A trio of fine opening wins, echoing those of the First XI foretold a likely season of challenge for the blend of old and young. Airedale, Long Lee and long-time rivals Embsay were all dispatched with some ease as Brannan Lawn and Lee Hollingsworth pounded the runs and Luke Taylor with Greig Hudson picked up the early wickets. Key rival challengers were neighbours Haworth West End, now on an upward roll proved far more onerous a task and we tallied just 65 chasing their modest 136, heavily restricted by Jeff Inman's 4-13. It wasn't a rot as consecutive hammerings for Cowling and Barrowford confirmed we should be there or there abouts. A remarkable batting assault from Ollie Stell and Stevie Powell did for Cowling by over 200 runs whilst Barrowford suffered at the bats of the skipper and Ricky Linden, both a fine blend of age and youth. Another First XI Riddlesden were unbeaten and at the river side they also exploited our batting as 97 all out was no match for their 209-7. So our record was now 5-1-2 but we were not out of anything yet.

Mike Scarborough made his comeback from injury against Riddlesden lls in the Cowlng Cup 3rd round with 88 and his nephew Jack Davison exclled with 4-18 in the 7-wicket win. The win heralded a 7-match winning streak including a 22-run win over Embsay in the Cup QF. Brannan continued his fine form and returnee Nivard Trowers signalled to the First XI he was ready with 124 against Denholme. Michael Clegg impressively led all the bowlers, who hunted as a pack and when the slow bowlers turn came they maintained the pressure, Mike Davison picking up 5-35 vs Airedale.

The run came to an end at Embsay by just 2 wickets. Leading batsmen Steve Powell and Brannan Lawn did their bit and whilst Jack Davison winkled out 3-24 the 185 was not quite defendable.

The following day the Cowling Cup semi-final against Wilsden lls took place at neutral Sutton and a high scoring game ensued on perhaps the sunniest day of the summer. Brannan Lawn with 104 and Simon Howell with 76 were the rocks around which our 237-5 was built and  surely our attack had too many guns for Wilsden didn't they? How wrong can you be, only Michael Clegg picked up 2 wickets as the Bingley side reached 238-3. So the Cup was gone after 2 years as holders.

Now concentrating on the League title we needed to reverse the defeats from West End and Riddlesden to have a chance of promotion. We did neither. West End triumphed by 2 wickets in a nail-biter as we just failed to defend 85 with Michael Clegg grabbing 5-29. The Riddlesden return was lost by 6 wickets when we made an insufficient 165. The last 8 matches produced a 2-3-3 return including a defeat at Gargrave. Five of our six defeats had come against First Xls. So the final outcome was 12-4-6 and once again well adrift of Division Two.

Brannan Lawn topped the batting charts with 499 runs in all competitions and he will no doubt push for a First Xl place in 2010. Rejuvenated Steve Powell tallied 379 despite off-field distractions. Other stalwarts Lee Hollingsworth and Simon Howell did what was expected but the contributions from other younger batsmen were patchy lacking consistency. With the ball Michael Clegg proved the most economical and leading wicket-taker with 37 and Greig Hudson picked up 30. Beyond them five others shared 82 wickets with reasonable averages. Whilst Ricky Linden's figures didn't look that good his elevation to the First Xl was a blow for the side. But the promise of improvement is already there with leggie Jack Davison getting in over 70 overs for his 16 wickets whilst 20 overs from Lewis Wrathall reflected his potential with 3 wickets.

So for 2010 the expectation will no doubt be a repeat of the last two years which both went downhill as the season wore on. Its perhaps the batting which needs the most improvement and its the younger players who must provide it. Adam Smith, Greig Hudson, Jack Davison, Marshall Pedder, Matty Lee, Ben Fothergill and Lewis Wrathall should be looking to significantly enhance their tallies next season. The bowling attack is varied and should suffice but the club will look to the Third Xl for progress from Harry Hurren, James Heslop, Jack Keighley, Ollie Huck and others.