15/09/2026
🏏 Old Sharlston CC — Final Pontefract League Round-Up
Saturday 12th September 2026
And with that, our time in the Pontefract & District Cricket League comes to an end.
After years of great battles, close finishes, promotions, relegations, brilliant individual performances and plenty of memorable Saturdays, our final league fixtures in the competition came fittingly against Knottingley Town.
The 1st XI went down in a competitive game at Banks Garth, while the 2nd XI signed off with an excellent 16-point victory at Old Sharlston.
1st XI — Knottingley Town 184-9 beat Old Sharlston 173 by 11 runs
Winning the toss, Sharlston elected to field and produced a solid bowling performance to restrict Knottingley to 184-9 from their 46 overs.
Hadyn Chadwick led the attack with 3-29 from six overs, while Ryan Kelsall took 2-33. Jon Railton, Danny Bullock, Dale McMullan and Brendan Norton all picked up a wicket apiece as Sharlston kept themselves firmly in the contest.
The chase was built around captain Danny Bullock, who struck 59 from 56 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. His opening partnership with Brayden Pickard took the score to 83 before Bullock fell.
From there, Knottingley fought their way back into the game. Dale McMullan made 25 and Harry Clegg produced a late 28, taking Sharlston within touching distance, but the final wicket fell at 173 in the 46th over.
A defeat by just 11 runs, with Sharlston taking four league points from their final Pontefract Premier Division fixture.
🏏 Batting: Danny Bullock 59 (56), Harry Clegg 28 (37), Dale McMullan 25 (38)
🎯 Bowling: Hadyn Chadwick 3-29, Ryan Kelsall 2-33, Danny Bullock 1-34
2nd XI — Old Sharlston 166-7 beat Knottingley Town 111 by 55 runs
Back at Old Sharlston, the 2nd XI provided the perfect ending to our Pontefract League story.
After being asked to bat, Sharlston recovered from losing Kallum Pickard immediately and gradually constructed a competitive total.
Captain Robert Simpson was the standout performer, making an excellent 63 from 83 balls with 11 fours. Contributions from Dave Taylor (22), Eli Lofthouse (19), Oscar Cocliff Clarke (17) and Corey Dooler (18) helped the side reach 166-7 from 40 overs.
Then came an outstanding team bowling display.
Eli Lofthouse returned 3-9 from six overs, including two maidens, while Raghavendran Nair took 2-28 and Robert Simpson completed a superb all-round afternoon with 2-3 from two overs. Ben Wilkinson and Kallum Pickard also claimed wickets, with Oscar Cocliff Clarke contributing a run-out.
Knottingley were dismissed for 111, giving Sharlston victory by 55 runs and the maximum 16 league points.
A cracking way for the 2s to close the chapter. 👏
🏏 Batting: Robert Simpson 63 (83), Dave Taylor 22 (18), Eli Lofthouse 19 (32)
🎯 Bowling: Eli Lofthouse 3-9, Robert Simpson 2-3, Raghavendran Nair 2-28
💙💛 Farewell to the Pontefract League
So, after many years, that is Old Sharlston CC’s final Saturday in the Pontefract & District Cricket League.
There have been some fantastic battles along the way. We’ve competed hard, celebrated wins, taken our defeats, enjoyed promotions and endured the difficult Saturdays that are part and parcel of club cricket.
But perhaps more importantly, we’ve built positive relationships with clubs, players, officials, umpires, scorers and volunteers across the league. We’ve shared a lot of cricket with a lot of good people.
To everyone at the Pontefract & District Cricket League, and to every club we’ve played against over the years: thank you.
From everyone at Old Sharlston CC, we wish all the clubs, players, officials and volunteers in the league every success for the future.
For us, one chapter closes and another begins.
One Club • One Team • One Sharlston. 🏏💙💛
