CLECKHEATON have made a poor start in their bid for a third straight JCT600 Bradford League championship.

Bradford & Bingley paceman Jack Hartley took 7-47 as they were skittled for 80 in reply to the home side's 244-9.

Ryan Cooper was the cornerstone of Bradford & Bingley's innings with 84, striking four sixes and eight fours.

Cleckheaton's Iain Wardlaw claimed the two wickets he needed to reach 500 in Bradford League cricket.

The runs flowed as the sun shone on the opening day, and there was a high-scoring game at East Bierley, where the home side went down by 14 runs.

Pudsey St Lawrence compiled the day's highest score of 269-5, thanks to a sparkling 126 not out from skipper James Smith, including five sixes and 15 fours.

But Smith's century was not as fast as that by East Bierley skipper Dan Shuffe, who hit ten sixes and five fours in 110 off just 71 balls in East Bierley's 269-8.

There was also a close finish at Albert Terrace, where Woodlands edged home by 13 runs. The home side were made to work hard for their 185-9. Grant Soames grafting away for his 45, while Sarfraz Ahmed made a rapid unbeaten 38.

New Farnley lost wickets at regular intervals in reply as left-arm spinner Chris Brice took 5-65. The highlight of the innings was an unbeaten 73 from Nick Walker.

Australian opener Nick Connolly and left-arm spinner Ben Elvidge were the stars of Hanging Heaton's 45-run win over newly-promoted Saltaire.

Connolly carried his bat for 106, which contained 12 fours, in Hanging Heaton's 252-5. Saltaire, who made a spirited 207, were undone by Elvidge (7-57).

A fine century from skipper Gareth Phillips (113), 77 from Nick Lindley and some fiery fast bowling from James Pearson (12.3-4-13-5) enabled Pudsey Congs to brush aside last season's Division Two champions Undercliffe by 127 runs, Gulsheraz Ahmed making 58 for the losers in reply to 240-7.

Lightcliffe had a 38-run win over new-look Farsley. Skipper Alex Stead (63) helped Lightcliffe to 180-8 but Farsley faltered after a fourth-wicket stand of 73 between new boys James Wainman (41) and Greg Pickles (37).