Joel Taylor named as new Pocklington CC first-team skipper
Preparations for the 2026 cricket season are well underway, with most local clubs having started pre-season nets indoors; while a trio will have a new man in charge when everything gets underway in April.
Wicket-keeper batsman, Joel Taylor, takes over the reins at Pocklington from Harry Collins, with the team moving sideways from Championship East to Central.
Taylor arrived at Burnby Lane from Londesborough Park in 2023, and had a career-best summer in 2025, scoring 700 runs, including 124 at Scarborough, plus contributing 22 victims behind the stumps.
And he got an early taste of captaincy when leading Pock to victory in their last game of 2025 at Malton.
Other Pocklington CC sides will have Ian Scott, 2nd XI, Wes Smith, 3rd XI, and Joss Room, Sunday XI, in charge.
At Premier League Woodhouse Grange Lee Goddard steps up to be the new first team skipper.
Goddard, the former Durham and Derbyshire county batsman, in his third season at Woodhouse, takes over from James Finch, who has led the side for seven years and is continuing as a player.
Goddard has long experience as a captain from his time in the Bradford League.
Stamford Bridge are certainly looking to make their mark as they return to the YPLN Premier Division. Having previously announced big signings in Freddie Collins and Alex Liley, the ‘Battle Axes’ have added three more newcomers.
Spanish international Cris Gwilliam Lopez, middle order bat and spin bowler and a St Peter’s School teammate of Stamford skipper Chris Wood, comes to Low Catton Road from Sessay along with young batsman-spinner Ollie Wilson, while middle-order batsman Joe Hewitt also joins from Lincolnshire League Barton CC.
Opening bowler Stuart Wainwright will be Yapham’s new captain, with last year’s skipper, Scott Hardwick, his vice-captain.
Patrick Gaughan leads the 2nd XI and Robyn Dennington the Women’s team, while Andy Brookes and Damien Mawer will share the 3rd XI responsibilities.
Nets are currently underway across the board. Woodhouse seniors are netting at Tadcaster’s Lordswood Cricket School, and their juniors at Pocklington School sports hall.
Pocklington School is also hosting pre-season nets for Pocklington, Londesborough Park and Yapham.