SKIPTON have high hopes under the leadership of their experienced new captain Richard Nichols.

He topped the Aire-Wharfe League Division Two batting averages last season and was largely responsible for enabling the Sandylanders to consolidate after winning Division Three in 2013.

Skipton are aiming to push on this season and the return to the club of Kevin Owens, a player who has scored more than 4,000 runs for the club,

Iqbal Khan, who enjoyed success in the Bradford League with Manningham Mills, will spearhead the bowling attack after joining from Silsden.

The club are also looking to complete the recruitment of Indian all-rounder Manny Singh as their overseas player.

Having undergone a learning process with Keighley in the JCT600 Bradford League, Freddie Pearson and brothers Joe and Tom Stead have returned to Steeton to try and help them progress in the Aire-Wharfe League.

Also coming back to the inconsistent Summerhill Lane club, who were seventh in Division One last season, is keeper Chris Baines, while James Freebury has signed from Upper Wharfedale.

Steeton also have a new overseas all-rounder in Aussie Max Hopkinson, who can bowl off spin and is an explosive top-order batter, and there is a new first-team skipper in Stephen Pearson.

Silsden have made great strides off the field with their new scorebox and twin-lane nets.

Now they want to make a mark on it and improve on their seventh place in Division Three.

Seam bowler Matt Shuttleworth is available again after two years fighting a serious illness, while Majid Inayat is with them for a fourth season, and hopefully will be boosted by an Indian overseas player.

Zadin Ullah (BT), Mohammed Fauzan (Baildon) and Manley Du Preez (Radley) are other recruits, while Silsden's title-winning juniors could also play an important role.

Upper Wharfedale, who were relegated from Division Two, have Callum Lockett replacing Freebury as skipper, while former university student Jake Starkey is wicketkeeper and vice-captain

Skipton open up with an away game at Harden, Steeton visit Rawdon, who finished a place below them in 2014.

Silsden are at Bardsey, who were tenth in Division Three, 26 points above the re-election zone, while Upper Wharfedale are at Horsforth Hall Park.