Teams set to play each other just once in Pontefract League if cricket can start in 2020

Like all the other local leagues the Pontefract & District Cricket League is coming to terms with the prospect of no action for the foreseeable future, forcing them to abandon plans to start the 2020 season.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

In light of the latest developments the league has decided that it will try to start the 2020 season on July 4 with teams just playing each other once instead of twice.

A statement put out by the league said: “The PDCL management committee have come to a decision with regards to the 2020 league programme, after taking the following into account:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

UK Government advice on travel and social contact; the measures have become more stringent and are likely to remain in place for at least 12 weeks, before a managed relaxation can take place if the measures are successful; the need for clubs to know where they stand and to be able to plan for the future as far as possible; that once the playing of cricket can be resumed, clubs may need sometime to prepare the ground etc for games.

Action from a Pontefract Cricket League match.Action from a Pontefract Cricket League match.
Action from a Pontefract Cricket League match.

“The management committee has therefore decided that in order to be fair to all league clubs, the first half of the season will be cancelled. We will attempt to start the 2020 league season based on teams playing each other once from July 4.

“The management committee will continue to monitor the situation and if it is possible for recreational cricket to resume before that date the committee will review the position.”

All cup competitions will be postponed with the league explaining: “The management committee will review the situation on a regular basis with a view to preparing a plan for cup matches to take place, if possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The league will look to update clubs at the end of April at the earliest with regards to season 2020.

“We strongly advise everyone to follow the recommendations of the ECB, with regards to suspending cricket-based activity, as well as the NHS/government advice in preventing the spread of the disease.

“The league do not know what will happen in the coming months, but everyone keeping safe and healthy is bigger than the game that we all love.”

All league meetings have also been cancelled for now.

Player transfers, meanwhile, have been confirmed for the upcoming season should it start as now planned. Moves confirmed for 2020 include:

David Martindale – from West Bretton to Streethouse.

Shahid Khan – Calder Grove to Streethouse.

Tom Martindale – Calder Grove to Streethouse.

Amitpaul Kundra – Doncaster Town to Ackworth.

Elliot Roberts – Ryhill & Havercroft to Hemsworth MW.

Luke Townsend – Doncaster Town to Ackworth.

Andrew Murray – Wadworth to Featherstone Town.

Lee Matthews – Wombwell Main to West Bretton.

Marc Brampton – Wombwell Main to West Bretton.

Luke Rogers – Old Sharlston to Hemsworth MW.

Jordan Sayles – Normanton St John to Featherstone Town.

Dean Cressey – Barton Town to Ackworth.

Kevin Marshall – Streethouse to Hatfield Town.

Lee White – Knottingley Town to Hooton Pagnell.

Steven Roberts – Old Sharlston to Hemsworth MW.

Byron Dean – Old Sharlston to Hemsworth MW.

Jack Rogers – Old Sharlston to Hemsworth MW.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Teams set to make up the divisions in the league when cricket gets under way are:

Division One: Ackworth; Askern Welfare; Brodsworth Main; Darton; Fairburn; Frickley Colliery; Hatfield Town; Hemsworth MW; Hooton Pagnell; Rothwell; Streethouse; West Bretton.

Division Two: Barnby Dun; Crofton Phoenix; Featherstone Town; Garforth PC; Glasshoughton; Hundhill Hall; Knottingley Town; Old Sharlston; Pollington; Streethouse 2nds; Thorpe Audlin; Whitley Bridge.

Division Three: Ackworth 2nds; Fenwick; Ferrybridge PS; Hensall; Horbury Bridge; Newton Hill; Nostell St Oswald; Notton; Old Sharlston 2nds; Pledwick; South Kirkby 2nds; Stainborough.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Division Four: Bentley Colliery; Bullcroft Main; Calder Grove; Denby Grange; Eggborough PS; Fairburn 2nds; Garforth; Hatfield 2nds; Hemsworth MW 2nds; Knottingley Town 2nds; Rossington Main; Thurnscoe.

Division Five: Allerton Bywater; Askern Welfare 2nds; Brodsworth Main 2nds; Burton Salmon; Crofton Phoenix 2nds; Featherstone Town 2nds; Garforth PC 2nds; Normanton SJ; Ryhill & Havercroft; Wakefield Thornes 3rds; West Bretton 2nds.

Division Six: Darton 2nds; Frickley Colliery 2nds; Garforth 2nds; Glasshoughton 2nds; Hensall 2nds; Nostell SO 2nds; Pledwick 2nds; Rothwell 2nds; Sykehouse; Thorpe Audlin 2nds; Whitley Bridge 2nds.

Division Seven: Balby Recreation; Calder Grove 2nds; Crigglestone; Denby Grange 2nds; Ferrybridge PS 2nds; Horbury Bridge 2nds; Hundhill Hall 2nds; Newton Hill 2nds; Normanton St Johns 2nds; Notton 2nds; Rossington Main 2nds.

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you