Drakes on look-out as Cawthorne resign
been accepted – said they are keen to protect the long-term future of the club.
“First of all, we have had a great time in the Huddersfield League and there has been absolutely no fallout,” said Holling.
“We have really enjoyed our cricket, we have been pretty successful too and the Huddersfield League has been fantastic.
“Moving on has never been a driving force, I have to say that, but nevertheless we have been finding it increasingly difficult to attract players from our area to play in the Huddersfield League.
“We feel this isn’t going to be a sustainable model for running the club in years to come and, having been in existence since 1843, we don’t want to put our future in jeopardy.
“We are custodians of the club and don’t want to put it at risk for future generations.”
Cawthorne moved to the Drakes from the old Huddersfield Central League in 2011 and have moved through the Cedar Court Conference and Jedi Sports Championship to play in the top flight.
“An opportunity has come up in South Yorkshire where we can start in the Championship, and we feel it’s a unique opportunity that we can’t pass up,” added Holling, noting the deadline for resignations in any league is the end of June.
“If we had wanted to move in future we would have had to start at the bottom, and that would not have been attractive to us.
“Right now, our first team can go into the Championship next season and the Seconds into the Second Division, so it seemed the ideal time to make the move if we were going to, everything has moved very quickly because of the June 30 deadline and the club voted to give it a go.”
The ECB and YCB have given approval to South Yorkshire to accommodate Cawthorne immediately in the Championship, with former Drakes club Kexborough struggling with only one team.
“It gives us immediate access to be within the pyramid in the next two years, providing we can finish in the top two next season,” added Holling.
“We just feel as a club in our area this will be more sustainable and will help us attract and keep more of our younger element. It’s a unique opportunity and that’s why we’ve decided to go for it.”
In a statement, the Drakes League says Cawthorne’s resignation has accepted “reluctantly”.
It continued: “Due to this resignation we now have a vacancy for a Full Member club from 2019, and are seeking appropriate applications to fill this vacancy (contact General Secretary Norman Clee).
“Any applications from clubs who are currently members of another Yorkshire Cricket League, must follow the process laid down by the YCB. They must also include a completed YCB Club Transfer Form, which allows their club “Permission to Negotiate” with another League.
“Any applications from clubs not in the county should follow the policies laid down by their own board.”
Drakes officials must also consider how best to address promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship this summer. DELPH skipper Andy Gleave has been suspended for two matches in the Drakes League.
The successful opening batsman has accepted a charge of mis-using social media (to criticise Armitage Bridge, who they played last weekend).
Gleave has apologised for his actions, both to his own club and Armitage Bridge.
He will sit out this weekend’s Premiership double header, when co-leaders Delph face Cawthorne and Shepley away from home.
Another player sitting things out, but for a few weeks unfortunately and for an entirely different reason, is Armitage Bridge keeper Richard Holmes.
The experienced gloveman suffered a broken thumb in their win over Mirfield Parish and missed the game at Delph.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire open their Royal London One-day Cup Group A campaign at the Emirates Riverside today (2pm) when they take on Durham.
They play again on Sunday, when Warwickshire are the visitors to Emerald Headingley (11am).