AS a grass-roots organisation, the Timothy Taylor’s Craven League is often the first step on the road in adult cricket for juniors.
One prime example is Bradford & Bingley third team’s opener Hugo Nolson, who scored 206 runs, with a top score of 57, and showed his powers of concentration by batting long in Division Three.
However, the winner of the Harold Blackburn Trophy as the leading junior in the league went to another 12-year-old in Haworth’s Max Wareing, who was more of an all-rounder.
He came eighth in the Division Four bowling averages with 24 wickets for 235 runs at an average of 9.79 but also scored 173 runs for an average of 15.72, including a top score of 42.
Both received special dispensation to play senior cricket by coaches from the Yorkshire Cricket Board.
Cowling’s Reyan Hassan Ali, 17, won the Don Green Memorial Trophy as the runner-up in the leading junior category, scoring 321 runs for an average of 29.18, with a best score of 92.
Airedale’s Ijaz Shah picked up two awards - the Garbutt Bowling Trophy for his 48 wickets and the Division Two bowling award for his average of 8.54, including a best analysis of 7-24.
Cameron Knowles, from Silsden, won the Division Two batting prize with an average of 52.86, scoring 370 runs in 10 innings, three of which were not out, his best knock being 118.
Glusburn’s Abrar Sarwar won the Division One battling prize, scoring 491 runs at an average of 49.10, with a top score of 100.
He also won the Frank Surgenor Trophy as the leading Division One all-rounder, taking 23 wickets for 399 runs for an average of 17.35.
Long Lee doubled up in the Division Three awards, with Waqas Ahmed winning the batting with an average of 48.00 for his 528 runs, which included a top score of 126, and Shahbaz Ahmed taking the bowling award with an average of 7.28 for his 32 wickets, which included figures of 6-20.
Champions Bradley II mopped up both Division Four awards, with Harry Andrews taking the batting with an average of 54.40, scoring 544 runs in 14 knocks, four of which were unbeaten.
His top score was an impressive 143, while team-mate Luke Watson was the top bowler with an average of 7.24, taking 34 wickets for 246, including a best analysis of 5-7.
Haseeb Majid, of Cowling II, was the leading Division Three all-rounder, scoring 347 runs for an average of 26.69 and also taking 36 wickets for 394 at an average of 10.94.
The Division Four all-rounder, who won the Treasurer’s Trophy, was Umar Dar of Glusburn II.
He scored 455 runs for an average of 32.50 and took 22 wickets for 369 at 16.77.
Silsden’s Tom Greenwood was the leading gloveman, winning the Fryers Wicket-Keeping Trophy with 22 victims - 18 catches, three stumpings and a run out.
Haworth’s Charlie Jackson lifted the Norman Smith Merit Trophy as the best player under the age of 21.
Long Lee were re-presented with the Division Three trophy, as were Division Four champions Bradley II, while Cowling II were re-presented with the Cowling Cup after defeating Bradley II in the final.
Riddlesden were runners-up in the Manorlands Plate to Eldwick & Gilstead
All the trophies were handed over at the league dinner, which was successfully held at Keighley Golf Club, by Jane Jenkins, marketing director for Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, who have extended their sponsorship of the league until the end of 2025.
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