Copmanthorpe counting down to HPH York Vale League title defence (From York Press)

Copmanthorpe counting down to HPH York Vale League title defence

12:10pm Thursday 26th April 2012 in York Vale League By Martin Jarred

COPMANTHORPE will begin the defence of their HPH York Vale Cricket League title on Saturday without two of last season’s key players.

The champions head to Wheldrake missing leading run scorer Salman Syed and bowler Adam Mosley, who have moved in to the Senior League with Heworth and Bolton Percy respectively.

Syed, who joined Cop from University of York Staff, averaged nearly 62 in 2011 and Mosley was the club’s joint leading wicket-taker with 34.

Stockton & Hopgrove, last season’s runners-up, have lost brothers Josh and Dan Barrett, pictured, to Dunnington and second team captain Dan Fairclough has joined Fulfordgate, whose Paul Whitley has moved to Heworth were he has become secretary.

Promoted Ovington begin their division one campaign at home to North Cave while Hirst Courtney, the other side who came up from division two, entertain Clifton Alliance.

Division two has been hit by the last-minute withdrawal of University of York Staff, but should be highly competitive.

Kelfield, who have recruited David Stephenson from former Senior League side Bubwith, take on Westow on the opening day. Westow will be in buoyant mood having secured a £50,000 grant from Sport England towards building their new pavilion.

In division three, Melbourne are hoping the addition of Alex Barlow from Howden will put them up among the front-runners this season. They start by entertaining Thixendale in a fixture which has been reversed by the clubs as Thixendale’s pitch has been badly affected by recent heavy rain.

Heworth’s home game with Welton & Brough has also been changed for a similar reason, with the match now taking place on Sunday on the first team pitch at Elmpark Way.

Although they are not in league action this weekend, arson-hit Burton Salmon have delivered their promise to be ready in time for the season.

Fire destroyed their clubhouse and changing facilities in May but a fantastic fund-raising effort by the village club, aided by grants from the English and Yorkshire Cricket Boards and donations from other Vale League clubs and sponsors will see them compete.

The new facilities will be opened on Saturday (1.30pm) by Selby MP Nigel Adams, a former Vale League representative player and member of the Houses of Parliament cricket team. There will be a practice match after the opening ceremony.

Salmon play in division five, which along with division six, has a reduced number of fixtures this season.

Vale League clubs are reminded to send their new squad registration forms to registrations@yorkvale.co.uk