The Heavy Woollen Cup

Posted by Tony Hutton

I think it was one of my Lancashire friends, obviously ignorant of the history of the West Riding of Yorkshire, who once asked me 'why is the Heavy Woollen Cup so heavy, if it is made of wool?'. In fact the Heavy Woollen District, which includes the towns of Dewsbury, Batley, Heckmondwike and Ossett, is an area famed for the production of heavyweight cloth manufactured there from the early 19th century.

The cricket competition began in 1883 and is believed to be the oldest club competition in the world. Indeed a booklet published some years ago to record it's history was entitled 'Only the Ashes is older'. In the early days I believe the qualification for entry was that clubs should be within six miles of Batley Town Hall, but this was extended to eighteen miles until recent years when the geographical rules were abandoned to encourage more clubs to enter.

(Picture from 'Only the Ashes is older').

In the early years of the competition most of the finals were played at the Dewsbury ground, which became a regular venue for Yorkshire County cricket club. Indeed the home club, then Dewsbury and Savile, competed in all the first eight finals, winning just four times. Other early winners included Lascelles Hall, who bowled Ossett our for 33 in 1891 and Batley who scored an amazing 445 to beat Hopton Mills in 1911.

Picture of the 1982 cup winners again from 'Only the Ashes is older'.

The impressive Heavy Woollen Cup.

The competition has been played every year without a break until the 2020 season was cancelled due to the covid outbreak. The draw for this year's competition took place earlier this week when a minute's silence was held in respect of Mrs Lesley Robinson, the long serving secretary of the Heavy Woollen Cup, as well as having a long connection with both Baildon and Keighley cricket clubs in the Bradford League. Lesley, who sadly died earlier this month, was the mother of Richard Robinson, still the record holder for the most runs scored in a Bradford League career and now the hard working and well respected groundsman at Weetwood.

Several new clubs have entered the competition this year, 35 of them in all, which has resulted in the need for a preliminary round of three matches to be played on Sunday 17th April. One new name is New Rover cricket club who will be playing in the Aire/Wharfe first division for the first time this season. They have been given the plum home tie of Yorkshire Leagues champions Castleford in the preliminary round. The other two ties are between local rivals Shepley and Shelley from the Huddersfield League and Kirkburton against other newcomers Beckwithshaw.

New Farnley 2021.

The first round will take place a week later on Sunday 24th April when holders New Farnley travel to Barkisland. There are several other mouth watering ties such as Pudsey Congs against Broad Oak, Methley against Pudsey St Lawrence and Townville against Woodlands. New Farnley are the current holders of the trophy having beaten Woodlands fairly comfortably in last year's final. New Farnley have recruited well in recent years and now field a team of players who have nearly all played for county teams, either at first team or Academy level.

More fixtures are now appearing almost daily and the latest batch relate to the Royal London club Championship not to be confused with the Royal London Cup for first class counties. The first stages of this competition are played in regional groups and some of the first round fixtures to be played on Sunday 1st May feature clubs from different leagues in opposition, very similar to the Heavy Woollen Cup. A Yorkshire league south v Yorkshire league north clash features Wakefield Thornes against Harrogate, whereas York cricket club have to travel to the north east to face Benwell Hill in Newcastle.

Over the border in Lancashire Ormskirk face St Annes, Lancaster play Furness (from Barrow) and Wigan are at home to Dalton, also from Cumbria. All these games are scheduled for the first of May with the second round to be played a fortnight later on the 15th May. County second eleven fixtures are still awaited, with bated breath in some quarters, and I think I can reveal one piece of exclusive information in that Yorkshire seconds will be at home to Kent seconds in a four day championship match commencing on Sunday 8th May (venue to be announced).