Stones joy as Strauss conducts training
It was worth the wait for young cricketers when former England captain Andrew Strauss rolled into Stones CC last Friday. The Ashes-winning skipper arrived at the Foster’s Halifax League club at around 5pm - an hour later than anticipated - after setting off from London at noon and battling his way through the traffic to the isolated Ripponden club.
Strauss came to Stones to conduct a coaching session for the club’s successful under 11s, as part of the team’s prize for winning a national competition.
Stones’ David Normanton, who is president of the Halifax League, said the children had been extremely excited by Strauss’s visit and had given him a warm welcome.
“He was very accommodating and it was very, very successful,” said Normanton.
Strauss set up training drills for the players and he and the club’s coaches put the youngsters through their paces.
He then signed autographs in the clubhouse and was presented with a Stones club hoodie, staying until after 7pm.
“He was down to earth and he couldn’t have done more for us,” added Normanton. Mytholmroyd head to Warley on Saturday as the only team in the Foster’s Halifax League’s top flight with maximum points after two games.
They followed up an open- ing day win at Queensbury with a two-wicket home success over Triangle.
Late afternoon rain caused some stoppages and abandonments and Mytholmroyd almost came unstuck in their hurried pursuit of Triangle’s poor 128 total.
Promoted pair SBCI and Queensbury are yet to get off the mark.
SBCI lost their derby clash at home to Sowerby Bridge by two wickets with George Hampshire’s 64 and Robin Hanson’s four wickets in vain as Bridge chased down 176 with 61 from Nick Whitehill.
Queensbury were dismissed for 79 at Blackley, who won by nine wickets.
Champions Jer Lane won by six wickets at Warley. Spinner Simon Collins (seven for 79) left Lane needing 200 to win and he finished the task with 22 not out alongside Andrew Pinfield ( 62 no) after Raqeeb Younas had hit 85.
Booth and Thornton reached rain-reduced targets to beat Southowram and Copley respectively.
Ian Hall followed up an opening day century with 83 and Dean Crossley hit 56 as the Rams made 239.
Booth were left requiring 185 off fewer overs and Robert Worsnop (61) and Jack Heptinstall ( 54) ensured they got there with six wickets in hand.
Chris Dennison took his tally past 300 runs in two innings this season with 81 in Copley’s 225 for three at Thornton. Greg Soames also made 81 but was unbeaten in Thornton’s successful reply. Points: Mytholmroyd 24, Sowerby Bridge 23, Jer Lane 22, Thornton 20, Booth 17, Warley 16, Blackley 15, Copley 14, SBCI 7, Triangle 7, Southowram 7, Queensbury 3.