SIMON Lambert hit an unbeaten century as holders New Farnley launched their defence of the Priestley Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Baildon.

The left-handed opener made 112 not out, an innings containing a six and 17 fours, during a first-wicket stand of 208 with skipper Lee Goddard (72) which took their side within four runs of victory.

Championship One leaders Baildon had made a respectable 211 when they batted first thanks to half-centuries from Hamzah Iqbal (63) and Australian Blair Oakley (50), and a useful 36 from Mounam Khan.

Lambert, pressed into action as an opening bowler, returned figures of 3-54 for New Farnley.

The day’s highest individual score was made by Methley’s Yorkshire all-rounder Matthew Waite. He marked his debut in the competition with an unbeaten 135 as last season’s beaten finalists beat Bankfoot by 130 runs.

Waite struck five sixes and 14 fours and was well supported by skipper Grant Soames as Methley compiled 291-5.

The Bankfoot captain James Lee made a battling 66 as his side were bowled out for 161 with their former player Marcus Walmsley taking 4-21.

Another member of the Yorkshire squad getting vital time in the middle was Tom Kohler-Cadmore. He smashed an unbeaten 67 from just 31 balls with five sixes and seven fours as Cleckheaton romped to a nine-wicket win over a weakened Morley side.

Morley were bowled out for just 107 with Asfaq Patel (31) top-scoring as left-armer Joshua Thurwell took 3-26 for Cleckheaton.

South African Pat Kruger gave further evidence that he is going to be a valuable acquisition for Farsley as they won the all Premier Division clash with Bradford & Bingley by 60 runs.

Kruger made 61 and was supported by Mark Harrison (42no) and James Wainman (35) despite Bradford & Bingley’s Jack Edgar returning the day’s best bowling figures of 6-29.

Bradford & Bingley, who had lost their opening two league games, were bowled out for 159 as seamer Chris Henry and spinner James Logan each took 3-30.

Champions Hanging Heaton made the day’s highest total of 294-7 as they defeated Championship One outfit Yeadon by 144 runs.

Skipper Gary Fellows (78), Joe Fraser (63) and Ishmail Dawood (44) made it a tough afternoon for the Yeadon bowlers.

Muhammad Naveed (55) and Zarak Khan (47) shared a third-wicket stand of 90 as Yeadon replied with 150-9. Spinner Aqsad Ali took 3-20.

The day’s closest finish came at Hartshead Moor where the home side lost by two runs to Hunslet Nelson, who were promoted from Championship Two with them last season.

Andrew McIntosh’s 62 in Hunslet’s 143 proved to be crucial to the outcome of the match. Former Yorkshire and Scotland seamer Iain Wardlaw took 4-22 for Hartshead Moor.

Spinner Danny Cross (3-21) and Will Stiff (3-24) made important contributions as Hartshead Moor were all out for 141. Overseas player Ali Shah (37) was the top scorer.

Pudsey Congs have enjoyed great success in the competition in past seasons but this time they bowed out in the first round, beaten by four wickets by Gomersal.

Congs were on the back foot after slumping to 28-6. Mushy Rafique (38) and Jamie Allen (35no) boosted the total to 156, but it was insufficient.

Former Congs player Jack Seddon (35) and skipper Graham Hilton (30) ensured that Gomersal’s name goes into the hat for the second-round draw.