Aire Valley rivalry between Steeton and Silsden gives a new look to division

9:52am Monday 14th April 2008

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Steeton Cricket Club's relegation from the Airedale and Wharfedale League's First Division sets up an interesting Aire Valley rivalry with Silsden in Division Two for the 2008 season. A preview of the two local teams and their division rivals is as follows: SILSDEN: The club has retained all of the squad from last season, including Zeshan Qasim and Yasser Ali. Australian Matt Pinninger has been engaged as the overseas player. The first team will again be led by Hugh Sugden, while the second XI will be skippered by Matthew Shuttleworth, with ex-captain Stuart Tillotson continuing as a player but having more time to attend to his most valued services as club groundsman. Off the field officials are still pursuing the possibility of redeveloping the clubhouse and changing rooms in conjunction with the football club.

STEETON: The first eleven reached the Waddilove Cup final and the second eleven won the A Division Championship for the third successive time in 2007. The third eleven continue to perform well and under Alex Howarth they aim to bring on a crop of young talent. Little has changed in personnel over the winter. Jonathan Best is to replace Gary Boulton as captain and lead the charge to regain A division status. Neil Spragg is vice-captain. South African Ian Page, a top order batsman and spin bowler, is the overseas player. Given the success of the second eleven over recent years Bob Wynn retains the captaincy with the winner of the second eleven keeping award, Julian Higginson becoming his deputy. The third eleven captaincy is retained by Alex Howarth with David Hedges becoming vice-captain.

BARDSEY: Gary Hopton remains as first team skipper after a first season in charge which was high on morale if sometimes a little bit short on commitment by the players. Mitch Brown is the new overseas player for 2008. He plays First Grade cricket for South Brisbane. The other new arrival is Bilal Qazi who joins from Sketty Church CC, Swansea.

CALVERLEY: Top order batsmen Basil King and Shahid Bashir have been recruits from Esholt. King is the new captain of a side also strengthened by the signing of talented wicketkeeper batsman Imran Mirza from Bowling Old Lane. The overseas player will be South African fast bowler in Jean Dixon.

COLTON: After a successful 2007 season the club is looking to establish it self in Division B. The first team will continue to be captained by Martin Stalgis and boosted by overseas player Rohit Ramanathan who is from Sydney. Paul Horsey has signed from Alwoodley and Richard Brook returns.

FOLLIFOOT: Paul Angove will, following a short absence, be resuming as captain and he will be looking for a more consistent performances from a side which was relegated from Division A in 2007.

HARDEN: Phil Leng will captain a side strengthened by the signing of Richard Wear from Spen Victoria and Chris Luxton from Thackley. The overseas player is Lindsay Scown from North Melbourne.

KNARESBOROUGH: There is relatively little change in personnel from last year. The new Overseas player is a promising youngster, Dale Tormey, who joins the Club from the same Australian team as last year's Overseas Player, Rhys Adams. Clyde Williams has been recruited from Bilton and will open the batting with the new captain Adam Pryor. Richard Tattersall has decided to retire and his successor as wicketkeeper will be his son James.

NEW ROVER: Having managed to finish eighth last year they are hoping to build on that this season, and there are a few new players who have been netting with the club during the pre-season. Batsman Michael Richmond will again be a key figure.

OLICANIAN: Jamie Hudson leads the team on its return to Division Two and they are hoping to consolidate after their hard-earned promotion. Chris Wheeler (Spen Victoria), Richard Machell (Yeadon) and Andy Bailey (Otley) will strengthen a squad which will be looking for big things from Australian Nic Peterson. The 21-year-old is a left handed early order batsman and occasional spin bowler.

TONG PARK: The club are determined to continue building on the improvements made in the 2007 season. James Druce takes over as captain with Phil Hanson as his deputy.

UPPER WHARFEDALE: James Freebury is the new first team captain. The new faces include Ollie Uffindall who scored nearly 5,000 runs and 150 wickets in four years with his previous club. Also joining from the Nidderdale League is left arm spinner Chris Natress. Ben Way from Melbourne, who is a top order batsman and quick bowler, fills the overseas role.