Barkisland are expecting a tough test at Scholes in the Fired Up Paddock Shield final, but skipper Callum Thompson says there’s a steely determination to retain the famous old trophy.
The Woodfield seconds won the Shield in front of their own fans in spectacular fashion last summer, defeating Honley by just one run in a high-scoring encounter.
This time around they have to travel to Chapelgate, but Thompson says that’s not a major issue.
“We had the advantage of playing at home last year, which was great, but it’s not a big issue having to travel,” he explained.
“We will bring big support over from the village and it will be a real day out for the club.
“The lads also have experience of playing against Scholes in the Premiership Two, so we know they have some good players who will be aiming to do well.
“And we know there will be a good crowd there supporting both sides, so it should be a good final.”
Ben Westbrook (576 at 57.60) and Matt Bridges (560 at 26.67) have done the bulk of the run-scoring for the Westfield side this season, while vastly-experienced David Weston (344 at 43.00) will be back on familiar ground, having captained Scholes to the Byrom Shield in 2000 and also being part of their successful Sykes Cup-winning team in 1996.
Jamie Colman skippered Barkisland to last season’s Shield win and is among the wickets again this season, as are Isaac Pollitt and Charles Cocking, but Westbrook is leading the way with 27 victims at just 12.04 apiece.
Barkisland won the league and cup double last season, when their first team won the Sykes Cup for good measure, and Thompson says they would love to use some Duraglit on the Shield for another 12 months.
“The Paddock Shield was really good for us last year and the final against a very good Honley side was a real thriller,” he explained.
“We’ve had a tough run this year, so far beating Hoylandswaine in the quarter-finals and then Kirkburton in the semis, who are both good sides, so we are really pleased to be in the final again and we are looking forward to it.
“With it being a final, you’ve always got to expect it to be tight, and that’s the way we are treating it.”
And does the league have any bearing?
“We are a bit disappointed with our league placing at the moment, because we have had matches rained off this season when others have been playing,” he said, reflecting on fourth spot and needing three wins just to draw level with leaders Hoylandswaine.
“We have also dropped a few points in and among with defeats we wouldn’t have expected, so we are chasing things a bit in the league.
“The spirit is always good at the club, though, and we have a core group of players in the second team, as well as some older lads we can call upon when we’ve got a few missing.
“We also have some very good young players as well. Our third team won the Halifax League Cup the other week and seven of them were juniors at Under 16, so that’s very positive for the club and for the future.
“They are all capable of coming in and doing a job when we have people missing.”
Barkisland: Callum Thompson (capt), Paul Dawson (wkt), Matt Bridges, Matthew Raven, Ben Jobson, Ben Westbrook, David Weston, Jamie Coleman, Charlie Cocking, Isaac Pollitt, Ashley Muncaster. 12th man: Connor Friend.
Umpires: David Collins and Steve Sykes.
