ESTABLISHED in 1867, Denholme Cricket Club is situated just off Keighley Road in the heart of the village and offers some of the most picturesque views of any team in the Craven and District Cricket League.

Not only is the club reputable for its stunning location, an electronic scoreboard, an exciting style of play, and one of the best ‘cricket teas’ in the league are all things that attract visitors.

The club currently have two senior teams, alongside a growing junior section and a side who play on Wednesday nights in Division One of the Bradford and District Evening League.

However, their two Saturday sides had contrasting fortunes in the Craven League’s Divisions Two and Three last time out, with the first team promoted back to the top flight as champions at the first time of asking, whereas their second XI only avoided relegation due to Embsay transferring to the Nidderdale League at the season’s conclusion.

“It was definitely our ambition for the first team to bounce straight back into Division One, and so last season went to plan in that regard,” admitted committee member Ryan Judson.

“We also had a good run to the final of the Manorlands Plate, a competition we’re always keen to support.

“Unfortunately, it was a more difficult season for our second team, but we’ve worked hard to recruit new players during the winter, and hopefully that has left us in a much stronger position this time around.

“For both teams, the aim first is to consolidate our place in the respective divisions, but if we start well, with some of the players we have, there’s no reason both sides can’t push to challenge at the top of the table.”

The success of their senior teams is something that the club are looking to emulate with their junior section, an area that they, and sponsors M1 Motors, have poured a lot of time and effort into over recent years.

In 2019, the club launched their All-Stars initiative in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board, aimed at encouraging children under 10 to take up cricket.

Despite the pandemic, interest among youngsters in the sport has remained high, with the club delighted to be in a position to enter an Under-9s side into the Upper Airedale Junior Cricket League for this season.

“The juniors are the future of our club, and it’s our responsibility to give them the best introduction to the sport and to create a fun and enjoyable environment at the club,” Judson explains.

“In our first season, we welcomed 22 children aged four to eight to the club every Friday night in the summer for an exciting introduction to cricket.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic stopped us from bringing the initiative back in 2020, but last year we were delighted to have 30 children attend throughout the summer.

“This year, we are again running our All-Stars from May, and are also launching the ECB’s Dynamos, aimed at children from nine to 12 onwards, which will also be on a Friday night.

“We’re also really excited for our Under-9s to make their first appearances, they’ve come on leaps and bounds over the winter and we’re sure they’re going to be brilliant.”

Off the pitch, the club have been busy during the winter months, organising a race night fundraiser, delivering junior coaching sessions at Parkside School on Thursday nights from 6-7pm, and starting their season preparations with weekly indoor nets at Bradford & Bingley CC.

In recent weeks, they have also started renovations to create a warmer and more welcoming clubhouse, ahead of their long-term plan to design and build a brand new sporting facility in the village, with work on track to be completed by the start of the season.

Denholme will also run their fifth annual golf day on April 22 alongside sponsors Stairlift Servicing Ltd, with invites open to clubs across the league.

Entry to the competition is priced at £40pp or £160 for a team of four, with that price including breakfast and dinner, 18 holes of golf, unlimited on-course refreshments, and the opportunity to walk away with £5,000 for scoring a hole in one.

To find out more information about activities at the club, both on and off the pitch, visit their social media channels or email denholmeccevents@gmail.com