Posted May 9, 2007

Map showing how to get to Thurstonland........>>Click here

The JCT 600 Bradford League has had four players withdraw from its squad to face the Huddersfield Central League in the first round of the White Rose Trophy at Thurstonland on Sunday.

Bradford & Bingley's David Clow, plus Amar Rashid of Manningham Mills, Farhan Khan (Hanging Heaton) and Tom Pringle (Cleckheaton) have all had to pull out due to a combination of work and exam commitments.

Team Manager Simon Hicks has had to move quickly to find replacements. In for their debuts come Keighley's talented all-rounder Max Davison, Jonathan Rudge (Spen Victoria) and Morley off spinner Tom Smith.

A 12th man has yet to be named. With Clow unavailable the captaincy will go to Mark Robertshaw of Pudsey St Lawrence who also led the side in last season's final when the Bradford & Bingley all-rounder - then with Baildon - missed the defeat by the Aire-Wharfe League because he was playing in the Heavy Woollen Cup final.

Davison's selection is a reward for some outstanding early season performances. He was a key figure in Second Division Keighley's impressive seven-wicket Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup first round win over Division One leaders East Bierley.

Davison is in his first season of Bradford League cricket having previously played for Oxenhope in the Craven League. Another player called up after just a handful of games in the Bradford League is left arm opening bowler Jonathan Rudge who joined Spen Victoria from Carlton this season.

The third new boy is Morley off spinner Tom Smith. The 19-year-old has been a first team regular since returning to the club after a season of gathering experience with Central Yorkshire League side East Ardsley.

Team-manager Hicks said: "It is always something of a worry when players withdraw, but I know that each of those coming in will be keen to impress. It is a great opportunity for them to show what they can do in representative cricket.

"I have seen all of them in action at different times and they have shown that they have the potential to do well." Hicks has confirmed that Pudsey St Lawrence's 15-year-old all-rounder Kasir Maroof will make his White Rose debut. "Initially I was going to take him along for the experience of being with the squad, but now, with the changed situation, I feel he should get his chance too."