Year in review 2016

2016

YEAR IN REVIEW

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SPORT | IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PASSION

(This page) George Ross, Captain of Harrogate CC takes a moment to look at the League Champions Trophy - September 2016 (Front Cover) Louis Horne reacts in what was a bad tempered and vital Evo-Stik League One North relegation game. The match was abandoned at half time.

ANOTHER YEAR When considering which photographs to include in this 2016 review, it could have been very easy to include images from the large number of national and international games that I have covered.

I’ve covered both men’s and women’s international football, Premier League, Championship, leagues one and two and the Women’s Super League.

However, I decided to keep this review to local teams; the clubs that form the grassroots of their respective sports.

The main connection between these clubs and the ones that play in the higher leagues is passion.

I believe that having a successful grassroots set up allows the professional clubs to benefit from the hard work being put in and the development of players.

In many cases, clubs at the lower levels struggle to keep going financially. They are not blessed with hundreds or thousands of supporters, paying match after match to gain entry.

However, despite all the issues they face, the games are exciting. The players are committed to winning for their club and that passion shines through.

I’ve been to a huge number of games, covered many different sports during the last 12 months

and I see what winning means to both the players and supporters.

If I have one message for sports fans who currently are not involved in local sport - adopt a club and support them, you won’t regret it.

I’d like to thank Ed White and Rhys Howell from the local papers for their continued support through 2016.

Their coverage of sport is brilliant and they put long hours in to try and provide readers with some of the most comprehensive match reports, interviews and articles in the country.

Finally, I have spent a long time sorting through the photos I’ve taken to try and select meaningful shots.

For every photo in this review, I could have easily selected another ten, the individuals and clubs have provided a year full of great moments to select from.

So here is my A to Z of images from 2016, maybe not the most technically brilliant of photos, but ones that hopefully convey some of the highs and lows and certainly some of the passion.

I hope you like.

Ca

herty o D P k phy a Mar r g o t o ght Ph i L t h g u

The despair of a visiting batsman at St. George’s Road, having been run out while attempting a risky single.

Harrogate suffered a rare loss, losing to Driffield in the a Yorkshire Knockout Cup in July.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

APPEAL

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Chris, a local Harrogate boxer lost the fight in the dying seconds, when he had done more than enough to win it.

BOXING

Chris Nolan takes a hit from Steffan Baxter during a bout at the Royal Hall in May.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

CRICKET A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A player walks out to bat during the Theakston Nidderdale League v MCC game at Bolton Abbey Cricket Club in August.

I covered this game along with Barry Gill who sadly has passed away in December. RIP Barry.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

DIAMONDS A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Yorkshire Diamonds walk out to face the Western Storm at Headingly in August.

Unfortunately, the Diamonds lost the game but put in good batting performance.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Local rider Hazel Towers somehow manages to stay on her horse after what appeared to be a certain fall at the water obstacle during the cross country event at Bramham International Horse Trials in June.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

EVENTING A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

In March, Lancaster City played Railway, who were desperate for a win to boost their survival chances in the league.

Here, the Lancaster defender launches himself to block the shot by Stephen Bromley.

Railway went on to lose the keenly contested game 3-1 A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

FOOTBALL

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

GOAL!

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A new season, a new league. Harrogate Railway started their NCEL Premier League campaign well, but were suffering mixed results.

October saw Railway travel to Thackley and suffer a 2-1 loss when they were actually the better of the two teams. A view from behind the goal as Railway score.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

HOCKEY A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Chapeltown goalkeeper stares at the umpire as he confers with his colleague over the awarding of a penalty corner.

Harrogate Hockey 4-2 Chapeltown November 2016 A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

INSPIRED A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Harrogate Rugby won the Yorkshire Cup for the second year running in May, beating Sheffield Tigers in the final at Pontefract.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

JUST RAW POWER

Sheffield Tigers 3-38 Harrogate Rugby The final of the Yorkshire Cup saw a very strong Harrogate Team dominate from start to finish. It turned out that the Tigers had no answer to the raw power of the scrum and quick paced Harrogate attack A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

KEEPER A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Knaresborough Forest played Knaresborough CC in the Harrogate and District Evening League in July.

Shooting with a lens equivalent of 1200mm, this shot is pretty much straight out of the camera.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

THE

LOOK

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

That moment when the ball pops up unexpectedly!

Taken during Harrogate Hockey Ladies’ narrow 3-4 loss to Ben Rhydding in November.

The team are having a good season, sitting third in the table in December.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

MIND THE STEP Harrogate Hockey Men started the season with mixed results, but quickly got into a winning way currently sitting third in the league.

In probably one of their most dominant displays this season, Harrogate beat Lindum men 7-2 at home in October.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

NEW SEASON

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

It seems that within days of an end to a long league campaign, the work for pre-season starts.

Player selection, fitness training, practice sessions and then pre-season friendlies.

Harrogate Railway players train in early July.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

OWZAT! A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Stretching for a catch in the game between Bilton Cricket Club and Rawdon in May. Another one of those nail-biting games that went down to the final deliveries, with Bilton coming out on top after a top-class innings from Ryan Bradshaw.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

PRESEASon

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Non-league football, like the football leagues have comprehensive pre-season routines, as they prepare for the long league campaign ahead.

A Harrogate Railway player listens to the coach, during one of the first training sessions in June.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

QUICK

TOO

Harrogate Town made the play-offs at the end of the 2015/16 season and met AFC Fylde in the two leg game in May. Ultimately, Fylde would go on to beat Town 2-1 on aggregate and progress to final where they would lose out to North Ferriby United.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Face in the Crowd July saw Harrogate host the Great Yorkshire Run for the first time, in association with the local running club.

The 10k run through the heart of the town was a huge success with thousands taking part and many more watching all around the course.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

RUNNING A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

SCORE

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Harrogate Railway welcomed Consett to Station View in the FA Cup during a difficult run of results in September.

Consett are steeped in cup history and their class eventually told as they ran out 5-0 winners, with some scintillating play.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

120 minutes of the quarter final replay couldn’t separate Gateshead and Town in a keenly contested FA Trophy game on a cold and wet March evening.

The passion shown makes this one of my favourite photos from 2016.

TROPHY

Kingsley James turns and roars in celebration, having scored for Halifax during a penalty shoot out.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

UMPIRES

When a referee, umpire or official has a good game - they are not mentioned, but one contentious decision and they can come in for some real abuse.

It is a thankless job at times, but without them games could simply not go ahead.

Photo taken at the MCC game at Bolton Abbey CC in August.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

VILLAGE CUP

Sessay Cricket Club took on Sibton Park in the final of the Village Cup at Lords in September.

Here the Sessay fans give a standing ovation to Mason who had just reached his century. He went on to make a record 138 and received a second standing ovation as he left the field. Sessay won the game and claimed the cup.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

WINNERs

George Ross proudly holds the league champions trophy as Harrogate Cricket Club claimed the 2016 Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North title in September.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

X-RATED

Harrogate Railway’s Stephen Bromley is sent into a 720 spin after a badly timed (but not malicious) tackle by the Campion player.

The referee produced a red card, with Steve eventually picking himself up with no long-lasting effects and Railway went on to win the early November cup game 5-2.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

YELLOW CARD

NO

Skill and commitment shown by both Harrogate Railway and Sheffield Wednesday players during a cup game at Station View in December.

I have covered a wide range of women’s sport, including cricket, football, hockey and rugby at the highest levels all the way down to grassroots.

It has been a privilege to see some fantastic games and great players in 2016.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

IN THE

ZONE

Harrogate Rugby Girls played West Park Leed at Rudding Lane in December and put in a good battling performance against a very accomplished team.

Unfortunately, Harrogate lost the game but showed some tremendous potential for the future as they gain more competitive experience.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

FA TROPHY FINAL Despite having a tough time in the National League, FC Halifax Town had a brilliant run in the FA Trophy.

They beat Tamworth, Barrow, Chester, Gateshead and Nantwich Town on their way to the final.

FC Halifax Town faced Grimsby Town in the final at Wembley on 22 May 2016 and claimed the trophy with a 1-0 win, McManus getting the goal in the 48TH minute.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Harrogate Town travelled to the Shay Stadium to take on FC Halifax Town in August this year, winning the game 1-0 with a wonder strike from Jack Emmett.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Harrogate Railway Ladies welcomed Westella & Willerby Ladies to Station View in September.

The visitors won the game 4-1 in what was to be a tough run of results for the home side.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

In my top three favourite shots of the year.

Danny Stimpson (Harrogate Railway) jumps to win the header under huge pressure from three Harrogate Town players.

Town went on to win the July pre-season Johnston’s Paint Trophy game comfortably, 8-0.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Knaresborough Forest v Knaresborough CC - final game of the Harrogate & District Evening League, to decide the champions in August.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

CHAMPIONS Harrogate Cricket Club won the 2016 Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North, receiving the trophy after the home game against Stamford Bridge.

The guys wanted to reproduce one of the photos in the clubhouse from a previous winning team.

One of those impromptu photo moments, that really works and gives us a sense of their togetherness.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

LAMIN COLLEY I’ve got to admit that Lamin Colley is one of my favourite non-league players.

I first met Lamin when he played for Harrogate Railway and I instantly liked the tall, skillful and deceptively quick forward.

In one game, I watched him control the ball in mid air, about a foot over the head of one of the opposition defenders. Quite Brilliant...

This shot was taken in February as Lamin waited for a corner to taken during a game between Bradford Park Avenue and FC United of Manchester.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

HARROGATE

TOWN LADIES Harrogate Town have put together their first ladies team for the 2016/17 season to compete in the North Riding Women’s Football League.

This game was played in November at the CNG Stadium, with Town beating Cleveland Ladies 9-1.

At the end of 2016, Town Ladies find themselves top of the league with nine straight victories and six points clear of their nearest rivals.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

HARROGATE RAILWAY

Railway had a difficult 2015/16 season, eventually getting relegated from the Evo-Stik League One North into the NCEL Premier League.

Despite the setback, the club got on with the business of putting together a squad that could compete in the new league against teams with much larger budgets.

This photo is from the pre-season friendly game played at Station View in July against local rivals Knaresborough Town, who won the game 1-0.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Another of my top three favourite images of 2016. Ben Reaveley, looking tired but completely happy as he holds the 2016 Yorkshire Cup.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

Harrogate Hockey Ladies played Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Ladies in the league in November at home.

A strong performance by the hosts saw them run out 5-0 winners.

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

One of my favourite cricket grounds - Beckwithshaw CC In the glorious June sun...

A Year in Review | Caught Light Photography Limited 2016

CAUGHT LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED WWW: CAUGHTLIGHT.COM TWITTER: @CAUGHTLIGHT FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/SPORTSFOTO EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@CAUGHTLIGHT.COM TELE: 07792 606591 All Images Copyright 2016

Andrew Gale, First XI Coach of Yorkshire County Cricket Club Andrew Gale Benefit Game, Wetherby CC in July 2016