Defending Division One champions Cullingworth were pushed all the way by a youthful Embsay side before wrapping up an opening two-wicket Craven League win with just nine balls in hand.

Embsay collapsed from 97 for two to 107 for six against Dave Hall (4-55) but some enthusiastic tail wagging saw them boost their final total to 170 for eight led by skipper Duncan Ward (35).

Josh Robinson added 26 and then picked up two for 19 alongside debutant youngster Aslam Hussein (3-58) but a patient unbeaten 44 by Steve Welch guided Cullingworth home.

Bradley are expected to do well this season after some useful winter recruitment but looked in trouble at Ingrow, who dismissed them for 146.

But Matt Simpson then bagged eight for 45 as the hosts were all out for 129 (Mark Price 65) to give new skipper Neil Andrews a winning start.

Wynn Cup finalists Bingley Congs and Oakworth met at Beckfoot Lane and produced an exciting tie off the penultimate ball of the game.

Oakworth posted a healthy 182 for nine thanks to Michael Scarborough (60) and Brannan Lawn (55) and then had Congs struggling at 29 for four.

A partnership of 97 by Lee Poppleton (47) and Chris Dibb steadied the ship before Steve Filkin and Richard Linden were reintroduced to the attack and although Iain Copping hit a six to level the scores, he was then bowled by Linden to end the innings.

Freddie Pearson, captain of the Joe Lumb team, top scored with 32 as Cononley staggered to 97 all out at home to Cowling (Martyn Dalby 5-26, Steve Richardson 4-44).

Youngster Matthew Wiggan (45no) and evergreen Steve Mitchell (20no) then saw the visitors home by seven wickets.

Haworth Road were runners-up last season but returned empty handed from Crossflatts, who won by three wickets thanks to M Adil (75) against the best efforts of M Khan (5-78).

Chris Griggs had made 67 as Road posted 180, with James O’Hara (5-42) the pick of the bowlers.

Glusburn, shorn of seven first-teamers over the winter, were restricted to 120 by Haworth as R Ellis (5-44) and Damian Rowell (3-34) dominated and eventually lost by seven wickets.