The 1st XI are still looking for their first win of the season after an impressive Birstall side piled on the runs in the opening home game for Alex Stead’s side at Till Carr Lane.

After losing the toss and facing the first innings in the field, the visitors got 13 off the opening over and that set the tone for an innings which included two centuries – a brilliant 112 from Birstall captain Noah Chapman and sublime 159 from Sharoon Siraj who combined for a 222-run partnership. Both were ultimately dismissed by Redford Holdsworth who took 3-73 but with the sun drenching the outfield during the early afternoon, it proved to be a long and challenging few hours in the field.

373 was the total set from the 50 overs, and after a decent start, openers Niall Lockley (11) and Alex Stead (24) went within the first nine overs. What followed gave hope to the hosts with an impressive innings from Jordan Laban, unlucky not to reach his century when he was caught and bowled by Siraj on 92, and a steady 40 from Yusuf Malik. When Laban went at 182-5 with nearly 200 still needed, so did any hope of an unlikely win. The final wickets fell cheaply leaving Lightcliffe 155 runs short, all out for 218 after 41.5.

Away from home, at the same time, the 2nd XI had a much better day with another and another excellent display with bat and ball. Rob Burton won the toss and chose to face the Farsley bowlers in the first innings and three half centuries from opener Michael Brooke (51), Rhys Jowett (53) and William Leach (64) provided the heart of the 252/6 score from the 50 overs including hitting four consecutive sixes in the last over. In reply, the hosts started positively and chasing down the total looked possible when they reached 100 in the 15th over within the first hour. That initial optimism for them didn’t last, thanks to a steady fall of wickets. 18-year-old Oliver Barrowcliffe took 1, it was 2 each for 15-year-old Sam Walker and the experienced skipper, but the standout performance was from 15-year-old Lucas Arnot who took 5-72.

The match ended in the 36th over of Farsley’s reply when the final wicket fell to leave the visitors victors by 63 runs – Farsley all out for 189 and 20 points secured for Lightcliffe.

On Sunday, the Club had 41 players in action – aged from seven through to, well, somewhat more than seven… three senior sides played, the 2nds hoping to resume where they left off on Saturday at Methley in the Priestley Shield. It started well with a won toss and, once again, choosing to bat first. There were some great contributions across the team – Isaac Morley’s 43, Regan Broadbent’s 28, Sam Walker’s 26 and David Knight’s 41 – including challenging Will Leachs’s Saturday six drilling three consecutive sixes in the 30th over. The tough target set was 222 with 8 wickets down at the end of the 40 overs. The hosts – just like on Saturday – started well, but then the wickets fell and, once again, it was the young Villagers who struck – another couple for Lucas Arnot (2-38) and a brilliant 5-for for Sam Walker who bowled 7 overs and conceded just 36 runs.

Fittingly it was the 15-year old who took the final wicket, leaving Methley 91 runs short. Lightcliffe’s very own statto, Rambo, informs your author that it means 21 of the 30 second team wickets taken so far this season have been from our young spin bowlers – Sam Walker and Lucas Arnot, a real testament to them and the culture developing young talent which we are so proud of.

Our Sunday League teams were, of course, also in action – and it was another win for Gary Lewsley’s 3rd XI who set Birkby Rose Hill a target of 188 in their 40 overs with seven Villager wickets falling during the innings. The hosts in Huddersfield struggled and thanks to some top quality bowling, they were dismissed for 81. The 4th XI were at home and, after a bruising opening day encounter, performed much more positively. Chasing 138 set by visitors Crossflatts, captain for the day James Lunn’s team ran them incredibly close but ultimately just fell short being all out in 35 overs for 129.

Falling just short was the story of the day for our very young Villagers too. The juniors had their first game of many in the weeks ahead as the season began for the U9s. On the road early on Sunday morning at Sowerby St Peter’s, they were unlucky to finish just one run behind the total set and fell to defeat. But a great performance, lots of positives and three new players wearing the Lightcliffe shirt for the first time.

An incredibly busy weekend of cricket came to an end with three senior wins and two senior defeats and the unbeaten 2nd XI showing their intent early in this 2026 season in league and cup. The games continue to come thick and fast this weekend with another five senior matches – this time it’s the 1st XI in action twice in two days with the opening round of the Priestley Cup – a content which will ultimately conclude at our Till Carr Lane home in August. Get set for a bumper Bank Holiday weekend of cricket – we’ll see you there!