Yorkshire and Derbyshire League 2007 division two preview
by Iain Mallett, 9th April 2007

The 2006 Division 2 season was a strange one, with all issues being resolved prior to the monsoons that greeted the final day of the season, and it was pretty much as predicted; Sheffield University Staff and Sheffield Collegiate returned to the big time, whilst Dronfield Woodhouse and Sheffield Centralians 2nd XI were marooned at the bottom for the entire season.

So what of 2007?  Sheffield Centralians 1st XI were denied the opportunity to save themselves in a “winner takes all” survival clash on the final day of 2006.  Rumour abounds that they will commence 2007 without talismanic Paul Kennedy and the experience of James Rhodes.  However, with the grit and wickets of Roger Wainwright and the usual weight of runs from Dan Stow they should still be competitive, and are the slight pre-season favourites.

The other relegated side were Millhouses, who return to Division 2 after a one season flirtation with the top flight.  The loss of captain Russell Walch will hurt, and given that they went the last 16 games without a win, Millhouses will be looking to get off the mark early doors.

Bakewell threatened promotion at numerous stages last season, including inflicting defeat on Sheffield Collegiate, and finished in 3rd; their highest ever position – after two seasons of contesting promotion, can they make the final push to reach the top flight for the very first time?

Sheepbridge made a great fist of their debut season in Division 2, finishing 4th.  With Lee Henshaw and Gary Whitehead both scoring in excess of 500 runs in 2006 and the all round talents of Andrew Hulett, Sheepbridge will be hoping to challenge for the title this season.

Chesterfield Barbarians regrouped after their disastrous 2005 season, and finished a creditable 5th.  If they can field a consistent side, they may improve on this in 2007.

Parkhead 2nd XI were again the highest placed 2nd team; finishing in the top half of the table for the 3rd time in 4 years.  The emergence of a number of exciting young prospects and the acquisition of Simon Pass should see Parkhead 2nd XI continue battling in the higher echelons of the division.

Grindleford again suffered from a lack of consistent availability and finished a disappointing 7th.  Captain Tom Outram averaged nigh on 61 and Tom Skelton scored over 400 runs, however key players were missing too often.  Doing the “double” over champions Sheffield University Staff showed the potential of the team, but consistency is the key.

Sheffield Works Department 2nd XI finished with their highest ever number of points.  A good blend of experience and youth meant that they were never in any danger of relegation; however with two more 1st XI’s gaining promotion from Division 3, 2007 will be even tougher.

Baslow will be greatly dissatisfied with their 9th place finish in 2006.  In Thomas Taylor they had the division’s highest wicket taker, and yet their batting was not consistent enough to support him.  It is true that Baslow suffered more than any team under the rain rules, and you can expect a stronger showing in 2007 as Baslow will be attempting to look up rather than down.

It is strange to declare that finishing 10th equates to a successful season, but that is exactly what it was for De La Salle 2nd XI.  Overwhelming favourites for relegation at the start of the season, they managed to recover from only taking 31 points in the first third of the season to gain 5 victories and achieve safety by the reasonably comfortable margin of 87 points.

That leaves the two newcomers, Ridgeway and Walkley, both of whom are making their debuts in Division 2.  Ridgeway cruised to the Division 3 title last season, with 3 players scoring enough runs to qualify for the league averages.  If Ridgeway can take their undoubted batting strength up a level, they may shock a number of the more established names this season.

Walkley made it a double promotion last season, and will aim to consolidate their position in Division 2.  Strong in the batting department, but by no means a one dimensional side; they bowled out the opposition more times than any other side last season in Division 3, and will hope that the vast experience they have in the squad will be able to endure an arduous 22 game season.

Division 1 preview | Division 3 and 4 preview