Under 15s League Report week 11

Oakworth lost their eighth straight match to league leaders Embsay and seem doomed to relegation. The batting was slightly improved at 64-3 but still way too slow. Embsay by contrast had the prolific Lloyd Davies to rely on and he made 33, Henry Barrow adding 26 in their 12.1 overs required. Embsay remain leaders in a fascinating Division with six clubs still in with a chance. A huge batting score of 164-2 from Haworth West End featured Taverners Joseph Holt 38 and Callum Jones 36 with Joe Alvey also stacking up 36. Sadly for visitors Settle the title chasers' bowlers were also on top form as the Dales side crashed to 60-8

Ingrow picked a successive win, this time over neighbours Haworth and by 7 wickets. A fine team bowling display gained all the Haworth wickets for 71 with James Reynoldson making 24 of them. The fast improving form of the Ingrow batsmen was also much in evidence as they reached their target in just 12.1 overs with keeper Jason Roberts leading the charge with 29. The confidence levels at Ingrow must have been rising but they were dashed somewhat by promotion chasing Sutton in  a re-arranged match, who restricted them to 56-8 principally through the 3-8 from the prolific Amjid Hussain. It took only 8 overs for Mohammed Shanawaz to lead the Sutton boys to a nine wicket win to keep up their challenge. On a night when a number of top players chose to be elsewhere Gargrave travelled to Pendle Forest still as Division leaders. Sam Lund's 5-14 gave them hope as the Fence side mustered 99 with 23 from Alex Thornton. Lund added 26 with the bat but the cause was scuppered by Ben Crabtree with 3 for2 to have the visitors all out for 66. The gap at the top is now 2 points with Gargrave despite the defeat in pole position.

Under 15s League Report week 10

Harry McEneaney was particularly unfortunate to be on the losing side against Oxenhope as his third 3-for, 3-23; wasn't quite enough to prevent a 6 wicket loss for Skipton. George Nixon 35 and Luke Fleetwood 29 had given Oxenhope a real boost at the start of their knock chasing 100-3, which showcased 35 from Daniel Clayton and 26 from Sam Baldwin. A six wicket win at Upper Wharfedale saw Haworth West End to the top of the league at least until the Embsay result is known. Only Tom Whyte made major runs for the Dales side with 27. Callum Jones topped that with 32 and the Bronte boys were home and dry with 5 balls left in the locker. Champions Steeton crashed at home to league leaders Embsay by the full margin of 10 wickets. Freddie Osadzenko made another considerable contribution of 28 and Ben Wood added 20 but the leaders would not be denied as they made 83-0 in 9.1 zing-along overs; 35 to Joshua Robinson and 29 to Henry Barrow. Oakworth's poor run with the bat continued as they were all out for 75 at Settle. U-13s skipper Jack Davison made 35 but he was a lone star. Will Davidson snapped up 3 catches for the 7-wicket winners and then made a season's best 29 with the bat in hand. Oakworth stay firmly lodged at the bottom with Settle again leap-frogging Oxenhope to 6th place.

Ingrow gained their second win in their first UAJCL campaign with a 14-run margin against Bradley. Danny Fazackerley hit a cracking 38 with Captain Joe Hoyle again in the runs with 28. Herbie Starkey scored 30 and Jack Beetham 26 but the Bradley run rate left them on 98-4 having chased 112-4 from the Keighley side. A poor Haworth total of 44 proved no obstacle for Earby in their quest for a quick return to Division One. Jamaal Allcock-Knowles 3-1 and George Skocki 26 were the pivots from which the 7 wicket win was gained. Pendle Forest proved no match for Sutton at Royd Hill after the homesters racked up 109-7. Ben Simons was the star batter with 37 and Jack Stephenson added 21 despite 3-10 from Andrew Hill. There was 3 for 11 for Amjid Hussain as the Sutton bowlers skittled the Red Rose for 56-9. Denholme were the latest to fail to unseat Gargrave from the head of the Pro Coach Academy Second Division. The Dragons fire was quenched by 52-2 from the visitors after the Denholme side totalled 51-6. Alex McIntyre led the 13-over victory charge with 28.

Under 15s League Report week 9

It rained again.

Under 15s League Report week 8

A superb win for Upper Wharfedale over leaders Embsay has opened up the Division with the season at the half way stage. All the Dales bowlers got in on the act to leave Embsay at 78 all out. Ben Davey 35 and Harry Eccleshall 26 were the mainstays. Champions Steeton hosted Ribblesdale side Settle. The home side had first tilt and made 83-4 largely at the hands of Freddie Osadzenko with 36. Perhaps the scorers were asleep buts strangely, batting second, Settle reached 92-4 with Peter Cook 29 and Miles McPherson 26 as their aces in their pack. The Champions have now lost 3 matches whilst Settle climb out of the bottom two above Oxenhope. The Worth Valley was again in derby mode with Oxenhope at home to Haworth West End. The Penistone Hill boys made an excellent 125-4 after a solid opening stand from Callum Jones 35 and Joe Bottomley 29. The home lads couldn't match that being held at bay by 3 for 14 from both Joe Holt and Jack Shimmin to fall short by 41 runs. Promoted West End leapfrog Steeton to stay 3 points behind Embsay. Bottom side Oakworth failed to build on their improved showing in the Hargreaves Cup and were all out for 50 in 17 overs, only Greig Hudson 19 and Tom Hudson 13 showing any resistance in the face of top bowling from Harry McEneaney and Keir Nelson who each took 3 for 9. Skipton lost 2 wickets making the tiny target in 12.1 overs with prolific Sam Baldwin on 28.

The wickets were a-tumbling at The Applegarth as Pendle Forest took on home side Earby and crashed to 33 all out. The first 6 players all fell for ducks as Dan Brayton and Charles Winstanley ran riot with the ball. The Earby side ate up 10 overs and lost 4 wickets reaching the small target. Leaders Gargrave travelled to Keighley and restricted Ingrow to 69-9 in their 20 overs. The first wickets of the season for Peter Messenger came in bucket loads, five to be precise  for just 10 runs. The visitors had little trouble knocking off the runs taking just 10.2 overs. Alex McIntyre led the assault with 38 and partner Danny Bowditch added 28. 24 hours later the Gargrave machine rolled on with another clear cut margin over Haworth. Batting first the Division toppers racked up 117-2 with 37s for Alex McIntyre and Danny Bowditch who each crowned a superb 24 hours. Haworth were steady scorers but only Will Stanley disturbed the timbers with 3 for 5 in 68-4 anchored by James Reynoldson 25. Sutton came a real cropper at home to Bradley managing only 44 all out. Whilst the visitors Herbie Starkey had 3-18 with the ball, he and his colleagues also struggled to score before emerging winners with 6 down.

Under 15s League Report week 7

Promoted sides Skipton and Haworth West End re-enacted their Hargreaves Cup Final with the result again going to the Bronte side, who made 103-8. There was an impressive 38 from Joe Bottomley and a late flurry 31 from Aiden Kirby to admire. Bottomley had a field day and sealed a comprehensive victory with 4-11 whilst colleague Joe Alvey returned 3-5 as Skipton collapsed to a poor 43-9. West End now lie second with Skipton slipping to fourth. Embsay laid down a gauntlet as their challenge for the 2008 UAJCL title with a fine 8 wicket win at Skipton to lead the Division by 6 points. Joshua Robinson 35 and Lloyd Davies 32 powered the country side to victory with 10 balls to spare over their urban neighbours despite 36 from Sam Baldwin and 35 for Keir Nelson on a day for batsmen. Champions Steeton reasserted their challenge with a six wicket win at Haworth West End to leapfrog the losers back into second place. The home side sported Joe Bottomley with 35 whilst Freddie Osadzenko kept his maters in check with 3 for 7. Ben Wood led the chase with 29 and a six hit for victory off the last ball.

The Earby 41-run win over Denholme lifted the West Craven club to second place whilst the Dragons drop to third. The Dragons were slayed by "Saint" George Skocki 40 with Alex Yates again in the wickets with 3 for 11 as the wheels were finally firmly back on the bus after the loss at Ingrow. Leaders Gargrave dropped their first point with a pulsating tied match at Sutton. Amjid Hussain with 30 led the South Craven side to 70 all out with all the on form Gargrave bowlers showing their paces. James Bannister had 3-4 as Sutton chased victory which was fairly denied both sides in the exciting finish. Joel Duerden with 35 was in the runs again for his Pendle side, who proved 35 too good for Ingrow who were without skipper and talisman Joe Hoyle. Ben Pursey did limit the Red Rose boys to 88 with his 4 for 14.

Under 15s League Report week 6

Rain was reserved for Wednesday but Embsay did manage a close run victory over a good value Oxenhope. The 35 from Lloyd Davies was crucial.

New club Ingrow finally gained their first win over high flyers Earby by 5 wickets in a re-arranged rain-off match. The Ingrow 92-5 was achieved with great help from Joe Hoyle 37 although Alex Yates tried well to stem the tide with 3-12 for the losers.

Under 15s League Report week 5

Champions Steeton, despite 2 defeats haven't given up on their title yet as a 41 run win at runners up Oakworth showed. Freddie Osadzenko 35 continued his fine start to the season and he was joined by Joseph McGuiness on 36. Oakworth, weakened by the loss of players to the new Ingrow team, battled gamely reducing Steeton from 99-0 to 121-7. Oaks batting was improved but still they have no wins and no points whilst Steeton remain in contention. Skipton climbed back into the mix with a 3 wicket win against Upper Wharfedale. There were only 2 balls left when victory came with a bye. Sam Baldwin 35 and Ben Holderness 27 had led from the front chasing 90-7, which featured 35 from Ben Davey. In a match of 279 runs Oxenhope came out victorious by 11 runs against a competitive Settle challenge. The Worth Valley boys tallied an impressive 145-4 but the Ribblesdalers stayed in the hunt with 134-7 and a share of a new league u-15 match aggregate record, beating by 1 run the previous record from 2004. On the batting front it was a shoot out of the Marshalls. both Tom and John making 36 but they were both outdone by Matthew Moore who scored only the second u-15 40 score.

Sutton 126-2 improved their net run rate significantly with a clear cut margin of 72 runs against Haworth 54-6. Jack Stephenson 38 and Christian Paulat-Brigg 30 were in top form whilst Ryan Fountain nicked out a couple of Bronte boys with his spin. Billy Pinder 28 led his Gargrave team to a not wholly convincing 85-6 against leaders Earby. But the Gargrave bowling was top notch led by 3-6 from Danny Bowditch as the West Craven side were bowled out for just 50 and Gargarve take over at the top with their fourth straight win. Ingrow managed 73-8 at Denholme with 28 for Danny Fazackerley. Their only problem was that the home side had smashed 149-2, led by Adrian Shires 37 with 27 for Dale Feather and Andrew Wear. the league newcomers are finding bowling pretty tough in their baptismal campaign.

Under 15s League Report week 4

The batting of Sam Baldwin 36 and Keir Nelson 27 led their Skipton team to a testing 126-5 at a sunny if cold Summerhill Lane. The Steeton reply was also positive and innings of 35 from James McGuiness and Jake Hill ensured  the tightest of finishes and Steeton took the points with 127-4. Baldwin claimed 3 wickets but took the brunt from the Steeton batsmen. Joshua Robinson 38 and Lloyd Davies 35 helped Embsay post a massive 133-2. Oakworth's response included six ducks as only Jack Davison 22 showed resistance. Robinson added 3 wickets and Ryan Ridehalgh cleaned up the tail with another three. Up the valleys the Upper Wharfedale challenge rumbled on with a similarly close encounter with Oxenhope. George Nixon and Matthew Moore both fell for 28 but the Worth Valley side, still without a win this year, made a sterling 123-4. The result came with 3 balls remaining as the home team racked up 126-6. Opener Jack Schindler set up the win with 35 as all his team mates contributed. Further still up the Dales Haworth West End visited Settle and Joe Alvey made his presence felt with 33 in a 109-4 posting. The hitherto unbeaten Ribblesdale XI were skittled emphatically for a surprising 32. The early West End bowling was exemplary and Calton Beanland finished off the tail with 3 for 4.

In Division Two Sutton hosted the leaders Earby who went back home with the points by 7 wickets. Daniel Brayton 3 for 14 contained the South Craveners well and their total of 90 (Mohsin Hussain 21) looked distinctly attainable. So it proved as cheeky chappie Chris Bowker grabbed his second 35 of the year to lead the victory charge in 15.2 overs. Bradley took first guard at Denholme and a late knock of 24 from Ben Simons helped a 90-4 tally. It wasn't enough as home stars Andrew Wear 36 and Joe Greenwood 37 propelled the Dynamoes to an 8 wicket win with 3 balls in hand. A second trip to Gargrave inside 24hrs for the Pendle Forest side proved equally as unproductive although the performance was much improved. The Forest bowlers performed well and Alex Thornton and Joshua Duffy both returned 3 for 7 as Gargrave made 78-8, opener Will Smith contributing 28. The Gargrave bowlers confined the Red Rose batsmen to 53-9 largely through Will Marshall with 3 for 5. Ingrow's first home match in UAJCL proved a cracking game with the home side making 89, courtesy of 39 extras!! The visitors from Haworth took the points in 19 overs with 4 wickets lost. A fine innings of 37 from all rounder Stephen Bell in a 50 opening partnership with Jonathan Lilley was the cornerstone.

Under 15s League Report week 3

Secretary on holiday.

Under 15s League Report week 2

Oxenhope set about picking themselves up from last week's heavy defeat at West End and Tom Marshall batted with aplomb to make 36 out of an 89-5 total, pegged back a little by Chalotte Boulton's brace of wickets. The brace was matched by George Nixon but Freddie Osadzenko 32 led a very solid response and the target was made with 4 down so it was Champions Steeton who reversed their fortunes of St Georges day.

Under 15s League Report week 1

Promoted Skipton ended Oakworth u15s 3 year unbeaten home UAJCL record with a comfortable 33-run victory on a slow but lively wicket.  Former League u-12s Luke Facey and Sam Baldwin each made 20 in a first knock of 74-7 in the 16 overs.  Their knock owed much to 26 from the last 4 overs despite 2 wickets each for left-arm Marshall Pedder and James Heslop. The Skipton bowlers were also in combative form, the pick being Keir Nelson with 2-5. Oakworth finished well short on 41-7.

Also promoted, Hargreaves Cup holders Haworth West End were in fine form rattling up 124-2 against neighbours Oxenhope. New UAJCL rules on retirement led Joe Bottomley to a first ever under 15 score of 40 and with backing of 32 from Callum Jones a winning total was posted and West End sit at the top of Division One. The Oxenhope reply of 74-6 centred round Matthew Moore who made 29 whilst Anthony Cox bowled well for 2-5 as did Owen Palmer 2-12.

2007 Champions Steeton came unstuck at Settle after a 62-4 tally, Daniel Hanson with a steady 23 whilst Will Davidson took out 2 for 8. The Ribblesdale lads knocked them off with 3 down, John Marshall also making 23. Freddie Osadzenko did take 2-12 but he couldn't prevent the defeat.

In Division Two relegated Earby proved too strong for new side Pendle Forest who though resolute in defence made just 57-1 thanks to Thomas Anderson with 34. Ryan Sumner led the Earby victory charge with 26 as his side lost just 2 wickets.

Haworth's Jonathan Lilley returned a stunning 4 for 5 in 3 overs as all but Denholme's Joe Greenwood (36) struggled to score. Denholme posted 83-7 and then Callum Gerrard took a grip with a match-winning 6 for 8 to leave the visitors on 43-9. 

New boys Ingrow found out how tough life can be in UAJCL after a 58-run debut defeat at Gargrave. Peter Messenger led the dales boys to 92-3 with Billy Pinder chipping in 20. The Ingrow wickets tumbled regularly as all the home bowlers took a scalp. Joe Hoyle did reach double figures and extras added 14 in the 34-9 reply.