Steeton continued their dominance at the top of the Aire-Wharfe Cricket League's Division A as they took four points with a winning draw in their rain-affected derby match at Silsden, scoring 142-6 and their opponents replying with 108-6.

After the loss of 30 overs due to heavy overnight rain the match eventually started at 5pm with both sides getting 20 overs apiece. After winning the toss Steeton captain Stuart Hudson elected to have first use of the wicket confident in the knowledge that his bowlers could defend the total.

The opening pair of Matthew Pinniger and Russell Newton started very positively against the Silsden bowling, immediately imposing their authority on it as they put on 58 for the first wicket in only seven overs.

Newton, back in the runs again with renewed confidence, smashed a quickfire 26 which included five fours. At his fall in came Neil Spragg, who again found form with some glorious shots, his rapid 20 continuing the tempo for Steeton.

Providing the core of Steeton's positive start was the ever-consistent Pinniger who after quickly assessing the pace of the wicket and its bounce unleashed an onslaught to score 46 off only 29 balls as Steeton took 96 runs off the first 10 overs.

However with the introduction of spinner Mark Akrigg, who accounted for Pinniger with his first ball, Silsden started to bowl an altogether tighter line. And with Andy Pullen taking confidence from Akrigg Steeton were made to work harder for their runs. Hudson battled well as he scored a solid 22 not out and with useful contributions from Alex Howarth and Andy Smith their side went on to get a defendable total.

The pick of the Silsden bowlers were Pullen with 4-68 off 10 overs, one maiden, and Mark Akrigg with 2-28 off six overs, no maidens. Andy Knowles had 2-0-25-0 and Adrian Emmott 2-0-20-0.

When Silsden batted they came across the rapidly improving Guy Saxton who opened the bowling with Hudson and they ensured that runs had to be worked for. Sticking to his usual straight line Hudson went on to have figures of 6-0-33-1 and with back-up bowler Spragg bowling the other four overs to have 4-0-25-0 Silsden were never allowed to really get going although David Jackson hit 58 not out.

However the pick of the bowlers was Saxton, who has been deservedly rewarded for his form by representing Yorkshire Under 19s this year, and whose unchanged spell of sustained fast swing bowling resulted in 4-48 off 10 overs, no maidens. The other wicket to fall went down to a run-out due to excellent fielding by Hudson.

By scoring off the last ball of the match Silsden claimed two points but Steeton were very happy with their efforts.

Steeton: M Pinniger c J Akrigg b M Akrigg 46; R Newton b Pullen 26; N Spragg c Waggett b Pullen 20; A Howarth c Collins b M Akrigg 10; M Hedges lbw Pullen 1; S Hudson not out 22; A Smith b Pullen 11; G Saxton not out 2; extras 5; total (for 6) 142.

Silsden: J Akrigg c Hudson b Saxton 1; S Collins c Hedges b Saxton 1; D Jackson not out 58; D Bainbridge c Pinniger b Hudson 2; A Knowles run out 21; A Pullen b Saxton 2; H Sugden c Spragg b Saxton 12; T Sugden not out 4; extras 6; total (for 6) 108.

Skipton have jumped right back into the promotion reckoning in Division B with a seven-wicket home victory over Illingworth which sees them fourth on 66 points with Addingham joint second with Green Lane on 68 and Follifoot leading with 75.

Chris Gott hit 54 not out as Skipton scored 110-3 in reply to Illingworth's 108-8.

Mick Scott took 4-43 for the winners and B Johnston hit 26 for the losers.

Addingham's away match against Otley in Division B ended in a rain-affected draw after Addingham had scored 21-2 in reply to 127-4, Craig Turner taking 3-48. For Otley C Martin scored 40 not out, D Taylor 29 and C Smith 29 not out.

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