Sir Leonard Hutton.  Son of St Lawrence

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THE 2008 SEASON AT THE HALF-WAY STAGE - THE CAPTAIN’S ASSESSMENT.

 

In an exclusive interview with Club Website Manager and First XI Scorer Phil Raistrick,  James Smith gives a candid view on the season so far:

 

Jim Smith might appear on the surface to be a calm and relaxed person, but underneath he is so passionate about Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club that he is currently feeling desperately low about his own performance and the results the First XI have produced during the season so far:  Says Jim :“I suppose “disappointing” is the correct word to use from a captains perspective. Such a huge amount of talent in the dressing room and all too often it has been wasted on a match day - myself  being the starting point of that comment!  Due to interrupted preparations we took a while to get to know each others’ strengths and so on”

Okay, but where do we go from here?  “I still have a lot of faith in the players we have and with Cloughy and Mark with us for the rest of the season I think we can push quite hard for a high finish. Mark has been quality when not away with University  (The Leeds & Bradford Universities Centre of Cricket Excellence - who play against First Class standard opposition), and Alex Stead must be in the form of his life - with a bit more luck he would be miles ahead on the runs (after 13 matches, Alex was the highest scoring batsman in the Bradford League) - I still think he's the best opening batter in the league and with Mark playing, possibly they are the best opening partnership going!”

Jim has not fully recovered from a pre-season car smash, so how has this affected things?  “My injuries haven’t helped me on the personal front but it is good to see others taking the reins and performing well.”

How do you think the new signings have done?  “Our new signings of Tim, Tommo and Raikesy have all shown quality in their own ways without having much luck. Tommo's keeping is second to none and standing up to most of the bowling brings a new dimension to our cricket. In short, Tommo is class.   It's hard to come into the Bradford League from the Airedale & Wharfedale League, or the Yorkshire League as Tim and Raikesy have done, but they have done pretty well so far and I look forward to seeing them fully understand the League and its players and become top players in their own right. Again, the talent is there and now it needs to be displayed week in week out from both of them.”

What extra pressure does being captain give you?  “Captaincy is no burden at all but I feel I should be contributing much more, injured or not.”

How significant has the loss of Gary Fellows been?  “Anyone misses a player of Gary Fellows' class. I'd love to have him back but then wouldn’t be as able to give the youngsters a chance. Gary makes a big difference in any batting line up. I'll be trying to get him back! “

Club Chairman Chris Gott is talking about making a serious Championship challenge in two years’ time.  What’s your view?  “Two years for the league? I think it’s possible, but I also think we can finish strong this year and take it into next season where with the right mentality from Game One we can push harder!”
How would you sum up the season so far?  “As an overview, I believe that we have put ourselves under a lot of pressure with a poor start and that's why our cricket has been below what we and our supporters expect.”

What are the positives so far?  “Bowling Woodlands out cheaply, and the unity we have as a team and a club.  We need to remember games like Bingley and the excellent desire to win we showed that day.”

What message do you have for the Club’s supporters?  “We have always been the best supported team in the league and even in tough times, we continue to have the kind of support and supporters that any other club would love to have. It's time we gave them something to celebrate and go on a run week in week out to put us within touching distance of the top teams.”

And a final thought?  “I know how disappointed I am by not contributing to runs and wickets and I want all the players to be the same so that when the match winning chance comes, we take it and move onwards and upwards. That goes for all the teams in the club. We know how much the club bounces when all the teams are performing well and winning games so let us start now and see where it takes us. “
 

Well thanks Jim.  Best of luck on the injury front, and I’m sure that if you can instill the desire and passion you have into the First Team, and the club in general, then the future WILL be good.