2 weeks Ago
A MINUTE’S silence - or a minute’s applause, whichever is deemed more appropriate - will be held in memory of league chairman Martin Burgess before Saturday’s opening-day matches in the Timothy Taylor’s Craven League. Burgess, a long-standing member of Haworth Road Meths, died in Manorlands Hospice, Oxenhope, on Sunday after a brave battle against cancer. In partnership with Les Gudgeon, he holds Meths' club record for the highest partnership of 244.
Burgess, a school headmaster before retirement, joined the league’s executive committee in 2016, taking over the chairmanship for the 2021 season. Gargrave, who are defending their title in Division One, start at home to Bradley, but it will be fascinating to see how newly-promoted duo Bowling Baptists and Silsden fare. As for the rest of the sides in the top flight, Riddlesden, who were second in 2024, all the way down to Cowling, who were seventh, must all be optimistic.
Wilsden, who have been recruiting heavily, will, alongside Haworth, aim to bounce back from relegation at the first attempt. But both sides will be wary of Airedale and Sutton, third and fourth last season, who have their own ambitions of promotion from Division Two. Long Lee, who dominated Division Three last season to go up easily as champions, start their second-tier programme at home to Skipton CI.
Meanwhile, Cowling II, promoted as runners-up behind Long Lee, begin at home to Thornton-in-Craven. Fourth-tier champions Bradley II have a tester at home to Gargrave II in their Division Three opener, while the progress of Bowling Baptists II, who begin at Sutton II, will be keenly watched. Bingley Congs III, who will be playing their home matches on the second pitch at Beckfoot Lane, start life in Division Four, after relegation, at Airedale II.
Newcomers Bowling Baptists III, who will be sharing Sandy Lane with Bradford & Bingley III, open up at home to Glusburn II..
