Barkisland’s dramatic opener

Barkisland v Broad Oak. Alex Scholefield.

Four wickets for Matthew Steers and three for Alex Scholefield left Darren Robinson’s side needing 221 to win.

After a disastrous start, Luke Bridges (43) and Robinson (55) pulled the reply round, only for another flurry of wickets to leave them on the brink of defeat.

However, last pair Steers (34) and Chris Williams (15 no) levelled the scores, only for Steers to be disastrously run out.

Also in the top section, new-look Elland started with a fine victory at Skelmanthorpe.

Returning skipper Paul Winrow led the way to 243 for seven with 94 and Skelmanthorpe were limited to 157 in reply with Robin Broom (four for 25), overseas player Nishant Desai (three for 21) and youngster Siraj Sajid (three for 28) among the wickets.

Illingworth won at the first time of asking, at Knaresborough, following promotion to the Aire/Wharfe League’s middle section.

Danny Gibbs’ patient 77 not out from 136 balls at the top of the order helped them through a crisis at 28 for four.

He found willing partners in Matthew Smith (34) and then last two Jamie Moorhouse (30) and Liam Kelly (21 no) in a total of 204 nine.

Knaresborough were restricted to 183 for seven in reply with Luke Brooksby’s three for 33 a key factor.

Skipper Alex Stead (63) led from the front as Lightcliffe opened their Bradford League campaign with a 38-run win over Farsley.

Lightcliffe made 180 for eight and that looked as if it might not be enough when James Wainman (41) and Greg Pickles (37) added 73 but Josh Wheatley (three for 24) and Suleman Khan (three for 41) spun the Wakefield Road side to a 38-run success.

Brighouse beat Idle by 21 runs in Division Two with the help of 84 not out from debutant Nadim Hussain.