Cricket - Year in Review 2024

SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY 2024

FOREWORD Being asked to write the foreword for this spectacular cricket photography publication that celebrates the grassroots game was the easiest yes.

I’m fortunate that some of these images have graced the Cricket Yorkshire website, along with match reports, to significantly add to our breadth and quality of coverage.

As you’ll see throughout these pages, Mark captures Yorkshire club cricket from so many perspectives. Yet, the theme for this Year in Review is the emotion on faces and expressions writ large.

To flick through here is to be reminded of the sheer volume of games that Caught Light Photography has visited.

Different formats, age groups and parts of Yorkshire are all given the pro treatment.

Pride, dedication, triumph and sometimes disaster too.

Usually with stumps rearranged or an edge off the bat nestled into grateful hands.

It’s another trait that chimes with me; the way that the lower reaches of league cricket are awarded the same profile as a Premier League showdown. All standards are equally important and as a result, this is a comprehensive review as well as a representative one.

We are kindred spirits; both seeing the beauty, humour and drama that recreational cricket has in such abundance.

We first met at a Nidderdale Cricket League game; not one but two long lenses trained on somewhat puzzled village cricketers who nonetheless savoured their moment of fame or notoriety.

He came prepared with a folding seat, as well as a distinctive, wide-brimmed hat that is still a way to see if Mark is at your match in any given season.

Alongside the pin-sharp professional photography that is his trademark, Mark’s superpower is observation.

A knowledge of the game to set up a particular shot, conscious of angles, mannerisms and ever-mischevious light.

I will remember 2024 for an incredibly wet start, discoveries of absolutely stunning village grounds and meeting up with Mark at Duncombe Park CC. His skill is elevating the everyday and a photo of a player scoring on a tablet leaning against the aging wooden scorebox was a nice juxtaposition.

Enjoy this Year in Review. It is a celebration as well as being fantastic publicity for the individuals, teams and clubs featured.

JOHN FULLER | cricketyorkshire.com

CONTENTS APRIL JUNE

Harrogate CC 2XI v York CC 2XI Sharow CC 1XI v Ripley CC 1XI Wrenthorpe CC Womens 1XI v University of York CC Womens 1XI Yapham CC Womens 1XI v University of York CC Womens 1XI Yapham CC Womens 1XI v Wrenthorpe CC Womens 1XI Kirk Deighton CC 2XI v Knaresborough Forest CC 3XI Harrogate CC Eve v Whixley CC Eve Pool CC 1XI v Bilton CC 1XI Pudsey St. Lawrence CC Women v St. Chad’s Broomfirld CC Women Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Bolton Villas CC 1XI Beckwithshaw CC Eve XI v Corinthians CC Yorkshire Eve XI Whixley CC 2XI v Bishop Monkton 1XI Beckwithshaw CC Eve XI v Studley Royal CC Eve XI Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Bardsey CC 1XI Beckwithshaw CC 2XI v Bolton CC 2XI Knaresborough CC 2XI v Ovington CC 1XI (Birtwhistle Cup) Scotton CC EL v Bilton CC EL Ripon CC 2XI v Spennithorne & Harmby CC 1XI (Addison Cup) Beckwithshaw CC v Harrogate CC Beckwithshaw CC v Woodlands CC (Addison Cup) (Heavy Wollen Cup) Ripley CC v North Stainley CC - Division 4 Killinghall CC v Whixley CC Harrogate CC Women 1XI v Menston CC 1XI (CB Atkinson Cup) Harrogate CC 2XI v Fairburn CC 1XI Pannal CC 1XI v Pickering CC 2XI Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Addingham CC 1XI (Waddilove Cup) Knaresborough Forest CC Willows v Richmondshire CC Women - Softball

MAY

JULY SEPTEMBER

Ilkley CC 3XI v Kirkstall Educational CC 3XI - QF (Chappell Cup) Spofforth CC 2XI v Starbeck CC 1XI Harrogate CC Women 1XI v Skipton CC Women 1XI Harrogate CC 1XI v Driffield CC 1XI Harrogate CC 1XI v Stamford Bridge CC 1XI Harrogate CC 4XI v Rainton CC 1XI Harrogate CC 3XI v Knaresborough Forest CC 1XI Beckwithsaw CC Eve XI v Dacre Banks CC Eve XI Dacre Banks CC Eve XI v Killinghall CC Eve XI Duncombe Park CC 1XI v Ripon CC 1XI

Ingilby Shield 2024 Darley CC 2XI v Birstwith CC 2XI Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Follifoot CC 1XI Sessay CC Women v Sheffield Colligiate CC Women (Yorkshire Cricket Board Finals Day Headingley) Saxton CC Women v Doncaster Town CC Women (Yorkshire Cricket Board Finals Day Headingley) Sicklinghall CC v North Stainley CC Yorkshire Cricket Board Finals Day - Walton Park

AUGUST GROUNDS

Bolton Abbey CC 2XI v Upper Wharfedale CC 2XI Skipton Ladies CC v Menston Ladies CC Darley CC 1XI v Burnt Yates CC 1XI Crossflatts CC v Bradford Park Avenue Ladies CC Hampsthwaite CC v Bolton Abbey CC Theakston Nidderdale XI v MCC XI - 2024 Ripley Beckwithshaw CC 2XI v Bardsey CC 2XI Harrogate CC 1XI v Easingwold CC 1XI Burton Leonard CC 2XI v Crakehall CC 1XI Birstwith CC 1XI v Blubberhouses CC 1XI

Harrogate Cricket Club (Main Oval) Pool Cricket Club Beckwithshaw Cricket Club (Beginning of season) Whixley Cricket Club Sessay Cricket Club Knaresborough Cricket Club Scotton Cricket Club Killinghall Cricket Club Pannal Cricket Club Sharow Cricket Club Yapham Cricket Club Adwalton Cricket Club Ripon Cricket Club Ripley Cricket Club

GROUNDS AND FINALLY...

Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club Ilkley Cricket Club Spofforth Cricket Club Dacre Banks Cricket Club Duncombe Park Cricket Club Bolton Abbey Cricket Club Skipton Cricket Club Crossflatts Cricket Club Hampsthwaite Cricket Club Burton Leonard Cricket Club Birstwith Cricket Club Walton Park Cricket Club Darley Cricket Club Beckwithshaw Cricket Club (End of Season) Headingley County Cricket Club Sicklinghall Cricket Club Slaughthwaite Cricket Club Kirk Deighton Cricket Club Harrogate Cricket Club (Second Oval)

A few more moments we couldn’t leave out!

Well, to be totally honest, there was a lot more images that I wanted to include, but this season review is way too long as it is!

I hope you enjoy looking through a small sample of our summer of rain in 2024.

INTRODUCTION Last year’s cricket season review showcased over 30 of the games I covered during the summer of 2023, with the total number of games I ended up going to just north of 50. I made an effort to get to as many new grounds as I could, or back to grounds that I hadn’t been to since before COVID. I continued that theme this season, travelling around Yorkshire to visit as many games as I could.

This year’s review contains images from around 65 games, and at a quick count I have actually seen just under 80 games between April and the end of September.

Of course I’ve ended up revisiting grounds for various reasons, primarily as a result of poor weather and trying to ensure I get to see a game on any given day.

I also promised last year to dedicate Sundays to covering as many Women’s cricket games as I could, and I’ve kept that promise in 2024…enjoying getting to see a lot of both hardball and softball cricket. It has been a real highlight of my season to meet new people and cover new teams in both North and

West Yorkshire.

I’ll be honest, I was genuinely disappointed when the games I planned to get to were postponed, or there were gap weekends. Women and girls’ cricket has been changing over the past few seasons, growing quickly, morphing into an increasingly competitive and exciting set of leagues and competitions.

Watching the emerging depth of quality players, while still welcoming new people into the game is so inspiring. The role that the Yorkshire Cricket Board is playing in the continued development of grassroots cricket is vital, and the YCB team are providing a range of initiatives to inspire, lead and build the knowledge required within the clubs.

Adding to this, there are so many people who are driving change within their own clubs, setting up teams, creating a friendly and inclusive environment for all, and building communities.

This season more than ever, I’ve seen how many clubs are investing in new facilities to help attract PTO

new players, with a clear intent of building for the future. New practice nets installed, new pavilions built, new changing room facilities, new electronic scoreboards, and even new drainage to help improve the playing surface.

Both the men’s and women’s game in Yorkshire is booming.

However, with the increased pressures of modern life, there may be a need to consider the format of cricket being played in the league and cup competitions, but that is a conversation for another day.

These pages record games in the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League, the Theakston Nidderdale League, the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, and the Yorkshire Premier League; as well as many of the associated cup competitions.

It has been so very difficult to select just two or three photos from each of the games, but I’ve tried to choose images that show passion, and show the expressions on the faces of the players that hopefully tell a story of their own. They may

not necessarily be the best photos I’ve taken this season, but I hope they do tell a story.

I’d like to thank John Fuller for providing the foreword at the beginning of this book. His site, Cricket Yorkshire, is a superb resource for anyone playing or simply interested in the game - and I would recommend signing up to his free newsletter, bookmarking the website, and following on social media. I have been privileged to have had some articles and images published by Cricket Yorkshire this year, and I would like to thank John for his support in 2024, and indeed in past years.

Finally, I’d like to thank my family - Monica, Connor, and Aibhlínn - for putting up with me disappearing for hours on end most days as I head out to games, training, or to interview people. Their support is greatly appreciated, allowing me to spend an obscene number of hours on the boundary rope, or in front of the computer writing articles and editing photos and video.

Thank you for reading this far, and I hope you enjoy the images presented here. I’d love to hear about your 2024 cricket journey, follow us on social media and drop us a message!

Mark

APRIL

HARROGATE CC 2XI v YORK CC 2XI

MAY

Kirk Deighton CC 2XI v Knaresborough Forest CC 3XI

Pool CC 1XI v Bilton CC 1XI

Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Bolton Villas CC 1XI

Whixley CC 2XI v Bishop Monkton 1XI

Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Bardsey CC 1XI

Knaresborough CC 2XI v Ovington CC 1XI

Scotton CC EL v Bilton CC EL

Beckwithshaw CC v Woodlands CC (Heavy Wollen Cup)

Killinghall CC v Whixley CC (CB Atkinson Cup)

Pannal CC 1XI v Pickering CC 2XI

JUNE

Sharow CC 1XI v Ripley CC 1XI

Wrenthorpe CC Womens 1XI v University of York CC Womens 1XI

Yapham CC Womens 1XI v University of York CC Womens 1XI

Yapham CC Womens 1XI v Wrenthorpe CC Womens 1XI

Harrogate CC Eve v Whixley CC Eve

Pudsey St. Lawrence CC Women v St. Chad’s Broomfirld CC Women

Beckwithshaw CC Eve XI v Corinthians CC Yorkshire Eve XI

Beckwithshaw CC Eve XI v Studley Royal CC Eve XI

Beckwithshaw CC 2XI v Bolton CC 2XI (Birtwhistle Cup)

Ripon CC 2XI v Spennithorne & Harmby CC 1XI

Beckwithshaw CC v Harrogate CC (Addison Cup)

Ripley CC v North Stainley CC - Division 4

Harrogate CC Women 1XI v Menston CC 1XI

Harrogate CC 2XI v Fairburn CC 1XI

Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Addingham CC 1XI (Waddilove Cup)

Knaresborough Forest CC Willows v Richmondshire CC Women - Softball

JULY

Ilkley CC 3XI v Kirkstall Educational CC 3XI - QF (Chappell Cup)

Spofforth CC 2XI v Starbeck CC 1XI

Harrogate CC Women 1XI v Skipton CC Women 1XI

Harrogate CC 1XI v Driffield CC 1XI

Harrogate CC 1XI v Stamford Bridge CC 1XI

Harrogate CC 4XI v Rainton CC 1XI

Harrogate CC 3XI v Knaresborough Forest CC 1XI

Beckwithsaw CC Eve XI v Dacre CC Eve XI

Dacre CC Eve XI v Killinghall CC Eve XI

Duncombe Park CC 1XI v Ripon CC 1XI

AUGUST

Bolton Abbey CC 2XI v Upper Wharfedale CC 2XI

Skipton Ladies CC v Menston Ladies CC

Darley CC 1XI v Burnt Yates CC 1XI

Crossflatts CC Ladies v Bradford Park Avenue Ladies CC

Hampsthwaite CC v Bolton Abbey CC

Theakston Nidderdale XI v MCC XI - 2024 Ripley

Beckwithshaw CC 2XI v Bardsey CC 2XI

Harrogate CC 1XI v Easingwold CC 1XI

Burton Leonard CC 2XI v Crakehall CC 1XI

Birstwith CC 1XI v Blubberhouses CC 1XI

SEPTEMBER

Ingilby Shield 2024

Darley CC 2XI v Birstwith CC 2XI

Beckwithshaw CC 1XI v Follifoot CC 1XI

Sessay CC Women v Sheffield Colligiate CC Women (Yorkshire Cricket Board Finals Day Headingley)

YCB Softball Finals Day

Saxton CC Women v Doncaster Town CC Women (Yorkshire Cricket Board Finals Day)

Sicklinghall CC v North Stainley CC

YCB Finals Day - Walton Park

GROuNDS

HARROGATE CC

POOL CC

BECKWITHSHAW CC

WHIXLEY CC

SESSAY CC

KNARESBOROUGH CC

SCOTTON CC

KILLINGHALL CC

PANNAL CC

SHAROW CC

YAPHAM CC

ADWALTON CC

RIPON CC

RIPLEY CC

KNARESBOROUGH FOREST CC

ILKLEY CC

SPOFFORTH CC

DACRE BANKS CC

DUNCOMBE PARK CC

BOLTON ABBEY CC

SKIPTON CC

CROSSFLATS CC

HAMPSTHWAITE CC

BURTON LEONARD CC

BIRSTWITH CC

WALTON PARK CC

DARLEY CC

BECKWITHSHAW CC

HEADINGLEY

SICKLINGHALL CC

SLAUGHTHWAITE CC

KIRK DEIGHTON CC

HARROGATE CC - SECOND OVAL

BOLTON ABBEY CC

And Finally...

YORKSHIRE CRICKET BOARD CRICKET COLLECTIVE AWARDS 2024

YORKSHIRE CRICKET BOARD DISABILITY CRICKET AWARDS 2024