Ross eyes fun in the sun with Harrogate

IT WAS rain that sealed the title for George Ross’ Harrogate side, but now the proud skipper of the new Yorkshire North champions is targeting the Abu Dhabi sunshine.

Yorkshire’s four Premier League champions will square off for the chance to play at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, which hosted Test and one-day internationals during England’s winter tour.

York’s abandoned clash with Yorkshire Academy gave Harrogate the trophy and if Ross’ side can succeed against Yorkshire South winners Wakefield Thornes at Scarborough on September 17, they will book their place on the plane to the United Arab Emirates.

‘The Race to Abu Dhabi’ will see them face the winners of the other two Yorkshire leagues – North Yorkshire & South Durham and Bradford in the United Arab Emirates.

And Ross believes his ‘golden generation’ will thrive under the added pressure with a dream ticket on the line.

“It’s a chance of a lifetime to get to Abu Dhabi. It’s a massive carrot being dangled in front of any club cricketer, and the boys are dead keen to get there this year,” Ross said.

“For me as captain, I am incredibly proud to have brought together a bunch of lads and get us playing so well together so quickly.

“It’s a really proud moment to see us do it, and hopefully we have started a golden generation at the club.

“It’s an honour to be part of it and to be leading the boys.

“It was a lovely day and night on Saturday even though it was unfortunately rained off.

“It’s not the way we wanted to win the title but it was nice to get back to the club and have a really nice day with the players and supporters, and we celebrated really hard after a great year.”