Sport Welcome to the Goole Times' coverage of the 2007 local cricket scene - from Saturday
ALTHOUGH the Snaith and District League gets under way tonight (Thursday), the 2007 season proper starts on Saturday with top local teams Goole Town and Carlton Towers fielding both their senior teams in the York and District League.
For Goole Cricket Club that represents a change for their second eleven, who resigned from the East Yorkshire Alliance last season and will play in Division Six of the York League for the first time.
The reason for the change, principally to provide a more competitive test for their up and coming young players, in what they believe to be a better form of cricket.
Goole first team will be captained by Neil Foster for a third season, and he will be looking to his side, with new captures, although familiar faces in professional Ashley Hulme, returning for a second spell after a magnificent 2005 and he replaces Gaurav Kapoor, Kevin Murphy, back from Airmyn C.C. and Mark Holmes from Castleford, where he was due to play in 2007 after leaving Carlton Towers, but deems the Yorkshire League to be too demanding on time schedule to meet his work commitments.
Those three represent a massive strengthening in the batting department, although it has to be said that was not the problem in 2006 that it was in 2005.
The first team will also have Steve Hicks available and the tall pace bowler will be looking to make a big impression, forget the pun, this time, and with his ability to hit big down the order, he is an asset to the side.
Their first game is at Pocklington before they start their home campaign looking to make amends for a Readman Cup final defeat in September against newly promoted Folkton and Flixton.
The second team, captained once more by Barry Clements, start at home to Hovingham II.
Goole C.C. teams
Saturday, April 28
First Team - away to Pocklington - Cars from Woodlands 11.45am prompt - N. Foster, A. Gibbins, Hulme, England, Mann, Rodgers, Hayward, Hicks, Sparks, K. Murphy, Holmes. Res. Oliver, Kerr.
Second Team - home to Hovingham II - Meet 12.15pm prompt for 1pm start - Clements, J. Shipp, S. Foster, Webster, Oliver, Mc Grory, Thorpe, Drakeley, Kerr, Mahoney, Moore, Res. N. Holah, O'Donnell, D. West.
... and what of Carlton Towers?
Of course, their closest rivals are Carlton Towers, who flirted with relegation last term in Division One of the York Senior League, but have too many good players amongst their ranks, Holmes excepted now, for this to continue.
Unfortunately, news has been scarce from the Fishponds but the prospect of 'derby' clashes at first and second team level with goole C.C. in 2007 are to be relished.
Carlton firsts begin their home cmapaign in Division One with a game against York No. 2, whilst their seconds travel to Thorp Arch and Boston Spa II.
As with Goole they are trying to nurture young talent through their system, and this has been successful in recent seasons, and in 2006 Mark Spetch and another member of the Townend family, hit their straps with some sterling performances in the second team.
If they continue to improve, they may be knocking on the door of the first team at some stage, even allowing for their tender years.
... and elsewhere
Correspondents permitting, and it is up to the clubs, but the Goole Times will be watching Airmyn, Newport and Gilberdyke in the East Yorkshire Alliance.
There were some sterling performances in the lower reaches of that league in 2006, none more so than at Newport where veteran John Exley, who waited for 40 years to take a hat-trick, not only did it once but followed it up with another within a fortnight at the end of the campaign.
Newport firsts won the Independent League and Mark Ogram became the first local cricketer in years to score a double century during the red hot summer months of June and July.
Snaith and District Cricket League
Although Carlton Towers, who finished runners up in Division One last season, have left the League, due to the fact that the Club now has three Saturday teams, Drax II, Thorne Colliery and Howden Town join the League, all of which have been placed into Division Two.
The season starts with League Champions Askern playing hosts to Luddington.
Both teams should once again feature for honours.
Division two champions Airmyn have an opener against Hensall and should get the season off to a good start.
Sykehouse, the current holders of the Snaith League shield, are likely to be the main challengers to Askern though, after finishing a disappointing third after their sequence of championship victories.
Goole Academy have a blank week, and start at home to Airmyn a week tonight.
In Division Two, Hirst Courtney who just missed out on promotion last year will again be the team to beat, whilst Thorne Colliery and Howden may spring some surprises.
Fixtures for tonight, Thursday April 26
DIVISION ONE : Askern v Luddington, Drax v Fishlake, Goole Firemen v Sykehouse, Hensall v Airmyn.
DIVISION TWO : Eggborough v Thorne Colliery, Fishlake II v Hirst Courtney, Pollington v Howden, Tate and Lyle v Drax II.
Your coverage
Although the Goole Times wants to cover all cricket, just how much depends on the clubs.
We would appreciate your reports: concise, please, and preferably no more than 300 words, with scorebook details by Monday at 4pm each week.
We will endeavour, space permitting, to include reports along with any photos that you wish to supply, although our photographer will be coming to all grounds during the season.Thanking you for your co-operation - Sports Ed.
Published on 26th April 2007 in Sport.
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Comments
Posted by GTCC \'Crazy\' Gang at 18:00:52 on 26 April 2007
Goole Town\'s strongest line up for years, finally some competition for places. New additions Holmes, Murphy and Hulme will strengthen an already very competitive outfit. Premiership cricket may become a reality next season if everyone performs at their best. I wonder how Carlton will cope this year?
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