STEETON will be relying on a new skipper as they bid to bounce straight back into Aire-Wharfe League Division One after their relegation last season.

Paul Hardwick has taken the reins from Stephen Pearson, and Jake Starkey has joined from Upper Wharfedale, who, along with Silsden, have resigned from the league.

The Summerhill Lane side start life in Division Two with a trip to Adel on Saturday.

Veteran Garry Boulton is second-team skipper, while Hayden Tennant once again leads the third team, who are defending their title after defeating Rawdon in the play-off final.

Juniors may well get their chance, with the under-17s and under-15s both having won titles last year in the Upper Airedale Junior League.

Steeton, venue for the Waddilove Cup final this season, must hope that their players are as reliable as their tea ladies, who have won the league's unofficial 'Tea of the Year award' for an incredible 22 straight seasons.

Harden, who were relegated to Division Three and will therefore welcome new clubs Saltaire and St Chad's Broomfield, have also opted for fresh leadership, with James Roper stepping up.

Paul Quinlan, who has spent the winter playing cricket Down Under, is vice-captain.

Three players hoping to help them get back into the intermediate tier are new signings Josh Brooksbank (Thackley), Liam Kelly (Illingworth) and Dan Viles (from Shropshire League club Trysull & Seisdon).

First up for Harden is a home game with Olicanian, whom Chris Meehan and Manley du Preez joined prior to Silsden moving to the Craven League.

Harden's second team will be led by siblings Richard and Mark Falkingham, with the latter replacing Steve Gardner as vice-captain.