The Heavy Woollen Cup

by Brian Sanderson

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The Heavy Woollen Cup, which began in 1883, with its origins in the textile industry, is the oldest club competition in cricketing England—the summer game’s answer to the FA Cup.

Time was when the rules stipulated that only clubs within eighteen miles of Batley Town Hall could take part. That has changed, however, and teams as far afield Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield now freely participate. Today’s final, indeed, was at Honley in Huddersfield. Like every Yorkshire club, this one has a famous player: Alonzo Drake, who played for the county from 1909 to 1919. He is buried about a mile from the ground.

The match today was between the Leeds team New Farnley and Wakefield Thornes.

Thrones were established 51 years ago, and now play in the South Yorkshire Premier League. Today they won the toss and elected to field. Their opening bowlers, Matthew Taylor and Dylan Hirst, looked rapid, and took four wickets between them.

But a stand of 101 between Alex Lilley and Ryan McKendry brought the total up to 138 for three in the thirtieth over of this fifty-over match. McKendry went on to score 87. I have seen him through his career playing for Leeds and Bradford University and York. He transferred to New Farnley two years ago. Some think he is the best batter in the Bradford League.

Despite his efforts, and two huge sixes from Fletcher Coutts, New Farnley were good for only 239 in their allotted overs. I thought this was thirty runs short.

The day was cloudy, and after tea cold as well, as the winds began to bite. Thornes, however, started hot, with Kieran Donnachie and James Rhodes putting on 66 in fifteen overs. New Farnley opened the bowling at one end with their captain Alex Lilley, who has been plagued by an injury to his leg. In his first ten-over spell of the season, he surrendered just 34 runs.

Coming in third was Joe Billings, whose background is with the Sussex Seconds and Leeds and Bradford University. Today he scored 82, and in partnership with James Wolfenden put on 114 for the third wicket to assure Thornes of victory. They won by seven wickets with three overs to spare. An excellent victory, and well earned; they were the better team in all three disciplines.

A day off from cricket tomorrow. Then I’m headed to Scarborough to see if Yorkshire can improve its One Day Cup form.

Brian Sanderson is an ACS member. He serves on the Yorkshire Cricket Archives Committee. If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please either respond to the email in which you received it, or leave a comment below.