Hoylandswaine CC beat York CC in the Black Sheep Cup semi

I played for Wath when I was a kid and ended up leaving. We usually won our league and got to the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup on year but even at youth level it was win at all costs. Two of my mates (who were good players, certainly good enough to get a game) went to training every week and never got a game despite the fact we were tonking teams each week. In the end they got sick of it and left for Wentworth and I decided to go with them. Alright, we weren't winning the league but it was a great set of lads and I enjoyed it far more. Best decision I ever made. Plus I was opening the bowling for the 2nd XI by the time I was 16 and starting for the first XI by 17. Although that short boundary over to The Rock wasn't much fun for a fast bowler.

 

The club hadn't had a junior set up as far as I could recall (30 years give or take) until about 5 years ago. The pros (overseas and skipper + some others) all get involved in coaching, including summer schools during the 6 week break. The eldest team is U15s so to suggest the 1st XI policy stymies youth is a bit premature at the moment.

More people watch 1st XI cricket now at Swaine than they did when I was playing, of course it's still weather dependent, but the village is clearly behind the team. Sunday was as busy as I've seen down there (hudreds of spectators) and the league rules stipulate a minimum £1.50 admission fee for 1st XI cricket. It's unclear how the 1st XI strategy and the youth set up will work as things stand, we'll know better in a couple of years. Certainly the 2nd XI is predominantly young lads.

And I've no idea of the answers to your questions regarding motives, I've asked them myself.