TOWN were fine-tuning before a top-flight football season which was expected to draw bumper crowds to Leeds Road.

But Huddersfield League cricket clubs were fretting over falling gate receipts as they tried to remain competitive.

As Town, fresh from their promotion to the old First Division (now Premiership) prepared to fly off for a tour of Germany and Holland, Examiner cricket correspondent ‘Last Man’ noted in his weekly column: “For local clubs, the financial situation is getting serious.

“Only last week a club official told me that gate money for the entire season covered the expenses of only four matches.

“There are two obvious ways to ease the situation – increasing players’ subscriptions and attracting more spectators.

“The first is fairly straightforward. It’s a case of tightening up the collection system, because many players simply don’t bother to pay their subs, and such is the attitude of committees that this is accepted until a transfer is sought.

“Some of us remember the day when if subs were not paid before the end of May, a player was not considered for selection.

“In the South, where the club game seems to be flourishing, as much as £10 per player is asked. The player has to find his own tackle, and is also expected to pay for his own tea.

“When it comes to getting more through the gate, it’s a much tougher problem, particularly in an age when so many other attractions are available.

“It would certainly help if the cricket became more positive, because over recent years, the accent has certainly been largely on defence.”

One player at whom that accusation couldn’t be levelled was Charlie Moore, the professional at Armitage Bridge.

He cracked 111, 54 more than any other batsman that day, to help his side pick up a crucial win in their battle against relegation from Section A.

Moore’s haul at Kirkheaton included four sixes and nine fours and helped his side make 220-4 (David Green made the day’s second highest individual score of 57).

Moore then completed a fine performance by taking four for 40 and picking up a couple of catches as Kirkheaton, who to their credit made a decent fist of getting the runs, finished on 175-8.

The win meant second-bottom Bridge were two points behind Meltham, who occupied the final safety spot, and six adrift of fourth-bottom Kirkheaton.

At the top of the table Holmfirth, who were chasing a second consecutive double of league title and Sykes Cup, edged victory over Elland in a dress rehearsal for the following weekend’s knockout final.

It was the Holme Valley side’s bowlers rather than batsmen who clinched the win which put them 13 points clear of nearest challengers Huddersfield.

It wasn’t obvious at the time, but a knock of 18 by 10th man Trevor Holmes, which helped the home side reach their tally of 100 all out, proved to be the most telling of the match.

That was because sixth-placed Elland were sent back for 94.

Huddersfield were seven-wicket winners over Almondbury at Fartown.