Let's do it all again – skipper
By Rob Stanworth
SCARCROFT captain Damian Aston is urging his side to “start again” after finishing the first half of the season on top of Division One.
The Australian admitted he was delighted with how his team had performed so far but warned that there is plenty of hard work left to do if they are to lift the league title at the end of the season.
That hard work starts tomorrow with a visit to third placed Shadwell (1.30pm start), who they beat by just six runs on the opening day of the season.
“I would have snapped anyone’s hand off if you told us we would be top of the table at the half-way stage,” he said.
“The difference this season from those gone by is that we now have a first team squad of 17 or 18 so we have some good cover if anyone is unavailable.
“In my time here we have never had a team capable of beating the other big teams on a regular basis, so we are creating a little bit of history.
“But, we are only half way through and just six points clear so we have got to start again and have a good second half to the season.”
Aston’s men were made to work hard by their opponents last week, bottom of the table Church Fenton.
After posting 265 for nine, Scarcroft were always favourites for the win, but Aston admitted that Fenton gave a performance of great promise.
“These top versus bottom games are always tricky, you could think that it is just a matter of turning up to claim the win,” he said.
“They held their catches and batted really well so fair play to them.”
WETHERBY skipper Andy Twitchen has urged his improving side to build on last weekend’s victory when they travel to Barwick in Elmet tomorrow.
Twitchen’s troops picked up six points with a narrow victory over fifth placed Walton, and are now within touching distance of Kirk Deighton and Barwick who are perched just above the relegation zone.
“It was a fantastic win for us and it was desperately needed after a close loss the week before,” said Twitchen.
“We are starting to get our full strength team out now and when we do, we have enough quality to beat anybody in the division.
“We’re really looking forward to tomorrow, and giving them a good beating. Let’s hope it’s a scorcher and we have a good day.”
SHADWELL kept the pressure on the top two with a 50 run win over Great Preston.
Joe Eddison’s boys put in a good allround performance, racking up 222 for eight with the bat before bowling their visitors out for 172.
“It was another good win for us but it got a bit tighter than it should have done as their number 10 scored 40,” said Eddison.
“We’re very much looking forward to this weekend against Scarcroft. We should have beaten them earlier in the season but we’ve won our last eight games including the cup, so we go in to the game full of confidence.
“I’ve got 12 or 13 players available this weekend, with our opening bowler and a batsman back from holiday so there will be some changes.”
SICKLINGHALL captain Steve Fisher admits that a lack of confidence in the squad is undermining their performances.
‘Hall were easily beaten by Old Modernians last weekend and face a nervous trip to Church Fenton tomorrow.
“We were hammered last week and didn’t deserve to be on the same pitch as Old Mods,” said Fisher.
“We feel like we are going to put in a good performance at any time but cannot seem to turn it round at the moment.
“A lack of runs is the problem. We are bowling and fielding well but aren’t putting the runs on the board.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Church Fenton and I feel sorry for them with them struggling at the moment. They have lost quite a few decent players recently and I just hope that we don’t become the second team that they have beaten this season.
KIRK DEIGHTON aided their fight against relegation with a tight win over local rivals SPOFFORTH last week.
Deighton now face St Chads Broomfield tomorrow with skipper Richard Ward hoping that they can add to their points tally to pull them further away from the trapdoor places.
The defeat came as a blow to Spofforth who face a tricky visit to Old Modernians tomorrow as they look to hang on to the coat tails of the leading pack.
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Weather for Wetherby
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
