As the opening weekend of the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League moves closer we examine the changes which have taken place at each of the Division 'A' and Division 'B' clubs during the winter break.

Division 'A'

Adel - The club has lost the services of Kevin McGuiness, who has moved to Green Lane, and Simon Saxton, who has gone to Otley. Last year's overseas player Paul Barber is not returning to the club so a new Australian, Cris Seizun, has been signed. Simon Whitehead has rejoined the club from Collingham and two new faces arrive in Andrew and Richard Latchford, from Westhoughton CC in the Bolton League.

Beckwithshaw - The club reports that no players have left them but there are several additions to the playing staff. Sam Howman, an 18-year-old all-rounder from Perth, will be overseas player in 1998. Ryan Bradshaw has joined from Bilton, Andy Gott from Darley and Rob Clarke from Killinghall CC. Andrew Tate has also joined the club from Norton CC in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, continuing the link from that part of the world to Beckwithshaw begun by the Hewson brothers.

Bilton - A brief report informs us that Neil Johnson, formerly of Adel before his move to Bilton, has left the area and Dale Morgan, a medium-pacer, has joined from Harrogate.

Calverley - The teams are as of last year, with the exception of the club's overseas player, who will be Dan Hopkinson, from Melbourne. The first XI captain will again be Andy Carroll and the Second XI will be led again by Graham Grinstead. The club hope to have an extended clubhouse ready for use in time for the new season.

Guiseley - The First XI will be captained by Andrew Paley, with Mark Ross as his vice-captain. Although Australian Chris Underwood is not returning to the club, the side has been strengthened with the addition of Steve Thompson from Horsforth and Phil Pickles from Skipton. Emerging youngsters Joe Sayers, Chris Wain and Chris Thompson, all of whom have just returned from a successful tour of South Africa with Leeds Schools, are certain to figure in the senior XI's in 1998. Other newcomers to the club are bowlers Mark Willaims and Ben Thatcher. Peter Murden has left the club to re-join Green Lane and Richard Whitaker will be available after the term ends at Lancaster University. The Second XI will again be captained by Nick Fraser and the newly-formed Third XI league side will be under the leadership of Andy Swallow.

Hall Park - For 1998, the personnel will be the same as for 1997 with the exception of the overseas player. The club hope to recruit an Australian fast bowler in time for the start of proceedings. The club has also redecorated the lounge and games room of their pavilion.

Horsforth - The First XI will be captained by Craig Chaplin and the Second XI by John Statham. The club intends to run two Third XI's, one in the Dales Council and one in the Senior League's new division. New players so far recruited are Peter Smith from Rawdon and Jake Jeffrey from Baildon. Duncan Stow has gone to Rawdon, James Milligan to Idle, Steve Thompson to Guiseley and Gareth Lee to Skipton. Last year's overseas player Chris Robson will not be returning to the club and Simon Sutcliffe has left the area.

Knaresborough - One player, Tom Atkinson, has left to join Follifoot. Four former players have rejoined the club. Michael Stanford, an early order batter and occasional bowler has come from Burnmoor CC in the Durham Senior League, Paul Thompson, a batter who also bowls and who captained the 1997 Nidderdale League Champions, Pannel CC, Brett Lunt, who returns as the club's overseas player and Steven Walmsley, former Yorkshire Under-16's player and star of ITV's Blind Date. The First XI will again be captained by Steven Booth, with Jonathan Corcoran as his deputy, Gareth Whiles has taken over from Jonathan Bell as Second XI captain and the club's Third XI will make its debut in the League's new division under the guidance of Chris Page.

North Leeds - It is much the same for 1998, although First XI captain Rob Winter has left for Hanging Heaton. His brother David takes over as captain. Matthew Hall will again lead the Second XI and Armi Kundi will lead the Third XI in the League's new Division.

Rawdon - The winter months have been busy ones at Rawdon CC with several comings and goings. Bruce Percy will again lead the First XI, who are hoping to go one better than last year's second place. They will, however, lack the services of Peter Smith, who has gone to Horsforth and Chris Brown and Bob Chadwick may not play either. The most disappointing loss for the club is that of Andrew Sugars, the club's overseas player for the last three seasons, who has joined Pudsey St Lawrence. The club have, however, recruited Robert Atkinson from Otley and Mark Pearson, a wicket-keeper/batsman, from Cleckheaton. They also hope to engage the services of an opening bowler before the start of the season. Gary Walker is captain of the Second XI and he has added several new players to strengthen what was a weak 1997 side. Martin Hings returns to the league from Pannel CC, Duncan Stow joins from Horsforth, Glen Clark from Guiseley and Jonathan Best from Alwoodley. Richard Griggs has also returned to the club.

Skipton - Phil Pickles has left to join Guiseley and Gerry Walker moves to Addingham, Matthew Taylor has joined from Long Lee, Martyn Redhead from Pudsey St Lawrence, Andrew Roberts from Silsden, Sean Atkinson from Otley and Gareth Lee from Horsforth.

Steeton - Andrew Benson will join the club from Keighley. They will also have the services of a young Australian opening batsman to replace Tim Anderson. Adrian Emmott will leave to join Silsden and Duncan Marsden joins Haworth CC in the Craven League. Andrew Smith captains the First XI, with Neil Spragg as his deputy.

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