Wharfedale Sport

Burley bid to crown season with cup final triumph

9:47am Thursday 29th July 2010

BURLEY’ Mark Harrison is hoping that he can crown his first season as captain by lifting the Waddilove Cup on Sunday.

The Division One leaders meet Division Two table-toppers Bilton at Rawdon in an intriguing Waddilove Cup final.

Both side’s have ambitions of completing a league and cup double this season so the stakes are high.

Harrison is all too aware of the danger that Bilton pose to his team’s ambition of winning the cup for the first time since 2000.

“Make no mistake they are a good side,” said Harrison. “People who have watched them say they look like the Bilton of old who were such a dominant force before their relegation.

“They have two good spinners in Andy Walker and Darren Simpson, while opener Paul Timmens has been in great form and their captain Paul Canning leads from the front.

“We know this will be a tough game, but it is also an opportunity for us to show the progress we have made.”

Under Harrison’s leadership, Burley have shed their tag for being in is words “an up and down side” to one that is showing remarkable consistency.

Skipton, Otley, Knaresborough and Green Lane have been seen off in the run to the final,but Burley know that their biggest test lies ahead.

The secret to Burley’s success this season has been the careful integration of some talented young players alongside some wily campaigners.

Players like Charlie Davy, Ryan Cooper and Michael Truswell have been making their mark since being given their chance to shine and they are ably supported by Australian Jason Wright and experienced campaigners Nick and Richard Brook.

Harrison says former skipper Richard Brook has been a big influence. “ His keeping has been awesome and he is always ready to make a point to me whenever it is necessary.”

The captain believes that his side’s success has also come from the fact that they have been playing “smarter cricket.”

“We have changed a few things around this year and that has helped us, but perhaps the biggest reason that we are doing so well is the fact we are a lot smarter.

“We are adapting to situations much better and doing the right things at the right time.

“Every player has made an important contribution at one time or other and that has helped breed confidence.”

Harrison is hoping that his side can take a leaf out of Beckwithshaw’s book last season. They came from nowhere then to win the Waddilove Cup and went on to add the league title too.

Burley haven’t won the championship since 1964, but for the minute their focus is firmly on the cup final and beating Bilton.

Harrison,who coached the club’s under-17s to their recent Dennison Cup final triumph, wants to see more silverware come his club’s way, but he warns. “We have to keep doing what we have been doing. If we can continue to play winning cricket them we have a good chance of winning trophies.

“It is important we keep our feet on the ground. People have been taking notice of what we have been doing, but now is the time for us to keep our focus and hopefully we will get our reward.”

Burley: Mark Harrison (Captain), Charlie Davy, Ryan cooper, Dave Brook, Jason Wright, Nick Brook, Michael Truswell, Richard Brook (wkt), Jamie Davey, Neil Davies, Shane Etherington.

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