“THE weather has proved once more that cricket is a thing to be thought about but not played in the middle of April.”

This thought from the Shipley Times & Express in April 1918, after a complete set of fixtures had been wiped out by rain and snow, will resonate with many current players, longing to feel the sun on their backs and a firm pitch beneath their feet.

The sentiment will probably not meet with much agreement at Otley who have made a storming start to the campaign picking up all but one of the 40 points on offer and looking menacing as they travel to Rawdon tomorrow.

The hosts will be smarting after defeat at Follifoot last week and will need to step up their game if they are to stop Otley making it three wins out of three.

The only other top flight sides to complete both early matches are Horsforth and Burley who have had a mixed start.

Burley take on defending champions Beckwithshaw while Horsforth entertain Pool.

Ilkley find themselves at the bottom of the early table and facing a North Leeds side who looked to be coming into form when they beat Horsforth last week.

Guiseley travel to Bilton, both sides still to register a win.

With Gareth Wilkinson finding runs easy to come by and Muhammad Z Khan among the wickets, Tong Park Esholt have made a 100 per cent start to their challenge for promotion from Division Two.

However they might find Olicanian provide a stiffer test than either Steeton or Calverley did.

Addingham have also made a winning start, Aussie Alex Hentschke making an instant impact, and they will be expected to keep up that record against Ben Rhydding.

There are tough matches for Steeton against Leeds Modernians and Calverley against Collingham.

Saltaire will learn more about life in Division Two against Kirkstall Educational who look capable of scoring runs this season, while Hall Park entertain Colton.

Menston have yet to face a ball in anger and will just want to get their Division Three season under way against new boys Old Leodiensians.

Green Lane, in contrast, have won both their openers and are already 17 points clear at the top. They face the league’s other new side, Shadwell, still an unknown quantity as both their games have been cancelled.

With Andrew Bailey picking up four cheap wickets, Harden made short work of Bolton Villas last week and will be a tough test for Skipton.

Junaid Bashir picked up 5-54 for Villas in that match and they will need him in form again if they are to dent promotion hopefuls Bardsey.

Bottom club Thackley face a tough trip to New Rover who are always dangerous on their own track.