High-flying Barnby Dun eyeing up move into Premier League

The Glass Park club were controversially relegated into Division Three of the Pontefract & District League last year.

They finished above the drop zone in Division Two but were demoted as a result of two new teams, Oulton and Kippax, joining from the Wetherby League.

Ben Salter’s side have made an excellent start to the 2021 campaign and currently sit top of the table but the club are thought to be keen to make a fresh start in the newly-formed YCSPL next year.

"We have had a good influx of strong new players at first and second XI level which has made a tremendous difference to team selection and morale,” said committee member Stuart Taylor, reflecting on the season so far.

“One of our new players, Henry Cutts, was on the Play-Cricket national honours board recently with a bowling performance of 7-15!

“The club as a whole has been rejuvenated this season, running two senior Saturday teams, a Sunday team in the Barnsley League and a team in the Snaith Evening League.

“We also have four junior sides at U9, U11, U13 and U15 levels who play in the local Doncaster leagues plus we are currently running an All Stars and Dynamos programme on Saturday mornings and are progressing towards Clubmark status.”

Barnby Dun’s lead at the top of Division Three was cut to two points last weekend as they suffered their first defeat of the season, losing in comprehensive fashion at Calder Grove.

Cutts and Ciaran McCarthy both claimed three wickets but the home side reached 216-9 in 46 overs.

The visitors were reduced to 27-4 and were unable to recover as they slid to 82 all out.

They host bottom side Horbury Bridge on Saturday.

Fenwick lie third in the Division Three table and continued their encouraging start with an 83-run win at Thurnscoe Institute.

The visitors amassed 242-9 with good contributions from top order quartet Callum Howie (57), Ben Randall (46), Matthew Harrison (46) and Brad Hunter (43).

Thurnscoe could only reach 159 all out in response.

Bailey Vickerage snared 4-25 and man of the match Harrison claimed 4-48.