Champions Steeton notched up their first win of the season with a much more competent and spirited performance against a good North Leeds side.

Once again they had to recover from a terrible start and at one point were 50 for five but this time they reached 221 for nine with Spragg the pick of the side, scoring a superb 76 runs.

Other notable scores came from Hedges and Wyn, who once again impressed with 30s apiece.

North Leeds got off to a good start as they coped with the early onslaught from Saxton and Hudson but some tight bowling from Howarth and another great spell hostile bowling from Spragg ripped through the top and middle order. The old Steeton fighting spirit was back and, despite a late brave effort by North Leeds, the innings closed on 160.

Howarth finished with four wickets and Spragg and Hodgson had three apiece to give Steeton hope for the rest of the season.

Skipton's poor start to the season continued when they went down by five wickets at home to Adel.

Chris Gott struck 29 in a Skipton innings which never built up any real momentum, although they were not helped when opener Mark Whitaker had to retire hurt after scoring one.

Setting a total of 114, Skipton started well, with Mick Scott trapping opener N Smith lbw for a duck.

However, although Scott was to go on to take five wickets, an innings of 50 not out by D Standring ended their hopes, despite a late flourish.

Silsden had opener H Tennant (61) and D Jackson (60) to thank as they rattled up a score of 174 against Beckwithshaw. At 114 for two the pair were still together but the innings slid away once the partnership was broken.

The visitors had little difficulty reaching their target, especially after a century opening partnership and they took all six points for the loss of only two wickets.

In Division C Upper Wharfedale had their first win of the season in convincing style. C Stead was chief destroyer as Ben Rhydding were all out for 140.

There were a few alarums as openers John Stephenson and John Pearson were back in the pavilion with just seven between them but that was the cue for J Graham and J Harrison to dominate the crease. Harrison was out for 41 but Graham was still there at the close two short of his half century.

ouble figures and was last man out for 46 in a total of 96 with 10 overs to go.

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