CLAYTON WEST are now playing ‘catch up’ in the Frank Platt Championship – but skipper Mark Firth believes their destiny this season is still firmly in their own hands as they bid to make an immediate return to the Premiership.
They were hugely disappointing last season as they finished bottom of the table after some indifferent displays from overseas players, coupled to the early loss of Australian all-rounder Chris Thomson after being the victim of an alleged assault in Leeds.
It was a blow which, fortunately, the player seems to have almost recovered from – but sadly, the club never really did, and the season ended with them being deducted a ridiculous amount of points (54) for playing an ineligible player, which made no difference at all as they were already relegated anyway.
The signs are more promising this season, despite losing their opening two games against Shelley and Kexborough, who are now heading the table in what is turning out to be a very tough division with all eight teams either looking up – or in Meltham, Almondbury and Micklehurst’s case – down!
“We’ve lost to Kexborough twice so far this season, and on both occasions it was our fielding which proved the biggest contributory factor to our defeat,” said Clayton stalwart and skipper Firth.
“We gave Kexborough plenty of runs in the field on both occasions we played them, and we lost by only four in the first match. And although our bowling was poor in the second meeting when they scored 363, we must have given them 30 or 40 in the field, while against Shelley we spilled eight catches, and you can’t do that and expect to win.”
The only newcomer to Back Lane this year is Australian all-rounder Greg Davis, although having Thomson back (who is English qualified as he holds a dual passport) is almost like having two new men, and both are starting to prove their worth.
Both play at the Mount Lawley club in Perth, where Davis plays first grade and Thomson grade two, and which is also the home club of a former Clayton West favourite Corey Verco, but it was through Nick Sharp that Davis came to Huddersfield.
“Sharpy went over to Australia during the winter to stay with Chris (Thomson) and played a few games with the Mount Lawley club, and it was he who recommended we sign Greg who was keen to come over to England,” continued Firth.
“And he is certainly a very good batter, who scored a beautiful 135 against Shelley first up, which was one of the best innings I’ve seen at Clayton. He’s a typical Aussie in that he will only usually give you one chance in an innings and he is definitely a quality player.”
That was the first of three centuries which helped hurry Davis to the Examiner’s £50 prize for the first Championship or Conference batsman to reach 500 runs in the League programme.
He was always in the running after his opening-day ton, but it was the 112 against Hall Bower, backed up by 116 against Kexborough that clinched the money. Davis owns a painting and decorating business in Perth, and subject to his work commitments, Clayton are more than hopeful he will be back again in 2011 for another season.
“Greg is also a more than respectable bowler, having the wicket of Aussie Test player Marcus North to his list of credits, but unfortunately he has not been able to bowl much because of a sciatic problem which is affecting his feet.
“In the few overs he’s had so far, he’s taken a four-wicket haul and two threes, but we’re hoping he’ll be fit before the end of the season and can bowl to his full capacity, because we are a bit thin on the bowling front without him.”
Sharp bowled a lot of overs (uphill) against Meltham and was rewarded with a five-wicket return, but it is Thomson who is the leading wicket-taker with 34 in League and Sykes Cup and the first man that Firth turns to.
“Chris is a really good honest, toiling bowler and it’s good to have him back. As well as a vital part of the team, he also helps prepare the wickets for the juniors and is a great club man, and I know that he would like to publicly thank everyone for the kind gestures, donations and fantastic support he received after what happened last year.
“Although Chris is not allowed to make any comment because the case is still under legal investigation, he is keen to express his gratitude to everyone connected with our club, and those at numerous other clubs in the League, as well as individuals and other bodies who all helped him and offered their support during a very difficult time in his life.”
Undoubtedly, the club’s leading all-rounder at the moment, however, is Sharp, who hammered a magnificent 162 against Meltham recently, and is Thomson’s regular opening bowling partner.
“Nick joined us several years ago from Ossett, which is where he began, but came to us because of his friendship with Jonny Butterfield with whom he had played at county level through the various Yorkshire age groups, and apart from a part season with Scholes he has been here ever since, and is now starting to produce what we know he is capable of.”
Firth knows that promotion is now the best option for success this season (although the second string are into the semi-finals of the Paddock Shield, where they entertain neighbours Skelmanthorpe tomorrow), especially after their unfortunate exit from the Oddfellows Cup, in which they would probably have been one of the favourites.
“Obviously we were bitterly disappointed to lose out to Armitage Bridge in a bowl-off, but to be honest, they never looked like missing, and our hopes in the Sykes Cup were cut off when we drew Delph & Dobcross away in the second round.”
Now into his forties, Firth acknowledges that he is probably heading towards the twilight of his career, but before then he would dearly like to help Clayton back into the top flight.
“Over the next few years I really hope we can establish ourselves as a top eight club, and I would love to play in a Sykes Cup final!”
