WHILE the top team performance from the local sides in the Airedale and Wharfedale League last weekend came from Steeton, two-wicket winners against defending Division A champions Guiseley, the outstanding individual display came from the second team ranks.

Paul Bainbridge was 52 the day after playing for Silsden Seconds at home to Burley, but he made light of his years with a magnificent all-round performance. When Silsden batted, he hit 103 of the 190-6 total, which included a 102 stand with Ian Sagar (36).

One concession to the aches and pains of a long stay at the crease was a lengthy spell in the shower at the tea-break but, like a giant refreshed, he then set about part two of his impressive feat. Coming on as second change, Bainbridge then produced a lengthy and controlled spell of bowling which brought him 3-17 from 16 overs, which included 11 maidens.

Burley closed at 100-8, leaving Silsden with the lion's share of the points and Bainbridge just enough puff to blow out his candles.

Three successive defeats have left Skipton sharing bottom place in Division A along with Menston on one point and facing a major battle to avoid being cut adrift before their new-look side can adjust to life in the fast lane.

Only the most optimistic member could have envisaged a different scenario to the one which has been unfolding for the Sandylands club, so there is nothing too surprising about the form of a fledgling team. As they are finding, however, there is no automatic honeymoon period.

On the credit side in their eight-wicket reverse at Beckwithshaw, Kiwi Duncan Grant was top scorer with a useful 44 and then turned in an economical spell with the ball.

Unfortunately for Skipton, Grant was the only batsman to really get into his stride. Once again, there were useful contributions from David Whiteley (16) and Andrew Fergie (18), but instead of giving some depth to a solid early-order effort, they were main contributors to the 112 total.

Darren Wyrill then hit an unbeaten 54 as the home side moved to victory in 32 overs.

Steeton claimed a very useful scalp when they gained a two-wicket win over defending champions Guiseley. The visitors posted a 219-9 target, but an opening stand of 93 between Alex Howarth (79) and Grant Lindsay (44) put Steeton in the driving seat and they went on to claim their win with two overs in hand.

At 107-4, Silsden were in with a decent chance at Burley in Division B, but they were unable to maintain the momentum and fell 31 runs of their objective. Saddique was top scorer for the home side with 59 the damage was done when Stuart Tweddle (41no) and Roy Brook (29) moved the Burley score from 97-5 to 153.

After the humbling the previous week by Pool, Upper Wharfedale were probably content to get back into competitive mode when Pool Mills were visitors. Colin Stead produced a yeoman effort with the ball, taking 5-73 from 19 overs as the visitors reached 175-9.

At 58-4, Wharfedale's chances did not look good, but Stead then came to the rescue with the bat, his 27 helping the home side to survive and bat out their overs at 156-9 for a couple of points.