COMFORTABLE SYKES CUP WIN

Shepley went through to the second round of the Sykes Cup with a comfortable win over Broad Oak.  Shepley batted first after winning the toss and the openers scored freely with Tom Denton, who went on to score 130, in imperious form.  The first wicket fell on 52, and the second shortly afterwards, but first Liam Wiles (25) and then Amar Rashid (scoring an aggressive 78 on his home debut) joined Denton in taking the score up to a very competitive 282-6.  Broad Oak were soon in trouble as wickets from Danny (2-25) and Craig Glover (2-27), together with a smart run-out by Rashid, reduced the visitors to 40-5 after 15 overs. Freeland (73), Walker (24) ad McCreadie (30*) played their shots against the spinners before Rashid (3-55) finished off the tail to see his team home by 102 runs.

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THIS WEEK'S FIXTURES

SATURDAY 30 APRIL at 1.00pm

SHEPLEY v BROAD OAK

at Marsh Lane, Shepley

Sykes Cup First Round

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SATURDAY 30 APRIL at 1.00pm

MELTHAM 2nd XI v SHEPLEY 2nd XI

at Mean Lane, Meltham

Paddock Shield First Round

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HEAVY WOOLLEN CUP DRAW

Shepley have been given a home tie against neighbours Scholes in the Second Round of the Heavy Woollen Cup following their defeat of Kirkburton on Sunday.  The game will be played on Sunday 8 May at 1.00 pm.  Scholes comfortably beat Wakefield Thornes in the First Round and will feel their time is due after a miserable run against Shepley in recent seasons.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Like all community-based sports clubs, Shepley Cricket Club relies on the generosity of sponsors to help fund the considerable costs involved in running the Club.  Any level of help is gratefully received and those wishing to help can download the 2011 Sponsorship Pack here.

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NEW JUNIOR CRICKET WEBSITE

Shepley Junior Cricket Club now has its own section of the website.  This will build throughout the season with news, fixtures, rules and lots of other information about the Junior set-up.  To go to the site, simply click on the "Junior Cricket" tab in the left hand column.

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SHEPLEY'S UNICORN

Congratulations to Shepley's new signing Amar Rashid, who has been selected for The Unicorns squad for this season's Clydesdale Bank Pro-40 competition.  The Unicorns are made up entirely of players who do not have county contracts and compete against the first-class counties in the successor to the old Sunday League.  In their debut season last year they won three matches, including a six-wicket defeat of Sussex.  Amar is joined in the 29-man squad by Honley's Tom Craddock.

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2011 SQUAD FINALISED

Shepley has strengthened its squad after finishing runners-up in last year’s Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership.  Top of the list of recruits is leg-spinning all-rounder Amar Rashid (24), brother of Yorkshire & England’s Adil.  Rashid made an explosive debut for Leicestershire 2^nd XI against Northamptonshire last year, taking 5-9 and 3-58.  He went on to take wickets regularly, as well as contributing significantly with the bat.  He will continue playing for Leicestershire 2nds mid-week, whilst turning out for Shepley at weekends. 

The attack will also be strengthened by the return to Marsh Lane of opening bowler Craig Glover after a successful two-year spell at Skelmanthorpe, where he was a Sykes Cup winner in 2010.  He will lead the attack alongside his younger brother Danny, the Shepley captain, while Rashid and off-spinner SP Singh provide front-line spin options. Also joining the club is hard-hitting middle order batsman Ben Wells from Barkisland, and highly-rated young wicketkeeper Tom Sykes steps up from Central League Thurstonland.   

Seam bowler Don Bandula Ranjith was released at the end of last season and has subsequently joined Hoylandswaine.  Aussie pace man Leigh Millar returned home to complete his University studies, meaning Shepley will have no overseas player. Veteran wicketkeeper Steve Sullivan will play 2^nd XI cricket solely as a batsman following a series of hand injuries. 

The rest of the 1^st XI squad remains intact, with Singh, Tom Denton (who is expected to be available for more games now he has left Huddersfield Town), Tim Rees and Liam Wiles heading up the batting, joined by the likes of Sam Denton, Sam Haigh, Nigel Hoyle and Huw Ellis. All this means that Shepley now has a very well-balanced team with depth in all departments.  It is also a young team, improving all the time, and an excellent fielding side.  Hopefully we can continue to move forward.

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FROM THE JOOLS HOLLAND SHOW TO SHEPLEY CRICKET CLUB!

FESTIVAL LAUNCH EVENT

The now traditional launch event for the Shepley Spring Festival takes place in the Beer Tent on

THURSDAY 19 MAY at 8.00pm

and features the wonderful

JON STRONG BAND

Bob Harris Radio 1: "Brilliant"

Tom Robinson: "Songs of lyric, texture & power"

Johnny Walker Radio 1: "I don't believe you were playing live"

Tower Arts Centre, Winchester: "Kill to get tickets"

Jon has toured Europe and North America for years, performing with artists such as Van Morrison, Ry Cooder and Robert Palmer

as well as recording some great albums.

SUPPORT FROM SOME GREAT LOCAL MUSICIANS

ADMISSION FREE!

HOWARD SYKES

Howard Sykes pictured with his wife Gill