NEWS

INFORMATION

Despite weather forecasts of doom, the William Spencer Memorial Cup Final for 2022 went ahead as scheduled at sunny Harden Cricket Club with Great Horton Church and Oakworth under-18 teams lined up to re-test which was the better team in 2022. GHC had overcome Oakworth twice during the T20-T00 League campaign and were seeking a hat-trick of victories. Great Horton Church batted first with Subhaan Ahmed, ironically an Oakworth senior, in tandem with Huzayfa Azam. Huzayfa did not last long, caught behind by Jacob Stephens for left-armer Jake Holroyd at 5-1. Skipper Muhammed Yusuf joined Subhaan for a long stay. 72 runs in fact were added as the GHC innings developed. Yusuf was out bowled by his opposite skipper Charlie Raby for an excellent 40. With Ayaan Khokhar a further 17 were added before Subhaan fell to the off-spin of Elis Jones for a superb 44 [8 fours]. So at 89-3 GHC were well placed for a 150 plus score.  This soon became 90-4 as Muhammad Taahaa copped a 3-ball duck, smartly run out by Akeel Umar. Ayan and Raheeb Akhtar boosted the tally by a further 12 and at 102-5 the game was potentially at a tipping-point. Ifzan Shafique was superbly stumped by Jacob Stephens, back behind the timbers in the absence of Max Hibbert. 118-6 and it seemed the pendulum was swinging towards Oakworth. But the advent of Razi Ullah Raiz soon stopped thoughts of a low total as another 30 runs were posted before Ayaan was caught by Elis Jones for a first wicket for Jake Keslinke. Ayaan made 24 from 31 balls at 148-7. Kaif Malik again supported Razi in adding another 18 runs before Razi was skittled by Keslinke's second wicket at 166-8. His 31 came from just 18 deliveries and really boosted the GHC total and hopes for victory. A further 14 came from the tail whilst Jake Keslinke picked up another two wickets, to lave GHC on an excellent 180 all out. Oakworth had used six bowlers with the clear pick being Jake Keslinke with 4-17 in 28 balls. Off-spinner Elis Jones added 3-28 to his catch to claim a stake of the bowling honours.

A terrific lunch prepared the lads by the Harden club heralded the second innings with Jacob Stephens joining his skipper Charlie Raby as openers. It proved a wise selection by stand-in manager [and first team Captain] Robert Hollingsworth as the pair posted a terrific 61 run stand to establish the fine balance in the contest. Charlie's share was 15 from 37 balls as he rotated the strike to allow the inform Jacob to take the majority of the strike but who was first out a for a sterling 38 from 34 balls. After Charlie fell at 67-2, number 3 James Powell and number 4 Jake Keslinke combined as on many occasions at all levels including County Their mutual understanding began to plunder the GHC bowling. James reached a stylish retirement of 50 from just 44 balls as the GHC attack wilted. The loss of Elis Jones for a 3-ball duck didn't hinder the Oakworth run-a-ball reply as Jake too went on to retire on 53. He and James had 15 fours and two sixes [from James] to savour in their 105 run stand. Akeel Umar and Jacob Davies saw the innings out to 181-3 in 27.1 overs [run rate 6. 6 per over]. 

It had proved an enthralling contest from the very best two teams in UAJCA and likely beyond] and entertained a pretty good crowd enormously.  Taahaa, Shafique and Akhtar each picked up a wicket for GHC as their fielders did a superb job in trying to limit the Oakworth progress, but it proved too little. Oakworth had lived down their two league defeats to share the silverware with GHV for 2022. The player of the match was awarded by the umpires to Jake Keslinke for his 4 wickets and 53 runs despite his dropping of a 'dolly'!

 Our principal guest on the evening will be Katie Stewart from the YCB. Katie has responsibility for the development of Girls' cricket in West Yorkshire and so her presence will be of great value for our ongoing strategy for Girls cricket in UAJCA.

Presentations will be made in two distinct groupings. From 7:30-8:15pm all softball awards [inc Girls] and the under-11 hardball awards will be up for grabs. From 8:15pm its the turn of the older age-groups, u12, u13, u15 and u18s.

All Championship and Cup winning teams are invited to receive or re-receive their hard won Trophies. Individual skill prizes for fielding, Keeping, Bowling and Batting will be made and the Cricketers of the Year will be announced. There will also be prizes for the leading players in our Representative teams and an opportunity to acclaim our first ever Taverners [Yorkshire Festival] winners - our superb under13s.  There will also be a wide range of prizes for newcomers and those progressing the most in the Softball Development Programme. The new Girls' League will also be well represented by the League and Festival Cup winners and all the girls prize winners.

Photography on the evening will be provided by Mr Haidery of Timeless Clicks.

So the final Plate award went to Huddersfield.

Amongst the final fixtures sadly Skipton Girls declined the fixture with Crossflatts as they were unable to raise a team and seemingly unable to offer a revised fixture date. This has left Crossflatts as undefeated Champions in our first ever season. Congratulations to Crossflatts Girls [pictured], their coaches and managers and all at the club in their well-deserved success.

Without doubt they have been the team to beat and have set the bar at pretty high level for others to follow. And of course we sincerely hope they will. In 2023 we hope that more teams will join the league and potentially we may be able to also offer an uneder-9s section and/or an over 11s competition. So if your clubs is considering these sort of options, we at UAJCA ar extremely keen to support the growing interest in Girls' cricket.

In the light of significantly increased number of girls participating in the Softball Programme in 2022, the number of medal awards has been increase to to also include presentations to the Girls in their own right. UAJCA will be awarding an additional 12 Softball awards due to the fantastic response this year from our clubs. Prize winners for the inaugural Girls' League will be announced once the final fixture has been played and reported.

under 13s

under 11s

under 13s

under 11s

All four UAJCA Girls' teams [Skipton, Settle, Great Horton Church & Crossflatts] are to play a Festival format competition at Skipton CC on 21st August [start 09:00 am] for the UAJCA Girls' Softball Pairs Cup.

The ground will be split to enable two games to  be played simultaneously. The format will be 12-overs aside Pairs with each pair of batters batting for 3 overs. The bowling schedule will allow 4 bowlers to bowl 2 overs and 4 bowlers to each bowl 1 over. Normal Pairs format playing regulations will  apply. The draw will  be undertaken by the four managers on the day. The winners of the first two matches will then play the Final with the two losing teams playing off for third-fourth place. The winners will receive the Cup and individual medals with medals for runners-up. The winners will also re-receive the cup at the Annual Presentation Night on 30th September at Bingley.

Great Horton Church were seeking to strike back having lost the Hargreaves Cup Final to Skipton on Sunday. The Allerton Road team batted first and Hassan Khan led from the front with 26. Hamza Saeed again contributed well with 18 but only Zaki Butt with 12 again made double figures. The GHC scoring ws severely held up by Joe Horton with 3-9 and Harry Atherton 2-10. The 91-9 total looked attainable and the Skipton skipper Joe Birks played the Captain's innings with 35 no and the Skipton team required just 15.4 overs to reach their target. Moheed Shafoiq [15], Joe Horton [17no] and Luke Lovell [12mo] all combined to again defeat the Great Horton team. Joe Horton added to his Cup Final prowess with a fine display,.

Warm and sultry Skipton was the venue for the Raleigh Hargreaves Cup Final for under-15s. GHC won the toss and inserted the Skipton boys. Openers Joe Birks [29] and Moheed Shafiq [35] built nicely to give the Skipton side a real platform on which to consolidate. Form man Aaron MacRae made 13 but the telling innings came from Joe Horton with 29 batting at no 5. Without a duck in sight, the Skipton boys tallied a challenging 159 all out. Mo Ibrahaim Khan had done his best to restrict the total with 3-22 from his 4 overs. With Haider Ali 2-42 and Hassan Khan 2-25 the Bradford side were always in the hunt.

The early loss of Hassan Khan was a blow for GHC but Zaki Butt ploughed on to make 39 from 44 balls. County boy Hamza Saeed chipped in 25 and Mustapha Hussain a further 22 but the Bradford boys were slipping behind the run-rate. The tail didn't really wag and the final tally was 120 all out, 39 adrift of the Skipton excellent total. The Skipton bowling honours went to Henry Mounsey [2-5] and Joe Horton [1-11] who held their nerve as the business end of the innings unfolded. The umpires adjudged the Player of the match to be Joe Horton [Skipton].

The 23rd Barritt-Stephenson Cup Final was between holders [since 2018] Great Horton Church and Bingley side Harden CC. Openers Hashim Husaain and Ayaan Abbas were both dimissd early by Max Rigby to give Harden an early supremacy.  Further wickets fell including that of Taverener Hamza Mahmood and an unfortunate lbw decision for Zaid Khan to leave GHC at 4 down. But rescue was at hand with Ammaar Muhammad and Riyaan Farooq pitching in 31 runs with Ammaar retiring on 20. Another Taverner, Freddie Padgett picked up a couple of wickets in addition to a smart run out by Ella Rhodes. GHC ended their 20 overs on 97-7 with a racking second half in prospect.

The Harden batting was evidently top-end loaded with Sulaiman Mahmood [21] and Padgett [20] getting them well ahead of the run-rate. The attack was extended by Oliver Noble [14] before the GHC bowlers found their straps. Talisman Hamza Mahmood led the fight-back with 2-11 and all the GHC bowlers responded with wickets. Harden began to slip behind the rate as their tail failed to wag. After 18.3 overs Harden, with just 10 players, were all out on 82 after a really entertaining final. Congratulations went to Gt Horton Church and commiserations to Harden on a gallant effort. The Umpires awarded the Player-of-the-Match prize to Freddie Padgett for his all-round impact.

The William Spencer Memorial Cup [u18s] will be held on Sunday 28th August or Sunday 4th September commencing 10:00am at Harden CC

A regular member of UAJCA Taverner teams, Settle's Harvey Green made his debut for West Yorkshire at the weekend and rattled off 42 off 27 balls. amazingly he also took 5-35.

Keep up the good work Harvey, fly the flag.

A lovely sunny morning at Cullingworth swung into action with Great Horton Church Soft-ballers winning the toss and choosing to bat. First pair Hamza Gul and Deshan Gaurav were steady picking off just 1 run but Deeshan lost a wicket caught by Crossflatts skipper Oliver Pennington for Arya Raval. Unays Ahmed and Imaad Ijaz fared better with 8 runs but again wickets fell to Heidi Rae Bailey and Arya. Third pair Rohaan Hafiz  and Abbas Bashir crafted another 7 runs but Abbas lost his wicket to Louis Haigh. Asim Bashir and Mo Kamil Muy Udin stepped the scoring up to 10 runs. This time it was Ralph Bell who claimed a scalp. With hopes high from the final pair [Aadam Bashir & Rayyan Malik] were scuppered by quick bowling from Louis Haigh who grabbed another3 wickets with an additional one for Captain Pennington. All in all Great Horton Church had lost too many wickets costing them 45 runs to conclude at 212-9. Louis Haigh had a remarkable 4-8 in his 3 overs, with Arya Raval taking 2-7.

The Crossflatts innings began in better style with openers Sam Wilkinson smashing a terrific 15with partner Kavi Reddy on 3 [out once]. Betsy Wilkinson & Arya Raval chipped in 4 runs [one out]. Then keeper Dougie Lunn added an unbowed 11 with Ava Tarren to accelerate the Crossflatts lead. But that precluded a mini-collapse as Deeshan Gaurav picked off 2 wickets and Muy Uddin had Oliver Peenington caught followed by further wickets for Asim Bashir and a run out. Suddenly the game was more in balance with Ralph Bell and Louis Haigh the last pair. They added 8 runs for 1 out to maintain their healthy lead of 19 runs at 231-8.

Crossflatts became the seventh team to win the Pairs Cup in seven years and the Umpires decision to name Louis Haigh as man of the Match was warmly received.

The disappointment for GHCCC in finishing as beaten finalits in the Soft-ball Cup could be dispersed within the same day if the GHCCC under-13s  could overcome the challenge from Settle.

Opener Mueed Malik could them off to a cracking start with 19 and then Ayan Ahsan and Arnmaan Mahmood combined with 10 and 21 respectively. The introduction of Will Heys to the Settle attack seriously pegged back the Bradford side's progress. He ultimately claimed 3-26 from 28 balls. But the counter-puch came from no 9 Mo Taha Iftikhar who smashed 33 rapid rune to push their score beyond Par to 134 all out. There were wickets for 5 other bowlers, none of whom were dominated by the GHCCC batting.

With the ball in hand, GHCCC looked strong with some excellent fast bowling. The pick of the bunch w as last year's u11 Cricketer of the Year, Ayan Ahsan, who excelled with 4-8 from 21 balls. Will Heys had a great day out aklso top-scoring with 19 runs and he had backing from Taverner Cup winner Sam Walker with 12. But the tail certainly didn't wag for the North Craven side as five ducks followed to curtail their innings at 66 all out having been 62-4. Ahsan had been helped by a brace from Hashim Khokhar and Armaan Mahmood wuith another couple of scalps.

So GHCCC did claim a Cup to take back to Allerton Road. It was the third time in sucessive seasons that the u13 Trophy has been sat on the GHCCC shelf. The late order blast from Mohammed Taha was adjudged the Man of the Match performance by Umpires Town-Jones and Davison.

The new venue will be at The Bradford & Bingley Rugby Union Club. A schedule of attendance across two 'sittings' will be set in place by mid-August. 

Batting first proved precarious with only skipper Will McPherson making double figures [11]. But all-rounder at no 7 Sulaiman Mahmood rode the white charger and he compiled a superb half-century, going on to 56. Taking the team total forward Sulaiman was aided superbly by Frank Binns [8] Hamza Mahmood [11] and last man Elliot Howarth [11].  26 extras were also valuable. When bowling the side was indebted to Elliot and Hamza who each grabbed a trio of wickets after the Bradford top order fired well, particularly no 5 Gillgrass who chipped in a cracking 33. Two run outs helped our cause but we did give up 27 extras. But the Bradford tail couldn't match that of UAJCA and their last pair could not sufficiently bridge the gap, ending 9 runs adrift.

The team was: Will McPherson [Capt, Crossflatts], Freddie Padget [wk, Harden], Finley Cross [Settle], Ed Swallow [Skipton], Hashim Hussain [GHC], Stan Kitching [Sutton], Sulaiman Mahmood [Harden], Frank Binns [Wharfedale], Hamza Mahmood [GHC], Oliver White [Steeton], Elliott Howarth [Steeton].

GREAT JOB ..NOW FOR HUDDERSFIELD

Early wickets for Sam Galley were just reward for good bowling and his 2-25 [5 overs] was the standout performance. Will Oaken took a wicket and there was a catch and a run out for live-wire keeper Subhaan Ghaffar. But the telling innings came from Huddersfield opener Mason Knight who compiled 61 from 84 balls to help his team post its 162-4. No 4 M Davison also proved a thorn in the side with 37no from just 25 balls. Skipper Archie Cox kept things tight as did Ayaan Munawar but the 5.4 per over was to prove just out of our reach.  The skipper did his bit with the bat top-scoring with 36 whilst Callum Hardy [31] and Will Oakden [30] were both major contributors and kept us in the hunt. Huddersfield used 8 bowlers with Brough [2-9] and Choma [2-14] the leading lights.  Despite the defeat it was a promising start and augurs well for the forthcoming matches.

The team for the first round Leeds Cup tie with Huddersfield was: Archie Cox [Capt, Steeton], Subhaan Ghaffar [WK, GHC], Blake Aldersley [Skipton], Frank Caton [Settle], Zak Fyfe-Gudgeon [Haworth], Sam Galley [Settle], Callum Hardy [Sutton], Ayaan Munawar [GHC], Will Oaken [Steton], Aniq Tabassum [Skipton] & Max Wilkinson [Crossflatts]

WELL DONE  LADS .. NOW FOR THE PLATE..

All of you know UAJCA was committed on Sunday to the UAJCA Festival at Skipton, but we followed the progress of our fantastic under-13s team. The first UAJCA team to win a Yorkshire Festival. UAJCA cannot be too proud today. We must thank all the players who performed so well and also the two intrepid managers Mark and Tony. What a fantastic effort. UAJCA has shown today that a small District can achieve miracles with dedication from its players and managers. We are lost for words and despite an enjoyable day at Skipton we are sorry to have missed the event. Your fame will endure!  To see the scorecard Click Here

The under-13s section started with two wickets for the host side, Skipton in the first two balls, but they still won the match! The 'senior' section included one amazing innings from Skipton's Noah Kennedy of 70 runs in a staggering team total of 102-0. The Lord's pitch hosted Skipton, Sutton, Oakworth, Oxenhope & Haworth 'B'. Skipton ran out winners of all 4 matches end reached the semi-final having scored 286 runs in their 4 matches. The runners-up spot was decided by a bowl-off after three teams finished with two ins ach. Only 1 lad hit the stumps and he was from Sutton, who would play the winner of the Oval pitch group.On the Oval pitch it was the first match for guest club Alwoodley against Earby that determined the outcome of places with the Lees team winning all four of their matches ahead of Earby with three wins against Steeton, Haworth & Crossflatts.

So the semi-final line up was Skipton vs Earby and Alwoodley vs Sutton. The winners were Earby and Alwoodley, who went on to win the trophy against the Ribblesdale team. Alwoodley posted a daunting 84-2 in their five overs, the second highest score of the day. Earby battled hard to not lose a wicket whilst totalling 53-0 in a quality final.

The under-11 section also featured gust club Alwoodley on the Headingley pitch along with Barnoldswick, Earby, Settle and Skipton. The front runners were again Alwoodley and Settle and their pivotal match was a cracker, won by Alwoodley with 43-2 just ahead of Settle 39-1. Across at the Old Trafford arena Upper Wharfedale set the early pace but were defeated by Oakworth and Steeton who both finished at the had of the group. Oakworth with 45-0 won the encounter with Steeton 44-1. Oakworth remarkably never lost a wicket in their four group games.

The semi-finals were Oakworth vs Settle and Alwoodley vs Steeton. This time Oakworth lost 1 wicket but scored just 33 in he face of top bowling from Settle, who edged out the Craven League side with 34-1. Alwoodley won more comfortably against Steeton who tallied 24-5 in response to the guests' 47-4. The Final was to be an amazing match between Settle and Alwoodley, who had won their earlier group encounter. Alwoodley posted 51-3 and Settle matched it with 51-2 in a scintillating tied match that was decided by a bowl-out which supplied Alwoodley with their second trophy of the day.

The under-9 section playing on the Rugby field, aka Trent Bridge and Edgbaston ovals. Two boys teams from each group would also play against Skipton Girls, as first introduction to 6-aside cricket for the new Girls' league leaders. At Trent Bridge the Skipton boys proved top dogs winning all for of their matches against debutants Bingley Congs and Barnoldswick along with Earby and Cullingworth, to go directly into the 3-team round-robin final alongside the fast-tracked girls. The Edgbaston group produced four wins for Crossflatts who topped the pile ahead of Settle, Oakworth & Cullingworth, each of whom had 2-2 records. In the round robin the girls lost both matches but performed well losing by just 7 runs to their boys team and by 15 runs to Crossflatts. The decider was won by Skipton who contained a strong Crossflatts team to 25-5 and made 27-2 to take the Cup

UAJCA is as always extremely grateful to Skipton CC and its hard-working team of volunteers, and who this year brought in their sponsors Keelham Farm with free fruit for all the participants. The principal sponsor Black Rat Cricket remain one of our valued supporters who now sell cricket equipment and clothing on line.

Back in 2016 Lewis Brown [Oakworth] led out the UAJCA under-11s team [left] at Scotton CC against North Yorkshire in our first ever Yorkshire Festival Final. It was a very proud day for UAJCA. That day North Yorkshire proved too strong for our boys but nevertheless it was a great day for the Association.

Now six years on its the turn of Sam Stoneman [Sutton] to lead out the line-up to take on the York District at Southowram CC on Sunday 19th June [11:00am], after a stunning victory in the semi-final against East Yorkshire.

We wish Sam and the boys [above] and indeed their mentors and managers Mark Stoneman and Tony Fordham all the best. Its a huge honour for them all and perhaps this time we may be the winners. Good luck to the 2022 squad, go well.

Its unfortunate the Yorkshire Festival Final has clashed with the UAJCA Festival but UAJCA is sure the under-13s will be in everyone's thoughts at Sandylands. Hopefully the match will be scored electronically so that we an all keep abreast of their progress. Skipper Sam Stoneman and the boys have done remarkably well in reaching the Final, a first for UAJCA since 2016. To managers Mark and Tony we wish them well and irrespective of the outcome against York in the Final their reputation is now legendary. So come boys do us all proud an bring back that trophy from Southowram!!

On the  same afternoon Mark & Chris' under-10 charges will take on Nidderdale at Crossflatts CC in the K Dental Cup 1st round. The boys will be seeking to progress from a 30-run defeat to Huddersfield last month. The team 1s: Jack Godden [Oakworth, Capt], Ralph Bell [Crossflatts], Betsy Caton [Settle], Sam Charmbury [Oakworth], Joe Hodgson [Settle], Harry Newhouse [Skipton], John North [Settle], Seb Oliver [Skipton], Muhammed Rizwan [Crossflatts],  Alfred Walker [Settle], Max Wareing [Haworth].

With UAJCA team spirit soaring, the hopes were high on reaching a first Final since 2016. The YJCF semi-final got underway at Pocklington CC, with the boys fresh in the knowledge and boosted by news that skipper Sam Stoneman [left] had been called up from the Regional squad into the County squad.

The combination of bowler Subhaan Ali and Thomas Mountain behind the stumps produced 3 wickets as Subhaan stole the bowling honours with 4-6 in 34 balls. Bowling mates Sam Stoneman [2-12] and Mo Hassan [2-14] also shone with Zar Ali picking up 1-15 to add to a smart run out for Armaan Mahmood. East Yorkshire had crumpled to 50 all out in just 21.4 overs. The EY bowlers would have to at least match our bowling performance to prevent us reaching the Final, and true to the game's history Archie Brooksbank was caught first ball of our innings. Hassan and Armaan picked up cautiously and progressed to 17-2 when Armaan [3] was adjudged lbw.  Hassan and Subhaan continued to accumulate until Hassan was bowled for 14 at 44-3. 7 needed to win. Captain Sam joined Subhaan who completed his man-of-the-semi performance with 22no and we were in the FINAL on 54-3.

It has been  a marvellous programme fro UAJCA and the players have done us proud irrespective of how we fare in the Final. UAJCA must thank our two team managers Mark and Tony for their guidance and commitment. Well done for everyone!

Key to the Oakworth batting has been the form of opener Jacob Stephens who has remained unbeaten with four consecutive fifties [203 runs]. For leaders GHC Subhaan Ahmed [an Oakworth junior] leads the batting with 78 runs. Finlay Walker leads the Skipton batsmen with 115 runs. George Elrick is top man at Sutton with 79 runs with Harrison Brierley &  Lewis Verdeyen of Oxenhope each on 53 runs. Oakworth also have the leading wicket taker in leggie Charlie Raby on 10 just ahead of Skipton's Adam Harding on 9. Ifzan Shafique and Razi Raiz with five each are top attackers for GHC with Jack Whittaker also on 5 for Sutton. Lewis Verdeyen has 3 wickts for Oxenhope.

UAJCA u15s asserted themselves at sunny Sowerby Bridge CI CC with an emphatic victory against the Halifax Junior League. Chasing a 151-7 score, UAJCA batsmen excelled smashing their way to the win with over 11 overs to spare. Leading the batsmen were Aaron MacRae [Skipton] 56 ret, skipper Mustapha Hussain [GHC] 34 and Jack Caton [Settle] 24. The batsmen built on excellent work from bowlers Aaron 2-13 and Nathan Joseph [Steeton] 2-17. For Halifax Louis Judd 54 and Dan Jones 47 gave them a good total but the Halifax bowling toiled.

Our batting reply was led by Oakworth 18 years-old Bradley Powell with 58 and Oakworth team mate Akeel Umar with 38. The winning runs came off an inside edge from skipper Ollie Bishop with almost 4 overs in hand.

CLICK HERE

The only section without a sponsor is the Softball Development Programme. If you know of any local business that might be interested in supporting our most rapidly growing recruitment group, please let the Secretary know.

One week later on Sunday 10th July the under-11s Final [10:00am] and the under-15s Final [2:00pm] will unfold at Skipton CC

That there are lots of youngsters in the district wishing to take up Cricket is not in doubt and UAJCA clubs have responded superbly to the challenge of maintaining their teams with volunteers. UAJCA is well set to forge ahead and build yet further in the coming years.

The 2nd season of u12s Cup competition sees Upper Airedale grouped with Bradford, Heavy Woollen and Huddersfield in a tough Group A for a revamped competition in 2022. Matches will be 35-0vers aside and all 3 matches to be completed by mid-July.

The intention is that two groups will play 3 fixtures with the top two qualifying for semi-finals and a final in August.

The Group B includes Scarborough, Nidderdale, Wetherby-Leeds and Aire-Wharfe.

UAJCA returned to the fabulous Malham Suite at the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton after a 1-year absence due to Covid-19 lockdown regulations. This time in order to minimise risks of infection the awards presentation was split into five separate age-related phases to reduce the numbers of attendees in the room at any one time.

For 2021 we were honoured with guests: Mr Mark Arthur from Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Rachael Slater a young professional with the Northern Diamonds which is based at Headingly.

The officials led the thanks for UAJCA principal Partners

and all the competition sponsors CartaSport, Brook Taverner, Pro Coach Yorkshire Cricket, The Keighley Cup Committee, Black Rat Cricket, and of course the Rendezvous Hotel for continued invaluable support over many years. In addition Dobson & Robinson [Ilkley] and M C Sports [Skipton] generously support UAJCA Representative Teams with kit discounts. UAJCA is also grateful to photographer Neil Bishop for the photography Rendezvous Awards [a few early movements have produced blurring].

Former UAJCA young cricketer Will Luxton reflected on his excellent debut 68 after rain prevented Yorkshire and Northamptonshire from pursuing a Royal London Cup victory at Scarborough.

18-year-old batsman Luxton came into Yorkshire’s team for his first-team debut and brilliantly led a recovery from 69-6 to 222 all out.The Bradford Grammar School educated right-hander was watched by his parents amongst other family and hit five fours and two sixes down the ground in an 85-ball knock which ended with a standing ovation from large parts of the 2,169 crowd.

Yorkshire’s Academy captain shared recovering half-century partnerships with Matthew Waite and Mat Pillans and said: “It was a pretty good feeling to be out there.  “The crowd was class and all my team-mates were behind me. “It gives me that confidence that I can do it in the next few games.”

In 16 games across all cricket, including this game and two Yorkshire friendlies against Durham at Emerald Headingley in March, Luxton has scored 513 runs with a century and three fifties.

“I’ve been going alright in the Academy this year,” he said. “I haven’t played much second team, but it’s been good.”

The Northants chase was aborted at 2-0 after five balls, with no play beyond 3.05pm. A restart was pencilled in for 5.50pm when the visitors would have required 71 more from 9.1 overs to complete the minimum 10 overs to constitute a game. But a wet outfield prevented that.

“We said it was a tricky pitch and it did a bit,” added Luxton. “Our start wasn’t great, but we’ve got a decent bowling attack. So why couldn’t we have defended 223? “If we struggled with our batting, so could they. “We were always confident, but we just needed to get off to that good start. Unfortunately we weren’t able to do it.”

Yet more honours for UAJCA with the selection of Sutton's Sam Stoneman for the County under-12s. Well done Sam... keep up with the pressure and fly the flag

Oakworth under-18s faced Skipton in the T20 competition for the u-18 Championship at Wide Lane and batted first. Half-centuries for Ellis Marshall [28 balls] and Lucas Keslinke [25 balls] were the pace-setters but the back up from James Powell 41 [20 balls], Bilaal Khan 33 [26 balls] and Bradley Powell 25 [11 balls] propelled their score to 238-5 to eclipse the previous UAJCA u-17/18 record set in 2009 by Sutton's Championship team against Haworth. Skipton gamely pursued but expired at 110-9 [Capt Ben Southern 27 no]

Alex Hall [Earby], Archie Brooksbank [Crossflatts], Armaan Mahmood [GHC], Ben Jolly [Earby], Charlie Price [Skipton], Eddie Fordham [Oxenhope], Freddie Ward [Earby], Noah Kennedy [Skipton], Ryan Lee [Skipton], Sam Stoneman [Sutton], Thomas Mountain [Embsay], Sam Walker [Settle], Mohammed Hassan Khan GHC] and Tobias O’Shaughnessy [Crossflatts].

 Click to Watch Will

Former Skipton junior James Mukherjee [photo courtesy John Heald] returned a tidy 0-21 from 8 overs as the Durham batsmen made hay.