One I missed earlier

posted by John Winn

I was alerted yesterday evening to another club on the move. As far back as March Knaresborough CC applied to join the York and District Cricket League and within a couple of weeks an EGM of the York League accepted their request by 69 votes to 8. In 2017 they will play in Division 1, just one step away from the Premier Division and two promotions away from the Yorkshire Premier League North. This placement will take them above Pannal who 'crossed over' from the Nidderdale league last season and give them local derby matches against Ripon who were promoted this year.

Why this move? Simple, the Aire-Wharfe league that Knaresborough leave behind are not part of the Yorkshire pyramid that leads to possible ECB Premier status. KCC were champions of the Aire-Wharfe for six successive years in the late seventies but last picked up that piece of silverware more than 30 years ago and three years ago were relegated to Division Two. Club spokesman, Jonathan Corcoran, speaking to the Harrogate Advertiser in April, believes that the change of leagues will attract better players to their Aspin Lane ground. Knaresborough played in Division Two in 2016 where they finished third behind promoted clubs Colton and Guiseley.