Ashton Blakey and Jacob 

Waterson, who have joined the Club from West Yorkshire clubs. The club will be boosted by the 

availability of Josh Jones, who has not been available for the past 2 seasons 

The Club will miss the services of Will Street, who has joined local rivals Rotherham Town, and are 

pretty sure that Joe Root may not be available this season. 

Abbeydale will also be hosting Michael Vaughan XI vs. Yorkshire CCC again on Monday 2 nd 

September. 


Sheffield United CC 

Sheffield United will be under the leadership of Paul Cummins again for 2013, and this season he 

welcomes four new players to Bawtry Road. Helgard Prinsloo will be their overseas player, a right 

handed batsman Helgard is a talented South African currently playing 'Grade A' cricket in Australia. 

Also arriving at United this season are Shaun Johnson a WK / Bat, Andrew Heron (batsman) and 

Rory McInnes-Gibbons – a right armed Bowler / Batsman. 

Departing United is batsman James Martin, bowler Zafran Ali & wicket keeper batsman Joe Tetley. 

Major ground development news at Bawtry Road is that in partnership with Sheffield Hallam 

University a new pavilion / club house development starts April 2013 and is due to be completed by 

October 2013. 

Many thanks also to our club sponsors Broadsword Printers (Sheffield) and Sheffield United Football 

Club 

York CC 

There is a real buzz around Clifton Park as Daniel Woods and his squad prepare for the new season. 

York Cricket Club will be looking to extend their record breaking run to seven consecutive Solly Sports 

ECB Premier League titles whilst at the same time mounting a strong defence of the ECB National 

Club Championship they won defeating Wanstead & Snaresbrook in last year’s final at Derby. 

The club have worked hard to retain all the major players from last season and are delighted to 

announce three new additions to their squad. Signing former Yorkshire Academy captain Jack 

Leaning was seen as a major coup and the addition of Tom Love from, Huddersfield League side, 

Scholes and the return of Jonathan Moxon, after a spell with the Academy, will all ensure healthy 

competition for places. 

There has also been good news for the club off the field, whilst delighted to continue their relationship 

with main sponsor Grantside, they are also grateful to two new shirt advertising deals with local 

companies Aquapoint and Hunters Estate Agents. 

Yorkshire Academy CC 

Yorkshire Academy will be a much changed and youthful squad in 2013. Subject to his availability, the 

side will be skippered by the returning Alex Lees. He will be partnered at the top of the order by 

Jonathan Tattersall, who will also, alongside Karl Carver and Alex Leyshon, share the bulk of the spin 

bowling duties. 

Much will be expected of Will Rhodes who won the league batting prize in 2012 and impressed on the 


clubs recent trip to Barbados. He will be the most experienced of a young middle order which will 

include Ryan Gibson (17) and the exciting Mosun Hussain who made his 2nd XI debut as a 15 year 

old last summer. Barney Gibson and Eddie Wilson will share the wicket keeping position and will both 

hope to make significant contributions with the bat. 

Last year’s Yorkshire Schools U15 captain Jordan Thompson will join fellow youngster Matthew 

Fisher as high quality all round cricketers. The seam attack in 2013 will be led by Ben Coad and Josh 

Shaw who will be ably supported by left arm quick Lewis Stabler and 16 year old Jared Warner. 

The Academy travel north to Barnard Castle this Sunday for a friendly fixture against academy old 

boy James Finch's side in repeat of last year’s pre season build up. The lads have wintered well and 

are looking forward to an exciting summer ahead. 

Season 

Catch Us Online During the 

For a full round up of the fixtures for 2013 please go to our official League website at www.yorkshireleague.com 

, where you can also find weekly match previews, full results and up to date tables. 

Webmaster Kevin Hutchinson has worked hard over the winter updating the site and it has all the 

information on the League that you would wish to know! 

We are also pleased to announce that our popular Live Scores service will be in operation during 

2013, so you can follow most of our matches Live as they happen during the afternoon. Just visit the 

website and click on the ‘Live Scores’ tab at the top of the page. 

Also full scorecards and statistics for the league will be updated regularly on our play cricket site at 

http://ycpl.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp 

OPENING DAY FIXTURES – SATURDAY 

20 APRIL 2013 (12noon) 

Appleby Frodingham v Doncaster Town at Brumby Hall, (Umpires Ian Broumpton & Rich Perry) 

Castleford v Yorkshire Academy at Savile Park (Steve Malone & Ian Dixon) 

Cleethorpes v Sheffield United at Chichester Road (Paul McFarlane & Steve Boulton) 

Driffield Town v Barnsley at Kings Mill Road (Stuart Roberts & Ray Knowles) 

Rotherham Town v Harrogate at Clifton Lane (David Barnes & Roy Whitehead) 

Scarborough v York at North Marine Road (Gordon Prescott & Rob Smith) 

Sheffield Collegiate v Hull at Abbeydale Park (Harry Fidler & George Wood)

pre_season_newsletter_2013

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