Leyland CC 2012 Division 2 winners |
Leyland secured their third consecutive Northern League Divison 2 title. The league victory came on the back of a 163 run victory at the same venue the previous Sunday as they claimed The Readers Cup Division 2 title, completing back to back league and cup double winning seasons in 2011 and 2012
Leyland 2nd team captain Ian Farrington said of his teams success,
Leyland captain Ian Farrington guides his side to another success |
"I think one of the main reasons behind our success is the hard work and effort the players have put in both during matches and at practice.
When players have come down from the first team they have been keen to perform well in order to regain their place and that has augured well for us.
Equally the players who come into the team from the third team often do so with confidence on the back of some good performances to earn their promotion.
The attitude and togetherness of the players has been very good all season, which certainly makes things easier for me as captain.
"We always tried to play positively and for the most part that has stood us in good stead."
"Solid batting by Ian Dickinson, Tom Reece, Nathan McDonnell, Chris Parkinson and Karl Cross has been key to the team's success.
Ian Dickinson in fine form as Leyland pick up more success |
The bowling attack has been very consistent and we have been able to build pressure on our opponents thanks to veteran seam bowler Steven Pallett, slow left armer Stephen Cartwright, leg spinner Alex Williams and tall pace bowler Will Jacques, who had a great first season in the team.
Leyland's Alex Williams |
Young players like wicketkeeper Tom Murray and all-rounder Jake Peake have also come into the team and done well.
I have been especially pleased that Tom, Alex and Will have all been selected for the first team over the course of the season on the strength of their performances in the seconds."
"We were pushed all the way in the league by Barrow, who have a fine young team that play good cricket under the excellent leadership of Ian Allington.
Barrow beat us in the first game of the season and we had to work hard to catch them up after that.
It was frustrating at times this season with the weather affecting many matches.
Our return fixture against Barrow was abandoned due to rain after the first innings when we had been bowled out for 112 on a difficult wicket.
I think Barrow were favourites to win that game, but it would have been interesting to see how the second innings could have played out."
(Thanks to Ian Farrington for sending in all this information)
