NEWS & INFORMATION

If you or anyone you know is interested in assisting the Association members with any of these roles, please contact the Chairman on 078768-288758

The UAJCA 2023 Presentation Night was duly held on Friday 29th September at Bradford & Bingley RUFC.

To review the photographs, once again kindly supplied by Timeless Clicks

PLEASE CLICK HERE

The photos will appear in a separate window

12 weeks after the Under-13 Festival was curtailed in horrendously heavy rain, the Harden club staged the un-played semi-finals and the Final to complete the UAJCA prestigious event. In the first semi-final, a Worth Valley derby, Haworth posted an excellent 34 score thanks to boundaries from Max Wareing. The Oakworth bowlers had failed to dislodge the young all-rounder and with fielding lapses had helped the Haworth boys into pole position. The Oakworth batting line-up looked strong enough to chase down the total but a lack-lustre approach with too many ot balls and poor running filed to inspire and Haworth deservedly reached the final by a 3-run margin. Alwoodley batting too was somewhat restricted partly by good Steeton bowling, particularly from Finlay Hampson,  and a similar inability to turn ones into twos and to strike the boundary. The 29 total was though shy of the first semi-final and the Steeton side would find their passage to the final surprisingly easier.

In the Final Haworth [pictured below] again batted first and once more young Wareing was the mainstay of the attack but he had plenty of help and with 14 runs from the fourth over, a highest yet total of 7 was posted.  Steeton would now face much more pressure to take teh Trophy. That pressure was increased by the loss of a wicket in the first over, which left them requiring 35 runs in the remaining four overs. But the target proved within their reach with Archie Cox showing superb batting skills scoring sufficient boundaries to propel Steeton [above] to the win with four balls to spare.

The progress of the Festival though was again interrupted by heavy rain but after heroic efforts form the Harden ground-staff with assistance form the participants, the final match was played. Huge thanks are due to the Harden club for its magnificent efforts with thee entire day for a substantial crowd of onlookers.

In 2022 Oakworth had chased own a decent Gt Horton Church total of 180 and an even more impressive chase was now required. The same two openers Charlie Raby and Jacob Stephens stepped up to start the assault. It didn't last long as Jacob watched in horror as the second ball of the innings trickled on to his stumps for an unfortunate duck. Lachlan Doidge was the beneficiary and two balls later number-3 James Powell left a ball outside off stump only to see the same bowler drag it back to skittle his poles. At 0-2 the original chase now looked mountainous for ther Worth Valley boys. They then lost their captain for 4 at 12-3. His brother Tom [1] followed very soon after and at 20-4 the match was turning into a disaster for Oakworth. But hold the back page a moment as Jake Keslinke and Akeel Ukar found their range and began to push the score onwards. And their fight-back came at a lick to place doubt in the minds of the leaders. And the stand was halted by none other than Oliver Gokhale who had earlier helped set the daunting target. It was Akeel who fell for 27 from 24 balls at 91-5 but the contest was still alive. Keslinke had scored a mammoth 126no the previous day for Oakworth but his contribution today had to end at 51 with his retirement. His half-century had come from 37 balls to match that of Doidge. Jacob Davies briefly defied his lack of appearances in 2023 and Joe Powell shone briefly with two boundaries in his 9 but the resistance had ended and the Oakworth score petered out 108 all out in the 25th over. Bradford & Bingley had achieved the 'double' in fine style as handed over the Cup to their victors. Oliver Gokhale received the Player-of-the-match award for his 48 and 3-12 ahead of Keslinke's 51 and 1-16.

Their win came off the back of their first innings when their batsmen racked up 155 runs in just 17 overs when they opted to declare with just 5 wickets down. Opponents Skipton found their bowlers unable to cope well with the Bradford side's batmen, particularly Ayan Ahsan [28], Zaid Khan [27], Subhaan Ghaffar [24] and Hashim Khokhar [25]. For Skipton Aniq Tabassum battled hard taking 2-27 in his 3 overs and there were wickets for Daniel Bray and Joseph Kennedy.

The pressure from GHC was relentless with only Tom McCormick [18] and Jack Lovell [10] making any inroads. The two Hashims, Khokhar abd Hussain each grabbed a brace of wickets and with 1 each for Syed Hussain, Hamza Mahmood and Ayan Munawar it was the inevitable result of a 76 run win for GHC. Well done to them and their coaches.

The final round-robin fixtures unfolded after a wonderful lunch provided by the Skipton hosts and Settle's 213-2 was not enough to challenge the terrific start from Oakworth, who posted 231-2 to finish with 9 points to claim a semi-final place against whoever the fourth placed team proved to be. The Skipton v GHC match also proved a nail-biter with GHC getting over the line by 2runs with 220-3. So the semi-final line up was ironically a repeat of the last two matches with GHc vs Skipton and Oakworth vs Settle.

GHC managed to replicate their victory over Skipton to reach the Final with an opportunity to retain the Cup they won in 2022. But who would be their opponents? Oakworth' previous victory over Settle by 18 runs proved to be a catalyst to the Settle girls and their running between the wickets improved considerably so that they could post a much more daunting total of 235. Some wicket-falling got the Oakworth contingent nervous but some lusty hitting from Lucy-Jo Colgan got them back on track. Unbelievably the Oakworth score ended on 235 and another Tied game! This required a bowl-off to determine the finalists. After 6 misses from each team it fell to Lily Gaunt to hit the stumps to pressure Settle to match it. But it wasn't to be and Oakworth by the skin of their teeth reached the final which had looked a foregone conclusion earlier in the day.

And if that wasn't enough excitement, the GHC girls, particularly Ipshita and Emaan took their cue from Settle and ran the singles and twos to once again put the Oakworth batters under pressure. By this time the betting men had all gone home but the second innings proved just as nail-biting as the earlier episodes. A wicket for GHC looked as though it could be the decisive blow. But by the fifth ball of the final over Oakworth had scrambled to a 1 run lead. The final ball brought a further single when many might have defended and so Oakworth took the Cup from a very game GHC by just 2 runs.

The competition exceeded everyone's expectations and thanks must go to Skipton CC for their superb hosting. Thanks also went to Ruby and Holly Gaunt who as reserves both ended up playing for Settle and GHC as both had a girl missing due to illness. Also mention must be made of the young scorers who coped with paper-based scoring after the Play-Cricket failure scrambled their electronic efforts.

The destination for the 2023 Under-18 Keighley Cup Committee Championship has been settled in unfortunate manner after the Oakworth vs Gt Horton Church T20 became a victim of the atrocious July weather.

Bradford & Bingley are in consequence the 2023 Champions with 6 wins and 2 cancellations giving them 20 points, 2 clear of Gt Horton Church and 3 clear of Oakworth. Congratulations to the Bees on their first UAJCA Championship adding to their earlier Hargreaves Cup win and their near miss Play-Off appearance against Skipton in the U15 League.

Stumps are draw at 10:00am with two pitches used concurrently until the Final. The presentation is expected to be around 3:00pm

The 2023 Cricket season Girls Cricket Softball Champions are Settle CC. The second Softball Championship was undertaken principally on Wednesday evenings & Sunday mornings, by five clubs: Settle, Crossflatts, Gt Horton Church, Skipton and Oakworth. Each team had eight fixtures, playing each other twice, a total of 20 across the summer.

The softball programme is designed for newcomers or inexperienced players to the sport. A softball [wind-ball] is used in 16-over games played on a 17 yards wicket. No protective clothing or equipment is required. Bonus points were awarded for batting [64 runs or more] and bowling [5 wickets or more]

Settle CC take the Championship, winning 7 of their 8 matches, Their points tally of 31 was 3 ahead of runners-up Skipton CC [5 wins]. Congratulations to Settle girls and club coaches. Bonus point awards amounted to 13 for Skipton, 10 each for Settle and Gt Horton Church with 7 to Crossflatts and 6 for newcomers Oakworth.

The Cartasport Championship Play-Off Final, Settle vs Gt Horton Church hardball pairs teams unfolded on Friday July 28th courtesy of neutral venue Steeton CC. Settle won the toss and batted first. First Pair Mitchell and Forrow picked off 10 runs but were pegged back by Gulzar. Taverener pair Walker and Hodgson stepped up the Settle progress with 19 runs but again were halted further thanks to a wicket for Rohaan Hafiz. Charnley and Rocco Davison also copped a dismissal by Malik in their addition pf 8 runs. Fourth pair Graham and Howarth added eight but yet again lost one wicket to Aliza Hafiz to end with no net addition. The Settle final pair Lucca Davison and Davidson broke the sequence with 2 dismissals in return for their 9 runs from the bat. The final Settle total was 54 runs plus 24 extras [inc 16 byes] a gross score of 278 which reduced to 230 after the loss of 8 wickets. Five bowlers each had a wicket with one run out by Gulzar.

Settle's Forrow had a say in the opening GHC paiir progress, claiming a run out and taking a wicket. But Top man Imran had taken 17 runs to add to partner Hussain's 2 to give their team a great start. Second pair Malik and Rohaan also lost one wicket to Howarth whilst adding 9 runs. Muhammad and Ghafar really propelled the GHC cause forward with solid defence and 16 more runs to the total to edge ahead on the board. Gulzar and Aliza really turned the screw in defence of their Championship with 21 runs for one loss to Davidson. The final pair would have to suffer s disaster for GHC to be reined in and that did not happen. Farooq and Mistry were contained to 8 and lost one wicket to Hodgson to maintain their lead. Whilst Settle had benefitted from 16 byes, GHC gained from 17 wides from the Settle attack. GHC had 27 extras to add to their 73 runs to gross exactly 300 but reduced to 260 for the loss of 5 wickets.

So Great Horton Church maintained their dominant run in the CartaSport Championship with a fourth consecutive success. Match reports indicate it as full of enjoyment and played in good spirit. Congratulations to both teams.

Skipton openers Joe Birks and Amos Patchett strode out confidently to defend their Champions tag but sadly Amos as soon back in the hutch for 1 caught by Ibrahim Khan for Hassan Khan. His replacement Joe Horton soon settled to his task and runs flowed at almost six per over. The two Joes carried the score on top 62 when Captain Birks was bowled by Ibrahim for 30 from his 38 balls, which included 2 fours and a six. The fifty had come up in just 36 balls. As so often a second wicket fell son afterwards and t'other Joe was also caught for Ibrahim by Charlie Palmer for 26 [23 balls] at 67-3. Ryan Lee added only one and at 68-4 the match was more evenly poised. No 4 James Feeney was though resolute and did a sterling job shepherding the middle order. He fell for 21, bowled by Charlie Judson. The score ws 91-5 but then three wickets fell for just 1 run as the two Charlies Palmer and Judson got to work with the ball. the score was now 92-8 with a distinctive palour on the Skipton support. But they reckoned without 2022 u13 Cricketer-of-the-Year Noah Kennedy who smashed 23 from just 11 balls [2 fours & 1 six] to propel the team tally to 120-8 after the allotted 20 overs. Ibrahim Khan returned 2-21 with the outstanding Charlie Judson gabbing 2-1-8-3.

Unbeaten southern Conference winners Bradford & Bingley also lost an early wicket with Harry Temperton [0] out bowled by Joe Horton at 8-1. Ibrahim Khan and Noah Thirkill compiled the rebuild well adding exactly 50 runs before Ibrahim was castled by Noah Kennedy for 34 runs [39 balls] which contained three 4s and two 6s. Thirkill was on 21 not out but immediately he too as caught by Charlie Goulty for Jensen Dortona. 58-3 then became 59-4 with Hassan Khan smartly taken by keeper Birks for Kennedy's second scalp. Charlie Palmer remained solid but began to run out of partners and the score subsided to 86-7  thanks to a brace for James Feeney and a single wicket for Henry Mounsey. The overs ran out at 96-8 with a jubilant Skipton team the winners by 24 runs, having retained the Championship. Kennedy's 2-13 was crucial and the late two for Feeney 2-29 were well backed up by the strong Skipton bowling line-up.

In he morning Pairs Cup Final, Steeton found themselves losing wickets at regular intervals and their score-line dipped below 180 at one point. But the arrival of Logan Canat the creas brought a swift reversal in fortune and his 20 runs with help from Hambley [8] Hardwick [4], Wynn [3] and Coc [7] ragged the team tally back above parity and posted a creditable 215 nett score. The question was would their loss of 11 wickets prove their undoing? They had actually scored 70 runs in the 20 overs. For Crossflatts their leading bowlers were Betsy Wilkinson and Reyansh Saxena, making their girls league experience really tell.

After the traditional butties the Crossflatts innings began in similar fashion with the latter of wickets., whilst Aarav Raval held his nerve rattling up a 22 score. First pairing for Crossflatts were very inexperienced lost their wickets five times in the face of some excellent Steeton bowling. The star of the show was undoubtedly Finley Dickenson who amazingly grabbed a rare hat-trick in a Cup Final. Sibling Arya Raval along with Reyansh and Betsy all contributed heavily as the Steeton attack wilted and the target was passed  Crossflatts went on to post 273-9 to retain the Cup for a second year. Bothe sets of bowlers ha a field day capturing 20 wickets between them but the difference proved the batting and the female excellence. Steeton had the consolation of Finley Dickenson's inevitable player of the match award to add to their honour of reaching th Final.

Still battered by strong winds Gt Horton Church were the first to take to the crease in the 23rd John Hindle Memorial Cup Final against Oakworth. Gt Horton Church had dominated this competition over the last three years and arrived to try and make it four in a row. Openers Ayaan Munawar and Abdullah Akhtar gave them a rousing start with a stand of 77, Ayaan the first to go, [29] superbly caught by Albie Ellis for Sufyaan Hussain. The GHCCC middle order all contributed well and a rate at around six per over. The Oakworth bowlers were under pressure after retirements Akhtar [32] and Ayan Ahsan [31] but stuck at the task well. Five of them took a wicket but couldn't dominate at any stage. The final GHCCC tally was an above par 184-6 at terrific first stanza in defence of their Trophy.

A sumptuous Crosflatts taa was consumed with some fervour before the Oakworth chase began. In contrast their first wicket fell at 4-1 with Husnain Ahmed inducing a catch from Harry Wilkinson [0].  Opener Haroon Nazam and skipper Joe Powell remained resolute and carried the total on to 60 when Joe retired for well crafted 30 from 41 balls [6 fours]. Haroon remained defiant but was fourth out at 79-4 for 18 [43 balls]. No-one else made double figures and despite a Par score of 116-9 the Oakworth tally was well short of the impressive GHCCC target. Hashim Hussain was the lead bowler with 2-12 but the umpires awarded the player-of-the-match award Zaid Khan for his classy leg-spin and batting contributions

A lovely warm and sunny day on Father's day 18th June attracted around 6-700 people to the vast Sandylands grounds for the 2023 Black Rat Infestival. A record 35 teams were to take part with a five-team group of under-11 girls having their own competition for a new trophy.

UAJCA is extremely grateful to all the volunteer workers provided by the Skipton club. Their efforts on both before and on the day enabled as always a terrific spectacle and efficient operation despite the current 'pavilion-less' status!

The under-9s mixed softball competition organised as usual in two groups showcased the youngest recruits to UAJCA in a real 'boom' year for young people's cricket. The Trent Bridge group provided Oakworth with four comfortable victories to top that table whilst Settle concluded with a 3-1 return to take the 2nd spot ahead of Wharfedale, Bingley Congs and Crossflatts, all of whom were eliminated from the competition. The Edgbaston ground followed a similar path with Gt Horton Church also recording a 4-0 outcome on their return to the Festival. Surprise runners-up Barnoldswick really showed their mettle with a 3-1 outcome defeating holders Skipton, Cullingworth and NWCL compatriots Earby. So the semi-final line up was Gt Horton Church vs Settle and Oakworth vs Barnoldswick. Settle were comfortably defeated by Gt Horton Church whilst Oakworth fell 5 runs short of the 37 runs posted by the Barlick team. So it was to be a first Final for Barnoldwick whilst Gt Horton Church were returning to the competition after a few years absence. But first the 3rd-4th place play-off provided Oakworth with a second win against Settle. The 2nd match between the finalists went the same way as their earlier group fixture but proved a close encounter before the Bradford side ran out winners 48-1 vs 43-1 to take the trophy for a second time, the previous occasion nine years ago in 2013.

The inaugural Girls Festival Group brought together the four girls teams from 2022 along with 2023 addition Oakworth, who had settled well into their league campaign. Skipton and Crossflatts battled to avoid the wooden spoon but which fell to Crossflatts after their loss to Skipton. The Great Horton Church team provided the section's highest scores and reversed their two recent league defeats to Oakworh, who were otherwise unbeaten. The 3rd-4th place game between Skipton and Settle went the way of the hosts with a 17-run margin. The Oakworth vs Gt Horton Church Final was a clear cut win for the Allerton Road girls, who posted 45-1 which proved too many for the Worth Valley girls who reponded with 25-1. So GHC picked up their second trophy for their day's work whilst first year team Oakworth could feel very proud to have reached the Final.

Holders of the under-11 trophy, Alwoodley found the 2023 competition again to their liking but did lose to a strong Oakworth team on the Headingley pitch. Oakworth too lost their match up with debutants Addingham. To raise the tempo yet higher Alwoodley lowered their Aire-Wharfe fellow members colours to leave a 3 way bowl off to determine who would progress and into which semi-final slot. The bowl off eliminated Alwoodley with Addingham winning the group, Oakworth would face the winners of the Old Trafford section. That group was headed by Settle on the way to elimination for Crossflatts, Bingley Congs and Wharfedale. Settle would therefore face Oakworth in the semi-final. At this point the rains arrived and the competiion was foreshortened to a bowl-off basis as the weather looked fierce and likely long-lasting. It was not of course the ideal manner to determine finalists and ultimate winners but one that would allow the competition to conclude. Unbeaten Settle succumbed to the accuracy of the Oakworth bowlers who hit the timbers three times, whilst Addingham edged out Old Trafford runners-up Skipton by 2-1. The 3rd-4th play-off match was scrapped and then Addingham kept the trophy in Aire-Wharfe hands by defeating Oakworth 2-0.

Finally the eagerly awaited under-13 competition began with a posting of intent from Haworth with 92-2 against Crossflatts. Their progress was halted a little with a stunning Tied match of 71 runs each with Harden but a second win against Settle would ensure their place in the semi-finals. Tantalisingly three teams finished on 2 wins & 2 defeats to generate a 2nd place Play-off. Holders Alwoodley were the only ones to find the timber and they qualified ahead of Settle and Crossflatts. The bowl off though was conducted in torrential rain as the competition was destined to be curtailed. The Oval pitch competition concluded with Steeton remaining unbeaten ahead of 3-1 tallied Oakworth. Earby, Skipton and Addingham failing to make the semi-finals.

The semi-final line will be Oakworth vs Haworth and Steeton vs Alwoodley on a day to be agreed in an anticipated 2-semi-finals anf final mini-competition, potentially at Skipton CC.

The 2023 Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival at Thirsk got off to a winning start for UAJCA. In the middle of the racecourse the 2022 under 10s opening bowlers Joe Hodgson & Seb Oliver started proceedings and the first wicket falling on 10-1 Joe Hodgson bowling Hambleton captain Elijah Standing for 2, Hambleton put on a spirited batting partnership of 23 for the second wicket before Joe Hodgson grabbed his second wicket of the game bowling Hambletons regional player and star man Sam Fudali.

Under 10s player Henry Rayner came on to bowl and picked up 2 wickets in his spell which included a fantastic catch from Settle player Jack Davison. An inspired bowling change brought Blake Holme on to bowl from the pavilion end and picked a wicket up first ball (all hail the coach) to leave the home team at 37-4 before trapping Ethan Durham for 0 LBW. The heat started to get better of the UAJCA boys in the field as Hambleton put on a 45 run stand before Matthew Pothecary had come into the attack and got a wicket (another catch for Jack Davison). Blake finishing with figures 2-6 off 3 overs bowling 1 maiden. Fantastic!

The drinks break came and Charlie Chew went through the tail order finishing with 3-7 off his 2 overs, again fantastic! With all the friendlies played this year also, Charlie is now at 9 wickets for UAJCA, a super addition to the squad for 2023. Hambleton bowled out for 101 with 5 overs left.

Onto the batting -

John North of Settle and Jack Godden of Oakworth got the boys off to a good start before Jack chipping back to the bowler for 12. Charlie couldn't carry on his form from Saturday's in-house match where he scored 66 off 40 balls as he was dismissed for 1 bowled by Hambletons star man Fudali. Sam Charmbury came in at 4 and had a fantastic partnership of 69 with John North who hit a flurry of boundaries for a fantastic 41 and got applauded from all sides of the ground as he was dismissed with the score on 87. Sam Charmbury of Oakworth was then dismissed for a brilliant 26 off 43, the mainstay of the batting order, 97-3. Jack Davison came in and played a couple of nice shots but unfortunately picked the fielder out on this occasion and needing 5 to win the UAJCA crowd began to go quiet.

The only regional player on the day for Upper Airedale Alf Walker came to the crease and hit the winning runs with Josh Greene not out at the other end winning by 5 wickets with over 8 overs to spare.

A fantastic day had by all and a great win for the lads. Onto the next game against Bradford on June 25th. Come and support the lads.

The Spice Girl magic may have faded a little but make no doubt about it, Girl Power is Alive and Well, especially in cricket!! On Monday 15th May, Settle CC u11s included Betsy Caton in their ranks as they took on Sutton in a Barritt-Stephenson Cup 1st round tie. Batting first Settle posted a creditable 104-9 with Betsy making a modest 3 runs. But when the Sutton side batted she turned in the bowling performance of her career! In just 3 overs no fewer than 5 Sutton wickets fell to her magic whilst conceding just 4 runs in the process. Her contribution enabled her team to skittle the Sutton team for just 16 runs to progress to the next round. The amazing performance is believed to be a record for a girl in UAJCA competitions, as far as its records allow.

But the story doesn't end there, as seemingly her performance inspired another  Betsy to also take five wickets in a match! This time it was Betsy Wilkinson of Crossflatts u11 Girls softball team who took her five-for against Great Horton Church Girls just 3 days later! This Betsy conceded just 3 runs and achieved the 5-3 in just 2 overs! Sadly for her team her efforts weren't enough to win the match.

Gt HORTON CHURCH GIRLS HARDBALL TEAM WITHDRAWv

The Girls' Pathway has been transferred to YCCC with effect from 1st February this year. Last years trawl for girls had led to 300 being observed [previously numbers as low as 20] which has led to the Girls' Pathway being 'professionalised'. The Community Talent Champion has just been appointed and he starts work on Monday [3rd April]. He will act as a 'scout'.

To ensure that any girls which have the potential for representative cricket, clubs should continue to advise Kevin Gresham [k.gresham@yorkshirecb.com] with their details. He will ensure that they are properly observed either by him or by the Community Talent Champion

2023 UAJCA Cup Finals are to be hosted at Crossflatts, Harden & Skipton as follows:

Settle CC are to host the Yorkshire Festival under-12 semi-final of Friday 28th July

The highly popular Black Rat Festival unfolds again on June 18th at the Sandylands Grounds and this year will feature an additional Girls group for the first time, bringing the total entry also to a record, of 35 teams. Groupings will be announced in April.

The Yorkshire Festival is also expanded in 2023 by a first ever inclusion of an under-12 competition. UAJCA will feature in the u-11, u-12, u-13 and u-15 competitions, hoping to build on their first ever Festival win in 2022. The Executive hopes an under-10s Development team can be formed and the Association currently seeks a couple of managers to lead the young group.

If the good weather of 2022 can be repeated, UAJCA is confident that more fixtures will be played and likely exceed 450 allowing potentially 900 players to join in the fun. To back up the players UAJCA is delighted to learn that a recent Stage 1 umpire training course at Settle CC attracted 11 students. A Stage 2 course is to be held on Saturday 25th March

The ECB have launched their new online safeguarding training courses which provide opportunity for everyone to undertake safeguarding training relevant to their role. These courses replace the discontinued ECB Safeguarding Young Cricketers (SYC) course.

Safe Hands Training

Club Safeguarding Officers are required to attend in-person specialist training every three years. To find and book on to a local course, Click Here

Safeguarding for Specialist Roles

These new courses are designed as more in-depth than basic Safeguarding Induction course (details below) and forms a foundation for individuals who hold a specialist role within cricket. The new courses take around 60-minutes to complete and are aimed at those who want and need more knowledge and information on effective safeguarding within your club. The courses are free to complete.

Those individuals in cricket who hold specialist roles are required to complete the one-hour course (80% of their learning), as well as the shorter, specialist module relevant to their role (20% of their learning). Individuals are welcome to complete all four specialist modules  and all are free of charge.

More people needed as Cricket Umpires

Two courses have been set up in the Settle area for would-be cricket umpires on the 11^th and 25^th March. The courses are ideal for the retiring cricket player, or for those who want to learn more about our summer game, or for those young people who want to add something different to their CV whilst earning a bit of money, or for those who love cricket but were never good enough to play.

Cricket umpiring is an ideal summer activity to help boost your fitness, to improve your activity and boost your concentration. You do not ever have to have played the game, and, whether you want to join a league’s umpiring panel or just umpire your kids in the local soft ball, or All Stars competitions, then these courses are for you.

The Stage 1 umpiring course is on the 11^th March at Giggleswick School [9:30am-4:00pm] and the Stage 2 is being held at Settle Cricket Club [9:30am-4:00pm] on the 25^th March.

To apply for these courses, which cost £30 each, but both can be signed up for £40, lick or go to:

STAGE 1 - https://booking.ecb.co.uk/d/5lq4rk
 
STAGE 2 - https://booking.ecb.co.uk/d/vlq4rz

The principal benefit derives from prevention of exclusion from the game solely on the grounds of age.  Early discussions centre around the introduction of a formal process for approving transition between stages, involving the player, the parent and the team coach.  Monitoring process for the Association's officers will also feature.

A General Secretary to manage external communications and meeting management tasks within the Association is also required.

Additionally the Association needs a team manager[s] to lead its under-10s development team with fixtures to enhance their development in 2023.

If you are interested in any of these role please contact the Chairman, Mr Terry Thompson by email: twthompson@btinternet.com

The number of clubs in membership was swelled by addition of Denholme CC and Airedale CC both from the Craven & District League, and they are joined by Burley-in-Wharfedale CC who enter as affiliates in the girls cricket. The 22 clubs advised their provisional team entries for the coming season. The total was an unprecedented and record 85 teams, fully 20 more than in 2022. The previous high of 79 was in 2011.

The 85 teams embrace 71 boys [mixed] teams with 14 girls' teams. The increases come across the age spectrum with the softball sector increasing to 33 from 20 and the hardball leagues from 45 to 52. Whilst clubs have until March 16th to finalise their plans, this provisional entry certainly reveals the upward trajectory of interest in  junior cricket.

The AGM also marked a significant change for the Executive which has been expanded to cater for the growing workload.  The previously vacant Chairman's role is to be filled by Terry Thompson, who has relinquished the General Secretary role. Tony Fordham [Oxenhope] will assume the Hardball Cricket Secretary role whilst Terry will assume the Softball equivalent. The Representative Cricket Secretary position remains to be filled. Ian Walker [Settle] joins the Executive and takes on the co-ordination of umpiring for the Association. The Executive now has six members with other roles for Media, Training and Purchasing also available.

The Association is striving to embrace the 'Stage NOT Age' concept, trialled in the girls league in 2022. The objective is to make sure that its clubs an offer all young players opportunities irrespective of age.

The 2023 season will see introduction of new General Conduct Regulations [GCR] and a new Safeguarding management system [on-line].

 Pro Coach Yorkshire (procricketcoachingacademy.com) 

So our youngest squad is without a leader at the moment. If you are interested in taking up the role, contact the Association Secretary for further information

West Yorkshire

ECB Core Coach- Crofton Academy, Wakefield. February 5, 12, 19, 26 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. Bookings online by clicking here. More info from k.gresham@yorkshirecb.com

ECB Foundation Coach- Parkside Sports Centre, Bradford. February 19 and 26 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost £150. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Core Coach- Hipperholme Grammar School, Halifax. March 5, 12, 19, 26 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. FULLY BOOKED.

ECB Core Coach - Female only- Trinity Academy, Leeds. April 2, 16, 23, 30 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. Bookings online by clicking here. More info from k.gresham@yorkshirecb.com

North Yorkshire

ECB Foundation Coach- Copmanthorpe Recreational Centre, York. January 22 and 29 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost £150. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Core Coach- King James School, Knaresborough. February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Core Coach- Terrington Hall School, York. March 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Foundation Coach- Harrogate CC, Harrogate. March 25 & April 1 2023, 9.30am to 4pm (reserve weather day is April 8). Cost £150. Bookings online by clicking here. More info from k.gresham@yorkshirecb.com

North & East Yorkshire

ECB Foundation Coach- Copmanthorpe Recreational Centre, York. January 22 and 29 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost £150. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Core Coach- King James School, Knaresborough. February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Core Coach- Terrington Hall School, York. March 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2023, 9.30am to 4pm. Cost: £300. Bookings online by clicking here.

ECB Foundation Coach- Harrogate CC, Harrogate. March 25 & April 1 2023, 9.30am to 4pm (reserve weather day is April 8). Cost £150. Bookings online by clicking here. More info from k.gresham@yorkshirecb.com

ECB ACO The Occasional Umpire
This resource is for those of you who play your cricket at a level where umpires are not provided and players have to take their turn doing a 10 over stint. It contains the umpiring basics ranging from key Laws to basic field craft. It is free and will hopefully improve the game day experience for you, your teammates and your opposition.

ECB ACO It’s Your Call Umpire Education
For those of you who wish to undertake more thorough umpire training, because you wish to stand as a ‘club umpire’ or you wish to join your local league panel, YCB ACO run courses across the county, these are outlined below. These are educational courses and simply designed to teach people how to umpire. There is no compulsory assessment associated with them, but accreditation is available for those who wish it. This would take place after a season or more of umpiring and further details will appear in these pages at a later date.

It's Your Call – Umpire Education Stage One - Online course
This course is designed as a basic overview of the Laws of the game and how to apply them. It will enable you to umpire matches as a club umpire where there are no independent umpires appointed and also for those players who have to umpire their own matches. The cost is FREE to participants.

You can access the course here: Stage One Online Link

The principal decision taken at the November meeting was that UAJCA will offer girls cricket at three age-grouping s in 2023 with under-9 and under-13 groupings being added to the under-11 league of 2022. The ball is now in the court of the 19 member clubs to review their intentions for 20023 and to make efforts in recruitment during the winter to be able to meet the aspiration.

Since the meeting two more UAJCA clubs have expressed definite interest whilst Katie Stewart [West Yorkshire W & G] is to seek other interested clubs from outside the current UAJCA catchment. Geographically the four existing 'Hub' clubs are at some distance and inclusion of clubs nearer the centre of the patch would help create a fixture programme more readily achievable both midweek and at weekends.

So will this inspire other clubs to re-constitute their under-18s teams? There are sufficient players on the UAJCA player registration database which suggests there is prospect of perhaps three or four more teams.

The move from under-17 to under-18 cricket was instituted pre-covid in the hope of retaining players longer and the signs are that this may well have been successful.

TO VIEW THEM CLICK HERE

The UAJCA Presentation Night held on Friday, 30th September attracted huge number of players, parents and supporters, noticeably swelled by large numbers of girl cricketers. The newly re-decorated event room at Bradford & Bingley RUFC was packed to the rafters to acclaim the 2022 season winners and achievers. Photographic support on the evening was provided by Mr Haidery of Timeless Clicks. The large attendance combined with an increased number of prizes to 73 individual winners and 14 team wards stretched the Officers in meeting the planned time schedule.

The audience heard Katie Stewart from the Yorkshire Cricket Board outline how Women’s and Girls’ cricket is starting to mushroom across the County with UAJCA’ inaugural Girls League now sits alongside a league in the Leeds-Wetherby area as attractions for girls wishing to join the fabulous game. Lizzie committed to supporting UAJCA to now further expand the development of girls’ cricket in the Upper Airedale catchment and its wider surrounding area.

The Presentations unfolded with the Softball Cricket awards which included achievers from the historic inaugural UAJCA Girls League and to younger players undertaking the Softball Development Programme, recognising the efforts of newcomers and of those progressing well from 2021. There was also under-11 hardball awards for those in their first year of transition from softball. Team and individual awards to older age-groups, u12, u13, u15 & u18s followed and culminated with presentation of the Tom Barritt and Derek Hurren Memorial Trophies.

The principal team awards went to the four Championship winning teams, three of which fell to the highly successful Great Horton Church club [u-11, u-13 and u-18] with Skipton under-15 halting their potential clean sweep. But the loudest acclaim came for the UAJCA under-13 Representative team which became UAJCA’s first ever winners of a Yorkshire Festival Trophy, closely followed by that for the UAJCA under-10 team which reached the Final of the Cricket Asylum Plate competition.  

UAJCA Secretary Terry Thompson announced the closely guarded identities of the seven winners of its Cricketers-of-the-Year. Lizzie Stewart handed these to Mohammed Zaid Khan [Gt Horton Church u-11], Olive Ratcliffe [Embsay u-11] Noah Kennedy [Skipton u-13]. Unfortunately, Freya Craddock [Earby u-13] was not able to attend to receive her award. The Girl Cricketer of the Year from the Girls’ League fell to Aliza Hafiz, also from the Great Horton Church club. The Tom Barritt Memorial Trophy was presented to Hamza Saeed [Gt Horton Church u-15] and Charlie Raby of Oakworth u-18s received the top award of The Derek Hurren Memorial Trophy.

The incredibly warm and sunny 2022 season in UAJCA was summarised as an unqualified success, following the depressed seasons curtailed by the Covid-19 virus. The introduction of the Girls League, a 40% increase in numbers participating in the Softball Development Programme and a total of 124 [15%] new players playing junior cricket all contributed to a marvellous return to ‘normality’ and re-set of Junior Cricket to an upward curve.  2023 beckons and hopes are high that the trajectory will continue to bring more and more youngsters into the game.

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.

pos	TEAM	P	w	l	c	a	lcn	wcn	t	d	BtP	BwlP	NRR	Pts
1	Crossflatts	6	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	5	4	1.48	27
2	Skipton	6	4	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	5	3	1.04	20
3	GHC	6	2	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	3	-0.46	14
4	Settle	6	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2	-1.54	6

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.

 

21st AUGUST [09:00am] THE GIRLS' SOFTBALL PAIRS CUP FESTIVAL

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'!

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 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.

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.

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

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.