It was a case of so close and yet so far for Skipton first team on the opening day of the season on Saturday.

Richard Walker and Gary Owens started well with only 15 runs coming from the first eight overs.

Walker struck in the ninth over having Flegg caught behind by Rob Walker and had Robbie Oldham caught behind in his next over.

Walker struck again removing Charlie Swallow, caught by Stephen Carling.

Ben Rhydding started to move the score steadily along but the introduction of Shaheed Nadeem in the 17th over ensured the batsman were never allowed to score quickly.

Miller edged behind to Rob Walker off Richard Walker and Rhydding were pegged back at 64-4 but their captain and Forest Hamilton steadied the ship reaching 118 before the returning Azhar Mahmood struck.

Wickets fell steadily with Richard Walker collecting his maiden first XI five-for. Rob Walker with a smart stumping off Nadeem made it four victims for the day.

Ben Rhydding finished on 149 all out, Richard Walker taking 5-49 off 15 overs and Shaheed showing excellent economy with three for 36 off 17 overs.

The 149 seemed a below par score on what looked a good wicket and Skipton started in excellent fashion with Kevin Owens and Stephen Carling registering an opening stand of 64. It ended when Owens’ drive was touched by the bowler causing Stephen Carling to be run out for 34 backing up!

Owens quickly followed with only one more run added to the scoreline.

Nadeem and Graham Summersgill set about knocking off the runs before Summersgill was caught.

Mahmood and Dave Hedges went for ducks leaving Skipton reeling at101-6.

Gary Owens and Rob Walker tried to set up the win but when Owens departed for 13 off the spin of Miller it wasn’t long before the innings was wrapped up with Richard Walker and Andrew Fergie failing to score.

Last man Andrew Facey was bowled leaving his skipper stranded on 28 not out with his side all out for 144 -only five runs short of the required target.

A trip to Woodhouse beckons on Saturday and Skipton will be hoping to improve on their batting on this small ground.

Skipton seconds secured a stunning win at Ben Rhydding where the home side racked up 212 from only 43 overs.

A gung-ho 65 from Oliver Musgrave proved the highlight with wickets falling on a regular basis.

Leg spinner Sam Baldwin, 16, took five for 50 off 17 overs with support from Ben Holderness with a second team career best 5-30.

The total of 212 looked challenging and when Sam Baldwin and Keir Nelson fell cheaply it looked a long way off.

However, the experienced Damian Smith and Ricky Martin set up the game with 34 and 36 respectively and an aggressive 36 from Mohammed Shaffique left the side on 156-6.

Ben Holderness followed up his bowling with a composed 24 but when he fell the score stood at 190-9 with only youngsters George Sutcliffe and Josh Mullinder left.

Rhydding pushed the field in to crowd the youngsters but neither was daunted and proceeded to set about the bowling with relish.

Victory was secured with four overs remaining with George finsishing on 12 no and Josh 13 no.

This performance by two of Skipton’s home grown youngsters illustrates the quality of the junior set up.

It was eruptions in Iceland that caused selection nightmares at Wood Lane this week, but the spirit of the Upper Wharfedale first eleven ensured the six points.

With four players held up abroad, including their overseas player Cam Taylor, it was all hands to the pump.

Wharfedale were put in to bat and Chris Baines and Adam Yates erupted into a free-scoring partnership of 93. Opener Baines fell for 60 while Yates soon followed for a well-worked 41.

From this solid start Wharfedale failed to make the most of it and slumped to 174 all out.

They had a mountainous task to get the points from this game, and with the home side plundering the attack Illingworth had the game in their hands at 94 for 1 from only 14 overs.

Eggleton and Baines took the pace off the ball and the game changed and soon the home side were all out for 140.

Baines took three for 24 and Eggleton three for 36 with support from Parkinson and Pearson with two wickets each.

Six points from this game had to be credited to the team spirit and exceptional fielding performance.