UPPER Wharfedale gained two points in a losing draw at home to neighbours Skipton to clinch the Aire-Wharfe League division C title last Saturday.

Skipton made the Dalesmen fight for the right to be called champions, and it looked on a number of occasions like they were going to cause an upset.

Put into bat, Skipton were struggling on 29-3 before opener Kev Owens and Matt Walker put on 60 before Ownens was run out for 28 by a brilliant direct hit from Dale skipper Andy Smith.

Walker fell soon afterwards for 56 off just 60 balls but the lower order chipped in well, with Andy Scott and Gary Owens both making 34 and David Whiteley hitting 40 from 25 balls to see Skipton to 216 all out. For Dale, Jimmy Yeadon again showed his talent, taking 5-59.

Dale looked like they were cruising at 107-2 in reply, but a mid-order collapse saw them slump to 124-7, with Aussie Rob Hearn gone for 41.

But a gritty knock of 45 from Jon Slater helped Dale hang on as they ended 185-8. A fired-up Andrew Fergie was Skipton's stand-out bowler, taking 6-61.

Dale's title success was essentially a team effort but Rob Hearn (1,103 runs), Dave Whitfield (586 runs) and Dave Daggett (44 wickets) deserve special mention.