The other week I happened to go to Spen Vic (Cleckheton) to watch the Yorkshire Boys U18's finals as a few of my friends were participating.

I wa hoping for a Heavy Woollen win (and got one), but the biggest surprise was that Harrogates only representative reached the final.

Young McLeod demolished Yorkshire Home Junior bowler Joe Bray to 11, playing him off the park.

The draw wasn't kind, he then had to take on Yorkshire's 2nd best junior, this was a close game but Corey just battled through to win a high class game to 17.

Then a shock came!! Corey was on the verge of exiting the competition to little known Huddersfield bowler David Spencer, Corey struggled throughout and found himself 19-11 down, before playing a blinder and then running out to win to 19.

So now the final!!

Up against Yorkshires finest in Neil Ewart of Lower Hopton, who was recently crowned Heavy Woollen Jnr Champion, and more recently has one the Hills Supplies Trophy (which attracts the best bowlers in the country, never mind just juniors). SO you can imagine what quality Corey faced.

In an epic and entertaining final Neil and Corey exchanged points throughout, with no lead of more than 3 points for any player, so 20-20, Corey with block in hand, lying game, after a breathtaking display on both parts, set to claim the title of Yorkshires finest, only for neil to bowl a belter and steal it form Corey.

So Harrogate juniors are doing the business out of the area, just wandered how many folk knew what performances like this are doing for the area, definately making other areas more aware of the standard of players in the area.

As a result of that competition Corey and Neil will now go on to represent their respective areas at the British Junior Event, this year held in Widnes I believe (may be wrong). So a Harrogate winner would be good eh?

Sorry for this Corey, you and I will probably get some stick, I just want people to know how Harrogates profile is rising in other areas, like Heavy Woollen.

Good luck for the British.

(Oh and Pelican Bill, who said I know it all, and I don't think i'm 'that good', i'm joining Starbeck for enjoyment and a new exp, plus i'm helping CM out)

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TITLE CHALLENGERS 2009

Well Done Cory Lad. Having attended last year's event I know what an exceptionally high standard the event is.

I presume you have been picked up by the Yorkshire Junior County team already?

I am on the committee of Yorkshire Juniors and can tell you that Corey is only a reserve for the away side despite the fact that there are worse players in the team. I have tried to get him in but so far its falling on deaf ears.

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TITLE CHALLENGERS 2009

i forgot to mention tht the second game opponent was SImon Wood, and i've learnt that that spencer fella plays for yorkshire at home, even more impressive

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TITLE CHALLENGERS 2009

cheers wolf

i just didnt lead up well enough last end of final

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HIGHLANDER...you have to be good, to be cocky

Wolf you shouldn't get any stick for this its good to hear whats gone on and this is the ideal place Well done Corey its good to see your early promise is going from strength to strength and some rubbed off on your mum she nearly did JJ in the quarter final on Sunday

ha yeah cheers aramis, me dad int doing bad either been bowling half a year and bowled for 1st team 4 or 5 teams pulling off some cracking results


practice makes (nearly) perfect........

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HIGHLANDER...you have to be good, to be cocky