AFTER finishing third for the past three seasons, Otley are hoping that a trio of signings can help them dethrone Collingham & Linton in the newly-named Aire-Wharfe League Premier Division.

Back at Cross Green is former first XI skipper Ben Morley, who has returned from Undercliffe, while his brother Joel has joined from Rawdon.

Otley also have a new overseas player in Aussie Roby Lane, from Melbourne club Northcote and, also importantly, there have been no departures, which should mean a stronger second XI.

There are also a record number of juniors signed up, while off the field, Otley have completed their refurbishment of the men’s and ladies’ toilets, as well as the showers.

Rawdon, third last season, have also strengthened, welcoming back Andrew Duckworth and Harry Nicholson, while Tom Watson, George Solti, Jack Gott, Corey Heath and Musar Umar have also joined.

They also have a new overseas in all-rounder Tom Wrigglesworth, who can bowl both seam and leg spin, and will hope to challenge in all formats.

Pool, fifth in 2023, have signed Elliot Audsley and have pace bowler David Amos available again after a year out.

Like Otley and Rawdon, they have a new overseas - Logan Duval from Australia.

Burley, who finished sixth last time out, have a new skipper in Nicky Bulcock and should better that placing with the return of Dan Revis and Charles Davy from the Bradford Premier League, plus left-arm seamer Jonathan Postle from New Rover.

South African Jason Kraftt, from CBC Old Boys in South Africa, is their overseas.

Burley, still feeling the loss of Pauline Brook, have achieved their target of £35,000 from crowdfunding, and also the backing of new sponsors Arundel Travel has enabled work on improving the drainage in the nets area, all three nets having top-of-the-range carpets, while a new garage for storing the groundsman’s equipment has been built behind the scoreboard.

Also an impressive 100-plus boys and girls are expected to get their first taste of junior cricket, feeding into their nine junior teams.

Horsforth Hall Park, a disappointing seventh in the top flight in 2023, have a new captain in Michael Loubser, and several new recruits besides.

Off the field, the club have once again made great strides over the winter with a full kitchen refurbishment and extensive decorating of the clubhouse/bar area in preparation for hosting the Birtwhistle Cup final.

Addingham, relegated to the second tier last season, have given Richard Atkins the captaincy, with experienced vice-captain Robbie Miller in support, while Kiwi Nick Farrell returns as their overseas player.

They again hope to integrate some of their juniors into senior cricket, although some experienced players are returning after long-term injuries, while they have also signed Luke Bott from Ilkley.

Like Otley, Addingham have replaced their showers.

Ilkley, who finished four points behind runners-up Steeton in the second tier in 2023, have had seven flood alerts over the winter without the River Wharfe bursting its banks.

They again have James Bourke as their overseas player, while William Jones should also be a factor after his move from Leicestershire.

Hosts for the 2025 Waddilove Cup final as part of their 175th anniversary, cabling has been laid, which will improve internet access to the scorebox, and there is also an improved alarm system.

Meanwhile, club legend Michael Clegg has put his two coloured pens away after retiring as scorer.

Olicanian, eighth last season, have retained their Clubmark and Safe Hands Management System that they achieved in 2023, and are well on their way to becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, rather than a members’ club.

Jamie Hudson is the new first XI captain, but he will be without Alex Wade, Tom Smallwood, Tom Starkey and James Skingle, who have left.

Newcomers are Christy Byrne and Thilip Kjumar Sappani, with hopefully more to add, while a long-term tenancy occupancy contract provides stability going forward.

Olicanian will also be staging Yorkshire junior matches, including an under-13s match on May 8, with other fixtures pencilled in for May 9, June 9, June 16 and July 16.

Guiseley, champions of Division Three last term, welcome back Aniket Rana as their overseas, and have also signed wicketkeeper-batter Viraj Bhosale from the Yorkshire Southern Premier League.

Menston, fourth in the third tier in 2023, have signed Aussie all-rounder Fraser Oates.

Horsforth, who were ninth, have a new first XI captain in Joe O’Gorman, who has Tom Colley in support, and have Brad Moritz as their overseas, a product of Mitcham CC in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, the club’s beer festival will return in June.

Green Lane, relegated from Division Two, have new recruits in Christos Bogdanos, Daniel Frost, Rob Pratt and Tom Mason and want to swiftly return to the second tier.