IT rained on the coming out parade of the new-look Skipton side in Division A of the Airedale & Wharfedale League, but not enough to dampen their spirits or damage their morale.

A home tie with Knaresborough suffered the same fate as most matches in the Craven District, rain interrupting play and preventing them from reaching a conclusion, but not before the Sandylands side had proved that their fledgling side may yet provide a few surprises in the senior section once they settle into the higher level.

In bowling the visitors out for 109 - and on a pitch where the wicket was cut very close to the boundary - the home side put themselves in a very strong position and while at this stage of the season there are enough low scores about to qualify talk of a straightforward win, there is no doubt that Skipton really fancied their chances.

"We did all we could to mop up the rain and create a situation where we could get a finish, but the umpires felt that it was impossible," says captain, Geoff Fryers. "Even when it came down to needing seven runs an over, I fancied having a go at it, especially with one of the boundaries being very short, but it wasn't to be."

While being denied a chance to go for the win was frustrating for everyone in the Skipton camp, there were plenty of plusses, especially for a side which is new to that level of competition.

Bowlers honours were shared between Shakeel Rashid and Andrew Fergie, who both bowled through the Knaresborough innings and came up with controlled performances.

Rashid finished with four wickets from a very tidy spell of fast-medium bowling, while Fergie's precise off-spin brought him a 5-55 return.

"Shakeel bowled a really good line and length - it was the kind of spell I'd expect from someone like Mick Scott - while Andrew mixed his deliveries up cleverly to produce a high-quality exhibition of spin bowling," says Fryers.

"I have never had any problem opening the attack with a spinner and while this situation was forced on us to some extent, the situation has never worried me. I know openers usually like the ball coming onto the bat, but that was never going to happen on Saturday and I'd probably have used Andrew in any event.

"What also pleased me was the calibre of the fielding. That is one aspect of the game that I want us to really concentrate on and we fielded exceptionally well in this opening game.

"Steve Carling and Kevin Owen both took excellent catches, while wicket-keeper Andrew Strickland stood up to both bowlers throughout the game and, in my view, did really well.

"He was critical of his own display and thought he should have done better, but I was very satisfied.

"The spirit in the camp was very good and all things considered, it was a promising start."

Word from the antipodes is that arrangements with paceman Darren Grant are progressing satisfactorily and he is expected to be leaving New Zealand in the next week or so.

Before his arrival, Skipton head for Adel tomorrow and a match against the side which finished third in the table last season, although the fact that Menston bowled them out for 131 on the opening day will have given Skipton heart.

Another player to share Fryers' frustration with the weather was Steeton skipper Alex Howarth. He was the league's top scorer on the day with a magnificent 108no which included four sixes and ten fours as his side reached 206-6.

Unfortunately, Steeton never had a chance to give their bowlers a chance, but after a number of departures during the summer, being able to post a 200-plus tally at the first attempt will have been very encouraging.

Silsden stepped down a level at the end of last season and were probably fancying their chances when they had Calverley at 129-7 when rain intervened.

Andy Pullen, Mark Akrigg and Adrian Emmott shared the wickets, with Hugh Sugden setting the fielding standard by taking catches which dismissed the first three batsmen.

While the weather thwarted many ambitions, it did not come in time to spare league newcomers Harden, who went down by five wickets at home to Upper Wharfedale.

Colin Stead claimed 5-24 as the home side were dismissed for a modest 86 and then David Whitfield (45no) anchored the side to a comfortable win.