New signing Sladdin boosts ‘Royd title bid
Title contenders Mytholmroyd have pulled off a transfer coup by signing former county spinner Richard Sladdin this week. Now 45, Sladdin makes a belated start to the season after playing for Central Lancashire League big guns Walsden for the last two years.
He did an excellent job as stand-in pro in 2013, helping the Scott Street side win the title, and played for them as an amateur last year when they were runners- up to Norden.
Halifax-born Sladdin has been cleared to make his Foster’s Halifax League return for third-placed ‘Royd at SBCI tomorrow.
However, he will not be able to play in Sunday’s Parish Cup quarter-final at home to second- placed Booth, having missed the first two rounds of the competition.
Sladdin played for Derbyshire from 1991 to 1994 and for Somerset in 1997.
He started his career at the now-defuct Mytholmroyd Methodists club and also played for Sowerby Bridge in the Halifax League.
Royd skipper Tom Earle will be hoping that Sladdin, who lives in Mytholmroyd, can help his side foil Jer Lane’s bid for a hat-trick of titles.
Mytholmroyd’s game with Booth on Sunday is probably the pick of the Parish Cup lasteight contests with Booth second in the Premier and the pair local rivals.
The teams met at Sunday’s venue, Royd’s Moderna Way ground, in the league three weeks ago
The hosts looked certain to win when they reached 98 for three in reply to Booth’s 138.
However, Earle’s departure for 61 triggered a collapse to 119 all out with Usman Saghir taking four for 32.
Booth’s league side captain Richard Laycock expects a good, close contest on Sunday and said he hadn’t expected Royd’s dramatic demise last time. “I was quite surprised because they bat down to nine or 10,” he said.
There is sure to be one nonPremier side in the last four because middle section leaders Sowerby St Peters host Division Two outfit Great Horton Park Chapel.
Both beat division-higher opponents in the last round in SBCI and Luddenden Foot respectively.
Heavyweights clash at Walton Street where Sowerby Bridge host competition favourites Jer Lane.
Queensbury can’t have appeared in too many Parish Cup quarter finals and Phil Sharples’ side will be keen to grab their chance against 2008 winners Triangle.
Sowerby and Mytholmroyd are also involved in the second teams’ competition, the Crossley Shield.
‘Royd have drawn the short straw with a trip to holders Warley, who are very much the team to beat.
Rain left players from two Halifax League representative sides kicking their heels last Sunday.
The senior team’s game against the York Senior League at Osbaldwick CC was called off at 9am and has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 28.
However, the under 17s waited until 4pm at Bilton CC, Harrogate before their open- ing Joe Lumb game against the Nidderdale League was called off. The two Collinson Cup under 1 7 semi-finals will take place on adjoining grounds on Monday, July 6.
Northowram Fields will host Low Moor and Northowram Hedge Top will take on Luddenden Foot.