SKIPPER Richard Nichols shrugged off illness to lead Skipton to a comfortable five-wicket win over Division Two strugglers Ben Rhydding.

After Iqbal Khan, the other key figure in the Sandylanders success, had taken the first wicket, Nichols claimed 3-34 in an unchanged 15-over spell which kept the visitors on the back foot.

Shahid Nadeem (2-13) and Gary Owens (2-35) proved similarly frugal before Khan (3-47) returned to wrap up the innings for 129.

It looked a modest total but Skipton looked in danger of squandering their victory chance when they slipped to 82-5.

Thankfully, Nichols had stood firm among the clatter of wickets and found a match-winning ally in the big-hitting Khan.

Khan hit three big sixes and five fours as he raced to 42 from 25 balls as he dominated an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 50 with skipper Nichols, who finished 55 not out.

Clearly his chest infection hadn't sapped his cricketing powers to earn his side 16 points. Now they visit Green Lane on Saturday to face a side that has made a good start to the season.