MATCH REPORTS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON PITCHERO'S MOST READ CRICKET WEBSITE lightcliffecricketclub.co.uk ASAP POST MATCH #1.

1st XI writer - Wesley Brookes
2nd XI scribe - Mikey Brooke
3rd XI writer - the Editor lives in hope that the 3rd team will submit their first report for publication this season, but is not holding his breath.............................

Jack Hendy's resources are stretched this week with 3 senior players attending a wedding in Italy, Niall Lockley breaking his hand whilst smashing 55 at Liversedge last week and Johnny Whiteoak out of the picture for the foreseeable future with his dodgy knee.
It goes without saying that Peter Dobson is one of the wedding attendees but incredibly he has taken Rob Edmond and 2nd team keeper Ben Speak along to this one. They may be missed - Dobbo picked up another 3 wickets last Saturday and Edmond bagged a brace before cracking a sublime 89 not out including 13 fours in our successful chase of 243. Hendy is hoping that South African Isaac Dikgale has thawed out now that summer has arrived in West Yorkshire in our attempt to overtake Old Lane, who are joint leaders with Hartshead Moor 5 matches in.

Bowling Old Lane's 2 wins against LCC last season ultimately cost us promotion so one hopes that the lads will be seeking retribution. Young Will Leach (16) was to be joined in the side by even younger (14) brother George. Unfortunately George sustained a knee injury playing football in the school playground today so would not be able to open the bowling. So opportunity knocks for Ryan Beeforth, despite him controversially missing the 2nd XI's Priestley Shield tie at Pudsey Congs last week to escort Mikey Brooke to Wembley. Evan Edwards is also called in following several strong 2nd XI performances this summer.

Lightcliffe's 1st XI line up at home to Bowling Old Lane CC in the Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League 1st XI Division 2 wickets pitched 1230hrs is:
Jack Hendy
Alex Stead
Finn Brookes (wkt)
Subhaan Ammar
Jordan Pickles
Rob Burton
Evan Edwards
Will Leach
Andy Walker
Ryan Beeforth
Isaac Dikgale

Following last weekend's wins, in the league by 29 runs hosting Bankfoot and by 7 wickets chasing down 168 to defeat Pudsey Congs in the Priestley Shield, Lightcliffe 2nd XI visit Bowling Old Lane.
The 2nds have a youthful look about them this week as 13 year old Isaac Morley is recalled from his loan spell at Queensbury and is joined in the side by fellow 13 year old Monty Ramsden who is LIghtcliffe’s leading runs order this season, so far. 14 year old George Leach will play as a batsman whilst 17 year old Yusuf Malik had his best day so far in a Villagers shirt with 88 not out at Congs last Sunday. Dependable veteran Mikey Brooke who played a variety of strokes in his 57 mot out in the league win versus Bankfoot, will have an important role to play in a side with many inexperienced batsmen.
When they take to the field, David Knight will be hoping his lads have Bowling Old Lane in a spin with Marcus Kelly and Morley available to bowl off breaks whilst 15 year old left arm spinner Leo Flanagan, who impressed on his debut at Morley a fortnight ago, will be hoping to extract huge turn from the usually helpful Old Lane track. Ben Speak is replaced behind the timbers by Chrissy Dyer, an impressive glove man who will likely snaffle any opportunity offered by the Old Lane batsmen.

Lightcliffe's 2nd XI line up away to Bowling Old Lane CC in the Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League 2nd XI Premier Division, wickets pitched 1230:
David Knight (capt)
Mikey Brooke
George Leach
Yusuf Malik
Chrissy Dyer (wkt)
Isaac Morley
Leo Flanagan
Conor Butterworth
Waleed Raja
Monty Ramsden
Marcus Kelly

A bumper Bank Holiday crowd is expected as Lightcliffe 3rd XIs defence of the Rod Warhurst Trophy has reached the semi-final stage this Sunday with Copley visiting the village. The semi-final spot was secured with a hard fought win over Blackley at the neutral venue of Leymoor CC.
Blackley were restricted to just 128 for 8 off their 40 overs thanks largely to Isaac Morley's off spin which saw him return the wonderful stats of 8-6-3-2. Ben Horne also bagged a braces whilst the other 3 bowlers Sam Kalanovic, Mick Wood and James Lunn all picked up a wicket apiece.
The Villagers appeared in serious trouble at 46 for 6 but Mark Horne, 43 not out including seven 4s and a 6 and Sam Kalanovic with eight 4s in his 36 not out saw Lightcliffe home with 16.3 overs to spare.
3rd XI skipper Gary Lewsley makes his seasonal bow following 5 weeks nurturing West Yorkshire's most talented Under 12 boys, a role he relishes. Lewsley leads a team with plenty of both youth (4 teenagers) and experience (4 almost 60 years old!!!)
Veteran Kev Booth will don his face mask and no doubt be fired up to play against his former club this Sunday. "I had so many wonderful seasons at The Arches but when I cross the whitewash on Sunday I'll be giving it all and summoning up the fire of Roger Smith. Luckily, as I'm keeping, I'll not have to consider whether or not to 'Mankad' any Copley juniors!" Kev told the LCC website.
3rd Team at home to Copley CC in the Rod Warhurst Cup semi final - meet at 12.15 for a 1pm start.

Gary Lewsley (capt)
Jack Booth
Bruce Lunn
David Heath
Kev Booth (wkt)
James Lunn
Isaac Morley
Dylan Crossley
Conor Butterworth
Mark Whiley
Mick Wood
Scorer: Imad Haidry