Time to look forward

posted by John Winn

Tomorrow, December 21st, marks the winter solstice and my smart phone tells me that the sun will rise in the Lower Ure Valley at 8:22 and set at 15:44, after which the days will start to lengthen and by mid January, in the evenings at least, we will begin to see the difference. Time for the pcw to start looking forward to the 2018 season and for those in the Leeds area there is a chance to see the traditional match at North Leeds CC on Boxing Day. Some leagues have already published their fixtures for next season, Aire Wharfe for example will begin on April 14th while the Huddersfield League will begin as is traditional on the third Saturday in April, the 21st.

Last year I began my league cricket season watching by visiting five new grounds in Huddersfield and despite typical April squally weather and at times a biting wind I saw  enough cricket to make the journey worthwhile. Too early to say where my 2018 will begin but my eye was caught last week by the publication of the draw for the ECB Club KO competition. Winners last year were Essex outfit Wanstead and Snaresbrook who have a bye in the first round which is to be played on April 22nd. Their second round opponents will be either Upminster or Winchmore Hill. Last year's beaten finalists, Ormskirk also have a bye and will be at home to the winners of Lostock and Chorley on May 13th.

Group 1 covers East and North Yorkshire and the North East. Some interesting first round ties here include Stamford Bridge v Barnard Castle and  Clifton Alliance v Richmondshire. The winners of this latter tie will be at home to South Northumberland in Round 2 on May 22nd. South Northumberland were expelled from last year's competition for fielding an ineligible player and will no doubt be doubly determined to progress this time. In Group 2 one of my local teams, Harrogate travel to Doncaster, the winners to meet Hanging Heaton. Sessay, so prominent in the village cup in recent years, have made the step up to the club contest and visit Barnsley Woolley Miners on April 22nd. Should they get through Chesterfield will be their opponents in the second round, a home tie for the North Yorkshire side.

The full draw is available at ecb.play-cricket.com. As this will probably be my last posting before Christmas may I wish our readers a Happy Christmas and good cricket watching in 2018. Thank you for your support.