Honley may be coming off the back of their most disappointing weekend so far, but it’s all about the bigger picture this season at Far End Lane.
New skipper Eddie Wilson, who won’t be 21 until July, is the ideal example of Honley’s determination to grasp a new era by the bails and forge ahead undaunted.
The former Yorkshire player – a highly talented batsman who has given up the keeping gloves for now to concentrate on leading the side – has both pedigree and exuberance among his troops for an assault on the Drakes Premiership.
Opener Tim Sykes (from Skelmanthorpe), keeper Joe McNamara and seam bowler Sam Denton (both from Holmfirth) have been drafted in alongside Australian all-rounder Aaron Crispe, from Melbourne club Northcote, and the new-look line-up have started smartly, despite their league loss at Hoylandswaine which knocked them off the top of the table and the following Sykes Cup exit at home to a powerful Kirkburton side.
“We said at the start of the season we wanted to play good, positive cricket and it’s gone pretty well so far,” explained Wilson, whose wider squad includes Tim Taylor (namesake of the club’s left-arm spinner) who was signed from Old Almondburians.
“We’ve got a set of good young lads and, while we haven’t set our expectations too high about challenging for things, we’ve just told them to enjoy their cricket and to express themselves.
“Quite a few of them have not played a lot of first-team cricket so they have nothing to lose, nothing to fear, and we want them to enjoy the game in what’s a great environment and a brilliant team spirit.
“Last year we didn’t really perform, so this time it’s a fresh start for us in many ways, we have moved on and, so far, we’ve put a few wins on the board and been happy with the way things have gone.”
After years of unbridled success under Archie Moore and a transitional season in which legendary opening bat Simon Kelly was at the helm, Wilson is enjoying the decision-making this summer and embracing the new playing regulations.
“Winning matches helps, obviously, but I’ve still got Si around to help me out and Archie is also on hand to lend his experience so it’s really good,” he explained.
“I have captained teams before, so the on-field stuff I’m really enjoying and I think the new rules make the league a lot stronger.
“It encourages positive cricket rather than the dull stuff with everyone on the edge and it keeps you focused and it keeps you going.
“Joe McNamara helps me out from behind the sticks, too, because he’s an experienced campaigner, and he’s been wicketkeeping really, really well – I’ve been very impressed with him.”
Wilson was pleased to retain teenage all-rounder Alec Jakeman, after there had been talk of a move to Elland, and he feels the new faces have settled in well.
“Tim Sykes gives us a really solid presence at the top of the order, Denny has gone into the middle order – where Max Joice (now Hoylandswaine) was a massive loss to the batting – and he’s been tremendous opening the bowling as well.
“Young Alec gives us another batter at No8 and he’s been bowling really well too, while Aaron Crispe has impressed.
“He spins the ball quite a lot, he looks nice and sound with the bat – nothing troubles him – he is really good around the field and he gives the club a lot at training as well, so we’ve been really impressed.
“Another youngster, Tommy Woodhead, has done well in the firsts, we’ve got others in the seconds like Louis Kenworthy doing well with both bat and ball and we do want to give them as much chance as possible to progress.”
Wilson feels Tim Taylor has benefited from a winter playing in Australia with Kingston Saints CC in Melbourne and is delighted that another league legend, Ritchie Howarth, is continuing to bowl on with massive success.
“Tim has enjoyed his time in Australia and has come back a better cricketer,” said Wilson, whose club are installing new nets at the far corner fron the ground entrance.
“He had a great knock for us at Moorlands and he has bowled well too, having done a lot of work through the winter. He’s very dangerous turning it away from the bat.
“With Ritchie you just can’t complain about anything he does. He brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm for however old he is and he’s a really nice bloke to rely on, never mind the quality of his bowling.”
So what are the targets for the season now the Sykes Cup is out of the equation?
“We just want to win as many games as we can because we are trying to build something here,” he answered.
“We’ve got plenty of young lads, a good team spirit, training is going really well and there’s an excellent vibe about the club this year.
“I think we will upset quite a few teams as we go along and, while we aren’t really putting too many expectations on ourselves, we want to be as competitive as possible and really enjoy our season.”
