WITH over 400 runs in two matches, Skipton's fortune's received a welcome boost at the weekend, progress to the quarter-finals of the Airedale & Wharfedale League's Waddilove Cup and a home tie against Adel being a very tasty morsel.

The Leeds team claimed a five-wicket win at Sandylands earlier in the season, but Skipton will be confident that they can post a better total next time around than the 114 they sought to defend in the league clash.

Even then Mick Scott produced a five-wicket return, so after the weekend's improved form with the bat, Skipton will be looking for a semi-final spot with some confidence.

Victory at Bilton was assured with a top-class batting display which brought 205 runs from the 45-over allocation. Danny Sturgess, unbeaten on 78, and Chris Gott, who made 66, were the architects of the Skipton's 205-3 tally, who once James Henson had both openers back in the pavilion with 24 scored, was always a tall order for the home side.

Henson kept the screw tightly turned with 2-12 from nine overs, while Scott, whose nine over surrendered only 10 runs, was just as miserly as Bilton reached 159-7 at the close.

At 13-3 the previous day at Silsden, the portents were not so encouraging, ex-Keighley bowler John Roberts doing the early damage.

The arrival of Chris Gott and Robert Greenwood, however, changed the complexion of the game dramatically. The pair picked up the tempo in fine style, adding 110 runs on 80 minutes, Gott leading the way with 75 and Greenwood adding solid support with 57.

With John McPherson adding an unbeaten 24 batting at No 8, Skipton's total of 207-9 was always beyond Silsden's means. In-form David Jackson provided staunch resistance with 47 and thanks largely to his efforts, Silsden were able to pick up a point when they reached the close at 113-8.

By comparison with Skipton Seconds' rearguard action at Sandylands, Silsden's effort was positively flamboyant. Faced with a 158-9 Silsden total, of which opener Stokes made 88, Skipton dug in for a valuable point, opener Kevin Owens carrying his bat for 35.

A devastating spell of fast bowling by Guy Sexton should have been enough to give Steeton a morale boosting win over Division A leaders Guiseley, but instead, his 7-36 return and the opposition's dismissal for a modest 134 served only to embarrass last season's champions.

What should have been a relatively straightforward assignment for the Steeton batsmen proved beyond them as they were dismissed for 118, Aussie Mat Pinniger with 67 the only man to come to terms with the situation.

The outcome was made all the more frustrating after Sexton's impressive second spell.

He 7-18 in 7.4 overs, including six victims bowled, to rip the heart out of the Guiseley innings. Unfortunately only Pinniger had a response of any substance and a chance to move swiftly up the table went begging.

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