Halifax Cricket League

The Halifax Parish League was formed out of dissatisfaction with the Halifax and District Cricket League. This league had

been divided into two divisions in 1908, but in 1912 had reverted to a one-division format with 19 teams who played 16

matches each, followed by a top-four play-off. For 1913 an attempt was made to attract some better-class clubs to allow for

two sufficiently large divisions. No such clubs were found, but the decision was made that for 1914 there would nevertheless

be two divisions, with the top ten in 1913 forming Division One.

Some clubs feared that with an unequal fixture list they might miss out on the top division, and coupled with unease about the

standard of pitches on which some clubs played, began to talk of a breakaway. The initiative was taken by Siddal, who in August 1913 called a meeting with Sowerby Bridge, Stainland, Greetland, Illingworth, Norwood Green, Triangle, Clifton Britannia, Lightcliffe and Ovenden. Of those ten clubs, Clifton, Triangle, Stainland and Ovenden would have been in Division Two in 1914, with Pellon, Elland Edge, Mytholmroyd and Warley in Division One.

The breakaway duly took place, though by 1914 Ovenden had become defunct and their place was accepted by Elland Edge. A change from the District League was that no professionals would be allowed, only Siddal, Triangle and Greetland having recently used them anyway. There was also a Parish League rule that all playing members must reside within a radius of five miles of the ground, or have played four successive seasons with that club, unless they gained the special sanction of the league committee.

2006 League Champions - Bradshaw

2006 Parish Cup Winners - Southowram

Member clubs:

Augustinians CC

Blackley CC

Booth CC

Bradshaw CC

Bridgeholme CC

Copley CC

Denholme Clough CC

Greetland CC

Halifax CC