Albion gearing-up for new season
By Rob Stanworth
BARDSEY still remain hopeful of catching up with the rest of Division Two despite having a “nightmare” last weekend.
Gary Hopton’s men travel to Knaresborough tomorrow (1.30pm start) hoping to avenge the opening day reverse that they suffered against Adam Pryor’s men and close the gap on the teams above them.
Hopton’s bottom of the table side has been boosted by the return of several key players from holidays and he is urging his team to keep the faith in their battle against relegation.
“I don’t think that we will go as badly over the second half of the season as we have done over the first half,” he said.
“We need to try and get another four or five wins and start turning some of the defeats in to games where we win a few points and they will all start to add up.
“We will certainly be giving it our best shot to stay up, there is no point in playing otherwise.
“It is a division where every team is capable of beating anyone on their day. Look at Bilton, they have struggled since coming down last year.”
On Saturday Bardsey came away empty handed against Illingworth, with Hopton citing a lack of strength in depth as the reason for his side’s poor performance.
“We really had a nightmare last week. Fifteen players were away on holidays which doesn’t help.”
Batting first, Bardsey were skittled for a meagre 105, with Tom Clayton’s 52 the mainstay of the innings. A Lees and A Ledger shared seven wickets between them as they put Illingworth in charge at the halfway point.
In reply, Illingworth chased down the target with the minimum of fuss, losing only two wickets in the process.
“At the end of the day we just weren’t strong enough and it showed. The season begins here for us now, starting with tomorrow’s game against Knaresborough,” said Hopton.
In Division One, COLLINGHAM continued their impressive run of victories by beating an in-form Guiseley side.
Toby Jacklin’s tenth placed side will now be hoping that his team can keep up their level of performance when they face relegation threatened Silsden at Harewood Road.
On Saturday Collingham posted a formidable 250 for six with good contributions from Brian Leigh (57), John Swain (47) and Tim Hollis (41).
In reply Guiseley could only make it to 153 for eight with Dave Pennett standing tall with 53.
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Weather for Wetherby
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
