SILSDEN have resigned from the Aire-Wharfe League with immediate effect.

They finished next-to-bottom of the Third Division last season, winning only three of their 22 matches, while the only club to finish below them were Upper Wharfedale, who resigned from the league last September after failing to fulfil their final fixture.

Silsden's second team fared a little better, finishing third from bottom of their Division Three, winning four matches and ending above Bardsey and Upper Wharfedale, but it is symptomatic of the Cobbydalers' general struggles.

Poor as those figures are, they actually represent a revival for Silsden, who lost 20 of their 22 first-team league matches in 2015, and having the other two rained off!

The second team came next-to-bottom, above Bardsey, with five wins.

The Aire-Wharfe League's secretary Dave Alred issued a statement this afternoon, stating: "It is with sadness that I have report that we have just received the resignation from the league of Silsden Cricket Club with immediate effect.

"We appreciate that this will affect the Third Division of the first XIs."