Pre-season trip to Yorkshire for S&B
SOUTHPORT and Birkdale’s cricketers will break new ground in a couple of months’ time when they prepare for the ECB Premier League season by going on a weekend tour to Yorkshire.
Chris Cunningham’s squad will travel to the famous North Marine Road at Scarborough on Saturday, April 16 and then play at York’s Clifton Park home 24 hours later.
Both venues have hosted first-class cricket in the past three years and S&B’s players should remember that when they visit them.
Certainly it is hoped that the trip will be in sharp contrast to some previous tours, most of which took place in high summer and featured frequent oblations to Dionysus.
The enjoyment to be derived from this expedition should come when Cunningham’s players get to know each other better both on and off the field.
Certainly that is the captain’s aim.
“Last winter was my first as S&B skipper and we hardly had any chance to practice before the season began,” he said.
“And I do believe our slow start reflected that limited preparation. Some players were being introduced to their team mates just before the first friendly.
“This winter there is already a really good environment in the dressing room, but we have recruited some new players and the tour should provide the perfect opportunity for everyone to get to know each other on a cricketing and personal level.
“Friendships and understandings will naturally develop from spending a weekend away together and that will plainly be a very positive outcome.
“That said, there is also great competition within the squad, so we will be taking 14 or 15 players to Yorkshire. My job will be to ensure bowlers get overs and batsmen get time in the middle in both games.
“The standard of opposition we will be facing and the quality of grounds on which we will be playing should provide the perfect preparation and offer good opportunities for people to show they are ready to be selected.”
The enterprise shown by Cunningham and by S&BCC chairman Andrew Carney in organising the tour is surely to be commended.
Even the big London clubs who aim to win national competitions do not go on pre-season tours and the willingness of cricketers to tour – it is understood virtually every member of the first-team squad will make the trip – is also indicative.
And this latest missionary expedition to darkest Yorkshire is not only open to players.
“The trip also offers a chance to get away and such opportunities have been pretty rare over the last few years,” said Cunningham.
“So where possible we are trying to encourage as many spectators and club members to come and join us.”
S&B’s outdoor practice in the middle will begin on April 2nd when a intraclub friendly is planned and Burnley will visit Trafalgar Road for a game on April 9.
THERE was disappointment for Marine on Tuesday as they were denied three points by a late Runcorn Linnets equaliser.
The Mariners looked on course to close the gap between themselves and leaders Workington at the top of the Northern Premier League West Division table as they led the contest for a lengthy spell.
Neil Kengni’s effort was cleared for a corner in the 27th minute and the visitors scored from the resulting set-piece.
James Barrigan’s kick was flicked on by Mark Howarth and experienced defender Dean Winnard was in the right place to poke the ball over the line.
However, in the 88th minute Ryan Brooke snatched an equaliser for the Linnets, who then saw a shot cleared off the line in the 90th minute as they came close to taking an unlikely win.
The draw, Marine’s first of the season, means they remain four points behind Workington, both teams having played the same amount of games.
Meanwhile, Marine announced earlier in the week that defender Kyle Hayde has rejoined the club on loan from Tranmere Rovers for the remainder of the season.
Kyle made his debut for the Mariners on September 25th, scoring in a 4-1 win at Warrington Rylands to celebrate his 20th birthday.
He made a total of 16 appearances, scoring 2 goals, before returning to Prenton Park prior to Christmas.
Manager Neil Young said: “We were disappointed when Kyle was recalled before Christmas but that is what loans are about, young players getting games, experience and doing well.
“We’ve been trying for a number of weeks to bring him back to the club and we are very grateful to Tranmere Rovers for allowing him to return.
“Kyle was excellent for the club in his previous spell and to add him to the squad at this important time is good for us.”
Next up for Young’s men is a trip to Trafford on Saturday, 3pm kick off.