WHILE the margin of Cleckheaton's loss last Saturday was eye-catching – they went down by 164 runs at Bradford & Bingley – the fact that the JCT600 Bradford League champions had been beaten was not altogether surprising.

They have won the title for the past two seasons but lost two out of their first three matches in 2013 – they only lost six all season – and tied one and lost one of their initial three games last season, when they only suffered three setbacks all campaign.

"We always seem to start a bit slowly," confessed Cleckheaton opener Tim Jackson.

"Whether that is due to us not playing enough pre-season games or not practising enough, I don't know, but it is nothing to worry about and I am sure that we will bounce back this weekend and get into mid-table."

Bradford & Bingley batted first and made 244-9, Ryan Cooper scoring 84 and new signing Curtis Free taking 3-54 – the one real positive as far as Jackson is concerned – but only Jackson (39) and Iain Wardlaw (17) made double figures in the second half when Cleckheaton were castled for 80, with Jack Hartley taking 7-47.

"It was one of those games where the toss was important," said Jackson. "We would have batted first too had we won it but we had them at 124-6 and let them get up to 240.

"The wicket then deteriorated after tea. It was getting slower and lower and swinging and seaming.

"Jack bowled well but his figures were a bit flattering, although there is no way that it was an 80-all-out pitch."

Cleckheaton are at home to Pudsey Congs tomorrow – one of the six teams in Division One that won last weekend and who beat Cleck in the third game of the 2013 season to make the eventual champions' record played three, won one, lost two.

Four of the clubs who won their opening matches meet in the top flight tomorrow, with Bradford & Bingley visiting Lightcliffe and Pudsey St Lawrence hosting Woodlands.

The other two are Congs and Hanging Heaton, who are at New Farnley.

Four unbeaten teams also square up in Division Two, with new boys Scholes hosting Gomersal and Brighouse visiting Spen Victoria.