Oxenhope have made a bright start to the new ENCO Halifax League Premier Division campaign.

They currently sit second in the early-season standings, making it two wins from three after beating Copley by 52 runs on home soil on Saturday.

Ben Howell got the hosts off to a bright start by scoring 45, but when he was dismissed, they were wobbling badly on 93-5.

But Will Rankin scored a well-compiled 47 to steady the ship, but Daniel Scott came in at the back end of the innings and blasted an unbeaten 42 off only 17 balls to help his side finish on 222-8.

Copley were still reeling from that when they were reduced to 36-4, but their fifth-wicket pair put on an 88-run partnership to make the hosts nervous.

But once Oxenhope broke through, there was no stopping them, and opening bowler Joel Fothergill (5-31) and captain Lewis Hopkinson (3-29) were the chief destroyers as Copley were dismissed for 170.

In the Second Division, Cullingworth threw away victory at Outlane, losing a low-scoring, nerve-shredding, thriller by six runs.

James Bloodworth (4-20) and Dave Robinson (4-25) wreaked havoc on the home side’s batting line-up, as they could only post a meagre 94 all out.

And at 55-5, the visitors looked set fair and they were still favourites at 82-8, with Harrison Brierley well set.

But he was the last man out for 23, as Cullingworth lost by five runs.

By contrast, Oakworth made the most of skittling their opposition early in the afternoon.

Tom Raby took sensational figures of 7-11 as Queensbury were routed for just 64, before Jake Keslinke saw his side home with 42 not out in a six-wicket win.