Beckett League looking for new teams (From Gazette & Herald)

Beckett League looking for new teams

3:09pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Sport

THE newitts.com Beckett League is looking to add new clubs for the 2013/14 season.

There are presently 11 teams each in divisions one and two but league secretary Keith Sales said they wanted to have at least 12 in each tier next term.

Any club interested in joining or rejoining the league can phone Sales on 01751 473348 or email keith.sales185@btinternet.com

The entire Beckett League and cup programme on Saturday was wiped out due to snow and ice across Ryedale and North Yorkshire – the first time that has happened this season.

This coming weekend’s fixtures – which include the first semi-final in the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy between Gillamoor and Duncombe Park – are also looking in doubt.

At the moment, the first division title race appears wide open, with leaders Union Rovers having lost two games after being unbeaten at the turn of the year. Second-placed Sinnington have played two games fewer and are three points behind, while champions Kirkbymoorside Reserves lie fifth, 11 points behind Union but with three games in hand, having fallen behind in their fixtures due to an excellent run to the semi-finals of the Scarborough & District FA Junior Cup. Union had been due to play Kirkby last Saturday.

Ryedale Sports Club Reserves are 11 points clear in division two under new manager Shaun Hornby, who worked hard in the summer to force a good mix of youth and experience.

The second promotion place seems to rest between the league's two newcomers, Snainton Reserves and Easingwold Town 3rds, and perhaps Slingsby, who are coming up strong. Snainton and Easingwold sandwich third-placed Union Rovers 2nds, who are 12 points behind Ryedale with two games in hand.

The whole of the Scarborough & District League programme was also wiped out last Saturday owing to snow and ice.