Yorkshire & Derbyshire Cricket League pre-season report
by David Bell, 19th April 2004

The league's 35th season begins on Saturday with what promises to be the closest fought campaign for many years. Six-time consecutive Division One champions Hundall open their season with the visit of Centralians. Despite the loss of key players Jason Pitcher and Alan Hampshire to Old Edwardians / Collegiate, new skipper Neil Vaughan's men remain the team to beat.

Last years runners-up, University Staff, make the trip to promoted Holmesfield, who will be looking to Jimmy Pearson (556 runs at 69.00) and Tom Youngs (748 runs at 68.00) to repeat the prolific batting exploits of their Division Two title winning season. Joining Holmesfield in the top flight are Ashford In The Water, who open their season with a visit from Baslow. Baslow will be hoping 2004 leading wicket taker Michael Clegg (67 wickets at 11.30) can continue his fine form with the ball. The remaining opening day games see De La Salle travel to SWD, Parkhead play host to Stanton and Hathersage receive a visit from Old Edwardians / Collegiate.

The Division Two campaign doesn't get under way until May 1st but sees Stocksbridge 1st XI looking to bounce straight back to the top level at the first time of asking. They 'host' their own 2nd XI on opening day. Grindleford will be looking to improve on their 2004 promotion near miss as they pay a visit to Bakewell. Calver's bid for success in the division will again be aided by Scottish all-rounder Doug Howie, who will be looking to better his 2004 return of 664 runs at 60.36 and 27 wickets at 12.86. They travel to Parkhead II. SWD II host Millhouses and Chesterfield Barbarians visit Hathersage II in the remaining fixtures.

Division Three looks to be the tightest of all. Favourites Laycocks open their account on May 1st with a visit from promoted Richland Wanderers, hoping that Mark Scanlan (37 wickets at 9.57) will once again lead their attack. Dronfield Woodhouse, now operating as a single eleven, will call on their experience from the top flight as they take on relegated Old Edwardians / Collegiate II on the same day. Opening day fixtures see fancied Hundall II, led by father and son combination Ian and Stephen Bayston (338 and 429 runs respectively in 2003), visit De La Salle II and last years Division Four champions BT Pensions / AGD travel to Warminster Road to take on University Staff II. Calow and Centralians II both begin their season on May 1st.

Game of the day in Division Four sees Ridgeway, third placed in 2003, make the journey to Baslow II. Another club now operating as a single eleven, Sheffield Transport, open at home to Chesterfield Barbarians II. Saturday's remaining fixtures see Great Longstone host Stocksbridge III and Millhouses II travel to BT Pensions / AGD II. Sunday's sole clash sees Zingari's Andy Nunnington (375 runs at 46.8 in 2003) pit his wits against Coal Aston's Andy Wood (43 wickets at 9.12 in 2003) in Graves Park.

A number of Yorkshire and Derbyshire League clubs have prestige events lined up for the forthcoming season. Ashford In The Water entertain the Derbyshire County 1st XI side in a fund raising event for their new pavilion appeal on Sunday 13th June. Parkhead host a Yorkshire C.C.C XI in aid of pace bowler Chris Silverwood's benefit year on Tuesday 17th August. Finally, Stocksbridge welcome Phil Tufnell as his Npower 500 mile charity walk reaches Bracken Moor on Wednesday 2nd June.