The Bradford Central Cricket League season kicked off in almost ideal playing conditions yesterday.

Last season's League One champions Girlington entertained new boys Greenfield and started the season off in fine style by wracking up 312 for seven, with Habib Ur Rehman hitting 112 and Sajid Parvez making an unbeaten 75.

In reply, the visitors could only muster 146 to give a 166-run win for the home side.

Last season's runners-up Apperley Bridge fared less well when they travelled to 2009 basement boys Salem Athletic, who, batting first, reached 185 (Nawaish Khan 54, Mehr Sultan 45). In reply, Bridge fell 23 runs short at 162.

The final fixture at Thornbury turned out to be a close affair, with the home side making 192 (Mohammed Rehan 69).

In reply, Great Horton Church were second favourites at 34 for four, but, thanks to a fifth-wicket stand of 116 between Asif Mehmood (85) and Auyib Hussain (43), the visitors, despite losing three late wickets, claimed the six points after finishing at 195-8.

Second Division defending champions Salem Athletic started with a comfortable win when they visited Apperley Bridge at Rawdon Meadows.

The visitors made 162. In reply, Apperley Bridge were put out for just 86, with Adnan Khan returning the impressive figures of four for four off ten overs.

At Great Horton Church, an exciting finish occurred after Thornbury had made 160 (Salman Syed 52).

The home side were looking decidedly dodgy at 131for nine but last-wicket defiance by Abrar Hussain (41no) and Ali Abid (16no) saw Church sneak home by the narrowest of margins.