Horbury Bridge Cricket Club

Always seems wet here, even in the middle of summer

From the Wakefield Express

MEMBERS of a Wakefield cricket club have been bowled over by the publication of a booklet tracing its 120-year history.

Club chairman Richard Wise, of Horbury Bridge St John’s Cricket Club, said the document traced the story of the village team that started as a church squad back in 1887 when it was known as St John’s CofE Church Cricket Club.

The field adjoining the Horse and Jockey Inn was acquired in 1888 and the club has played matches there ever since.

In its first season in 1888 the team won the Wakefield and District Cup by beating Crigglestone, Flockton, Wakefield Albion and in the final, Thornhill.

Mr Wise said: “Horbury Bridge Cricket Club will be 120 years old this year and is looking to recruit volunteers and new players to help this well-established club achieve success in the future.

“Horbury Bridge is a small village and the cricket ground is very much at the heart of the community offering coaching, net sessions and league cricket at junior and senior level.

“The club is planning a dinner dance at the end of the year to celebrate the 120-year milestone and will be hosting the annual six-a-side cricket festival to help fund the end-of-year party.

“Past and present players are all welcome and should contact the club secretary, Brendan Kendrick, for further details. All available contacts for the club are to be found on the Leeds West Riding Cricket League website.

“Recently a new committee has been elected and is keen to start the hard work and kick off the new season to take the club into the modern era.

“Money available through local and central government grants will hopefully help to improve the ground’s facilities and in the near future there is talk of setting up a junior girls team.

“Anyone interested in supporting the club or playing is asked to see the related link for contact details: www.lwrcl.org.uk”