DEBUTANT James Freebury shone for new-look Steeton as they tied with Rawdon in an exciting opening-day Aire-Wharfe Division One clash.

A second wicket stand of 61 between Harry Nicholson (28) and Jake Hodges (37) gave the Leeds hosts a solid start but then wickets started to tumble and it took a last wicket flourish from Ryan Gladwin (49no) and Josh Hobson (18no) to take them to 208-9.

Debutant Joe Stead claimed 2-53, while Jon Best (1-32), new skipper Steve Pearson (1-36), the returning Tom Stead (1-30) and James Emmott (1-27) were also in the wickets for Steeton.

The visitors were wobbling at 51-3 before the innings was steadied by the experienced pairing of John Akrigg (36) and Neil Spragg (39), who added 68 for the fourth wicket.

Spragg went on to share a 45-run fifth-wicket partnership with former Upper Wharfedale player Freebury, who top-scored with an unbeaten 63 from 60 deliveries.

With wickets tumbling at the other end as Andrew Doidge took 6-34, Freebury stood firm and almost pulled off an incredible last-over win.

Needing 20 off the final six balls, he managed 19 to secure his new team a share of the spoils in a fantastic climax as Steeton matched Rawdon’s 208-9.

Ambitious Skipton got off to a winning start in Division Two with the experienced Steve Carling (45no) as they made 170-9 at Harden.

Paul Quinlan bowled well for the hosts as he took 4-29 but his batsmen could not match his efforts. Harden, were dismissed for just 71.

In Division Three, Upper Wharfedale launched their campaign with a win over Horsforth Hall Park. Jake Parkinson led the way with the bat as Upper Wharfedale made 166 in the face of some stead bowling from Dan Dastelik (3-52) and James Carlill (3-51).

Bowlers Celeb Grant (5-40) and Dan Benson (4-37) ensured that the total was sufficient as they dismissed Hall Park for 149 to seal a 17-run success.

Silsden took four points from defeat at Bardsey, where they scored 182 in reply to the hosts’ 266-3.

Manley Du Preez made 56 in 46 balls on his debut for the Keighley Road side.

There was better news for Silsden II, who saw skipper Andy Pullen (107no) and 16-year-old Nick Firth (92) put on 164 runs in just 17 overs as they racked up 277-4 at home to Bardsey II, who made 186-7 in reply.

Steeton II enjoyed a six-wicket win at home to Rawdon II (233-8) as David Robinson top-scored for the hosts with 72 from 72 balls.

B McGonigle (4-23) helped dismiss hosts Upper Wharfedale II for just 97 in Harden II’s seven-wicket win