BAILDON started on the right foot in the Bradford Premier League Championship One as they defeated a Pudsey Congs side relegated from the top flight last season by four wickets.

Veteran spinner Mushtaq Ahmed took 4-20 as Congs were made to struggle for runs when they batted first. Former Baildon opener James Ford (34) and Jonathan Donnelly (34no) were the top scorers in a total of 130-9.

Baildon breezed to victory with 23.4 overs to spare as opener Jack Hainsworth led the way with a knock of 68. Hainsworth was joined in a first-wicket stand of 106 by George Barker (39).

Morley opened their campaign with a 14-run win at Gomersal in which their long-serving spin bowler Dave Nebard (4-52) played a key role.

He was well supported by newcomer Harish Krishnesh (3-38) as Gomersal were bowled out for 157 in reply to Morley’s 171-7.

Gomersal were in the hunt until opener Micky Hutchins (61) and Jonathan Boynton (38) were dismissed in quick succession.

Morley owed their total to the efforts of skipper Oliver Halliday (36) and Nathan Bromby (34no) after their early order found the going tricky. Boynton was the pick of Gomersal’s bowlers with 3-33.

Wrenthorpe recorded a comfortable 32-run win over Bankfoot which owed much to the efforts of all-rounder Jonathan Rudge.

Such an outcome seemed unlikely when they were reduced to 77-7, but they were revived by Rudge. He hit 69 and enabled them to reach 158 all out. Left-arm spinner Andrew Stothart took 4-29.

Rudge followed up with 4-31 as Bankfoot were bowled out for 126. They slumped to 29-5 before skipper James Lee made a battling 59 which challenged the dominance of Rudge and his new-ball partner Awais Ejaz (3-28).

Newly-promoted Hunslet Nelson made a great start as they defeated relegated Batley by 79 runs.

Half-centuries from the returning Danny Cross (63) and skipper Will Stiff (50) enabled Nelson to recover from 74-5 to post a challenging 233-9.

Opening bowler Huzaifah Patel took 5-54, but his efforts were in vain. Batley were restricted to 154-8 in reply. Roheil Hussain was their top scorer with 40 as Cross completed a fine individual display by taking 4-41.

Yeadon v Ossett and Hartshead Moor v Undercliffe were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Keighley were the day's only winners in Championship Two and they didn't waste any time in dispensing with Bowling Old Lane.

Lane were skittled for the day's lowest total of 48 with the returning Humayan Shahzad taking 5-18. Ahsan Butt (22) was top scorer in a sorry innings. Keighley eased to victory by seven wickets.

The only other match where play was possible saw the encounter between Buttershaw St Paul's and East Ardsley abandoned two overs from the end with Saints on the brink of victory.

Half-centuries from opener Kevin McDermott (69) and Jonathan Burston (66) enabled St Paul's to make 178-4 in their 50 overs. The pair shared a second-wicket stand of 109.

East Ardsley, last season's Conference champions, were wobbling at 138-8 after 48 overs when play was halted. Louie Hurley was their top scorer with 40 as Amer Ayoub took 4-29.

Wakefield St Michael's v Carlton, Hopton Mills v Altofts, Spen Victoria v Liversedge and Brighouse v Northowram Fields were all abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Conference newcomers Jer Lane suffered a nine-run defeat at Oulton in their first Bradford Premier League game.

Opener Will Harrison's bright innings of 51 from 59 balls proved crucial for Oulton in what turned out to be a low-scoring encounter. He hit three sixes and six fours and was the only batsman to dominate the bowling.

Kieran Rogers (3-18) bowled economically for Jer Lane as they restricted Oulton to 116-9. The newcomers found the going tough when they batted.

Jonny Lister (24) top scored as Lane were bowled out for 107. Jack Andrews impressed with 5-19 and Joe Sykes chipped in with 4-49.

Great Preston were made to work hard for their five-run win over newly-merged Gildersome & Farnley Hill. Gary Newton (48) and Oliver Baron (39) helped Great Preston to 159-9. The best of the Gildersome bowlers was Ashley Marsh with 3-48.

Opener Shoaib Rehman (45) and Richard Bedford (30no) gave their side hope, but they finished tantalisingly short on 154-9. Joe Schofield was the best of the Great Preston bowlers with 4-57.

Crossbank Methodists v Heckmondwike & Carlinghow United, Windhill & Daisy Hill v East Leeds, Rodley v Sandal and Adwalton v Azaad were all abandoned without a ball being bowled.