AFTER gaining a creditable fifth place on their return to the top flight last season, Ilkley know it will be hard to build on that in what looks set to be a very competitive Aire-Wharfe League Division One.

An opening-day defeat at newly-promoted Follifoot underlined the task ahead of them and they follow that with an even tougher prospect tomorrow when they entertain title favourites Beckwithshaw, who have added the batting talent and Yorkshire League experience of Alexis Twigg to an already-strong line-up.

But Ilkley will take heart from the early-season batting of Jibrael Malik and bowling of Henry Wilson and Rob Spivey, and recall that they caused a major upset by beating Beckwithshaw at this stage last season.

It will be hard for Guiseley to take any positives from the thrashing they took at the hands of Beckwithshaw last week, except perhaps for the fact that the signing of Stewart Smith looks a good move. They entertain Bilton, who are also looking for a first win.

Burley started with a comfortable victory but will look for a stronger display from their middle order, where they lost five wickets for the addition of one run. They face Steeton, fresh from a thrilling tie at Rawdon thanks to some fine batting from James Freebury.

Defending champions Otley should be able to make it two wins out of two when they entertain Collingham, while Rawdon face a tricky trip to Kirkstall.

Having missed out on promotion from Division Two by just six points last year, Green Lane started the new campaign by taking maximum points at newly-relegated Ben Rhydding.

Lane enjoyed an impressive debut from Aussie Tony Cornwell and a match-winning six-wicket spell from Waleed Akhtar. It will need a massive improvement from Harden, comfortably beaten by Skipton last week, to dent their momentum.

Horsforth, fresh from crushing Thackley, take on Pool in a clash between two of the sides likely to be scrapping out promotion with Green Lane at the end of the season.

Skipton will look to build on that victory when they entertain Adel, while Thackley need to regroup at home to Knaresborough.

Despite losing their first match, Ben Rhydding had Forrest Hamilton and Charlie Swallow in good form and are likely to be too strong for a Tong Park Esholt side that could only manage 78 last week.

With the introduction of Old Modernians and some squad strengthening by two of last season’s whipping boys, Bardsey and Alwoodley, Division Three might be the hardest title to win this year.

Addingham eased past Olicanian last week thanks to a five-wicket spell from Steve Kuhl but are likely to find Bolton Villas a tougher prospect as they seek to bounce straight back after relegation.

Calverley, who only just fell short in a run chase at Alwoodley, entertain Old Modernians, while Menston tackle the always run-hungry New Rover.

Silsden will need new signing Manley Dupreez to continue his good start if they are to take anything against Alwoodley, while Hall Park travel to Olicanian, both sides eager to shake off opening-day defeats.

The Waddilove Cup starts on Sunday, with Ilkley travelling to Colton, Hall Park entertaining Alwoodley and Kirkstall facing Bardsey in the preliminary round.