In Division C Olicanians got off to a good start with an emphatic win over neighbours Ben Rhydding.

Olicanians made 181-9 after a poor start in which they lost their first four wickets for just 23 runs. Then P Hall (55) and Richard Machell, a new signing from Yeadon who hit 28, steered them to a good score.

Ben Rhydding lost early wickets to B Hughes who finished with 5-16 and had Ben Rhydding reeling.

Australian Ross Veitch cleaned up with 3-7 and Ben Rhydding were dismissed for 72.

Pool Mills recovered from a poor start to post 170 all out against Colton. This total looked rather better than it should have, as it included a generous contribution of no less than 40 extras gifted by the Colton bowlers.

Opener Mark Wilkinson made a spirited 42, assisted by some middle and late order resistance, in which Bernard Thornton made 21 and Jamie Wilkinson 24.

With Colton on 54-3 and the pitch giving considerable assistance to the seam bowlers, a shock result looked on the cards, but a stand of 109 between Horner and Wright saw Colton victory by five wickets.

Jamie Wilkinson bowled superbly to take all five wickets for 44 runs from 13.5 overs. Mick Kershaw also bowled well with no luck.

Nevertheless, this was a good all-round performance from Mills, and gives them hope for a much improved season.

After two successive relegations Skipton started their Division C campaign with a welcome win over Alwoodley.

Chasing 122 Skipton lost the early wicket of K Owens but Australian Robert Dilger hit a quickfire 41 not out to add to opener S Carling's 53 to ensure victory in just 25 overs.

Earlier A Fergie had taken 6-45 off 18-2 overs to destroy Alwoodley for whom J Newboult with 41 and opener D Taylor with 38 were the mainstays.

Illingworth were also relegated last season and they had to be content with a point from a rained off game with Addingham.

Opener M Fellows hit 68 as Illingworth forged a good score of 215-6 with skipper Dorian Brooksby making 49.

Openers Jamie Barrow and Sean Atkinson set Addingham on the victory trail sharing a stand of 133 but they were thwarted by rain and bad light. Atkinson hammered a superb 71 and Barrow 45.

Bolton Villas gained a six wickets win over Horsforth after dismissing them for 77. S Johnson bagged 4-13 and R Slater and A Stoker picked up three wickets apeice as Horsforth were shot out.

Villas then lost four wickets in gaining victory with opener S Wilson top scoring with 35.

Upper Wharfedale claimed all six points after dismissing Woodhouse for 109 in reply to their 180-8.

L Barrett top scored for the Grassington side with 46 from the middle order with good support from J Hastings-Trew (36).

S Bray bowled well for Woodhouse taking 5-40 off a prolonged 21 over stint.

Woodhouse then struggled against some steady bowling with E Roberts claiming 3-28 off ten overs and W Roberts 3-10 off 11 overs.