NEWBY Hall have named Olie Uffindall as their new captain after Paul Yeadon stepped down following last weekend's game, writes Rob Stanworth.
Yeadon had only been in charge since the start of this year but has decided to hand over the reins for personal reasons, although he will still be turning out for the Division One outift as a player.
All-rounder Uffindall is relishing the challeng
e of leading the team and following in his brother Matt's footsteps who has guided Newby to the title on a number of occasions in recent years.
"It has not been the easiest of years so far, as we have been missing a couple of key players,” he said.
"On paper we are not the strongest team, but I believe that we play as a team better than the others. I'm looking forward to captaining and just getting out there and playing at the weekend. Paul has done a good job, but he has a young family to look after and that is his priority."
The new captain will be looking to lead Newby to their sixth win on the bounce after they eased past Ouseburn last weekend.
Half centuries from Olie Uffindall (78) and Steve Potter (58no) helped Hall chase down a below par 179 for the loss of only two wickets.
Newby travel to picturesque Bolton Abbey tomorrow (2pm start) with the new captain looking for his side to continue in their rich vein of form.
MASHAM captain Adam Smith has praised his side and also the club's second team after a fantastic weekend on the pitch for the club last weekend.
Smith's men raced to a nine-wicket win over Killinghall to move them back into the Division One promotion race, keeping the heat on table toppers Pannal.
Their seconds meanwhile are riding the crest of the wave in Division Five, unbeaten so far this season with 60-points to their name.
They chased down a formidable 233-4 against Pateley Bridge last week thanks in part to a magnificent 139 by Chris Monkhouse who had only just returned to action after injury.
"Tim Howard (Masham 2nd team captain) has done a fantastic job," said Smith. He really is a credit to the club. They're unbeaten all season and for the back-end of last season so that's pretty much a whole season they've gone unbeaten.”
Masham return to action tomorrow at home to Bishop Thornton as they begin the second half of their Nidderdale Division One campaign.
In Division Two, basement side KIRKBY MALZEARD were dealt a huge blow after two of their players were involved in a car crash on the way to their game against Rainton.
Mohammed and Hassan Abrah, who travel from north Leeds, were involved in a road accident and missed the match, though they didn’t sustain any serious injuries.
Despite the drama Kirkby edged home by three runs, only their second win of the season, and are now looking ahead to visiting Darley tomorrow.
“Obviously Saturday was a bit of a shock for us.
