Yorkshire and Derbyshire Cricket League - 2006 preview
by League Press Team, 28th April 2006

The Yorkshire and Derbyshire Cricket league's press team of Stephen Hutchinson, Mark Summerhill and Dave Bell take a look at what's in store for 2006. All the results from the league will continue to appear on 'the follow on' throughout the season.

DIVISION 1 (by Stephen Hutchinson)

2006 has the makings of one of the closest title races for some time.  After the initial years bedding in of the new points system a number of teams will feel they have a realistic chance of wrenching the Norman Moody Cup out of Works Department’s sweaty paws.  What will the new champions need to take this season’s top honour and who’s closest to fitting the bill?

I don’t think its rocket science to see why Works took last years title so convincingly.  Under this points system you need to have batting, and the more the merrier.  Supported by a disciplined and varied bowling attack it’s easy to see why they were successful but the one ingredient every winning side needs is hunger, and they had that in abundance!

So who thinks they can not only match up to them, but pass them?  Because whoever wants to win that cup must do that as the Olive Grove outfit start clear favourites.  For my money Ashford may well be the team to watch this year.  Enough good batsmen capable of scoring heavily and in Michael Clegg a bowler able to run through, and in some cases over, any side.

I believe Hundall will also present a threat again this season.  After last year’s relative disaster Vaughny and co will be keen to set the record straight.  A great team doesn’t become a bad team overnight so beware the wounded animal!  Parkhead won’t be far away as ever but they will need to iron out their inconsistencies to push the rest all the way, nor will De La Salle who’s biggest problem could be having one too many left arm spinners!!  Holmesfield too could threaten if they could support an excellent batting line up with some more penetrating bowling. (Jimmy, what are you doing batting at 6?).

Of the two promoted sides Millhouses, in the manor in which they won division 2, would appear to be well equipped to give a good account of themselves and Stocksbridge will have learned from their last outing in the top flight.  Last years surprise package Calver may find the going a little tougher this year for the simple reason they aren’t a surpise any more and Stanton will need to add to their playing staff if they are to give Rosling and Gladwin the support they deserve.

That, I believe leaves just Centrailians and the mighty Hathersage, who could have their work cut out this time round.  A less than subtle combination of pensioners and school kids is no recipe for success. Still, at least we can talk a good game!!

Good luck to all and one request. RESPECT YOUR OPPOSITION.

DIVISION 2 (by Matt Summerhill)

2005 will go down as a year of surprises.  Millhouses transformation from mid table mediocrity to champions, and University Staff’s non dominance of Division 2 was only surpassed by Sheffield Collegiate’s first ever relegation to the second tier.

So what will 2006 bring?

You don’t need to be an expert to believe that Sheffield Collegiate are very short odds favourites to win the championship and return to what many see as their rightful place in the higher echelons of the league structure.  They have batting and bowling a plenty, all with experience not only of our top flight but the Yorkshire and South Yorkshire Leagues.  Their biggest threat this season may be themselves; will they have the hunger to take each game as if it was a Division 1 title decider?  And will other sides raise their game to another level to put the “big boys” in their place as many did to University Staff last season?

University Staff will be stronger for last season’s experience.  They found Division 2 to be a lot tougher than maybe some people give it credit for – they will not make the same mistake in 2006!  With 2005’s Division 2 batting award winner Paul Kerry, the all round talents of Dave Needham and a wealth of Division 1 experience they will be expected to return to the level that they have occupied for 13 of the previous 15 years.

Chesterfield Barbarians endured a nightmare debut season in the top flight, becoming only the second side in the league’s history to fail to reach 100 points in a Division 1 season since promotion and relegation was introduced and setting an unenviable league record of 20 defeats.  Will Barbs be able to forget about 2005, dust themselves down and compete for promotion at the level which they have finished in the top 4 on 4 of the last 5 occasions?

Maybe they can take solace from Baslow’s 2005 campaign?  A similar lost of key players, meant Baslow were comfortably relegated in 2004, but last season they regrouped and put in some fine performances to finish a creditable 5th.  I would expect that after a season where survival as a club was the main focus, Baslow will grow in strength and may be challengers for a return to Division 1 should the two favourites take them lightly.

Whilst in Derbyshire, Bakewell have shown the merits of quiet, unassuming growth and gave the top three a real run for their money in 2005 before finishing 4th.  They are an ambitious club, and are a fine side and I would expect them to be jostling again at the right end of the table.

Grindleford begin their 6th Division 2 campaign, looking for the consistency they need to move them from the middle rungs of the ladder into positions to challenge for promotion.  They have a strong side with players that would grace a division higher, but must find that little bit extra that is needed over a tough 22 game season.

Sheepbridge achieved promotion from Division 3 last season in their first season since joining the league, and with strong batting and bowling, will be keen to consolidate and find their feet.  One thing is for sure, they will enjoy their cricket!!

2004’s Division 3 champions, Dronfield Woodhouse, showed that life at this level is tough for the promoted sides.  2006 will be another transitional season for the Carr Lane men, as they look to rebuild the foundations of the club after losing their Division 1 status and a number of first team players in 2003.

Which leaves the 4 2nd XI’s, whose ambitions are never more than finishing outside the bottom 2, due to their barring of promotion to Division 1.  It was no surprise in 2005 that the five 2nd XI’s occupied places 7, 8, 9, 11 & 12 in the final table; it is a tough division when you are playing other club’s first teams for the majority of the season!

De La Salle II embarks on their first ever season in Division 2, with the optimism that comes from promotion however the fixture “computer” has not been kind, giving them matches against the two favourites in the first weekend of the season.  It may feel like a long season by the end of May.

Sheffield Centralians II consolidated their place in Division 2, but their prospects in 2006 will be dependent upon Paul Kennedy to spearhead their push to defy the odds.  A slump in form in 2005, which meant they didn’t win a game after the end of July, will be a concern.

Parkhead II will look to head the table of the 2nd XI’s for a fifth consecutive season.  Since their return to Division 2 in 2002, they have only flirted with relegation once and have finished a creditable 5th, 4th and 7th in the past 3 seasons.  2005’s top Division 2 bowler, Ian Spillman will again be key to their success but their continued achievements are based upon an experienced set of players that won 2 league titles and 4 Percy Crookes Trophy’s in the 1990’s.  The big question mark will be whether they can marry this experience with youth development.

And finally, to Sheffield Works Department II.  A seventh consecutive season in Division 2 appears on paper to be their toughest yet.  There will be a heavy emphasis on youth, and it will be interesting to see whether the youngsters sink or swim in the hostile environment of Division 2 cricket.

Good luck to all for 2006, let us hope we can all get on a pitch before the end of June!!

DIVISION 3 (by Dave Bell)

Whittington Wanderers – Once again relying on skipper Andy Tann’s runs.  Need to be more consistent with the bat to achieve a top 2 finish.

Hundall – Billy Bayston still their key man. Depends how many the 1sts take when they are short!

Collegiate – Survival still the key for Andy Leiper’s young side. I look forward to being verbally abused by Billy Root once again!

Transport – Expected to be challengers. New batting find Ian Owens should be ably backed up by John Slack, Noor Gul and Garth Lewis.

Millhouses – Surprisingly in a relegation battle last year. Once again, 1st XI call ups could affect their season.

Stocksbridge II – Tony Rolfe’s young side should find their level after a couple of seasons struggling at the foot of Div 2.

Hathersage II – Similar to Stocksbridge II. Kevn Rowney their star performer.

Ridgeway – Awesome batting line up, complemented by the addition of ex-Derbyshire man Harry Cartwright. Should be up there come the end of the season.

Walkley – Last year’s runaway Div 4 winners. Solid team all round but mentions for Wayne Shore, Tony Dallman (bowling) & Steve Birch (batting).

Hallam – Div 4 runners up. Young side marshalled by Colin Stewart. Andy Clarke produces good all-round performances.

DIVISION 4 (by Dave Bell)

Whittington Wanderers – Should challenge if we can find someone to support the prolific Paul Fletcher’s runs. Finished 3rd in 2005. Dave Turner & Dave Whiteley form a decent opening bowling partnership.

Coal Aston – Competent side who could make a promotion challenge. John Lawrence & Matt Sanderson score the runs. Adrian Marpole good all-rounder.  Andy Wood takes wickets.

Chesterfield Barbarians – Need to keep developing their young players.  Stuart Barton main man with bat and ball.

Sheepbridge – Generally performed well with the bat, less so with the ball. Glen Bramwell & Keith Barrett main batsmen. Included 4 ladies in the team against our 2nds last year!

Baslow – Mid table. Again looking to Tony Sadler to score the runs (and possibly talk the opposition to death).

Stocksbridge – Another young side. Mid table would be an achievement.

Sheffield University Staff – Joe Young is their captain, opening bowler and scores late order runs. However, they would appear to have found their level at last.

Dronfield Sports – Another struggle predicted.

Zingari – Expected to be challenging after a couple of seasons of near misses. Makkar & Rupra are their best batsmen.