The Heavy Woollen Cup are looking to add to their pool of applicant clubs for the 2022 edition from the local areas. Entry criteria have been relaxed to make the competition more appealing and they would be especially pleased to see lapsed clubs take part once again.
The competition, which was first played-for way back in 1883, has a long association with many Huddersfield Cricket League clubs. Lascelles Hall were the first club in our league to achieve success by winning it eight years after its formation in 1861; the Huddersfield League’s oldest club winning a notably low-scorer by defending an 81-6 first innings total (bowling out Ossett for 33!). It took nearly a century until Almondbury were the next club to grace the trophy by winning it in 1976, again defeating Ossett. Since then, Lascelles Hall were champions for a second time in 1982 before Kirkheaton, Slaithwaite, Elland and Shepley (twice!) all claimed the prestigious trophy. Current Huddersfield Cricket League club Mirfield have also won it twice in their Central Yorkshire League days.
The mid-80’s to mid-90’s was a particularly golden era for our clubs’ participation, with a Huddersfield-based side featuring in the final almost every season during that period. Slaithwaite, who won it in 1987 were losing finalists in 1991 and 1993. Kirkheaton’s big moment came winning it in 1985 but they lost the following season and again in 1992. Shepley’s loss in 1990 against Mirfield was redressed after their two excellent victories in 2011 and 2019 (below. Photo: Ray Spencer). Hoylandswaine have nudged close three seasons on the spin but lost out in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
For 2022, the committee has allowed clubs to enter just one side in the competition if they prefer, although this must be a 1XI in the Heavy Woollen competition with 2XI teams making up the Crowther Cup. They feel that fielding two teams on a Sunday can be a struggle so they will accept a team made up of first and second team players into the Heavy Woollen Cup. Second team players with hopes or ambitions to venture into 1st team cricket, could provide them with the experience of playing against opposition they do not come across on a weekly basis within their own league.
The entry fee has been frozen at £35 in a hope it will be as attractive as possible to clubs. Should a club receive a home draw then an opportunity arises to recoup this fee from teas, raffles and suchlike.
If a club would like to discuss entering, or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact either of the following officials:
Secretary
Sue Roberts
07510 092484 | suecroberts@blueyonder.co.uk or hwsec@bradfordcl.com
Match Day Manager
Paul McFarlane
07771 550898 | hwmatchdm@bradfordcl.com