Skipton CC captain Chris Gott has been offered the job of Cricket Chairman at Pudsey St Lawrence, his former club, next season in addition to approaches from two other Bradford League clubs, (writes Tony Simpson).

Gott, who is out of action at the moment with injury and may struggle to play again this season at his current rate of progress, despite regular physiotherapy, has told Pudsey that his priority at the moment is Skipton's survival bid in the Aire-Wharfe first division and that he will not be making any early decisions on his future.

"I'm going on holiday to South Africa in September and I'll think about my future plans then," he says. "To be honest, if I go back to the Bradford League at all, then it will probably be to Pudsey, which would mean that I would have to leave Skipton.

"At this stage, my only concern is for Skipton to stay up and being on the sidelines with every game so important is extremely hard to cope with."

His frustration, however, will be as nothing compared to that suffered by opponents Burley on Saturday at Sandylands.

If Skipton manage to retain their Division A status, they will probably look back on last weekend's game as the day the fates showed themselves to be in their favour.

At 154 without loss when the rain arrived on Saturday evening, Burley were in a commanding position as they chased Skipton's 188-9 total. The runs had come at a steady rate, with only James Henson, who conceded only eight runs from six overs, escaping punishment.

Andrew Arundel (47no) and Richard Brook (96no) had only the elements to worry about as they put together what should have been a match-winning stand, but the weather finally did for them.

In the event, the key to Skipton's escape - and they were doubtless delighted to claim one of the two points available to the teams in a draw - was their ability to bat out their full allocation of 50 overs. While in the final analysis, the overs did not count in the scheme of things, the fact that the home side used up their full allocation of time was vital.

Teased by spots of rain on several occasions, when the torrent finally descended amidst gathering gloom, Burley were well and truly robbed.

The Wharfedale side may have taken consolation from a Waddilove Cup final win over Guiseley the following day which simply confirmed that they should never be where they are in the table, but failing to win at Sandylands was a major blow to their survival hopes, especially when they came so close to victory.

Steeton captain Matt Pinniger was among the runs again in the derby game against Silsden at Summerhill Lane, which ended in the visitors batting through the gathering gloom for a draw and two points.

Pinniger hit 96 in the home side's total of 237-8, Robert Wynn (46no) lending solid support with a typically swash-buckling knock. Andy Pullen (5-74) produced a tenacious effort for Silsden.

Once again, Silsden were at their defiant best, with John Akrigg (54) and Tim Sugden (36) leading the response as they closed at 182-8.

Silsden Seconds found their batting form once again and were rewarded with five points from a drawn game with Menston.

Hugh Sugden (67) was the corner-stone of the Silsden total of 211-8, strong support coming from Stuart Tillotson (36), Ian Sagar (25), Paul Tatterton (20) and Paul Bainbridge (20).

In reply, Menston were pinned down by some extremely accurate bowling from John Roberts, who conceded just two runs in nine overs, and Mick Hardwick, whose first seven overs cost only 11 runs and helped put Silsden firmly in the driving seat.

Menston finally settled for a draw at 100-6 Matt Shuttleworth finishing as Silsden's most penetrative bowler with 2-12 from seven overs.