SKIPTON, in the Division Three promotion race in the Aire-Wharfe League until the final day of last season, have an obvious target this campaign.

Again led by Gary Owens and supported by Keir Nelson, the Sandylands club will go with the majority of the squad who went so close in 2022.

It has arguably been a bigger winter off the pitch as their clubhouse has been demolished, with a replacement being ready for the start of the 2024 season, including a bigger social space.

In the meantime, Skipton will use the adjacent Skipton RUFC as their base.

Having won the Waddilove Cup last season, nothing short of a promotion campaign will satisfy Steeton in 2023.

The Summerhill Lane club finished sixth in Division Two last season, but have made some strong signings, including Keighley trio Adam Smith, Luke Chapman and Ben Hemsley.

Also making the move to Steeton is George Bell from Craven League side Bradley as Steeton bid to show that they can mount a sustained campaign on the back of defeating several top-flight teams in the cup in 2022.

Stephen Pearson will once again captain the side and Steeton will have overseas player Jack Ramage for part of the summer.