Bradford League side helped by homegrown talent with Aussie ace unable to return

PUDSEY St Lawrence were going to re-sign their impressive overseas player Campbell Kellaway for the 2025 season. However, an outstanding end to his Sheffield Shield campaign for Victoria scuppered that, as the 22-year-old was again called up for Australia A after leading his state’s first-class batting averages. This means that the Saints will have to look elsewhere for an overseas talent.

However, in the interim they will do what they generally do - promote from within. Two of the latest cabs off the ranks - Ricky Priestley and Josh Allinson - starred in Pudsey St Lawrence’s comprehensive victory over visitors Hull Zingari in the first round of the Rothesay ECB National Club Championship on Sunday. Priestley, given the responsibility of batting at No.



3, also took 5-33 with his left-arm spin while pace bowler Allinson, who was in St Lawrence’s Priestley Shield winning side last season, bagged 3-64. Yorkshire Premier League North side Zingari, who were missing three regulars, surprisingly asked Saints to bat on a warm afternoon and, after a patient opening, the hosts ran riot. Mark Robertshaw scored 123 off 85 balls and put on 163 for the third wicket with skipper Barrie Frankland, who finished on 100 not out from 73 deliveries.

Facing a total of 316-5, it soon became apparent that Zingari were using the second innings for batting practice. They quickly fell well behind the asking rate against new-ball duo Josh Priestley and Tom Clee, but they showed some spirit in making 219. Ricky Priestley, part of a St Lawrence family dynasty, forced his way into the side with almost 1,000 runs in league and cup for double-winning Saints’ second XI last season.

After this game, he said: “I always thought it was possible that I might get a first-team call-up. “We are looking for an overseas as well, but when Campbell couldn’t come I thought I would probably be in the first team. “Batting No.

3 is a big challenge, but it is also a nice opportunity. “I have enjoyed it so far, getting to do things like bat with Mark Robertshaw, but I haven’t set targets for runs or wickets.” As for his bowling, 20-year-old Priestley laughed: “I don’t know how I got five wickets, but bad balls get them sometimes, and if I can get rid of those from my game, I will be alright.

“I try and vary my speed and where I bowl from, and I also have a top-spinner, but I don’t bowl it much.” St Lawrence went into the game on the back of a disappointing Bradford Premier League loss to title favourites New Farnley, but Priestley, who made his first XI league debut in that match, said: “We were confident going into the game, although we didn’t know much about Hull Zingari. New Farnley opener Aidan Langley on his way to making an unbeaten 75 in his side's seven-wicket victory over Pudsey St Lawrence on Saturday.

(Image: Ray Spencer) “We got plenty of runs and we were only two down at drinks so could get a good score when there was some buffet bowling.” Saints captain Frankland said: “We weren’t at our best against New Farnley, but it was nice to put in a good, solid performance here. “We have trained hard over the last six weeks and came into the weekend on the back of two good friendlies against Shepley and Hoylandswaine.

“We have had a few injuries (keeper Charlie Best and batter Harry Cullingford with broken fingers; Archie Phillipson a side strain and George Richardson hamstring trouble) and losing Campbell is bittersweet as he has been picked for Australia A and was our X-factor player. “His boots are big ones to fill but people can step up such as Archie and Ricky, as our model here is to give junior cricketers the most exposure. “As for an overseas player we have had a couple of conversations, but we want someone to come for the right reasons such as developing their own cricket and having a good life experience.

“It shouldn’t be just about the money, but it is getting more and more difficult now when you go through agents. “Cricketers with reasonable first-class stats want £13,000 to £14,000, and we won’t pay that. “We would rather invest in junior cricketers and develop the ground by possibly putting in two hybrid wickets for training and generally improve the training facilities.

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