Ossett and Birstall stalwarts win key Bradford League honours

Four years on it is fair to say that all of the 48 member clubs have integrated and have now found their level within the All Rounder Cricket-backed Bradford Premier League.

However, integration of a different sort was celebrated by the 384 people present (representing all member clubs) at the league's annual dinner at Yorkshire County Cricket Club's Emerald Suite.

Both the Sir Leonard Hutton Trophy winner Bob Schofield (Ossett) and Unsung Hero winner Mark Gilman (Birstall) come from former Central Yorkshire League clubs and both were worthy recipients.

The Bradford League's communications and data officer Alan Birkinshaw read the citation for both and said of Sir Leonard Hutton Trophy winner Schofield: "This year’s winner may only be small in stature but both on and off the field he has proved to be a giant.

"He is somebody who has given great service as a player and official at club level for almost 50 years, as well as doing good work at league level.

"Determination and tenacity have been two qualities that our winner has shown in abundance.

"He has been somebody who has always been prepared to battle to achieve the outcome he desires, whether that be on or off the field.

"As well as being a formidable competitor on the cricket field, our winner was also a handy footballer and one of his colleagues described him as a cross between Nobby Stiles and Norman Hunter.

"As a cricketer he was a solid opening batsman who could be relied on to score 700-800 runs per season. Being short, he was a good hooker and puller.

"He wasn’t afraid of taking on the fast bowlers at a time when matches were played on uncovered pitches and batsmen didn’t wear helmets.

"He was fortunate to play in some fine sides and featured in five successive Heavy Woollen Cup finals between 1976 and 1980, including a hat-trick of wins between 1978 and 1980.

"Our winner cut his cricketing teeth with Eastmoor before moving into the Central Yorkshire League with Ossett.

"He made his first team debut in 1966 age 17 and made his last appearance for the club in the 2018 season aged 69.

"After establishing his place in the side he helped them win the Heavy Woollen Cup in 1971 under the captaincy of former Warwickshire wicketkeeper Eddie Legard.

"His increasing influence on the team led to him being promoted to vice-captain to the highly-regarded David Ward and held the role during the hat-trick of Heavy Woollen Cup wins.

"It was a fine side which included such renowned performers as opening bowler Harry Atkinson, who was one of the finest seamers of his generation and also enjoyed success with Hanging Heaton and Pudsey St Lawrence.

"In 1982, our winner featured in a second-wicket partnership of 217 with our current league treasurer Mick Varley in a 259-run win over Upper Hopton. Varley made 157 not out and our man 113 not out.

"Despite being a fierce competitor, our winner produced an outstanding act of sportsmanship in the 1984 Heavy Woollen Cup final.

"He was standing in as wicketkeeper and recalled a batsman who was given run out because he had broken the wickets with his gloves. The reprieved batsman went on to make a half-century as Gomersal took advantage to secure a three-wicket win."

Schofield went on to Wakefield St Michael's in 1994, who won the Clegg Trophy (combined points for first and second teams) and, after a spell as club chairman, returned to Ossett in 1999.

Retirement as a player gave him time to do a multitude of tasks at the club, including making teas and helping out with the ground, while as cricket chairman he was responsible for player recruitment and also shone whenever Ossett staged a big game.

He has also performed a number of fund-raising bike rides and raised £3,000 last year by walking from Headingley to Ossett.

Bob, who is battling a serious illness, has also stood on the Central Yorkshire League's executive committee and the Bradford Premier League's management board.

He said of his award: "I am overwhelmed to be honest with you and I feel very proud - for myself and the clubs that I have represented - but I am not sure that I can keep up with polishing the trophy every day!

"I have had a rough time the past month or so and this is a real tonic."

Birkinshaw said of fellow winner Gilman, who received the Barry Winstanley Memorial Trophy: "Our unsung hero is a tireless worker for his club. He is cricket chairman, secretary, treasurer and website administrator.

"He is the man who makes his club tick and performs all of his roles with great professionalism. He wants the best for his club and they certainly get the best from him.

"This season his efforts were rewarded as his club won promotion and he proved to be Top of the Pops with league officials after organising the staging of the Group B T20 finals day.

"That day he even displayed another of his talents with his roof-top disco and he’s a big hit at his club Birstall."

Gilman said: "I am completely surprised to win it as you do the work for the club and try and make sure that they give 100 per cent on the field - which I can't do any more - and 100 per cent off it and hopefully give the lads something to be proud of in the club.

"The team itself have helped me win it as we have done a lot of work around the club and, while that may be the focal point, it is all a big team effort.

"My key is to make the team gel, be as young as it can be and to make the team progress because we haven't got the money to buy players so it is all about the juniors and making sure that they have a pathway to the first team.

"All of the lads who are here on our table tonight are junior cricketers who have come through and it is massive to keep that local flavour as it engenders good team spirit, not just through the summer but the winter as well and they are in the club in the winter all the time.

"Next season we hope to stay up (they were promoted as runners-up in Championship Division Two this season) - maybe get a mid-table place and build for the coming years."

Jack Hughes (Townville) was named Players' Player of the Year, while Khalil Khan (Wrenthorpe) lifted the Sir Learie Constantine Premier Division first XI all-rounder award.

Birstall's Josh Haynes won both the Jack Hill Championship and Conference first XI all-rounder trophy and was named, for the second successive year, as the Gordon Bowers Young Cricketer of the Year.

The Ernest Lodge Young Spinner of the Year Trophy was Archie Scott (Pudsey St Lawrence), while the David Bairstow Golden Gloves Young Wicketkeeper Trophy winner was Sam Massheder (Yeadon).

Carlton received the Albert Smith Spirit of Cricket Award, while the Tommy Mathers Ground of the Year was Pudsey Congs.