The President’s Annual Report

• 2007 will be remembered for its weather rather than the amount of junior cricket that was played. The season started well enough but the mid part of the fixture programme and the cup matches were especially damaged by poor weather. Friday nights seem to attract adverse climatic conditions.

Again more clubs and more teams are participating in the League and the children are still reliant on the willingness and ability of adults to support their efforts. It is pleasing to note that folk still come forward to help despite the difficulties that exist for practical and domestic reasons.

I also believe that the playing standard of our League is high and this exemplified by the success of the both under 11 and the Under 13 AWSCL Lords Taverner’s teams all of whom are players from this League.

If the ‘boys’ league was disappointing imagine the angst that the girls have experienced with virtually no cricket played on the planned tournaments scheduled for six Sundays. The League has not been able to create any League table for the under 11 and under 13 Girls Leagues. This year we had three age group Leagues but it was worthless in any sense of club development. It is however satisfying that more teams are prepared to compete and that another local junior cricket league has also started a girl’s only competition. What AJCL does today others do………………….!

The end of season tables and Cup success reflect a view that those Clubs with two teams in an age group are those that are having success. This is not too surprising because children then get the benefit of playing regularly for two seasons with an obvious advantage to their own and the Club’s development.

The rule change proposals, if approved, I think take the League forward again a little more. The small sub committee that discussed rules appears to be an effective way to develop changes and I welcome any further ideas form clubs or individuals about how the League can be better managed etc. I am aware that the League website could be better utilised but it requires a body or two to do it! Offers again welcomed.

I wish to thank my fellow officers, Colin Simpson, John Milner, John Harrison, Howard Clayton and Derek Hawley (Auditor) for their continued support to the league. Especial appreciation is also extended to Colin and Jean Simpson for their efforts and it satisfying that Colin’s health is much improved.

We remain indebted to the continued support given by our sponsors PC Sports and JR Sports.

A final thanks to all clubs, coaches, managers and parents without whom the junior players could not play competitive cricket. 

Brian Wheeler November 2007 

PC Sports Airedale Junior Cricket League

2007 Honours

Under 9's League - Horsforth (East) beat Olicanian (West)

Under 1 l's League - Harden (West) beat Pool (East)

Under 11 and U13 Girls Leagues - No awards

Under 13's Pairs - Rawdon

Under 13 Limited Overs - North Leeds

Under 13's Cup - North Leeds beat Olicanian

Under 15 League - North Leeds (East) beat Horsforth (West)

Under 16 Girls - No award

Grove Hill Trophy - Horsforth beat Olicanian

Denison Cup - Burley in Wharfedale beat Guiseley

Under 17 East - Horsforth

Under 17 West - Burley in Wharfedale

Play Off Champions - Burley in Wharfedale

Individual Honours

Under 13's Batting - G.Maver North Leeds

Under 13's Bowling - A.Slater North Leeds

Under 15's Batting - J.Atkinson Otley
 and G.Wales North Leeds

Under 15's Bowling - J.Colclough Burley in Wharfedale

Under 17's Batting - A Waite Guiseley

Under 17's Bowling - No qualifiers