DIVISION One champions Oakworth suffered a surprise nine-wicket defeat at Embsay when the new season finally got under way a week late.

The Cure Hill side batted first and found themselves 41-5 then 69-6 before Brannan Lawn (52) joined Jack Davison (32) to take the score to 145. After they were parted the last four wickets fell for nine runs as Scott Robinson finished with 4-11 and Haroon Ali (3-49).

The Shires Laners reply was stunning with Josh Robinson (85no) and Duncan Ward (41no) putting on 126 for the second wicket to steer their side home in 29.3 overs.

Newly-promoted Denholme quickly found their feet as they saw off Crossflatts by 65 runs at Rhysworth Park.

Adam Taylor top scored with 30 as the visitors posted 168. Crossflatts slumped to 103 all out with Dom Bennett making 33 as Luke Pickles took 5-23.

Sutton won their South Craven derby at Cowling by 46 runs. They scored a moderate 142, after being 133-4 at one time. Richard Walker (41) and Sam Solley (34) top scored before Sajid Shafait (5-34) and Qamar Zaman (4-42) brought about a collapse.

Cowling never got to grips with Justin Holdsworth who finished with 7-23 and were all out for 96.

Barrowford, keen to regain their first division status, had a comfortable 55-run victory over Bradley at Bull Holme Oval.

Barrowford made a moderate 144 as Andy Holmes (5-30) and John Duffey (3-45) took the bowling honours. The South Craveners replied with just 89 as Majid Iqbal took 5-24 and Babar Shah (4-31).

Neil Freeman (119no) and Matt Lloyd (61) were the backbone of Glusburn’s 244-2 at Park Field. Visitors Chatburn made a great effort to reach the target but finished on 218 with George Stuart making 91no as Nick Williamson took 4-57 and Steve Brown (4-67).

Newly-promoted Ingrow St John’s tackled Thornton in near Arctic conditions at Street Lane. The Saints enjoyed an opening stand of 80 in quick time, then bumbled along to reach 152 with Dan Oldfield taking 6-80. Arfan Mahmood made 44 and Abid Hussain (42).

Thornton openers Kevin Pollard (84no) and Tom Cleaver (66) put on 134 to put their side on course for an eight-wicket win.

Gargrave opened their campaign in Division Three with a 34-run win at Denholme II. They successfully defended a modest total of 108-9 thanks to Ben Rhodes taking 7-34 and Joe Wood (3-14) as Denholme II were dismissed for 74. Michael Dennison took 5-50 for the losers.

Skipton CI beat the nine men of Eldwick & Gilstead by 90 runs with evergreen Ian Burke scoring 105no as the Sandylands side reached 194-7. Eldwick and Gilstead were dismissed for 104.

Riddlesden II were unable to raise a side so Embsay II receive 3 points.

With Sutton’s ground being unavailable due to the building of their new pavilion, their Division Four match against Sandy Lane II was moved to Victory Park at Barnoldswick.

The visitors blasted 216-9 thanks to Muhammed Ulfat (84) and Muhammad Hamzar (35) as Tony Walton claimed 4-38. Sutton only managed 119 in reply with Simon Todd making 71 as Liquat Ali took 4-52.

Mark Johnston made 59 of Glusburn II's 155-3 at Chatburn II. The Ribble Valley side knocked off the runs for the loss of five wickets with Darren Jackson scoring 50 as veteran Bryan Hollis took 4-69.

Foulridge walloped a massive 301-9 at Noyna with Imran Qamer blasting 114 and Umar Farooq 70 as Peter Hatton took 6-57. Visitors Cononley could only muster 107 in reply.

Bradley II went down by 188 runs at home to Barrowford II.

Division Five newcomers Bingley Congs III made 98-9 at Gargrave. Ryan Baines was the mainstay of the innings with 58 as Tony Spensley took 4-10. Spensley then made 48 as the Skipton Road side got home by four wickets.

Skipton CI succumbed by six wickets to Hepworth & Idle II at Sandylands.