JACK Hartley insists he is NOT making yet another comeback.
The 30-year-old pace bowler retired (again) at the end of last season after a starring role in Bradford & Bingley’s surprise Priestley Cup final victory over Woodlands.
However, despite a very dodgy left knee, he played twice for the Wagon Laners at the weekend in a case of needs must due to absent players.
Nevertheless, this is not the start of a lengthy return, as Hartley is not available for the next six weeks.
After a six-wicket defeat on Sunday in the Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup first round at home to Townville, Hartley explained: “We have had a couple of injuries and unavailabilities this season.
“For example, Reece Cockshott slashed his thumb at work and needs a few weeks for it to knit together, while Alex Wade has a bit of a niggle and pulled out this weekend last minute.
“But this is my last game for a while as I am unavailable for six weeks.”
Hartley set the tone for Bingley last August with a searing opening spell in that aforementioned final, bowling both Tim Jackson and Brad Schmulian and later dismissing the big-hitting Muhammad Bilal on his way to 3-34 as the underdogs won by six wickets.
On Saturday, as second change, he took 2-4 in Bingley’s victory at Pudsey Congs, while on Sunday, as first change, his two overs cost 21 runs without success as Townville recovered from the loss of two early wickets to easily chase down the home side's paltry total of 98 all out.
Hartley, who has played second XI cricket for Leicestershire, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire and is the son of former Yorkshire player Neil, said that his fiery spell last August in a cup final had no influence on him wanting to carry on.
He revealed: “The desire to play is still there but the body is not really willing.
"I was hoping to have another knee reconstruction in the off-season, but the surgeon said it is knee replacement time, and I am too young for that and that I should wait until I am 40.”
Revealing more about his troublesome knee, Hartley said: “I did it in the winter of 2022-23 and then went straight into the (cricket) season without letting it settle down.
"I have had a bit more time to rehab and strengthen it this year and it does feel a lot better, more stable and causes me less aggravation.”
However, he still has to ice it for a few hours in the evening after matches, so it has by no means healed.
As for the injuries that Hartley has had down the years, he laughed: “How long does your recording last?
“I snapped my pec when I was 20, had it re-attached and then snapped it again - the first time was playing cricket and the second rugby.
“I dislocated my knee playing rugby in 2019, which snapped my ACL, PCL and MCL and had it reconstructed.
"I then dislocated my knee again, which has taken all of the meniscus off the top.
“My right knee is fine, but the problem now is arthritis in my left knee.”
As for his wickets at Congs on Saturday, Hartley said: “I managed to put the ball in the right areas or close enough.
"There were no wides, but Ducey (keeper Matthew Duce) does have gloves to help him.
"It wasn’t the best of two-fers though, as it was wet and I am (a muscly) 17st.”
The Wagon Laners were brought straight back down to earth on Sunday, 24 hours after recording that impressive league win.
Townville won the toss and put Bingley in in the pair's cup clash, with openers Jacob Slator (26) and Callum Goldthorp (19) adding 44.
But the team collapsed after that bright start, sliding to 98 all out as Dushan Vimukthi (5-22) caused carnage with ball in hand.
The hosts were given early hope after tea as Jack Luxton dismissed Jonny Booth in the first over, then Archie Barraclough bowled Abdul Wahid, also for a duck.
But from 6-2, Townville recovered well, the in-form Chris Holliday making 45 to help the visitors to victory in the 24th over.
Hartley said afterwards: “It was a poor batting effort from us overall.
"We got bogged down against the spinners, played a few poor shots, made bad decisions and there were a couple of close calls from the umpires that didn’t go our way.
“If we had got 130 or 140 we would have been in the game, but the wicket dried out a bit.
“Early wickets are key in the Heavy Woollen Cup as the lacquer goes off the ball that they use after about 10 overs.
"That means when the opposition are only chasing 98, that total is very difficult to defend.”
Wakefield Thornes, Castleford and Beckwithshaw all made it through to the second round at the end of last month, with wins over Steeton, Shepley and Hemsworth Miners Welfare respectively.
Four more first round games were pencilled in for the Bank Holiday weekend, including that defeat for Bradford & Bingley against Townville.
Woodlands were handed a walkover victory by Carlton, while Methley obliterated Hanging Heaton by eight wickets.
Scholes and Ossett did not face off until yesterday, but stormy weather meant the game was abandoned halfway through.
Ossett were the only side who got to bat, making 248-8 from their 50 overs.
Remarkably, while several sides are yet to play their first round matches, New Farnley have already reached the third round.
They had a bye into round two, with Castleford winning the right to face them at that stage with their aforementioned win over Shepley.
Cas got no further however, as New Farnley cruised past them on Sunday with a 62-run victory.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here