Cricket: Planning already in place!

Jan 9 2009 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DRAKES Huddersfield League new boys Hoylandswaine can’t wait for the new cricket season to get under way in April.

The Barnsley area side were confirmed as newly-installed members at a special executive meeting of the Drakes League and are now gearing up for their debut season after moving across from the Arrow Central League.

“We’re over the moon,’’ said Hoylandswaine secretary Phillip Chapman, on hearing news that Drakes clubs had voted overwhelmingly in favour of them joining this season.

“Gaining admission is part of the progression we had planned for the club some years ago. Now we have to sit down and put together a new five-year plan to decide our future development.

“Obviously our first objective has to be at least to finish in the top four this season to ensure that we are in the middle tier next year. And we have already recruited one new major signing for the coming season in all-rounder John Ashton from Rockingham.

“As well as being delighted at the Drakes League decision, we also have to extend our grateful thanks to the Central League and their officials, who have been totally understanding.

“They could have made life difficult for us, but they have been very good to us and we really appreciate it.”

Formed in the mid 1920s, Hoylandswaine began life in the Penistone Cricket League before moving to the Barnsley League in the 50s.

It was in 1977 that they joined the Huddersfield Central League, entering with just one side before they managed to form a second team around 1980.

A new clubhouse was next on the agenda, being finished in the mid 80s, while the first team began to figure prominently in the Premiership, where they were involved for all bar one season since its formation in 1994.

“In 2006 we were runners-up in both the Allsop Cup and the Premier Section, but the following season we won the treble, taking the Cup, League and Twenty/20 Trophy,” added Chapman, who watched the side lift the League crown again last summer, although they were beaten by Azaad in the Allsop final on that occasion.

“We’ll be having now, in the next couple of weeks, to elect a captain for the coming season.”