Booth may have a new captain in 2014 as Laycock considers stepping down

The Broadfold Park’s first team had an ultimately disappointing season in 2013, throwing away a winning position in the Parish Cup final against Jer Lane and fading in the Premier Division of the Foster’s Halifax League to finish fourth from bottom.

A disappointed Laycock stepped down as skipper for the last match of the season and let vice-captain Nigel Horsfall take charge.

Laycock says that was in readiness for someone else to take over the captaincy but he hasn’t completely ruled out doing the job again in 2014.

“I’ve done it for four or five years and I’m 27 now. If I play for another 15 or 20 years it would be a long old haul to be captain,” he said.

“I want the best for Booth and if the lads are happy for someone else to do it, that is fine by me.”

A decision will be taken at Booth’s AGM late next month and Laycock, runner-up to Mytholmroyd’s Tom Earle in the league’s top section batting averages, says he will be giving the captaincy situation plenty of thought before then.

Meanwhile, Mytholmroyd batsmen past and present were among the winners in the league second team averages.

Jon Lord, who had previous ly won the Premier Division first team averages as a ‘Royd player, won the equivalent second teams’ prize for Triangle with 1045 runs at 116.1.

Tom Russell, who has returned to the Moderna Way ground from Triangle, has won the Division Two prize with 695 runs at 57.90.

Craig Smith provided another success for the Calder Valley. He was the top bowler in Division Two with 31 wickets at 7.35 and Luddenden Foot teammate Nick Hosker has won the fielding award with six and half marks.