FLASHBACK to Saturday September 11, and Crossflatts Cricket Club secured promotion to the Bradford Premier League Division 2 after a nerve-shredding final day.

The Bradford side knew that a victory against Great Preston would guarantee a rise to the second division, however a loss may well have derailed their chances of reaching their goals.

But all ended well for Crossflatts as they claimed a seven wicket victory against their opposition and eventually edged them to first spot (Great Preston finishing in second).

And the club's cricket chairman, John Patrick, admitted he is thrilled with the club's accomplishments.

He said: "We have had a fantastic season and the team have fully warranted promotion.

"Everyone has played their part in the success, whether it's been the first team or players stepping in from the second team, overall it's been a great collective effort.

"And to finish it on the final day away at Great Preston, knowing that we could have won the league or not gone up at all, was quite a nail biter really but thrilling at the same time."

Patrick added: "I think gaining promotion was always the main objective. Before the season started, the captain outlined our intentions to win the league and we've achieved that, so we are really happy that we've been able to reach our goals."

Despite winning the league, not all has been rosy in the world of Crossflatts Cricket Club and cricket in general for that matter and Patrick admitted the start of the campaign was a bit strange given the current circumstances of the pandemic.

He said: "Is was a very strange time in the world of cricket in those first few games of the season. It was bizarre and it didn't feel like the cricket we know.

"Players couldn't use the changing rooms and we were basically closed as a club for those games."

Patrick added: "But I've got to say, it made it feel even better when we did open up again.

"It was probably about six games in when we got back to some kind of normality and it was great after that. We've had a lot of spectators throughout the campaign and they've really helped to push us on to the title."

Crossflatts will now play their cricket in Division 2 and Patrick spoke of potential changes within the squad going into next season.

He said: "Obviously when you go into a higher division, the competition increases. So sometimes, it may require a couple of new additions to add to the squad.

"Now that it has opened up a bit, we may look to bring in an overseas player. That will be one definite area we will be looking into."

Patrick added: "As of yet, we haven't had a meeting to discuss our objectives for next season on what are objectives are, but avoiding relegation has to be our first goal. I do we think we have enough quality to challenge higher too."