A SUPERB all-round performance by Martin Knowles saw Menston enjoy an opening day success at Hall Park.

The former Guiseley player took 4-36 off 17 overs as Park were restricted to 151-9 with Peter Kempton making 25 and S Wilson 26. Martin Culley provided something of a rearguard action with an unbeaten 22 from the number nine spot.

Menston were floundering until Knowles forged an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 85 with Nick Thornton (40) making his side's top score of 51 not out from the number ten spot.

Another former Guiseley player was in form with the bat. Green Lane skipper Barry McCormack hammered 15 fours and 5 sixes in a magnificent 136 as his side totalled 271-8 against Follifoot. With Jamie Pickering assisting with 32 Lane set too high a target for Follifoot who hung for a point with 144-6.

With their former players in the limelight it was a sad day for Guiseley who were dismissed for a humbling 39 by Beckwithshaw who had made 133 all out. Mark Best bagged 5-32 for Guiseley and all looked well until they went to the crease. Then it was just a procession as Australian Nathan Rillington took 4-9 off 11 overs and Matthew Smart 6-28 off ten overs.

Another debutant grabbing the headlines was Bilton's Toby Drummond. The former Bradford League star hit an unbeaten half century as Bilton once again showed their determination to be champions.

Drummond, a close season capture from Undercliffe, made 57 no while Miles Corish cracked an unbeaten 53 in a nine wicket thrashing of North Leeds.

The newly promoted Kirkstall Educational and Rawdon both failed to register a victory in the top flight.

Rawdon claimed two points from a drawn game with Otley after looking set for a real thrashing.

They were 36-6 in reply to Otley's 157 at one stage but Australian Matthew Hutton produced a gutsy 45 not out with Dennis Rock contributing 21. Hutton and former skipper Peter Smith put on 59 for the ninth wicket to frustrate Otley for whom James Davies made a superb 71.

Otley skipper Robert Atkinson tried his best to forge victory with a return of 5-22.

Kirkstall lost by four wickets to Adel for whom Nick Smith showed excellent form with an unbeaten 99 as they knocked off the runs. He was well supported by S Howie with 39.