Liversedge CC signal their intentions

Chairman Graeme Smith has had a busy winter recruiting and appears to have put together a side capable of challenging following last season’s relegation.

They have signed wicketkeeper/batsman Michael Cooper, along with another ex-Morley man Steve Lane, who joins from Meltham.

Max Power, a batsman from Milnrow, and Nigel Doyle, a left arm spinner from Didsbury, will also chance their arm this side of the Pennines.

Sedge will also employ a South African overseas opening bowler and batsman, David Winter, who played with North Wales Premier Division side Bangor last summer.

Veteran spin bowler Simon Purdy has joined Premier Division outfit Methley but remains heavily involved in the off-field activities at his ‘home’ club.

Liversedge go to Ossett A on the opening day (April 16) and have been drawn at home to Bradford League Division One side Gomersal in what will be an intrguing Heavy Woollen Cup first round tie.

Scholes will have a new captain at the helm for their Division Two campaign with James Little taking over.

Scholes have signed Ben Cross, who won the Division Three bowling averages with Liversedge last season.

Cross claimed 33 wickets at an average of 10.5 and also proved a useful batsman, making 432 runs.

Experienced all-rounder Paul James joins from Moorlands, while Scholes have also signed Chris Metcalfe from Halifax League side Northowram Hedge Top.

Metcalfe is a top order batsmen, who scored more than 600 runs, and wicketkeeper, who had 40 victims last season.

Alan Pyle also returns to be vice-captain of the second team.

Scholes will host Rodley in a friendly on April 9.

Cleckheaton are anticipating a big season in Bradford Division One, under the guidance of captain John Wood.

They have signed opening bowler James Lee from Farsley and he should be well prepared having been part of Yorkshire’s pre-season tour squad to the West Indies.

Moorend followers will get an early chance to see their other recruits Tim Jackson from Saltaire and Andrew Deegan from Bankfoot as they play a friendly against Windill next Saturday.

Stuart Houlbrook replaces Russ Noble as second team captain, assisted by Chris Dobson.

Cleckheaton will hold their popular question of sport evening on April 14, hosted by Ian Gatenby, for teams of four (£10 per person).

On April 21, Cleckheaton hold their junior signing -on night. The fee is £25 per youngster, which includes a shirt worth £20.

Practice for the Under-9s, 11s and 13s starts on Tuesday April 12 at 6.30pm.

The club will also start a chance to shine programme next week, when coaches will be going into local schools.