East Bierley have signed prolific run-scorer John Proud from Yorkshire League club Harrogate.

The former Farsley and Windhill batsman is a replacement for opener and captain Dermot McGrath, who announced his retirement midway through last season.

New Bierley skipper Robert Burton said: "John is as good as you can get based on his past record in the Bradford League.

"I have played alongside him in the Yorkshire Board team. We both used to work at Barclays Bank and played together for the bank team.

"We were looking to replace Dermot at the top of the order to go in first with Richard Gould and I am delighted we have signed John."

Proud's best season in the Bradford League was with Windhill in 1995, when he scored 1,175 runs.

Farsley, who have lost three players since the end of last season, have signed two opening bowlers to strengthen their attack which was weakened when Australian Andrew Downs went home midway through last season.

Former Baildon pace bowler Craig Hitchenor has joined them from Aire-Wharfe League Division A champions Bilton, and they have also signed left armer Andy Walker from Central Yorkshire League club Moorlands.

The 21-year-old Leeds Metropolitan University student is attached to the Leeds-Bradford Universities Centre of Excellence at Park Avenue.

Hitchenor has enjoyed a great season at Bilton since moving from Baildon, helping them to their title success and topping the Division A bowling averages.

Farsley captain Ashley Metcalfe said: "These two players will strengthen our bowling and link in well with Chris Brook to give us three very good bowlers.

"I saw Andy bowl for the universities team during the summer and I was impressed. Now we are looking to sign two new batsmen.

"We are going to have a younger side which is good for the future of the club. We are sorry to have lost players, but when one door closes another one opens and it gives the younger players every opportunity to do well."

Former Yorkshire and Somerset left-arm slow bowler and early-order batsman Paul Booth has returned to Huddersfield League club Meltham after a two-year spell at Cleckheaton.

Booth, who captained Cleckheaton for much of last season in the absence of Chris Pickles has taken a total of 118 wickets in his two seasons at the club - 64 in his first season and 54 last season.

Champions Pudsey Congs have made their first signing of the close campaign.

Pace bowler and middle order batsman Mark Bray has moved back to his former club from Priestley Cup holders Baildon.

Former Yorkshire second team player Gareth Clough has signed a new two-year contract with Nottinghamshire.

The 23-year-old all-rounder developed his cricket at Pudsey St Lawrence before moving to Pudsey Congs.