BARNSLEY CC second XI get their eagerly anticipated first ever season in the South Yorkshire League, Premier Division underway at Shaw Lane on Saturday, with a home clash against champions Treeton. The Shaw Laners, having won the Division One crown last year, added a new chapter in the club's history with a place in the top flight for the first time. West Indian pace bowler Rayon Griffith, who was instrumental in the first team's Heavy Woollen Cup final victory of 2005, will be arriving shortly and has been charged with the task of keeping the second string in the top flight. He is also expected to play a part in the first XI as competition for places appears to be hotter than ever. Already in the second XI line-up is former junior Steven Nuttall, who has returned after a short spell with Kirkburton. Nuttall blasted over 600 runs and will be joined by Michael Brown from Rotherham Phoenix. Brown is Barnsley born and has the experience of playing in the Premier League before. The Shaw Laners have also been boosted with the news that Treeton will be without their influential Australian Marc Carson for the first time for many years. He has returned home, while Indian Vineet Saxena is also not returning. That means big shoes to fill for new signings Danny Kemp from Wickersley and John Ashton from Rotherham Phoenix. As ever, Steve Foster and Andy Tomlinson will lead from the front and with Daz Pugh also coming from Wickersley, Treeton are expected to be challenging for honours once again. Also in the top flight, Elsecar have announced the return of Glen Yates and his all-round abilities will be welcomed along with the signing of Glen Skrobolak from Geelong, Australia. The quickie has just finished his season down under with 62 wickets and he is likely to be a handful with the new ball.
Last year's surprise runners-up Wath welcome back Rob Barlow after some productive years in the Yorkshire League. He will be joined by Sri Lankan quickie Dinesh Darshanpriya. Despite losing young star Mattie Higgins to Rotherham Town, Wath are likely to surprise a few again. Rockingham have made one of the more interesting signings. They bring in Usman Shuja from the USA. Usman is a fast bowler who has spent time under the watchful eye of Dennis Lillee and did represent the US in the qualifying rounds of this year's World Cup. Division One is also expected to be keenly-contested. Darfield could make a strong challenge this time with Bharawaj Kulbushan (900 runs last year) being joined by Andy Firth, Paul Wilkinson and Gary Hampshire, while league newcomers and National Village Champions Houghton Main will surely challenge for promotion.
