Groundsman David Wharf has replied to scathing criticism by Cleckheaton captain John Wood after their four-wicket win at Woodlands on Saturday.

Wood said the Woodlands wicket was “very poor” and he would refer to that in his report to the league.

“To play in the Bradford League First Division, or anywhere else in the Bradford League, on a wicket like that is disgraceful and it is about time people started getting points docked for poor wickets,” he said.

But Wharf responded: “I know the wicket was tired but it wasn’t a dangerous wicket.

“We played a match on it against Baildon and we were due to play Pudsey Congs on the same wicket but the match was called off because of rain. So although it had only been played on once, it had been prepared twice.

“Then we had all the rain last week and we didn’t get on to it until Thursday afternoon. So I had to make a decision between making a new wicket or using that one.

“Our wickets dry so quickly and that one dried very quickly. It didn’t break through the surface. But it was very dry and that is why it worked so well for the spinners. There was nothing in it for the fast bowlers.

“What disappoints me more than anything is that John Wood didn’t come and have a word with me when I could have explained the situation to him.”