As with the First and Third XIs, the team finished an inconsistent year in sixth place, the Cowling Cup another story.

A couple of comfortable wins kicked off the campaign and we were amongst the front runners from the off. Whilst Eldwick & Gilstead and Ingrow St Johns lls weren't top opposition, it was a chance to ease into the battle. Scott Hartley showed fine style at Street lane with 6-22 to add to his First XI claims.

The captain knocked in our first half century against Airedale lls but old stager Malc Quinlan 4-42 stopped us 7 runs short of a third win. Cowling lls tumbled to the batting of Joe Copperwaite 42 and 4-48 from evergreen Ian Jackson. Drew Duffy had a late start and his 50 helped set up Luke Taylor 3-32 to see off Gargrave and we had 4 out of 5.

There followed a string of top performances from youngsters Luke Taylor (55 vs Carlton), Joe Copperwaite (44 v Pendle Forest) and in the Second Round Cowling Cup Jack Hainsworth (48 v Bingley Congs). The match v leaders Pendle was lost but  the record was healthy at 6-0-2 and we were definite contenders. The Cup defence was going well after Stevie Powell 31no settled the collywobbles in Rd1 against Cowling and the the Congs were toppled comfortably thanks to Taylor's 6-22. A loss to Barrowford lls was a set back but not a disaster in amongst all the rain. Better form was regained with successive wins over Eldwick & Gilstead and Ingrow St Johns lls. The record was 8-2-3 with nine to play. History shows that the run did prove to be a horse of a different colour and only 1 match was won (Haworth West End). So sixth place was a severe disappointment after such a promising start and the 9-5-8 out turn matched the previous season. 

So what happened? Well the rain didn't help but that was the same for all teams. The Cowling Cup defence was certainly a factor as further wins against Sandy Lane lls and Ingrow lls again took us to the Final to play Haworth Road lls. We lost to Cowling lls, a side we had already beaten twice and also despite a 7-22 return from vastly improved, sharpish Jack Ellis. The coup-de-grace came from promotion chasers Wilsden who had us all out for just 45, our 7th lowest total ever. A second defeat to Pendle finally put us out of league contention and Ian Burke's 188 rubbed our noses in it a little.

The bowling was denuded of Scott Hartley as his promotion did indeed deservedly come; and in return established First Teamers Chris White and Jason Bilbrough made contributions. Ian Jackson maintained his customary frugality but his strike rate dipped to 40 resulting in only 31 wickets, half the return of 2005. Jack Ellis was the lead strike bowler with 23 at 13.8 whilst Cavender and Taylor proved a tad expensive with 16 wickets apiece.

In giving extended experience to the array of fine youngsters, one price paid was the loss of all round skills from Paul McCullough who spent most of his year with the Third XI. Lee Hollingsworth (pictured) and Michael Davison rarely turned out either so the Year has to be seen as transitional and as such reaching a second successive Cup Final was no mean feat.

So 2008 should be a probable step upwards after the 2007 success of Ellis, Taylor and especially Copperwaite proved the blend of ages could assist development of First XI potential. It was a shame Ben Lamb disappeared from the scene as he too might well have been up there. Jack Hainsworth proved capability as an opener in his first full year and another year should see him fully cash in on that and hopefully develop his leg spin for more frequent use. Brannan Lawn finally translated promise into runs with a first ever century for the the Third XI and he should seek regular Second XI runs in 2008.

For Ricky Linden and Michael Clegg there will be every opportunity to turn ability into results with the Third XI before their inevitable promotion. Ian Jackson, Rob Hollingsworth and Richard Cavender must surely regain their lost prowess and 2008 should benefit from the highs and lows suffered in 2007