After the trauma of following up their first Aire-Wharfe League championship triumph in 2011 with relegation on the final day of last season, Thackley have been working hard throughout the winter to make amends.

Dean Skillicorn moved up from second team captain to lead the side’s bid to make their stay in Division Two as short as possible, and new players were signed, including Luke Holroyd from Undercliffe, Craig Smith from Idle and Matthew Green from Scholes.

But as signicantly, key players stayed, the importance of which was underlined when two of them, Yasser Ali (76no) and Nasser Jamal (6-27), starred in an opening match crushing of Bardsey.

Things are unlikely to be as easy on Saturday when Thackley travel to Green Lane, fourth last season and again determined to be in the promotion chase. They are now under experienced skipper Neil Britton and started with a win over Calverley with Adeel Ashraf picking up 5-31.

Rawdon underlined their right to be among the favourites for promotion when they crushed newly promoted Colton by150 runs, Andrew Doidge (64) and Joe Loorham (65) leading the way. They, too, face a tougher match when they entertain Adel, the side that came down with Thackley and who also made a winning start under new captain Nick Smith, who played a key role in two Ben Rhydding promotions.

Ilkley face Colton, looking to reinforce their opening win, while Tong Park Esholt entertain North Leeds. Bolton Villas take on Calverley, both sides looking to break their duck.

Having started their Division One campaign with a thumping win over Kirkstall, Otley will be full of confidence travelling to Beckwithshaw but mindful that the home side’s new Australian, Mitch Farag, has already shown his class with a century on debut.

Guiseley, who made a winning start under new skipper Alex Bell, take on Steeton who showed plenty of battling qualities in taking two points at Beckwithshaw.

Having been bowled out for 48 by Guiseley in their opening match in the top flight, Harden will be looking for a big improvement but can expect no quarter from Burley, still smarting after a narrow defeat by Pool.

Jason Wright picked up 7-64 off defending champions Collingham last week, but Ben Rhydding’s batting couldn’t build on his achievement and they will need to show a big improvement against Bilton who skittled out Follifoot for 71 last week.

After a disastrous season which saw them finish bottom of Division Three, Skipton made a triumphal start to the new campaign, smashing 238-4 against Illingworth with Stuart Carling (102) and Arshad Latif (75) starring. They will look to build on that at Woodhouse.

Having seen off Horsforth last week, Silsden turn their attention to Hall Park who were narrowly defeated by Woodhouse.

Relegated Olicanian made a winning start in their bid for immediate promotion and will be a severe test for Horsforth, while Menston hope to kick start their campaign at Illingworth.

Addingham entertain New Rover, needing their bowlers to keep it tight against a free-flowing batting side that hammered 303-5 off Alwoodley last week.

Sunday sees the start of the Waddilove Cup campaign with Rawdon’s visit to Silsden the pick of the preliminary round ties. Hall Park are at Follifoot, while Tong Park Esholt travel to Beckwithshaw and Illingworth entertain Adel.