TABLE-TOPPING York Cricket Club head to Barnsley tomorrow hoping to further cement their title ambitions in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League.
A ten-wicket demolition of Driffield last weekend stands the team in good stead as they attempt to increase their six-point lead over nearest rivals Rotherham Town.
Vice-captain Dan Woods, who took a five-for for only 32 runs against Driffield, is quietly confident of his side’s chances heading into the weekend.
However, he is urging his team-mates to retain their concentration until the very end of the season.
“There’s no room for complacency and there’s no way that we want to rest on our laurels,” he said.
“Everyone always wants to beat the team at the top, so we know that we’ve got some tough games ahead before we can close out this long and difficult season.”
Their weekend opponents sit sixth in the league and are out of title contention.
Despite this, Woods is wary of a league position that belies their quality.
“Obviously we know a lot about them and arguably they are one of the best teams in the league,” he said. “It will be very difficult at their place especially given that the rivalry between the two clubs is so fierce. If we are not with it on the day then we could easily get beaten.
“One little mix up or a series of mistakes and we could be back in the chasing pack.”
York though are in good form and will be a difficult proposition for the South Yorkshire side.
An imperious display last week was preceded by a similarly brilliant performance at second-placed Rotherham as York bowled the home side out for 156 and then went on to win by eight wickets.
“The win away at Rotherham was probably more pleasing if anything, although we were very professional last week (against Driffield),” said Woods.
“We’ve just got to keep getting better now and stay one step ahead of everyone else in the league.”
After the Barnsley clash, York travel to Yorkshire Academy on Sunday in the semi-finals of the League Knockout Cup.
Woods will captain the side with skipper Marcus Wood stepping aside and Andy Tute promoted from the second team.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here