For the third match running Skipton skipper Damian Smith won the toss and elected to field.

On a glorious day at the picturesque Olicanian ground Gary Owens and newcomer Simon Ashmore opened the bowling and after 12 overs the score was just 28. The opening batsmen continued to make steady progress advancing to 53 without loss before left armer Chris Walker lured Errington into cutting a short ball into the hands of Gary Owens at point.

The next over saw the introduction of Indian spinner Rajput who magically whirled away to the end of the innings finishing with another five wicket haul with just 38 runs scored from his 18 overs. One excellent flighted delivery removed the hard hitting number four batsmen Garfield Williams clean bowled.

A fine piece of captaincy helped capture the wicket of Australian danger man Dave Corcoran.

A short cover was brought into the off side ring and next ball the Aussie obliged by driving the ball straight into the safe hands of Kevin Owens. After 32 overs the home side were 109 for 5 wickets.

Whilst Rajput was tying up one end runs were starting to flow more readily at the other with Owens feeling the final onslaught from Jones and Britton who amassed 72 runs between them leaving Olicanians on a final score of 211 for 9 wickets.

Skipton had been hampered in the field by the injury to spinner Andrew Fergie who had to sit out the final hour in the pavilion after pulling a muscle just prior to coming on to bowl.

On a good wicket this was an obtainable score should Skipton manage to bat solidly and maintain the run rate. At the 25 over half way stage they were on 72 runs for the loss of three wickets with paceman Matt House having tied down left hand opener Kevin Owens. Carling and Rajput then started to build a partnership before Rajput was caught at long on trying to repeat another six hit like the previous ball.

With overs slipping away Carling was also caught, at long off, trying to hit another six after also hitting a straight six off the previous delivery.

With seven wickets down, six overs to go and 62 runs required Skipton sensibly played out for a draw with the loss of just one more wicket.

Carling top scored on 36. All the upper order batsmen got in but were unable to continue their innings. Another 30 runs from one of them could have clinched the match for Skipton. This however was a valuable two points gained against a good side which last season Skipton would probably have not achieved.

Skipton Seconds went down to New Rover by ten wickets. Skipton scored 171 for 9 with young Richard Walker top scoring with 77 runs. Following the four run outs the week before they managed to add to their tally by another three.

New Rover made light work of knocking off the runs scoring them in 26.3 overs with some of the five bowlers being harshly treated by the normally first team player R Thomas.

Sunday saw both teams knocked out of the league cup competitions at the first hurdle. The first XI fell foul of the weather. Batting first they made 159 for six with wicketkeeper Rob Walker returning to form with a fine 45 not out.

After 40 overs the rain came and continued. Under new cup rules the game had to finish on the same day and a bowl out ensued. Bolton Villas progressed to the next round with a three strike to one victory.

The draw for the second round to be played on Sunday, May 20, is: Harden v Beckwithshaw, Addingham v U Wharfedale, Tong Park v Burley, Knaresborough v Collingham, Kirkstall Ed v Bilton, Guiseley v Calverley, Steeton v Alwoodley, Bolton Villas v Pool Skipton second XI playing with eight u-15s and u-13s lost to Bolton Villas away by 125 runs. Three of the juniors scored double figures and three juniors took wickets. Chris Kimberley top scored with 39 runs.

UPPER WHARFEDALE drew their Division Two game at Harden where the home side batted first and made 205-7 despite a tidy spell by opening bowler P McKenna who took 2-31 off 18 overs.

D Eggleton picked up2-45 off nine overs in support.

Harden got off to a good start with opener Gary Topp hitting the highest score with 83.

He had good support from M King with 29 and later in the innings N Kettle hit an unbeaten 67.

Wharfedale were soon in trouble when they went in to bat with their first four batsmen failing to reach double figures.

Indeed Barratt, Freebury and McKenna each made only one run.

Then in came D Eggleton to give some hope with a good knock of 72 but he had no support, the only other players in double figures being C Baines with 12 and S Richardson with 13.

Wharfedale managed to hold on for the draw at 119-9 but doing the damage were C Spivey with an excellent 5-28 return off ten overs.

He and fellow opener P Leng (with 1-20 off ten miserly overs) placed a stranglehold on the Wharfedale batsmen from which they were never really able to escape. R Falkingham chipped in with 2-24.