Skipton's spin twins Andrew Fergie and Ajay Rajput turned in match-winning figures to give Skipton maximum points for the third game in a row.

Previous victories against Ben Rhydding and Bolton Villas, as well as last week's washout at Colton, preceded this victory leaving Skipton right in the thick of the promotion-chasing pack.

Kevin Owens, last year's captain, said the club are eyeing promotion after three years in the doldrums.

Three years ago they were relegated from Division B and the last two they finished second from bottom of Division C and need to be re-elected by special ballot by the rest of the teams in the league.

"Now we're repaying the favour," said Owens who admitted that the key to the club's success this season has been good bowling. "We're taking wickets and that's giving us less to chase with the bat."

Skipton president Geoff Fryers also credited the success to an influx of new blood at the club, including the signing of overseas player Rajput.

"He's made a lot of difference to us."

In the past couple of seasons, Fryers said the club focused on developing youth and did not have an overseas player, which he said gives clubs a better chance to compete.

However, the youth policy is paying dividends for Skipton with talented first teamers Gary Owens, 21, and Ricky Martin, 16, both coming through from the juniors. Fryers also credited captain Damien Smith for his excellent leadership this season.

On Saturday, the day started well for Skipton with Smith winning the toss and inserting the visitors. It wasn't long before the breakthrough came. Three balls were in fact all Gary Owens needed to get going, Andrew Facey holding the catch well at mid-off. Owens and Chris Hope exerted their authority over the visitors, combining miserly control with the wicket-taking delivery.

Indeed, such was their control that at the end of the 11th over the scoreboard read only 14 and for the loss of three wickets, Hope holding a return catch off his own bowling and Owens pinning the left-handed opener Lees in front.

Illingworth mounted a recovery and the two Fellows boys dug-in in testing conditions. They had a bit of fortune along the way, but deserved their luck for the determination they showed.

Both were starting to look dangerous as they added 83 for the third wicket before Fergie got the vital breakthrough when Fellows put one down the throat of Martin at deep square leg for 42. His colleague reached his half-century, but not before he had lost another partner who was bowled by Rajput for a duck.

Skipton sensed blood and turned up the pressure. The close catchers returned, the field closed in and the scoring opportunities were squeezed. Rajput got the vital wicket of the remaining Fellows with a well flighted ball that he held back. Indeed, so slowly did he bowl it that the batsman could have had a cup of tea while waiting for it, but instead he merely swished too soon and Rajput whooped in delight at capturing a key wicket.

Fergie used all of his experience to remove the remaining batsmen with subtle variations in flight and pace. He finished the innings in the final over, ending with four for 34 to complete the visitors' lurch from 97 for three to 133 all out.

That total was never going to prove enough and Skipton cruised home with 14 overs still showing on the scoreboard.

Skipton punished the bad ball severely as 106 of their total of 137 for five came in boundaries. All of the batsmen contributed, with the exception of skipper Smith who had the misfortune of being run out by his opening partner without scoring. Steve Carling top-scored with 38 and three other batsmen passed 20.

Rajput finished the job by slapping the winning boundary through mid-wicket and Skipton now look forward to a big game at Menston on Saturday.

In Division Two action on Saturday, second placed Rawdon thrashed Upper Wharfedale by 127 runs.

Batting first Rawdon scored a formidable total of 228-8. David Daggett took 3-83 in his 21 overs for Upper Wharfedale. In reply the Grassington boys managed to score just 101 runs. Only one batsmen scored above 20 (L Barrett on 22) as Nick Williams took 5-21.

Upper Wharfedale are at home to Tong Park on Saturday.