HAVING won the treble last season of the ENCO Halifax League Premier Division, Parish Cup and T20 Cup, Thornton almost matched that magnificent feat this season by pulling off a league and Parish Cup double.

Skipper Ross Soames, who plays alongside brothers Grant and Greg in Thornton’s first XI, admitted at the league’s annual dinner and prize presentation at The Arches at Dean Clough Mills that things were a little different this time around.

He said: “Last year was an unbelievable achievement after everything that went on with the passing of our dad Keith (in March 2023), but it was a bit less emotional this time. However, the double is still right up there and I loved every minute of it.

“The opposition was definitely harder this season as once you have won a treble everybody is out to get you and you have a target on your back.

“But all of my team really stood up to be counted, and particularly young lads such as Jordan Croft opening the batting, and then we had Dom Anderson with the ball, who stepped up massively.

“Grant won the Premier Division bowling award, but it was more of a team effort and at one point everyone stood up and won a game for us.”

Ross added: “I have done 10 years as captain and I hope to carry on as we have won four Parish Cups in the last six years and back-to-back league titles, and we would like to give the National Village Cup a real go next season.

“Clayton have been promoted (as First Division champions). There hasn’t been much banter between us yet, but I am sure that there will be nearer the season and I am looking forward to playing them.”

Clayton’s Michael Nicholson said: “I think that we will up there next season as we have one or two players coming in - you have to do haven’t you?

“We already have my good friends there like David Paynter and Andrew Deegan (as well as Scott Etherington) and I enjoyed it this season, and we are looking forward to playing on better wickets next season.

“Cleckheaton asked me to go back part way through the season (when it looked like they might be relegated from the Bradford Premier League Premier Division), but I am Clayton through and through now.”