Gauntlet still

ANYONE who thinks Delph & Dobcross are going to give up any of their titles this season without a fight needs to think again.

The Huddersfield Road club are unbeaten so far in defence of their Byrom Shield Drakes Premiership title and they’ve been handed a home draw in the second round of the Sykes Cup.

Fair enough, it’s against fellow coleaders Thongsbridge, the newlypromoted Holme Valley side who have made a cracking start to the campaign under skipper Richard Wagstaff.

But Delph remain formidable opposition, particularly on their own patch, even with a slightly newlook side.

Skipper Andrew Gleave has lost opener Chris Laker, the Lancashire player who won the Drakes batting prize last season in addition to the most promising young player award.

Laker has joined Northern CC in the Liverpool Competition in a bid to improve his county prospects.

Andy Cadd has also left from last season’s successful squad, playing for Greenfield in the Pennine League in 2017.

And a major departure was that of all-rounder Greg Buckley after three season’s of excellent service at Huddersfield Road.

Buckley, one of the league’s best players, is now living in Australia.

Most clubs would struggle to cope with such departures, but Delph have recruited well with opening bat