Aire Wharfe Cricket

Skipton launched their Division C campaign on a winning note at the weekend with a seven-wicket win over Alwoodley at Sandylands.

Key to success was a top-class bowling effort from Andrew Fergie, who claimed 6-45 in 18 overs, the first half-century of the season by Steve Carling and an valuable unbeaten 41 from new oversees player, Australian teenager Robert Dilger.

Zafar Iqbal, who has returned to the club from Skipton CI, also turned in a very economical stint with the ball, his 12-over spell costing a miserly 17 runs and helping to keep the visitors under pressure as Fergie tweaked and taunted them mercilessly at the other end.

The outcome was that Alwoodley were dismissed for 122, leaving Skipton with a target they overhauled without too much trouble despite the early loss of Kevin Owens.

There was success for another player from the Antipodes when Silsden opened their challenge with a six-wicket victory at Thackley. Kiwi newcomer Darren Crook took a wicket with his second delivery and went on to produce a hostile spell which left him with 3-51 from 19 overs. Skipper Andrew Pullen then destroyed the Thackley middle order with a 4-32 spell to leave the home side closing on 161.

The early loss of both openers with only four runs scored produced some anxiety in the Silsden camp, but a partnership between Ian Spragg (36) and Crook (62) put the home side firmly back in contol.

When they fell, the mantle was transferred to Lee Bilborough (33no) and Pullen (23no), who steered the side safely home to their first win with only 28 overs needed.

Upper Wharfedale also opened in positive style when they beat visitors Woodhouse by 79 runs. Peter Drinkall (28), Leigh Barrett (46) and James Hastings-Trew (36) were the primary contributors as the home side reached 180-8, at which point the bowlers did their stuff to bowl out the opposition for 109.