PAIRS of centuries are becoming a regular fixture in Skipton's innings this season and there was another couple on Saturday as Ben Rhydding were blasted aside at Sandylands.

A crushing win, and defeat for all their title rivals, puts Skipton six points clear at the top of Division C.

Having found their feet, Skipton now look a class apart in the league and are surely destined to make their stay in the bottom division just a season long.

Robert Dilger hit 122, his fourth century of the season, but even he was overshadowed by opener Kevin Owens, whose fall at 155 prompted a declaration at 307 for four.

In perfect batting conditions, Ben Rhydding won the toss and put Skipton in to bat.

It was a decision they were to regret as Owens took the score to 59 for one after just 10 overs, Steve Carling, a centurion last week, missing out this time.

Owens reached his half century off just 34 balls and when, two overs later, Dilger came to the crease to signal a brilliant partnership. Good running between the wickets and excellent placement of shots demoralised Ben Rhydding.

Dilger's half century came even quicker than Owens' - off just 30 balls and the score moved from 70 for two to just short of 300 when a tired, attempted pull by Dilger brought about his demise.

Two big sixes from Owens took him past the 150 mark before a superb innings ended.

With an extra seven overs to bowl out the opposition due to the declaration, Skipton were quickly on the victory trail, Chris Hope removing opener Booth for a duck. When the visitors were reduced to 34 for three, an early finish looked likely but there was some stubborn resistance as Ben Rhydding dug in to try to avoid Skipton plundering maximum points. Opener Nandan was ninth man out for 89 and Skipton finally wrapped up the match when Rob Walker stumped the last man.

Hope finished with three for 25 and there were a couple of wickets each for Martyn Windle and Zafar Iqbal.

Colton, joint table toppers before the weekend with Skipton, were beaten at home by Olicanians, who are the visitors to Sandylands this weekend, and Horsforth were heavily beaten at home by Illingworth to give Skipton a six point lead at the top of the table.

Upper Wharfedale had a good win over Addingham, helped by a virtuoso display by Jon Slater. He was the only Wharfedale bowler to take a wicket, finishing with five for 34 as the other three wickets in a total of 160 for eight fell to run outs.

Jon Agars hit an unbeaten 65 but Slater was not finished, coming in when the pendulum could have swung either way with the score at 101 for five, to finish 20 not out and secure a five wicket victory for the Dalesmen.