22-04-08

Our under 11 squad has had a think about their favourite names and they've come up with Oakworth SHARKS and Oakworth PHOENIX for 2008. Much more interesting than 'A'and 'B' eh?

For the first time ever a cricket club in our Area is to run two teams at under-11 age grouping. And it's us - Oakworth! But at the moment they're just named 'A' and 'B'. So we want a more exciting name to go into our first season with one team in each of the two Divisions of the CartaSport league. Wouldn't it be great to win 'em both? So what do you reckon? Oakworth Eagles (high flyers) and Oakworth Hawks (predators) or what? Let your team, managers Graham, Stevie and Simon know what you think

Want to watch the fabulous cricket at Oakworth AND earn some dosh? Oaks are looking for regular First, Second and Third Team scorers for 2008. The pay is £10 per match and a free tea!! Contact any of the committee for more details.

The UAJCL draw for the Barritt-Stephenson Cup has produced home ties for both our under-11 teams. The 'A' team will face fellow Division One side Keighley whilst our new 'B' team take on local friends Haworth West End. Oaks have a tremendous record in the Cup having amazingly reached the first five Finals, winning three of them. Last year was the first time Oaks failed to reach the Final and we shall be doing our utmost to get back to the Final which this year will be held at Skipton on July 20th. Should both teams progress beyond Round 1, Oaks A will be at home to either Oxenhope or Gargrave. The B team would be away at Silsden or Glusburn.

Jeff Hobson was speechless for once... Having announced the 2007 prize winners for his beloved under-11 side, he was caught serving behind the bar with another call to the front. Terry and indeed all the parents weren't going to let him stand down as under-11 manager without marking the occasion. A pewter tankard should ensure he returns to the other side of the bar fairly often.

Jeff has created an under-11 culture at Oakworth that produced three CartaSport League Championships and three Barritt-Stephenson Cups in six years. His coaching style was simple - DON'T GET OUT !! In 2006 his all-conquering team took both Trophies without losing a match and lost just 11 wickets in the League campaign.

The side's record of reaching the first five Cup Finals will probably never be broken. This year's crop of 10 year-olds etc included his grandson George Ingham and he along with all the lads gave Jeff a rousing farewell to his team managing career.

Well done Jeff, Graham and Steve will have a hard act to follow.

Fifth place is a pretty good out-turn after the 2006 clean sweep. James, George and Nicholas have been amongst the age group best performers, all three in the running for league honours. The team has a number of new players following in the footsteps of our 2006 double winners but with young left-hander Oliver Huck making excellent progress the 2008 squad with Ben Howell and Jack Keighley looks set fair for another season of challenge. The under-9s have started 2007 well with Jordan Powell, Ben Weatherall and Lauren Adams showing the u-11 squad selection will be faced with lots of choices.

Well the run had to come to an end some time. The 2007 Barritt-Stephenson Cup will not feature Oakworth u-11s. We bowed out of the competition in the first round against rivals Upper Wharfedale in a low scoring game despite George Ingham's 20. It's the first time we will have failed to reach the Final, having made the previous five in a row. Its a record that might stand for some time!!

If 2006 was a wonder season, u-11s coach Jeff Hobson reckons 2007 could be just as good. He still has a great line up despite heavy losses to the u-13s. George Ingham will Captain the side which will include William Wine, Ben Howell, James Lee, Matthew Dilworth, Jack Cryer, Sam Proctor, Jack Keighley, Thomas Fothergill, Nicholas Sharples, and Declan McLaren.

The first UAJCL CartaSport League match is at home to Silsden on Thursday 26th April. The following Thursday sees a trip to Upper Wharfedale for a third successive round 1 cup tie against Upper Wharfedale in defence of our Barritt-Stephenson Cup.

As the cricket season fast approaches (only 15 weeks to go !!), the club announces the arrangements for Winter Nets. They will again be held at Oakbank School on Sunday afternoons. For the younger age groups u-9, u-11 & u-13 Nets will commence at 4:15pm till 5:15pm. The Nets will commence Sunday February 25th for a period of 6 weeks. The weekly cost will be £2.00 per player.

Here they are our happy smiling 2006 unbeaten u-11 double winners!!! Captain Jack Davison proudly holds the Under-11 Championship Trophy at the UAJCL Presentation Night in September last year.

Those present were Jack Davison, Ben Howell, Matty Lee, George Ingham, William Wine, Jackson Rouse, Ben Fothergill, Lewis Wrathall, Matthew Dilworth, Jordan Bates, James Lee. They are all pictured with UAJCL President Mr Richard Smith (Glusburn).

And it didn't end there!!

Lewis Wrathall was the League under-11 leading runs-scorer and he also picked up the Wicket-Keeping Award ahead of Taverner choice Robbie Davidson (see below). For skipper Jack Davison, the disappointment of being out in his last innings, which cost him the Batting Prize, soon disappeared as he was awarded both the Fielding Prize (most catches) and the Under 11 Player of the Year Trophy. Both Jack and Lewis are pictured below with their awards along with Andrew Gale from Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the guest of honour.

The Annual Junior Presentation Night took place as scheduled on Friday 29th September, 7:30pm at the club house. Two changes to team management for 2007 were announced. Firstly Michael Davison will assume control of the under13 XI and secondly Simon Howell will pick the reigns with the under-15s. Chris, Terry & Jeff announced this years winners as this year Junior Sponsor Jonathan Hutton of SA Labels was not able to be present.

The five under 11 awards for 2006 were announced as follows:

In a year of 'perfection' Jeff was beside himself to proclaim the quality of the young under-11 squad which had claimed the League and Cup double for a second occasion in five years. The batting prize was a toughly fought out encounter with no les than four lads going through their year without being out. The winner was Ben Fothergill with 90 runs. With the ball Captain Jack Davison emerged the recipient with 18 wickets at an astounding average of 3.11. Wicket keeper and League top scorer Lewis Wrathall took the fielding prize for 2006. With 131 runs and 12 league wickets Jack Davison added the all-rounders trophy to his UAJCL Cricketer of the Year award. Finally the most improved went to the diminutive Matty Lee for san excellent display.

The highlight of the evening was as always the award of the SA Labels Cup for the best performance of the year. A unanimous coaches verdict was that Ben Wine's 6-12 vs Embsay was, as a club record for u15s and a league record for the season, the best performance.

Under 11s The Cyril Pegg Cup

Under   9s The Dobson & Robinson Shield